The after-treatment of operations : a manual for practitioners and house surgeons / by P. Lockhart Mummery.

  • Lockhart-Mummery, John Percy, 1875-
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The after-treatment of operations : a manual for practitioners and house surgeons / by P. Lockhart Mummery. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    ment of fractured femur by Bryant's method. This is a much more effectual method than the use of shoulder straps, and children do not object to it so much; it also enables the child to be kept clean very easily. As little restraint as possible should be put upon a child's movements after an operation, and the younger the child the more important this becomes. Lastly, it should always be remembered in connection with the position of a patient after an operation, that the position of greatest comfort is also that of greatest rest, and therefore the best. Sleeplessness after Operations. This may be due to a variety of causes, and must be treated accordingly. When due to pain, morphia must usually be given so as to secure a good night's rest. The commonest cause is undoubtedly discomfort, and everything should be done to make the patient as com- fortable as is possible under the circumstances. If the patient complains that the bandages are too tight, these may be loosened a little; if he finds his position uncom- fortable, he should be moved into a new one, and especially into that position in which he is accustomed to sleep ; if he is thirsty, he should be allowed a drink of water, milk, or lemonade, etc. An ounce of whisky or brandy given in hot water will often act as a most effectual sleeping- draught, and can be very seldom contra-indicated. A very useful sleeping-draught for use after operations is the following: ]^ Liq. morphinae tartratis - - - ntxxv. Aquam pimentas - - - - ad §i. If morphia is not advisable chloral may be given, or any of the numerous drugs which are now in use for