relief from pressure. Bathe the
back and shoulders with warm water and soap night and morning and
afterwards rub with alcohol and water equal parts. Dust the parts with
oxide of zinc or stearate of zinc powder, or bismuth mixed with borax; all
are good. If there is much moisture due to sweating or involuntary stools
or urine, castor oil should be well rubbed in addition. The sheets must be
kept smooth and dry under the patient.

[ NURSING DEPARTMENT 629]

Redness of the skin may be the first symptom of this trouble. This may be
followed by a dark color under the skin, and when the cuticle finally
comes off the underlying tissues are found broken down and sloughing. Any
skin scraped or worn off--abrasion--should be carefully washed and a small
pad of cotton smeared with olive oil and stearate of zinc placed over it
and kept there with collodion painted over it; or white of egg painted
over the sore is sometimes very beneficial; also equal parts of castor oil
and bismuth make an excellent dressing. Rubber rings or cotton rings over
the part relieve the pressure. Changing the position is often beneficial.

Treatment of the Sore Proper.--Sponge with clean soft cloths, with a
solution of boric acid or one per cent solution of carbolic acid and the
cavity packed with iodoform gauze, or iodoform, or aristol ointment, over
which apply a layer of borated cotton. Dress the sore daily. If it sloughs
apply hot boric acid dressings every four hours and follow with an
application of castor oil and balsam of Peru. When it is better treat as
any other sore.

BATHS.

A hot bath temperature is from 100 to 112 degrees F. or higher.
A warm bath temperature is from 90 to 100 degrees F.
A tepid bath temperature is from 70 to 90 degrees F.
A cool bath temperature is from 65 to 70 degrees F.
A cold bath temperature is from 33 to 65 degrees F.

The entire bath should not last longer, when given in bed, than fifteen or
twenty minutes. A few drops of water of ammonia or a little borax will
help much in getting the patient clean and disguise the bad odor of the
perspiration. A little alcohol or Eau de Cologne will be found refreshing.
Cold damp towels should never be employed here. The water should be
pleasantly warm and changed a few times during the bath. A glass of hot
milk can be taken after the bath is given, if the patient feels exhausted,
and if the feet are cool a hot fruit can is applied.