HYGIENE AND SANITATION IN THE SICK ROOM
Factors in Normal Expression of Life
In case of incoördination in the body there are always existing
conditions which require educated adaptation. It is the study of
these conditions to which the sickroom hygiene and sanitation must be
directed.
We will first consider the environment necessary for the normal
expression of life in the body. Unhindered transmission of mental
impulses alone will not give us the processes of metabolism. To have
normal metabolism in the body oxygen must be carried to the tissue
cells and there must be an uninterrupted transmission of mental
impulses. Nutrition is derived from the food taken into the body and
oxygen from the air is breathed into the lungs. The mental impulses
are transformed in the brain by Innate Intelligence and transmitted
by efferent nerves; hence the necessity for a proper amount of food,
a sufficient supply of pure air and unhindered transmission. But the
nutrient elements contained in the food are not in a state to be
utilized by the tissue cells when taken into the body; therefore it
is necessary that the food be broken up by the process of digestion
that it will be rendered usable by the tissue cells.
This process of digestion requires a great expenditure of internal
energy or, in other words, a functional activity of the mental
impulses. Thus it is seen that the body as a machine must be supplied
with the material necessary to keep it in repair and running order,
and that this material is taken in and prepared within the body for
bodily use.
Not only must provision be made for supplying the body with the
proper amount of food, but attention must be given to a proper supply
of oxygen for the lungs. This seems a very simple thing to do, and
it is simple under natural conditions, but when we consider the
unnatural conditions that have been created by man and under which
the human race in civilized countries is living, it becomes a problem
that requires great engineering skill. The ventilation of great
buildings, streets and subways is no small problem and yet if the
processes of metabolism are to be maintained in the body ventilation
must be given attention.
Importance of Environment
If these internal processes are to be maintained there must also be a
certain environmental condition which will enable Innate Intelligence
to bring them about. The temperature, humidity, and atmospheric
pressure are all important in their proper relationship. Innate
Intelligence is capable of adapting the body to extremes in these
different environmental conditions, but the transition from one
degree to another, such as temperature, must take place gradually to
allow sufficient time for the adaptative changes.
It will be observed that these changes take place more or less
gradually in Nature, but man is inclined to pass from one extreme
into another without thought of time needed for adaptation. For
example he passes from a highly heated room into one with a very low
temperature, or comes from compressed air chambers, where the air
pressure is greater than the normal, into the normal atmospheric
pressure without sufficient precaution to the sudden change. These
sudden changes not only draw very heavily upon the adaptative forces
of the body, but actually interfere with the normal functional
activity of Innate Intelligence and produce subluxations. The more
natural the environment, the less energy will be required to bring
about adaptation and maintain the equilibrium of the functions. Even
though the environment is perfect, there must be a current of mental
impulses sufficient to produce adaptative action. When there is an
interference with the transmission of mental impulses to such an
extent that this adaptation can not take place there will be lack of
function.
An environmental condition that will require as little adaptative
energy as possible should be maintained. There should, therefore,
be some attention given to the sick room, not that the hygienic and
sanitary measures will in any sense cure the dis-ease, but that the
forces in the body may not be used up and dissipated because of an
environment that requires an abundance of force for adaptation.
The patient’s weakness in many incoördinations is purely adaptative
on the part of Innate Intelligence to prevent the patient from
continuing at work or doing other things that would require an
expenditure of the adaptative energies of the body. In other words,
it is for the purpose of conserving the energies that are needed in
the reparatory and restorative processes necessary to bring about
coördination.
For the above reason it is necessary to give attention to the sick
room in maintaining a condition to which Innate may easily bring
about intellectual adaptation and not draw upon the reserve carrying
capacity of the nerves.
Function of the Educated Mind
The expression of Innate Intelligence through the educated brain has
functions to perform that are quite as essential and important in
their way as are the functions produced by the expression of Innate
Intelligence through the innate brain. Here is an illustration of
what is meant: Innate Intelligence sends mental impulses to the
liver and produces bile independent of educated brain. But if a man
is walking across the street and falls to the ground unconscious
he will be mutilated by traffic unless some one picks him up and
protects him. Innate is still in the body of the unconscious man,
but is not being expressed through the educated brain. The Innate
is powerless to protect that body from harm—it requires the
expression of an Innate Intelligence through the educated brain of
some other person to bring about an adaptation to circumstances and
protect the unconscious man. In this case the educated mind of one
individual is substituted for that of the other and the desired end
is accomplished. This educated function could not be expressed in the
unconscious man because of the inability of Innate Intelligence to be
functioning through the educated brain.
The functions of the educated mind as pertaining to the expression
of life in the body have to do mostly with the environment. It
is, therefore, within the scope of Chiropractic to study the
environmental conditions in order that the best interests of Innate
Intelligence in the expression of life in the body be protected.
Need for Conserving Energy
Reference has already been made to the fact that adaptation
to environment requires an expenditure of energy in case of
incoördination. When an individual is sick there is need for
conservation of energy to the fullest degree. At this time there
must be no unnecessary drain upon the body in order that all forces
may be centered upon the one thing—restoration. This leads us to a
consideration of removing every unnecessary demand upon Innate for
expenditure of energy so that all the forces may be utilized in the
process of restoration.
There are a number of points to be considered in the care of the sick
room where the patient is confined to his bed. There should be an
even temperature maintained at all times and great care taken that
the room is never overheated. The degrees at which temperature is
to be maintained will be governed somewhat by the character of the
incoördination. In conditions involving the respiratory tract the
room may be kept quite cold. The temperature of the sick room may
vary from 50° F. to 70° F. according to the incoördination.
One of the most important features in the sick room is proper
ventilation and the elimination of dust and odors. The patient at all
times should be provided with an abundant supply of pure air free
from dust and other impurities. The room should be so ventilated
as to eliminate objectionable drafts. This may be accomplished by
placing screens in front of open windows or stretching a gauze over
the opening in the window which will admit the air but not rapid
enough to produce a draft.
In some cases of incoördinations involving the eyes it is advisable
to maintain a subdued light in the room. This may be obtained during
the day by drawing the shade part way down and during the night
by placing shades over the lamps or electric lights. If the eyes
are very sensitive to light an unnecessary adaptation may thus be
avoided, thus enabling Innate to use her forces in a more desirable
way.
[Illustration: _Changing Sheets._]
In severe cases some attention should be given to the furniture and
hangings, not so much because of any special benefit to the patient,
but for the convenience of the attendants and to insure a better
sanitary condition by eliminating everything that would tend to
catch dust and dirt and matter given off into the breathing zone.
[Illustration: _Lifting Patient with Draw Sheet._]
The bed and bedding should be kept clean and fresh. The patient
should be placed between sheets and not between blankets even in
the winter time. The top cover on the bed should be white or of a
light color. All soiled linen should be removed immediately and the
pillows should be kept well aired. If the patient is weak, or for
other reasons must be handled by attendants, a draw sheet will be a
great convenience; a sheet may be folded about three times for this
purpose and placed under the patient’s hips on top of the bed sheet.
This may be used to turn the patient, move the patient from one side
of the bed to the other, or it may be found of service in placing him
on the adjusting bench. This draw sheet may be left under the patient
without discomfort. At all times care should be exercised that the
sheet, draw sheet and covers are kept free from wrinkles. The bed
clothes should be changed in such a way as to disturb the patient as
little as possible. One-half of the bed should be changed at a time
and the patient moved over on the clean sheet with the aid of the
draw sheet. It is not expected that the chiropractor will find it
necessary to do all these things himself; indeed, if the patient is
ill enough to require this kind of care there should be a nurse on
the case. However, even though he is not going to do these things
himself, he certainly ought to know how they should be done.
[Illustration: _Draw Sheet in position for lifting patient to
adjusting table._]
If the patient is forced to use a bed pan, great care should be
exercised that the bed clothes and clothing of the patient are not
soiled. If they are they should be immediately changed or at least
as soon as practicable. The disposal of the excreta is of vital
importance. It should be removed from the sick room immediately.
From a hygienic standpoint the fecal matter, urine and sputum should
be disinfected with a 10% solution of formalin and allowed to stand
for an hour, or by adding bichloride to make a solution of one to
one thousand. The fecal matter should be placed in a receptacle and
enough hot water added to cover it, then a cup of unslacked lime
added and this allowed to stand covered for a couple of hours before
throwing into the sewer.
The patient confined to the bed should receive proper care. His
hands and face should be bathed and he should be given a sponge bath.
This may be done without disturbing the patient materially and may
add greatly to his comfort. If the incoördination is in the fever
family there will be no danger of the patient taking cold, but if
it is not a febrile dis-ease, great care must be taken to prevent
this complication. Everything possible should be done to add to
the comfort of the patient and to create a pleasant and cheerful
atmosphere about the sick room.
[Illustration: _Lifting a patient with draw-sheet to place on
adjusting table._]
Hygienic Measures Used in So-called Communicable Dis-eases
In discussing hygienic measures to be used in so-called communicable
dis-eases, it must be understood that these measures are in no sense
considered to be curative. If subluxations were adjusted as soon as
produced there would be no occasion for such considerations, for man
would remain immune and there would be no communicable dis-eases.
Since subluxations are not always adjusted as soon as produced, but
remain and become chronic and dis-ease is allowed to gather great
momentum before adjustments are given, it becomes necessary to bring
about an adaptation educationally to the incoördination. During the
course of the dis-ease certain hygienic measures should be used in
order to maintain a proper environmental condition.
[Illustration: _Patient adjusted and ready to be lifted to the bed
with draw-sheet_.]
The so-called communicable dis-eases are quarantinable and should be
reported to the proper health authorities in the states requiring
such procedure, in compliance with the law. There are certain
sanitary and hygienic measures that should be used from a standpoint
of pure cleanliness and common decency. The hygienic measures
ordinarily recommended may be summed up as follows: The stools,
urine, sputum and other excretions should be thoroughly disinfected.
The urine may be disinfected by adding bichloride to make a solution
of one to one thousand or by adding 10% formalin and allowing
the solution to stand for an hour or so. It is more difficult to
disinfect fecal matter. The masses should be thoroughly broken up and
disinfected with bleaching powder, 3%. A 5% solution of carbolic
acid may be used or formalin 10%. Another easy and effective way is
to add enough hot water to cover the entire stool and then add a
cup of unslacked lime or about one-fourth as much lime as bulk. The
receptacle should then be covered and allow to stand for a couple of
hours. In this way there will be enough heat generated by the lime to
destroy the microörganisms. The sputum should be burned.
It is recommended that the bed linen, towels and handkerchiefs used
by the patient be disinfected by immersing for at least an hour in a
solution of bichloride of mercury, one to one thousand, a 5% solution
of carbolic acid, or 10% solution of formalin.
Chiropractic Cause of So-called Communicable Dis-eases
Chiropractically the cause of the so-called communicable dis-eases
is interference with the transmission of mental impulses, which
results in lack of function. Where there is an interference with
the functions resulting in abnormal metabolism there is always an
accumulation of waste products and poisons. The accumulation of the
waste products and the correspondingly lowered resistance in these
structures provide a fertile field for the growth and development
of the bacteria that are found in the particular incoördination.
These germs are present as scavengers for the sole purpose of
consuming the waste material and these bacteria will disappear as
soon as the subluxated vertebrae are adjusted and the tissues become
normal, for they can not live on normal tissue and will be excreted
as waste. However, if there are subluxations which interfere with
the transmission of mental impulses resulting in lack of functions
in the body and microörganisms are allowed to enter the body, the
abnormal tissues will furnish them with food and a proper culture
medium in which to develop. From a chiropractic standpoint the best
prophylaxis is adjustments to restore transmission to normal and
the germs will find no food or fertile field in which to develop and
will be excreted as so much material that can not be used in the
metabolism of the body.
Under chiropractic adjustments the incoördination (so-called
contagious dis-ease) will not run its full course; as a matter of
fact, the recovery may be so rapid that the patient will be sick only
a very few days. Under adjustments there will be no complications or
sequelæ and for this reason there is not the necessity for hygienic
measures to the same extent as under ordinary treatment, but during
the time the patient is sick hygienic measures should be observed.