How to Care for the Insane: A Manual for Nurses — John Shaqi
How to Care for the Insane: A Manual for NursesGranger, William D.
Science
How to Care for the Insane: A Manual for Nurses
Granger, William D.
Psychiatric nursing
The earlier stages of insanity are frequently accompanied by considerable
disturbance of bodily health. The appetite is poor, the digestion
disordered, the bowels constipated, the breath foul, the secretions of the
skin changed and often offensive, the temperature a little elevated, the
pulse rapid, and the heart weak. Sometimes, on the other hand, the
temperature is normal, or a little below, while the hands are cold and
clammy. In addition, nutrition is frequently impaired, so that the food
taken by patients does not seem to properly nourish and strengthen. All of
these symptoms are not present in a given case; sometimes most of them may
be, and again but few are to be noticed.
The important lesson to learn in the care of these cases is that such
patients may rapidly pass into a more serious condition, in which there is
great exhaustion, which is always alarming, and may even result fatally.
Recent cases, such as have been spoken of, need our best care, closest
attention, and kindest nursing. The patient should daily take sufficient
food, which, if necessary, should be enforced, and the opportunity for
sleep promoted. A few days, or a day, without food and sleep may bring on
alarming symptoms.
For these patients, milk is the best article of diet; it is most easily
given and readily taken; it should be given by the glassful, or if not
able to do this by the spoonful. Some patients, for reasons not always
known, will refuse food one hour and take it freely the next; it should,
therefore, be frequently offered. With milk as a basis, we may add to it,
as we are able. Raw egg, gruel, boiled rice, oatmeal, custard, and bread
are adjuncts that are nutritious and easily given.
It makes but little difference why patients refuse food, except that a
knowledge of the reasons may enable us to overcome their disinclinations.
The thing to remember is that they must in some way be made to get enough.
_Care of Patients with Insanity, Accompanied by Exhaustion._--There is a
condition associated with acute mania or melancholia--though it is
sometimes seen in connection with the more chronic forms of insanity,--of
exhaustion so overpowering, that it may be rightly compared with the
exhaustion of typhoid fever. It may last a few days or a month, or more,
if it does not sooner terminate fatally. Instead of the quiet delirium of
typhoid fever there is generally violent mania or frenzy. Neither mind nor
body is quiet; sleep seems to have fled. The patient may be destructive,
constantly out of bed, fighting care, refusing food, and wetting and
dirtying himself. With these unfortunate conditions there generally is
fever, often to a considerable degree, the heart is feeble, the pulse
rapid, the tongue and lips dry and cracked, the teeth covered with sordes,
and the body emaciated. Every case does not present all these symptoms,
nor show such alarming exhaustion. There are many degrees of severity in
this sickness.
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