300 DR. CEASE'S RECIPES 



As the patient grows a little stronger, there can be no objection to her 

 occupying herself while in bed, if she is wishful to do so, with a little plain 

 sewing or fancy work, and now and then with a little reading, so as to make 

 the time pass more agreeably. 



With regard to diet, many medical practitioners have rules of their own, 

 which the nurse must always be prepared loyally to carry out. It is not now 

 generally thought necessary for patients to be re«tricted to tea and gruel for a 

 whole week. When a nurse is left to her own discretion she will find her 

 patients recover their strength most rapidly by being allowed some variety in 

 their food from the beginning. Boiled milk should always enter largely into 

 the dietary of a woman who intends to suckle her child. An occasional cup 

 of good black tea is generally very grateful, with or without a little biscuit, 

 toast, or bread-and-butter. From the first, beef-tea, chicken, mutton, or veal 

 broth, rice-caudle, milk or oatmeal gruel, and other simple fluids, are perfectly 

 allowable. If all is going on well, and the bowels have acted, there is no harm 

 — in case the patient expresses a desire for more solid food — in giving, even on 

 the second or third day, a slice of chicken, or tender roast beef, or a mutton 

 chop. The diet, indeed, at this time needs to be nutritious and plentiful, while 

 Its kind may safely be regulated very much according to the patient's inclina- 

 tion. No stimulants of any sort, however, must be given, except under medi- 

 cal direction. 



A nurse should not give opening medicine on her own responsibility. The 

 medical attendant will order what is necessary and state when it is to be 

 given. Very often, instead of medicines, he will prescribe a simple enema of 

 soap and water. 



Flooding after Delivery. — Whenever an attack of flooding comes on 

 during the period of lying-in, the nurse must at once send for the medical 

 attendant, stating clearly her reasons for sending, in order that he may know 

 what will be required. In the meantime she must unfasten the binder, and 

 make firm pressure with her outspread hand on the womb, which she will have 

 no difficulty in finding, as it will not yet have returned to its natural size and 

 position. She must also apply cloths dipped in cold water, or in vinegar 

 and water, to the external genitals, keeping them applied not longer than a 

 minute or two at a time. Where the flow is great it vdll be right for the nurse 

 to try to check it by taking a dry napkin and pressing it firmly with her hand 

 against the external parts, while the other hand is still engaged in compressing 

 the womb from above. The patient must, of couse be kept all this time strictly 

 lying down, with the head and shoulders low, and cool, fresh air must be 

 admitted through the open window. 



The occurrence of a shivering fit, especially if it is a severe one, or is fol- 

 lowed by others, ought always to be regarded seriously. No time should 

 be lost in acquainting the doctor, and the nurse must meanwhile do all in her 

 power to produce a feeling of returning warmth in her patient. With this 

 object, a warm bottle should be put to her feet, an additional blanket thrown 

 over her,_and a cup of warm tea administered. This event is often the sign of 



