The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-06-26
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 luxrries called modern
conveniencies, are extracted from an
article by DR.. H Engel in the Medical
and Surgical Reporter. The treatment
has especial reference to catarrhal
jaundice:
'FTo assist nature still more l have
the patient take a steam bath every
night on going to bed. As one or the
other of the young practitioners may
not be familiar with the easiest and
cheapest method of procuring such
bath / will explain my modus operandi.
The room in which the patient is to
take the bath is brought to a tempera-
ture of IA 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.
Under the chair stands a bucket, or
small tub, half filed with cold water.
Into this tub or pail gradually, one at
ter another, three half pieces of red
hot' brick are thrown, and the blanket
is once again folded up. Certainly, as
soon as the hot bricks come in contact
with the water a sudden and rapid evo-
luton of steam takes place, which be-
ing confined to the small space within
the blanket, soon causes the patient to
fall into most thorough sweat The
first and second time the skin does not
respond very actively, but every day
the perspiration increases. If the pa
tient feels uncomforta ble-his hands,
ETC., all being confined within the
blanket-the nurse will give him q
mouthful or two of cold water to drink,
and sponge off his forehead ana face
with sponge dipped in cold water.
These two procedures give great re-
lief.
When the patient is almost through
with his forced Precipitation, one of the
attendants takes hot iron and goes
over the bed-sheets with it, SO as to
warm thoroughly the bed of the sick
person. A not 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 a large bed
sheet, which has been during all this
time hanging near the fire, is thrown
over him and he is thoroughly dried.
Dressing himself in his warmed night
garments, he retires to his warm bed,
while the steam-bath apparatus is re-
moved, and the blanket hung out to be
aired and dried.
l have been so particular about these
directions first for the reason given
above, and then because l wish to i'm
press the reader with the necessity of
using the utmost caution that the pa
tient during this procedure does not
become chilled. While l have seen
the greatest benefit arise from this
steam bath, and improved with it cases
that did not seem to yield to any other
mode of treatment, l have observed
irreparable injury being done for want
of the caution alluded to. In one case
l am positive that a patient had re-
lapse and died within twelve days, be-
cause, when coming out of the bath
and feeling so we'll, as he had not for
many a long day, he had run, 'just for
the fun of the thing after friend
out into the cold entry"