246 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
and let the patient lie on it; get six or eiglit boys to hold up the edges, 
and give patient his bath in that way. 
A good plan is to dig a shallow trench in the sand and to spread a 
waterproof in it; it is less difficult then to keep the edges of waterproof 
up as the patient is lying in a groove. It is not necessary to make the 
bath really cold if the cool water can be kept running. I have hardly 
ever been able, in Africa, to get the water below 80° E. 
Note the bowel temperature, and as soon as it falls to 101° F., remove 
the patient from the bath, and put him between warm blankets, and feed 
with some hot soup. If there are any signs of faintness, ammonia, or 
equal parts of strong spirit and water, must be given. Weak spirit and 
water has little or no stimulating effect on the heart, therefore, in cases 
of fainting, shock, exhaustion, or collapse from any cause, give a little 
spirit, and give it strong. 
Wet Pack.— Slip a waterproof under patient, wring a sheet out of cold 
water and pass it under him and wrap him in it, cover with three or 
four blankets, and tuck him in. At first he will feel cold and chilly, but 
soon the surface vessels will dilate, and he will begin to feel hot, and 
very likely will sweat; keep him in the wet pack with the clothes care¬ 
fully tucked in round the neck, feet and sides for about half an hour. 
Then partially dry the patient, and put him into bed between warm 
blankets and with hot-water bottles, and give hot drinks to encourage 
perspiration. 
Catheters. 
At least six silk-webbed catheters should be taken as part of the 
equipment. The most suitable sizes are, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10. They should 
be packed in a separate box, and should be kept dry with French chalk 
or any other dusting powder. 
Before use the catheter should lie for at least a quarter of an hour in 
an antiseptic solution such as chinosol (1 in 1000), and the solution should 
be frequently syringed through it. The catheter should then be lubri¬ 
cated with eucalyptus, vaseline, or carbolic oil, or, better, with boric acid 
ointment. 
Let the patient lie down, and thoroughly wash the genitals, especially 
the opening of the pipe, with an antiseptic solution, the operator having 
carefully cleaned his own hands. Then pass the catheter gently down 
