Home nursing : with notes on the preservation of health / by Isabel Macdonald.

  • Macdonald, Isabel.
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Home nursing : with notes on the preservation of health / by Isabel Macdonald. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    that where there is some expectoration, the patient should be provided with a spittoon or some utensil to contain it, as it is not desirable that it should be swallowed, and in all probability it will be if the matter receives no attention. Vomiting. When a patient has been sick, notice what the matter vomited is like. If you find anything unusual in its appearance, it is always safest to keep it for the doctor’s inspection. Remove it immediately from the sick-room and keep it covered with a tight-fitting lid or a towel saturated in carbolic lotion until the doctor’s arrival. Notice at what time vomiting usually occurs, whether im- mediately after food or otherwise,—how often during twenty-four hours the patient is sick, and whether vomiting is accompanied by great pain or discomfort. A very alarming symptom always, in a patient, is that sickness spoken of as “coffee grounds.” In appearance it is brown and not unlike coffee, but unfortunately it is not that, but blood. The doctor must im- mediately be sent for on the first occasion at least; probably for any recurrence he will give his instructions. Meantime get the patient quickly and quietly to bed with the least exertion possible, and keep him there, giving no food until the doctor comes. If ice is procurable small pieces may be given him to suck, while an ice-bag can be applied over the stomach. Urine, The quantity of urine passed depends, upon various conditions, such as the temperature of the ocy, the amount of fluid taken, the amount of per- spiration, and sometimes upon the treatment pre- scribed The normal quantity in twenty-four hours s usually something from forty to sixty ounces. The colour of the urine varies; usually it is palest when arge quantities are passed. Normally it is clear ; btin^? Passed‘ Jn ™any diseases, cli as diabetes, heart ailments, and in nervous people B