Hints for the busy housewife / issued by the Health & Cleanliness Council.

Date:
1938
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints for the busy housewife / issued by the Health & Cleanliness Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    WASHING THE SICK ASHING a sick person is best learned by assisting a good nurse and by taking a proper course of instruction in the care of the sick. The following hints, however, may be found useful in case of emergency. Place soap, flannel and a basin of warm water near the bed. Remove the top bedclothes with the exception of one blanket, which is used to keep the patient covered. Remove the night- dress, hang it up to air or warm a clean one. Place towels round the patient so that no drop of water can possibly reach the bedclothes. First wash the face and neck and then dry; wash and dry each arm in turn; next the chest; then the abdomen and groins (under covering blanket) ; then each leg inturn, Turn patient on one side and wash from above downwards, taking one part at a time and drying off each before proceeding. Keep the patient covered as you wash. When completed, slip the nightdress over the head and arms. The teeth should be cleaned and the mouth rinsed after every meal. Bed-sores generally come on the lower part of the back, the heels, shoulders, and sometimes elbows. After washing the patient, if there is any sign of redness, methylated spirit (to harden the skin) should be rubbed on these parts before powdering. Accidents will happen, and the wise housewife keeps a reserve of clean bandages for use in case of emergency. White rags, well washed) can be utilized for this purpose.
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