Mental diseases: a public health problemMay, James Vance
Science
Mental diseases: a public health problem
May, James Vance
Mental health services; Psychology, Pathological
9. The temperature of the water must be taken in each tub at least
every half hour. Feel the water in each tub frequently. If it seems
too warm or too cold, take the temperature at once. If you find it
varying from 96 degrees adjust to that temperature by adding a small
amount of hot or cold water. If the temperature cannot be kept between
95 and 97 degrees, let the water out of the tub and remove the patient
immediately. The physician in charge and the chief engineer should be
notified at once. The bath tub key must be fastened to a special cord
worn by the nurse on duty. It must be delivered to the nurse in charge
of the ward when the bathroom is closed.
10. If the patient is very noisy, restless or flushed, fasten an ice
poultice to the tub cover so that as the patient lies in the water the
back of the head or neck will rest upon it. Replace with a fresh one
before the ice is entirely melted.
Intensely excited patients may have cold compresses to the neck,
changed often, for periods of 20 minutes.
Sponge all faces with cold water once an hour.
11. Patients are to be permitted to drink as much cool water (not
iced) as they desire, and must be offered a drink at least once an
hour.
12. The nurse must record the following: 1. The water temperature and
the patient's pulse rate (temporal or facial) every half hour. 2. The
amount of sleep in the bath. 3. Bowel movements. 4. Nourishment. 5.
Medicine administered. 6. Hours of each patient in the tub. 7. The
name of each nurse and the exact time of going on or off duty.
13. In case the patient shows symptoms of fainting or convulsions,
makes any attempt at drowning, shows suicidal tendencies or becomes
too violent to remain in the tub with safety, let the water out and
remove the patient at once.
14. In the event of any serious accident or injury or sudden illness
the patient should be removed from the tub at once and the physician
notified.
15. Patients are not to be allowed to feed themselves but must always
be fed by the nurse. The inlets to the bath may be closed for twenty
minutes while patients are being fed.
16. During the day the warming closet must always contain one sheet
and one towel for each patient in preparation for drying. It must also
contain washable rugs for patients coming out of the tubs to step
upon; also two blankets for emergencies.
At least one hour before the patients are to be removed from the baths
the garments they are to wear after the bath must be placed in the
closet.
17. The temperature of the room should be kept as nearly as possible at
76 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature of the room cannot be kept
above 68 degrees discontinue the bathing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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