The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English Part 32

Pimples, blotches, eruptions, and other disfigurations of the skin are removed by the frequent use of the Turkish bath, leaving the integument smooth and soft.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 144.

First Hot-room of the Turkish Bath. ]

HOW THE TURKISH BATH IS ADMINISTERED AT THE INVALID'S HOTEL AND SURGICAL INSt.i.tUTE. The hot-rooms, of which there are two, are exactly similar in every respect except as regards temperature. The first room has a temperature of from 110 to 120 Fahr. The bather is supplied by the attendant every few minutes with copious draughts of cool water.

Gradually the relaxing influence of the elevated temperature manifests itself. The capillaries slowly dilate, the veins enlarge under its gentle stimulus, and small points of perspiration appear upon the surface, which a.s.sumes a slight, rosy blush. A delightful calm, a feeling of perfect rest and luxurious ease is imparted to the senses.

From this room, after an appropriate interval, the bather enters the second room, in which the atmosphere is higher by from 20 to 30, and it may be made still higher, its regulation requiring but an instant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 145.

One of the Shampooing rooms.]

A thorough sweating occurs while the subject remains in these rooms, during a period of from ten to forty minutes. The secretions of the skin, at first impure and loaded with the _debris_ of dead cells and extraneous matter, gradually become purer, and clearer, until, finally, all trace of color disappears and the pearly drops of sweat come full and free. Soon the attendant appears and leads the way to the shampooing-room, where, lying upon a warm marble slab, _ma.s.sage_ is applied most thoroughly to every portion of the body.

By the _ma.s.sage_, shampooing, or rubbing, the superficial veins are thoroughly emptied of their contents, the muscles are given elasticity and tone, and glandular activity is promoted. Innumerable dead epithelial cells, together with other impurities, are rolled off in flakes under the skillful manipulation of the attendant.

After a thorough shampooing, the shower bath is applied, to secure a contraction of the capillaries and a diminution of the perspiration.

THE SPIRIT VAPOR-BATH is very effective when employed in the earlier stages of acute, febrile, inflammatory, and painful diseases. In many forms of chronic diseases the administration of a spirit vapor-bath once in from three to fifteen days, is a valuable adjunct to the treatment of these affections. It exerts an exceedingly beneficial influence upon the entire system, and, when habitually employed, may ward off disease.

The body should be moistened with an alkaline solution before the administration of a spirit vapor-bath. After the perspiration which it occasions has subsided, which will usually be in from three to four hours, sponge the body with a mixture of the following ingredients: water, three gills; alcohol, one gill; salt, one teaspoonful. By this method the patient experiences none of the unpleasant effects which generally follow the employment of diaph.o.r.etics. Various kinds of apparatus have been devised to facilitate the application of the spirit vapor-baths. Most of them are c.u.mbersome and expensive, and, consequently, are seldom used except in hospitals or sanitariums.

The following method described by Dr. J. King, may be advantageously employed.

"The patient is undressed, ready for getting into bed, having removed the clothing worn through the day and put on a night shirt or other clothing to be worn while sweating, and during the night, if the bath is taken at bed-time. He is then seated on a high Windsor or wooden-bottomed chair, or instead thereof, a bench or board may be placed on a common open-bottomed chair, care being taken that the bottom is so covered that the flame will not burn him. After seating himself, a large coverlet or blanket is thrown around him from behind, covering the back of his head and body, as well as the chair, and another must be pa.s.sed around him in front, which last is to be pinned at the neck, loosely, so that he can raise it and cover his face, or remove it down from the face from time to time as occasion demands during the operation of the bath. The blankets must reach down to the floor, and cover each other at the side, so as to retain the vapor. This having been done, a saucer or tin vessel, into which is put one or two tablespoonfuls of whiskey, brandy, alcohol, or any liquor that will burn, is then placed upon the floor, directly under the centre of the bottom of the chair, raising a part of the blanket from behind to place it there; then light a piece of paper, apply the flame to the liquor, and as soon as it kindles let down the part of the blanket which has been raised, and allow the liquor to burn until it is consumed, watching it from time to time to see that the blankets are not burned. As soon as consumed, put more liquor into the saucer, about as much as before, and again set it on fire, being careful to put no liquor into the saucer while the flame exists, as there would be danger of setting fire to the blanket, and producing injury to the patient. Continue this until the patient perspires freely, which, in a majority of cases, will be in five or ten minutes."

"If, during the operation the patient feels faint or thirsty, cold water must be sprinkled or dashed in his face, or he may drink one or two swallows of it,--and in some cases the head may be bathed with cold water. As soon as free perspiration is produced, wrap the blankets around him, place him in bed, and cover him up warm, giving him about a pint of either some good store tea, ginger, or some diaph.o.r.etic herb tea to drink, as warm as he can take it. After two or three hours, remove the covering, piece by piece, at intervals of twenty or twenty-five minutes each, that he may gradually cease perspiring."

The above method may be improved by using an ordinary hoop skirt, ten to twelve inches below the bottom of which is suspended a larger and stronger hoop. The upper and smaller hoops should rest upon the patient's shoulders. A woolen blanket, large enough to reach and rest upon the floor, and envelop the whole person, is thrown over the hoops.

Unless the bath is employed to diminish the quant.i.ty of fluids in the body (as in dropsy), the patient may drink some simple, diaph.o.r.etic infusion, to hasten or facilitate perspiration. When he perspires freely, small quant.i.ties of cold water may be frequently given. "There is little or no danger of taking cold after this process, if ordinary precaution is observed, and it is easy, agreeable, safe, and effectual."

"Occasionally we will meet with patients, upon whom it is almost impossible to produce the slightest moisture, much less perspiration.

The skin of such persons is generally dry and harsh, communicating an unpleasant sensation to the touch. In most instances the skin may be restored to its normal condition, by adopting the following course: 1st.

Anoint the whole surface of the body and limbs with olive oil every night upon retiring to bed. 2nd. Every morning wash the whole surface with a warm, weak, alkaline solution, employing considerable friction while drying. 3rd. Every two weeks administer a spirit vapor-bath. A perseverance in this course for a few months will accomplish the desired result."

Frequent reference to spirit vapor-baths will be made by the author of this work, in speaking of those diseases in which its employment will prove beneficial.

SEA BATHING is an excellent, remedial agent in chronic disorders, particularly in those of an atonic character, such as nervous prostration, dyspepsia, and general debility.

Much of the benefit attributed to this mode of bathing is undoubtedly due to other influences, such as pure air, exercise, change of scenery, diet, and a.s.sociations which surround the patient during his sojourn at the sea-sh.o.r.e.

At first, the duration of a sea-bath should not exceed three or five minutes, but it may be gradually prolonged to fifteen or twenty minutes.

If the patient is very feeble, one or two baths a week are sufficient, and the most robust person should never take more than one a day. They should always be taken in the earlier portion of the day, before breakfast if possible, and _never during digestion_.

Before entering this bath, a moderate degree of exercise should always be taken, enough to arouse the vital energies, but not to produce fatigue. Suitably dressed, the patient plunges into the water, in which he remains during the prescribed time. Immediately after emerging from the bath, the patient should be thoroughly dried and dressed and then moderate exercise should be taken to induce reaction. If the reaction is slow, a mild stimulant may be taken and the duration of the bath must be diminished the next time. When sea-bathing is beneficial improvement is soon manifested. The blood becomes richer, the whole system is strengthened and the functions are performed with more regularity. To the rich, sea-bathing is a luxury, but it is a remedy beyond the reach of the poorer cla.s.ses unless they live near the sea-sh.o.r.e.

THE SHOWER BATH produces a shock to the nervous system by suddenly coming in contact with the skin. Numerous streams of cold water fall upon the neck, shoulders, and body of the patient who stands beneath the hose or reservoir. When the patient is plethoric, feeble, or nervous, or when some internal organ is diseased, the cold, shower bath should _not_ be employed. In simple debility unaccompanied by inflammation or symptoms of internal congestion, its use proves advantageous. By moderating the force of the shower, and subst.i.tuting tepid water, the most delicate persons can endure it and profit thereby. The usual means for inducing a good reaction, friction, and exercise, should be employed.

THE DOUCHE BATH consists of a stream of water, dashed or thrown upon the patient from a moderate height or distance, with considerable force. The size, temperature, and force of the stream may be modified to suit the exigencies of the case. It is locally employed as a remedy for sprains, weak or stiff joints, old swellings, etc. The cold, douche bath is more powerful than the shower bath and should be given with the same precautions which govern the application of the latter.

THE SPONGE BATH admits of extensive employment in both acute and chronic diseases, and its simplicity renders it of untold value. It consists in a general or local application of water (medicated or not) at any desired temperature. The quant.i.ty may be great or small to suit the requirements of the case. If it is applied in acute diseases at a temperature agreeable to the patient, it is exceedingly grateful and may be repeated as often as necessary. It may be rendered alkaline by the addition of some compound of soda, in the proportion of a teaspoonful to a quart of water. A portion of the body may be bathed at a time, and quickly dried, thus avoiding any exposure to cold. It removes excessive animal heat, relaxes the capillaries, equalizes the circulation, and produces comfort, tranquility, and sleep.

Nothing is more conducive to the health and comfort of laboring men in summer than a daily bath, and it is a matter of regret that there are so few conveniences for the purpose in most homes, especially those in the country. Farmers in particular need bathing facilities, and yet in most cases they are almost entirely without them. For their benefit we will describe a device which we can recommend to all who want a cheap, convenient, and easily managed apparatus for sponge bathing in the bed-room.

The articles required are a piece of rubber-cloth a yard and a quarter square, four slats, two inches wide and three feet long, notched at the ends so as to lock together in the form of a square, and a large sponge.

The slats are placed upon the floor and the rubber cloth is spread over them (there is no need of fastening it to the slats), forming a shallow square vessel a yard wide. In this the bather stands and applies the water with a sponge from a basin or bowl on a stand placed conveniently near. There need be no danger of wetting the carpet, or spoiling the furniture.

When the bath is finished, gather three corners of the rubber cloth in the left hand, take the fourth corner in the right in such a way as to form a spout when lifted or held over the slop-jar or bucket. The water may be poured out in a moment, when the cloth should be spread over the back of a chair to dry, and the slats unlocked and set away in a closet.

THE FOOT BATH is frequently employed, as a means of causing diaph.o.r.esis, in colds, attacks of acute diseases, and also to draw the blood from the head or some internal organ. It is a powerful auxiliary in the treatment of those chronic diseases in which inflammation, congestion, and a feeble circulation are prominent symptoms. The water should be as hot as it can be borne and the temperature kept up by additions of hot water.

It may be made stimulating by the addition of salt, mustard, ginger, or cayenne pepper.

THE SITZ BATH. A tub is so arranged that the patient can sit down in it while bathing. In this manner the lower part of the abdomen, hips, and upper part of the thighs, are immersed in whatever fluid the bath is composed of. It is applicable in diseases of the pelvic organs, and may be hot, warm, cool, cold, or medicated, according to the effect desired.

The bath tub should be large enough to permit a thorough rubbing and kneading of the diseased parts, and the patient may remain in it from ten to thirty minutes. The clothing may be wholly or partially removed, as agreeable to the individual. A _warm_, sitz bath is an effective, remedial adjunct in menstrual suppression and in painful menstruation, gravel, spasmodic and acute inflammatory affections generally. The _cold_, sitz bath is used as a tonic in cases of relaxed tissues of the pelvis, in debility of the urino-genital organs, in piles, prolapsus of the r.e.c.t.u.m, and in constipation.

THE HEAD BATH. A shallow basin contains the fluid for the bath; and the patient, a.s.suming a rec.u.mbent position, immerses a portion of the head, generally the back part. The temperature may be warm, cool, or cold, as desired.

MEDICATED BATHS are infusions of vegetable or other substances in water.

They are sometimes applied with the sponge, though generally the patient is immersed. The temperature at which they are usually employed is that of the tepid bath. The nature and strength of the medication depends upon the character of the disease for which it is employed.

THE ALKALINE BATH is prepared by dissolving half a pound of carbonate of soda in sixty gallons of water. It is useful in those diseases in which the fluids of the body are abnormally acid, as in rheumatism.

THE ACID BATH is prepared by adding two pounds of muriatic or hydrochloric acid to sixty gallons of water. A much smaller quant.i.ty of the acid is sometimes used, and in some instances vinegar is subst.i.tuted.

_Scott's Acid Bath_ is composed of nitro-muriatic acid (aqua regia) and water. It should be prepared in a wooden tub, and a sufficient quant.i.ty of acid used to give the water a sour taste. It is extensively used in India as a remedy for disorders of the liver.

THE IODINE BATH is composed of the following ingredients: tincture of iodine, two drachms; iodide of pota.s.sium, four drachms; water, forty gallons. It should be prepared in a wooden tub. It reddens the skin. For children, a much weaker solution must be employed. Its use is generally restricted to scrofulous and tubercular affections.

THE SULPHUR BATH is prepared by dissolving eight ounces of sulphuret of pota.s.sium and two ounces of dilute sulphuric acid in sixty gallons of water. The acid may be omitted.

A SULPHUR VAPOR-BATH is often employed in cities where the necessary apparatus can be procured. It may be improvised by placing sulphur on a shovel over hot coals. The patient should be prepared as in the spirit vapor-bath, and burning sulphur subst.i.tuted for the liquor. The patient is then enveloped in the fumes of sulphurous oxide. Heating a mixture of sulphur and sulphuric acid, produces the same result. If the gas is inhaled in large quant.i.ties it causes irritation of the respiratory pa.s.sages, and suffocation. It is therefore necessary that the coverings should be securely fastened at the neck, and that the room be one which can be quickly filled with pure air This bath is used in cutaneous, rheumatic, and syphilitic disorders.

FOMENTATIONS consist of the general or local application of woolen cloths wrung out of hot water. They should not be so light as to be ineffectual, nor so heavy as to be burdensome. They should not be wet enough to drip, nor applied so as to expose the body to the surrounding air. A fresh cloth should be ready for application before the first one is removed, and the change quickly effected. Fomentations are effectual in relieving congestion and inflammation.

THE WET SHEET PACK. As this remedial appliance will be frequently recommended in the pages following, its mode of application is here described. Take a pail half filled with cold water, gather together one end of a common cotton sheet, and immerse it, allowing it to remain while preparing the bed, which may be done as follows: remove all the bed-clothes except a coverlet and the pillows, then spread upon it, in the following order, two ordinary comforters, one woolen blanket, one woolen sheet, (or two woolen sheets if a woolen blanket is not at hand); then wring out one-half or two-thirds of the water from the wet sheet, spread it smoothly upon the blanket, and the patient being undressed, places himself on the sheet, with his arms extended, while an a.s.sistant wraps him closely and tightly with it, as quickly as possible. Each arm may be thus covered by the wet sheet, or may lie outside of it, and be covered by wet towels, prepared in the same manner as the sheet. Then quickly and tightly cover with the blankets and comforters, tucking snugly from head to foot. The head should also be covered with a wet towel, and a bottle of warm water placed to the feet, or near enough to keep them warm.

After the first shock of the chill is over, the pack is very pleasant and refreshing, and the patient should go to sleep, if possible. The ordinary time for a patient to remain in a pack is about sixty minutes.

Thirty or forty minutes is sufficient, if he is in a feeble condition.

Never wring the sheet out of warm water, for one of its princ.i.p.al benefits comes from the vigorous reaction induced by its cold temperature. After remaining in the pack from thirty to sixty minutes, allow the patient to stand on his feet, if he is able, and have the whole surface of his body bathed. Rub briskly, and dry with towels, or by throwing over the body a dry sheet and then rubbing him. The dry sheet retains the bodily warmth and is more comfortable, but interferes with the completeness and vigor of the rubbing of the body. Be sure and establish full reaction, which may be known by the warmth of the surface. Frequently, when the patient is released from the pack, and is being bathed, rolls of scales, scurf, and _skin-debris_ come off, thus giving palpable evidence of the utility of the pack in freeing the myriads of pores of the skin of effete matter. It is efficient in fevers, and for breaking up colds, and is a very valuable, remedial agent in most chronic diseases, a.s.sisting in removing causes which depress the bodily functions.

MOTION IS A REMEDIAL AGENT.

The stability of the planetary system depends upon the converted motion of its parts. So in the human system, motion is a fundamental principle which underlies every vital process. Health consists in normal, functional activity. The human system is the arena of various kinds of motions, both of fluids and of solids, and life and health depend upon these physiological movements. There are the movements incident to _respiration_, the expansion and contraction of the walls of the chest, bringing the oxygen of the air into contact with the blood as it circulates through the lungs. Corresponding with the movements of the chest are the _motions of the abdominal walls_, which promote the functions of the organs of the abdominal cavity.

There are _motions of the heart and arteries_, which urge the blood out to the extremities and diffuse it through every part of the system, and also _motion of the blood in the capillaries_, by which the blood is circulated through the tissues, that the latter may be built up from its nutritive const.i.tuents. Then there is the _motion of the vital current_ in the veins returning towards the heart, and urged forward by the muscular and pump-like action of the chest and abdominal walls. The peristaltic _motions of the stomach and bowels_ urge onward digesting materials, exposing them successively to different solvents and aiding the absorption of nutritive matter. No less essential to life and health are numerous other minute operations or _motions_, on which vital power in all its manifestations of muscular and nervous energy depends. Many other _motions_ are consequent upon decay, growth, and repair. Oxygen, carbonic acid, watery vapors, and other gaseous matter are constantly being exchanged between the system and atmosphere. Then, the human system being a complex, chemical laboratory, there are _motions consequent upon chemical action_, constantly going on within it.