Mental diseases: a public health problemMay, James Vance
Science
Mental diseases: a public health problem
May, James Vance
Mental health services; Psychology, Pathological
These measures should never be attempted by anyone who has not had an
extended practical experience. Much can be accomplished by hydrotherapy
in the alcoholic and toxic conditions, infective and exhaustive
psychoses, manic excitements, involutional melancholia, hysterical and
neurasthenic conditions, as well as in occasional cases of dementia
praecox. Occupational therapy has been used to great advantage in
connection with the hydrotherapeutic treatments.
In the reception service and in the buildings for the noisy and violent
cases ample facilities should be at hand for the continuous bath
treatments. Pack rooms are also desirable. There is no means at our
disposal equal in any way to the efficacy of the continuous bath in
controlling excitements. The patient is usually kept in the tub from
five to eight hours at a temperature varying from 92 to 97 degrees and
averaging 96 degrees. In some hospitals they are kept in the tubs for
periods of from two to three weeks. The continuous bath is of no value
unless it means what the name implies—the continuous submersion of the
body in water. In dealing with very excited cases this necessitates
the use of a tub cover and a hammock, although sheet coverings are
often used satisfactorily. Not much is to be gained by the tub bath if
the patient is to be allowed to get out and in as he pleases and only
come into partial contact with the water. The continuous bath is not
without drawbacks. There is danger of chilling, scalding and drowning
either by accident or with suicidal intent, etc. Too much care cannot
be exercised in the supervision of the bath rooms. Every tub room
in the Boston State Hospital has the following rules conspicuously
displayed:—
THE CONTINUOUS BATH ROOM
1. The nurse on duty in the bath room will be held personally
responsible for the safety of the patients and must be thoroughly
familiar with these rules. The nurse must never leave the room unless
relieved by some other nurse. Eternal vigilance is necessary to
prevent the chilling, scalding or drowning of the patient.
2. Patients are to be given continuous baths only on the written order
of a physician.
3. Patients going to or from the bath room must wear a nightdress or
bathrobe and slippers when not fully clothed.
4. Tubs not in good condition or not properly equipped must not be
used.
5. Only patients under treatment are allowed in the room.
6. Toilet each patient just before the bath. Patients may be removed
from the tub for toilet purposes when necessary.
7. In preparing for the bath, warm the tubs with hot water and then
regulate the temperature so that a small amount of water at 96 degrees
will be flowing continually.
8. Adjust the hammock to the tub and place the patient in the bath
resting on the hammock. Adjust the cover to the tub, with patient's
head through the neck opening unless sheets or other covers are used.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account