286; DB CHASE'S RECIPES. 



It is often a great relief to a patient for the nurse to support her back with 

 her flat hand during a pain. In the meantime she should see that all things are 

 in readiness for the actual confinement. The following are always wanted:— 



Basins. 



Binder. 



Napkins. 



Needles and Thread. 



Nursery, or safety, pins 



Olive-oil. 



Pieces of old linen. 



Receiver. 



Roller-towel. 



Scissors. 



Sponges. 



Thread, or strong worsted, for 



tying cord. 

 Towels. 



Vaseline, cold cream, or lard. 

 Water, hot and cold. 

 Waterproof sheeting. 

 Puff-box, and complete set of 



clothes for the baby. 



In addition to the above it is advisable to have in the room some good 

 brandy, a fan, a syringe, a foot-bath, and a nursing-apron. 



The Binder usually consists of two pieces of stout twilled cotton, each 

 two yards long and of good width, the edges of which are stitched together so 

 as to make the binder of double thickness. On an emergency, a small table- 

 cloth or cotton sheet, suitably folded, answers the purpose very well. 



The Receiver should be of flannel made of double thickness, and large 

 enough to wrap the child thoroughly. The flimsy receivers sometimes used 

 are only fit to protect a doll. A good thick flannel petticoat, or a cot-blanket, 

 is as good as anything. 



The Thread or Worsted for Tying the Cord must be made ready 

 in the following way: Twelve equal lengths, measuring about a foot, are to be 

 laid side by side and arranged evenly. Six of these lengths, are then to be 

 knotted together at a distance of about two inches from each end, and the 

 remaining six in the same way, Having been thus prepared, the threads must 

 be laid on the dressing-table, and a pair of good scissors by the side of them, 

 ready for handing to the medical attendant at the proper moment. 



The Preparation of the Bed is a matter of considerable importance, 

 and ought to be attended to during the early part of labor. Women are usu- 

 ally delivered lying on the left side, with the knees drawn up towards the 

 abdomep. The right side of the bed, therefore, is the one which requires 

 preparing, and that part of it near the foot is preferable because the upper part 

 of the bed is thus kept clean and comfortable for the patient when the labor is 

 over, and because of the help derived from being able to plant the feet firmly 

 against the bed-post during the pains. 



The mattress being uncovered, a large piece of rubber cloth is to be 

 spread over it, and upon this a sheet folded several times. Next to this should 

 come the clean under-sheet, on which the patient is to lie, and upon that 

 another piece of waterproof sheeting, large enough to reach above the hips. 

 Over this upper rubber, and ready to be removed with it after the labor is 

 over, are to be then placed a folded blanket, and, lastly, a folded cotton sheet, 

 both of which should reach well above the hips, so as to absorb the discharges. 



