The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-09
A simple steam Bath.

The following simple directions. by
following which bath may be obtain
ed by those who are not possessed Of
those doubtful Injuries called modern
conVeniencies, are extracted from an
article by DIR. H. Engel in the Medical
and Surgical Reporter. The treatment
has especial reference to catarrhal
iaundice:
'sfo assist nature still more / have
the patient take q steam bath every
night on going to bed. As one or the
other of the young practitioners may
not be familiar with tie easiest and
cheapest method of procuring such q
bath / will explain my modus operandi.
The room in which the patient is to
take the bath is brought to tempera-
ture of "A deg. as determined by the
thermometer-to prevent chilling; the
patient, perfectly naked, sits on high
cane-seat chair, and is totally envel-
oped in large blanket, pinned tightly
round the neck. his feet resting on the
blanket, and the latter covering him
and the chair, and the little space with
in it air-tight. The blanket is so ar
ranged that the open fold is at the back.
Il small tub, half filled with cold water.
Into this tub or pail gradually, one af-
ter another. three half pieces of red
hot" brick are thrown, and the blanket
is once again folded up. Certainly, rs
soon as the hot bricks come in contact
with the water sudden and rapid eVo-
luton of steam takes place, which be-
ing confined to the small space within
the blanket, soon causes the patient 10
fall into most thorough sweat. The
first and second time the skin does not
respond very actively, but every day
the perspiration increases. Ii the pa
ticnt feels unconfortable-his hands,
etc, all being confined within the
blanket-the nurse will give him
mouthful or two of cold water to drink.
and sponge off his forehead and face
with sponge dipped in cold water.
These two procedures give great re-
lief.
When the patient is almost through
with his forced perspiration, one of the
takes hot iron and goes
over the bed-shcets with it, so as to
warm thoroughly the bed of the sick
person. A hot iron wrapped in rags
or bottle flied with hot water may
be put at the foot of the bed. Then
the patient is released from the sweat
box" and Immediately n large bed
sheet, which has been during all this
lime hanging near the fire. is thrown
over him and he is thoroughly dried
Dressing himself in his warmed night
garments, he retircs to his warm bed,
while the stcam-bath apparatus is re-
moved. and the blanket hung out to be
aired and dried.
/ have been SO particular about these |
directions first for the reason given |
above, and then because | wish to i'm
press the reader with the necessity of
using the utmost caution that the pa
ii nj during this procedure does not
become chilled. While / have seen |
The greatest benefit arise from this |
steam bath, and improved with it cases |
that did not seem 10 yield to any other
mode of treatment. | have observed |
Injury being done fjr want
of the caution alluded 10. In one case
| am positive chat patient had re-
lapse and die1 within twelve days. be-
cause, when coming out Of the bath |
and feeling so well. rs be hal not for |
many long day, he had run. just for
the fun OF The thing" after a friend |
out into the cold entry