The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-09-29

IItdSC . " IL
DIR. cHRIsMAN the right side
of the brain
the paralysis will be on the left
side, and vice-verSa: and we say
the patient has had stroke"
The amount and degree Of the
paralysis depends on the amount
of the hemorrhage. It may be an
arm or a leg or both. It may be
complete or only partial, both the
power of movement and feeling
may be affected. The patient expe-
riences no pain and often does not
know anything has happened till
he falls or tries to move.
Little We Can Do
The cases due to embolism. or
clot that lodges in q blood vessel In
the brain, have the same effect. In
either case, there Is little do do. We
have no way Of telling whether the
bleeding is still going on. and we
must do what we can to prevent
further bleeding. The pat e n t
should lie down: an ice bag or cold
application should be placed on the
head. which should be elevated
somewhat. The feet should be low
cred and placed In hot water or
mustard plaster applied to the feet
to draw the blood from the brain.
Sometimes only the tongue or
one side Of the face Is affected.
These cases will usually recover II
left alone. The more severe cases
die In spite Of all our efforts. The
application of cold and heat gives
the family something to do and
may be Of help. In severe cases,
consciousness Is lost: others may
only be q blank for q minute or two.
II the bleeding is not too great.
consciousness will slowly return
and as time goes on, the degree OF
paralysis may decrease and the pa
tient recover some Of the power OF
motion and feeling. But except in
the mildest cases. complete return
Of function does not occur and the
patient remains . partial invalid.
Blood letting and spinal drain
age are seldom Of any benefit. but
they can be attempted. The with
drawal Of some blood from vein
and the immediate re-injection OF
It into the muscles Of the bullock Is
q common practice. but Of doubt
full value.
Efforts to decrease the blood
pressure may be helpful. The best
treatment is to do nothing. indiff-
erent as that may sound. The stu
alton Is one that depends abso-
lutely upon natural conditions, the
several functions Of the patient
himself. Keep him entirely quiet.
with good nursing as the chief
treatment. Frequent bathing keeps
the skin healthy.
Prevents Bed Sores
The patient should not be al
lowed to lie in one position for
prolonged period. as continued
pressure from lying In one position
Is likely to damage the skin over
the bony prominences. The pa
tents position should be changed
at least every two hours.
Fifty per cent alcohol. frequently
applied to the skin. tends to pre-
vent bed sores Water cushions. air
cushions or rings wrapped In cot
ton and placed over the bony
prominences lessons the pressure.
Bed sores are the bane of the para
lyzed patient. AS soon as possible.
the patient should be encouraged
to move the affected limbs. bend
ing the joints so as to prevent stiff
ness and spasm Of the muscles.
Pain may become severe from
muscle Spasm. but persistent eff
forts Of the patient to move the
limb tend to prevent this. It may
be necessary to fasten the unaffect-
ed limb. SO as to compel the use Of
the paralyzed limb.
Massage and passive motion are
Of little benefit. He must exercise
his own muscles II much improve
ment Is to be expected. Persistence
may accomplish wonders. And lack
Of effort allows the helpless parts
TO lose all their vitality and waste
away.
Warm water pool bathing. when
accessible. Is soothing to the pa
tient. and sometimes considerable
Improvement may be secured. due
to the reduced effort needed to ex-
ercise under water. Some unex-
planned paralysis cases may be mild
attacks Of poliomyelitis. and many
Of them have recovered in good
shape.