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HINTS TO TKAVELLEBS. 
Ho not trust in half-minute or minute thermometers, always allow the 
full time given above. Before taking a patient’s temperature see that 
the mercury in the thermometer is shaken down at least as low as 97° F. 
After the temperature has been taken, note it down carefully, wash the 
thermometer, and shake the mercury down to 97° F. If the thermometer 
is washed in hot water, the expanding mercury may break it. 
Hypodermic Injection . 
The best place to inject is under the skin of the back or chest. The 
forearm is usually selected, but there are many objections to it. If the 
injection is made into the leg or arm, the point of the needle should be 
directed towards the body. 
1. Surgical cleanliness must be observed. The hands of the operator 
and the skin of the patient at the spot chosen for injection, must be 
properly cleaned with an antiseptic lotion, e.g. } chinosol (1 in 1000) or 
carbolic acid (1 in 60). 
2. The hypodermic syringe and needle must be perfectly cleaned ; 
they may be boiled, or an antiseptic lotion, or alcohol (brandy or whisky), 
syringed through them. 
3. The solution to be injected should be made in a clean, i.e. 3 boiled, 
spoon, by adding the drug to boiled water. 
4. Draw solution into the syringe, hold the syringe with the needle end 
pointing upwards, so as to allow any air to rise above the fluid, and push 
the piston up till all air has been driven out and the solution begins to 
come through the needle. 
5. Pinch up the skin where the injection is to be made, push the 
needle well through and then under it, keeping the point slightly away 
from the skin until the needle is almost entirely covered. The point of 
the needle will now lie in the loose tissue—between the shin and tho 
muscle—into which the fluid is to be injected. 
6. Holding the needle firmly, slowly press the piston until the required 
amount has been injected; withdraw the needle slowly, keep the finger 
over the minute opening in the skin, so as to close it at once, and with 
another finger rub for a few seconds, where the fluid has been injected, 
in a direction away from the opening, to assist its absorption. 
After giving an injection, wash out the syringe as before, dry needle. 
