The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-06

The following simple directions,
by following which a bath may be
obtained by those who are not pos
sessed of those doubtful luxuries
called modern conveniences," are
extracted from an article by DR.. H.
Engel, in the Medical Reporter. The
treatment has especial reference to
catarrhal jaundice
To assist nature still more | have
the patient take 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 mo-
dus operandi
The room in which the patient
is to take the bath is brought to a
temperature of "a deg, as determin-
ed by the thermometer-to prevent
chilling the patient, perfectly ma
ked, sits on a high-cane-seat chair,
and is totally enveloped in a 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 within it
air-tight. The blanket is so arrang-
ed that the open fold is at the back.
Under the chair stands bucket or
a small tub, half filled with cold
water. Into this tub or pail gradu-
ally, one after another, three half
pieces of "red-hot" brick are thrown
and the blanket is once again fold
ed up. Certainly, as soon as the
hot bricks come in contacs with the
water sudden and rapid evolution
of steam takes place, which being
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 patient feels uncomfortable
his hands, ETC.. all being confined
within the blanket-the nurse will
give him a mouthful or two Of cold
water to drink, and sponge off his
forehead and face with a sponge
dipped in cold water. These two
procedures give a great relief.
When the patient is almost
through with his forced perspiration
one of the attendants takes a hot
iron and goes over the bed-sheets
with 1t. so as to warm thoroughly
the bed of the sick person. A hot
iron wrapped in rags, or a bottle
filled with hot water may be put at
the foot of the bed. Then the pa
tent 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 thorough
ly dried. Dressing himself in his
warned garments, he retires to his |
warmed bed, while the steam-bath |
is removed, and the blan-
ket hung ont to be well aired and |
dried.
| have been so particular about
these directions first for the reasons
given above, and then because |
wish to impress the reader with the /
necessity of using the utmost eau
lion that the patient during this pro-
cedure does not become chilled. |
While have seen the greatest ben
Eft arise from this steam bath, and
with it cases that did not
seem to yield to any other mode of
| have observed irrepara-
Die injury being done for want of
he caution alluded to. In one
,ase I am positive that a patient
1ad a relapse and died within
.welve days, because. when coming
,ut of the bath and feeling so well,
Is he had not for many a long day,
le had run, "just for the fun of the
hing" after "a friend out into the
old entry"