Sponge baths with chilled vinegar-water (1 part cider vinegar diluted
with 2 parts water) are helpful when the temperature rises to 102°. If
the temperature reaches 105° or over, baths must be promptly
administered. The patient may be placed in a bath of 85° or 90°, and the
water allowed to cool gradually down to 70° or 65°.
A sick child may stay in such a bath ten or twenty minutes, while the
time in a bath practically should not be more than three or five
minutes. The bath must be repeated as soon as the fever again reaches
105°.
When the first symptoms of measles, scarlet fever or chicken-pox are
noticed, give the child a three-quarter pack. (See directions under
"packs"). After each pack sponge the patient with cool vinegar-water.
If the fever is high during the night, apply a sponge bath every half
hour or hour.
During the day give the patient 1/4 teaspoonful of Dechmann's Plasmogen,
dissolved in 1/2 pint water, a little every hour.
In the evening and during the night alternate this blood-salt solution
with Tonogen.
Blood plasm contains eight different salts in different composition, and
only when the actual physiological composition is employed can there be
any guarantee against the decomposition of the blood-cells. Plasmogen is
such a composition.
When diphtheria and Bright's disease complicate the case, they must be
dealt with as under ordinary conditions and treated by a competent,
Hygienic dietetic physician.
If recovery is prompt and desquamation (scaling) is in progress, warm
baths may be applied for a few days.
When the temperature and urine continue normal for a few weeks, the
child may be regarded as restored to health.