A reference hand-book for nursesBeck, Amanda K. (Amanda Kathryn)
Science
A reference hand-book for nurses
Beck, Amanda K. (Amanda Kathryn)
Nursing
To _disinfect the feces and urine_, use a solution of chlorinated soda
(Labarraque’s solution). Cover the urine and feces with the solution
and leave the contents stand for an hour. Cleanse pan thoroughly and
pour into it the Labarraque solution.
PNEUMONIA.
Pneumonia is a general infection, excited by a special organism—the
pneumococcus—and manifested by a local inflammatory process in the lung
and severe systemic disturbances.
Exposure to cold and lowered vitality from overwork, alcoholism, or
some previous disease render persons liable to infection.
=Symptoms.=—These consist in a decided chill, pain in the side, fever
rising rapidly to 104°-105° F., and lasting for five, seven, nine,
or eleven days, and then rapidly falling; cough; tenacious bloody
expectoration, shortness of breath, delirium and stupor, and physical
signs indicating a solid condition of the affected lung.
In fatal cases death usually results from exhaustion, the result of
the systemic poisoning, but occasionally it is due to a failure of
the heart to propel the blood through the solid lung, to suffocation,
or a complication, such as inflammation of the covering of the heart
(pericarditis) or lining of the heart (endocarditis).
=Management.=—The room should be well ventilated, but free from
drafts. The temperature should be maintained between 65° and 70° F.
Cool water should be given freely. The points mentioned in connection
with temperature, respiration, and pulse in dealing with typhoid fever
are applicable here. Note the frequency of cough, the amount and
character of expectoration, and whether the latter is raised readily
or with difficulty. Note the occurrence of pain and its location; also
amount of sleep, amount of nourishment, amount of urine, number of
stools, etc., and the effect of sponging, of medicines, and of local
applications. Clean the mouth and teeth at intervals, being extremely
careful, however, in all manipulations not to tire or exhaust the
patient.
SCARLET FEVER.
Scarlet fever is an acute, highly contagious disease characterized by a
sudden onset with chill, vomiting, or convulsions; a high fever of from
a week to ten days’ duration; a very rapid pulse; severe sore throat; a
bright red rash, appearing on the second day, lasting about a week, and
followed by desquamation and a marked tendency to nephritis.
The most serious complications are nephritis, suppurative inflammation
of the middle ear (otitis media), inflammation of the endocardium or
pericardium, and pneumonia.
Scarlet fever, while contagious at all periods, is probably most so
during the period of desquamation. The organism may cling to furniture,
clothing, etc., and reproduce the disease after very long periods. The
contagion may be carried by persons coming in contact with the sick,
or the disease may be transmitted through the air of the sick-room or
through clothing, utensils, etc., which have been used by the sick.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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