or, or other unusual symptom. Indeed, if
the patient is weak or her reaction to the bath uncertain, as when she
takes her first tub bath after an illness, someone should always be
within call to help the attendant in case of need. A faint, heavy
patient in a bath tub is an impossible load for one person to handle.

While the patient is in the tub, soap her well, brush her finger and toe
nails, rinse, and rub her to stimulate the circulation. Then help her
from the tub, seat her in the chair, draw the blanket closely about her
from neck to feet, dry her with warm towels, exposing the body as little
as possible, and, if she is to return to bed, put on a fresh night gown,
and wrapper and slippers. Next place the lower sheet, the draw sheet,
and one pillow on the bed as quickly as possible, help the patient into
bed, keeping her well covered with a blanket, and finish making the bed.
If she seems chilly, give a hot water bag and hot drink and leave the
blanket next her in place. After the patient has been made comfortable,
clean the tub and put the bath room in order.

Even patients supposedly able to take tub baths without assistance
should not lock the bath room door nor be left alone a long time.

BED BATH.--Practice is essential in order to give a bed bath skillfully.
The aim is to make the patient thoroughly clean and thoroughly dry,
without chilling, fatiguing, or exposing her, without making the bed
damp, and without unnecessary haste or delay. One method of giving a
bed bath follows, but any method that accomplishes these aims is likely
to be satisfactory.

First see that the room is about 70 deg. F. and likely to remain so, and
exclude draughts. Collect everything to be used, including a blanket to
cover the patient, an old blanket or large bath towel to protect the
bed, at least two other towels, one a bath towel and the other a face
towel, two wash cloths, soap, nail brush, powder, alcohol, comb and
brush, nail file, scissors, etc.; fresh bed and personal linen; a large
basin containing water at 105 deg., a jug of hotter water, and a slop
jar. Remove the upper bed clothes except one blanket, which should cover
the patient constantly during the bath, and spread them where they will
air; remove all the pillows but one, and place the bath blanket under
the patient as the under sheet is placed in bed making. If a bath
blanket is not used, keep the bath towel under the part that is being
bathed by moving the towel