The subject of the care of the mouth in fever nursing is equally as
important as that of prevention of bed-sores. An unclean mouth is
not only very unpleasant and often painful to the patient, but is a
source of infection. The accumulation of food and mucus is a fertile
field for the lodgement of bacteria. If this infected material is
allowed to remain, it can easily spread to the middle ear and the
mastoid cells, and cause abscesses or be carried by the food to the
already overburdened alimentary tract to add to its infection. When
the accumulation of sordes is profuse and persistent the patient’s
mouth ought to be cleansed after every feeding. This may be done by
wrapping a two-inch square piece of linen or gauze, saturated with the
mouth-wash, around the little finger and wiping every portion of the
cavity—not far enough on back of the tongue to provoke nausea. If it
is necessary to clean the throat, a small swab may be employed. For
thorough cleaning of the mouth several sponges are necessary. These
may be received in a piece of paper and at once burned. While cleaning
the mouth of a delirious patient the nurse for her own protection must
place some hard substance between the patient’s teeth. A rubber cork is
the best, but if that is not available, a fork-handle may be used. Its
prongs must be carefully wrapped to avoid an accident. If the cork is
used, the nurse must hold it in place to prevent its falling down the
patient’s throat. There are numerous preparations used for cleaning the
mouth, as:
1. Listerin, f℥j;
Water, f℥ij.
_Dobell’s Solution._
2. Borax, ʒss;
Sodium bicarbonate, ʒiv;
Listerin, fʒj;
Carbolic acid, 95 per cent., ♏︎viij;
Warm water, f℥x.
3. Boric-acid solution, f℥j;
Alcohol, fʒss;
Glycerin, fʒj;
Tincture of myrrh, f♏︎j.
4. Glycerin,
Water, of each, f℥ss.
The following three formulæ have been found excellent for special cases:
_For Mucus-coated Mouth._
1. Sodium bicarbonate, gr. x;
Glycerin, fʒij;
Water, enough to make, f℥ij.
If the coating be of long standing, thick and dry, this solution may
be applied with an applicator every five or ten minutes for one hour,
and then the cleansing may be done with sponges. In these cases it is
necessary to use a toothpick to gently loosen the sordes between the
teeth.
For dry or fissured lips and tongue, and for anointing the baby’s nose,
the following will be found useful:
2. Lanolin,
Vaselin, of each, ℥j;
Oil of gaultheria, ♏︎xxx.
Apply small quantity several times daily.
In rare cases there is a persistent bleeding from the gums. The
application, several times daily, of the following solution is
effectual:
3. Tincture of myrrh, ♏︎xxx;
Water, f℥j.
_Mouth-Wash._
A solution of potassium chlorate and cinnamon water.