The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-03-05
A Simple Steam Bath.

The following simple directions, by
following which bath may be obtained
by those who are not possessed of those
doubtful luxuries called modern con-
veniences, are extracted from an arti-,
Gle by DIR. Fl. Engel in the Medical and
Surgical Reporter. The treatment has
especial reference to catarrhal jaundice:
ITO 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 modus operandi. The room
in which the patient is to take the bath
is brought to temperature OF seventy
four degrees, as determined by the
thermometer prevent chilling; the
patient, perfectly naked, sits on high
cane-seat chair, and is totally enveloped
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 within it air
tight. The blanket is so arranged 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 gradually, one after 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 rapid and sudden evolution of
steam takes places, which, being con-
fined 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 re-
spond 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
of his forehead and face with sponge
dipped in cold water. These two pro-
| cedures give great relief.
When the patient is almost through
with his forced perspiration, 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 hot iron wrapped in rags or
bottle filled with hot water NAV 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 fire, is thrown over
him and he is thoroughly dried. Dress
| ing himself in his sCdrmed night
garments, he retires to mis- warm bed,
while the steam bath apparatus is
removed. and the blankets hung out to
be aired and dried.
| II have been so particular about these
| directions first for the reason given
above, and then because l wish to
impress the reader with the necessity of
using the utmost caution that the patient
| 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
| to yield to any other mode of treatment.
have observed irreparable injury being
done for want of the caution alluded to.
In one case / am positive that patient
had a relapse and died within twelve
days, because, when coming out of the
bath and feeling so well, as he had not
for many a long day, he had run, just
for the fun of the thing after a friend
out into the cold entry.
There is large rock in the twin
lakes near Salisbury, Conn, which i:
called the moving rock" from th'
TACT that within the last twenty years i
has moved a quarter of q mile. j
weighs more than thirty tons, is o
porous formation, and the channel
has made for itself along the bottom o
the lake clearly indicates the progress
il has made.--Nes1 Hdven Register.