TYPHOID Fl 553 



thirteen per cent. di-d, and of those who were admitted after th-- el.-v<-nth day 

 twenty-eight per cent. died. It has been shown on many occasions that railway- 

 travelling is especially injurious to patients sunvring from typhoid fever. Most 

 people when tli.-y tind they are ill are extremely anxious to get home, and 

 will make every effort to accomplish their object. In the case of typhoid fever 

 they should never be allowed to undertake a railway journey, for it will assuredly 

 produce great prostration, and considerably lessen the chances of a favourable 

 termination. 



The patient should be confined to his bed from the very commencem* 

 of the attack, and should not be allowed to sit up again until the eve 

 temperature has been perfectly normal for from three to six days, or even longer. 

 It should be remembered that getting up too soon is a fruitful source of mis: 

 and that patients make the most rapid recovery who pass the whole time of 

 their convalescence in bed. It is very desirable to have two beds close together, 

 so as to give the patient a change, and allow of more thorough cleaning and 

 airing. The patient must never on any account be allowed to walk or 

 from one bed to the other. He may be lifted carefully in the horizontal position, 

 or what is better, the beds may be so close that the patient can slip or slide 

 from one to the other. 



Evacuations both from the bowel and the bladder must be made whilst lying 

 down, by using a bed-pan and urinal. At first many people find a difficulty 

 in relieving the bowels whilst lying on their backs, but it is astonishing what 

 a little practice will do. 



It is of the greatest importance that all worry and anxiety should be avoided. 

 The patient may be told that everything is going well, but he must not be allowed 

 to talk about his affairs. Above all, visitors must not be admitted. If you 

 tell them there is fever in the house, they will not trouble you much. As a 

 rule only one person at a time is required in the sick-room. No conversation 

 is admissible, and the patient should not be read to. His questions should 

 be answered briefly, and his wants, both expressed and unexpressed, should be 

 cared for as quickly and quietly as possible. Very much very much indeed 

 depends upon the nursing. A good sensible nurse, either professional or 

 amateur, is half the battle. It is not to be supposed, however, that one person 

 can do all the nursing ; two at least are absolutely necessary. 



The temperature of the sick-room should be rather below that of our ordinary 

 sitting-rooms, and it should never be. allowed to fall below 56 Fahr., or 

 above 64. It is very important to keep up a proper system of ventilation. 

 One or more windows should be opened for an inch or two at the top both niirht 

 and day, and should this cause too great a reduction in the temperature of the 

 room, a good fire must be kept burning. People who have a high fever tem- 

 perature run very little risk of catching cold. 



It is a matter of the utmost importance that the patient should be properly 

 nourished. The fever produces intense thirst, and plenty of fluid should be given. 

 Water, either iced or not, sugar and water, weak wine and water, milk and water, 

 thin barley water, and other similar drinks will be found useful Effervescing 



