Practical hints on district nursing / by Amy Hughes.

  • Hughes, Amy.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical hints on district nursing / by Amy Hughes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    108/120 (page 96)
    is not fed with sugar and butter, gruel, etc., by its so-called friends. It usually needs nothing beyond being put to the breast twice or thrice daily for the first two or three days. It then should be fed regularly every two or three hours, the intervals being rather longer at night. If ab- solutely necessary, a little cow's milk with three parts of warm water, slightly sweetened, may be given. If not obtainable, condensed milk is a good substitute. Keeping the child constantly at the breast is a fruitful source of sore nipples, which too often lead to mammary abscess. When a midwife or nurse has the opportunity of seeing her patient before the confinement, she should advise that the nipples should be bathed at least twice daily with brandy and water or gin and water, to harden the skin. If soreness arises after confinement a glass shield with india-rubber teat should be used, and they must be bathed with warm water each time the child is suckled. Boracic lotion is a useful ap- plication, or a solution of tannic acid, but what- ever is used must be washed off before giving the child the breast. Sometimes the fulness and tenseness which occur at the beginning of lactation can be re- lieved by supporting the breasts for a time. A simple and efficient support is easily made by a small square of linen with tapes sewn to each corner. Two are tied round the waist, two