The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mother, Nurse and Infant, by S. P. Sackett This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. Title: Mother, Nurse and Infant A Manual Especially Adapted for the Guidance of Mothers and Monthly Nurses Author: S. P. Sackett Release Date: September 27, 2018 [EBook #57979] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOTHER, NURSE AND INFANT *** Produced by Richard Tonsing, Cindy Horton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) MOTHER, NURSE AND INFANT: A MANUAL ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE GUIDANCE OF MOTHERS AND MONTHLY NURSES, COMPRISING FULL INSTRUCTION IN REGARD TO Pregnancy, Preparation for Child-Birth, AND The Care of Mother and Child, AND DESIGNED TO IMPART SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE OF ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, MIDWIFERY, AND THE PROPER USE OF MEDICINES AS WILL SERVE INTELLIGENTLY TO DIRECT THE WIFE, MOTHER AND NURSE IN ALL EMERGENCIES. BY S. P. SACKETT, M. D. NEW YORK: H. CAMPBELL CO., Publishers 140–142 Nassau St. 1889. Copyrighted, 1889, —BY— S. P. SACKETT. All rights reserved. PRESS OF E. D. NORTON, ITHACA, N. Y. PREFACE. The object of the author in writing this volume is to offer to nurses, and especially to those women who desire to make “monthly nursing” a vocation, the instruction which they need for that purpose, sufficiently illustrated and at a moderate price. The book is written under a firm conviction in the mind of the author that a work of this character is needed at the present time—a work that combines some information to the monthly nurse in regard to her peculiar duties with considerable instruction in midwifery. He has many times heard inquiries made for a book of this kind and has not been able to point to one of the character desired. He has learned during the forty-five years that he has practiced medicine in a small city and its vicinity, that mother and nurse are often combined in the same person. The important duty of nursing the sick is so generally performed by mothers, that they also, as a class, require some scientific knowledge to be acquired by means of plain, practical instruction. And, in fact, throughout our country, every mother is liable, in an emergency, to be called upon to fill the office of an accoucheur. For the professional nurse, such technical and accurate knowledge should be considered indispensable. The training schools for nurses in some of our largest cities are doing a noble work, and are elevating the standard of requirements for those who seek this field of true womanly labor. But comparatively few of the many thousands who follow this vocation are able to attend such schools; yet they are willing and desirous to learn. Women seem instinctively to desire such knowledge. A proper effort to place within their reach the means of obtaining the necessary technical knowledge for their work, and especially for the work of the nurse who attends upon the mother in childbirth, will not, the author trusts, be deemed presumptuous. There are many excellent nurses, who have become so without the aid of training school or such a book as this, but it is hoped that this volume may make the acquirement of the necessary knowledge more easy and furnish ready information of value to those nurses who are most thoroughly perfected in their work. Physicians, they will find, stand ready to aid them. The attending physician, as a rule, may be depended upon to give such help as may be necessary to the understanding of the instructions here presented, and through their cooperation the number of earnest students in this department of womanly labor may be multiplied. The author, during the preparation of it, consulted many writers upon obstetrics, medicine and nursing; and it is only because it would not be compatible with the size of this volume, that he has not made frequent references to these excellent works. But all that he has written has been founded on his own knowledge, experience, and observation, while it coincides with the expressed opinions of others who may be considered good authority. In only two or three things has the author ventured to advance beyond others. S. P. S. Ithaca, March, 1889. iii iv CONTENTS. Introduction 9 PART I. PREGNANCY AND CONFINEMENT. Chapter I. Conduct of the Mother before and after Marriage 13 Chapter II. Conduct of the Mother during Pregnancy 18 Chapter III. Diseases of Pregnancy 22 Chapter IV. Instructions to a Woman during the last stages of Gestation 26 Chapter V. Directions to the Monthly Nurse 33 Chapter VI. Care of the Mother during Labor and Confinement 36 Chapter VII. Directions to the Nurse during the month 43 PART II. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE ORGANS—FŒTAL DEVELOPMENT. Chapter I. Of the Pelvis 55 Chapter II. Parts contained in the Pelvis 64 Chapter III. Physiology of the Uterus and Ovaries 70 Chapter IV. Displacements of the Uterus 76 Chapter V. Mismenstruation 87 v vi Chapter VI. Generation 93 Chapter VII. The Ovum and its development 98 Chapter VIII. The Fœtus 103 PART III. PREGNANCY AND PARTURITION. Chapter I. Diagnosis of Pregnancy 113 Chapter II. Abortion 119 Chapter III. Parturition 123 Chapter IV. Mechanical Phenomena of Labor 132 Chapter V. Diagnosis of Artificial Labor 138 PART IV. SKILLED NURSING AND MIDWIFERY. Chapter I. Preliminary instruction to the Nurse Midwife 145 Chapter II. The Natural Labor 149 Chapter III. Convalescence 163 Chapter IV. Care of Infants 170 Chapter V. vii Cases of Difficult Labor 177 Chapter VI. Concluding instructions in Midwifery 192 PART V. ÆTIOLOGY—SYMPTOMOTOLOGY—MEDICATION—NURSING. Chapter I. Causes of Disease 196 Chapter II. Symptoms of Disease 203 Chapter III. Diagnosis of Diseases of Children 217 Chapter IV. Treatment of Inflammation in its initial stages 223 Chapter V. Various circumstances, Contagion, Death, &c. 237 Chapter VI. Surgical Nursing 251 PART VI. REMEDIES AND REGIMEN. Chapter I. Hints in regard to the treatment of Common Diseases 262 Chapter II. Emergencies, Accidents, Sudden Sickness 279 Chapter III. Slight Hurts and Ailments 295 Chapter IV. Dietetics, Food for Children 307 Chapter V. Prescribing and Prescriptions 327 Chapter VI. viii Medical Formulary 333 Glossary 364 Index 379 INTRODUCTION. From the nature of the subjects treated in this work, the information given becomes of interest to every woman, and is not intended for the nurse of lying-in women only. It is believed that many young women will study it carefully, that they may be prepared for all the duties and responsibilities of life; some, perhaps, that they may be fitted for a vocation under certain contingencies. But many of the instructions are addressed particularly to mothers, because they especially will be able to make a practical application of the knowledge received. Hence considerable matter is inserted which is designed to be used by mothers in their daily life, and having only a slight bearing on monthly nursing. Necessarily, as the two objects are combined to suit the wants both of the mother and nurse, there is not as much order and system in the topics presented as would otherwise be desirable. I seek only to have my instructions in the form that will be most useful, and I believe that if mothers at the present time are sufficiently taught there will be no lack, a few years hence, of nurses who are fully competent to care for the sick, under the direction of competent physician. Hence I address myself, first, 9 10 TO THE MOTHER. To those who are mothers, every part of this small book is especially commended. Upon the knowledge and skill and right action of those who have the care of children and of the household, it will depend that the right thing shall be done in such emergencies as are liable to occur. You must necessarily care for your children, both to guard them from sickness and to relieve their ailments. You must know the symptoms, at least, how to observe the symptoms of diseases; and you may be called upon, in the absence of the physician, to act as midwife. Be especially careful to learn the instructions in regard to emergencies, because upon your knowledge and prompt action the lives of your dear ones may depend. TO THE PROFESSIONAL NURSE. This work is written for you, and to you is especially commended the modicum of medical knowledge herein contained. It is better for you to learn well what you read than it is to read very extensively. You will find sufficient in this small volume to demand your time and study for months, and even for years, in connection with your nursing. It is not expected that you will learn all the formulæ and prescriptions given. These are inserted partly that you may learn to read prescriptions in the various forms in which they are written, and partly that you may occasionally use one, after consulting with your physician. Sometimes you may copy one of them accurately and use it at the drug store, consulting only with the apothecary. But it will be of importance to you to obtain as much medical knowledge as is herein contained, though it is not designed to make you physicians. Do not act the part of a doctor until you understand every thing pertaining to Anatomy and Physiology, and the nature and properties of every medicine employed in the cure of disease. Of all sciences the medical should embrace the widest domain of knowledge, because ignorance here is fatal. But ignorance and thoughtlessness, and want of skill and adaptation, may be fatal in your particular province. The physician will generally tell you that the recovery of his patient depends as much upon faithfulness and skill and care on your part as upon his own medicines. Seek always to aid him, never to supercede him. If you learn midwifery, it should be with the design of co-operating with the doctor, and assisting him. You should be so educated that the physician will feel willing to leave a case of tedious labor in your care, instead of waiting at the bedside of the patient one or two days, and neglecting his other patients. Your educated service will be appreciated at such times by the doctor, as well as by the patient and her friends. You will do the duties of nursing well, and take upon yourself that part of the practice of a physician which he does not desire, and which you can do equally well. Your part will be an important one, and second only to that of the physician. I expect, as the result of the study of this book, not that you will assume to be physicians to any greater extent than you otherwise would, but that you will act wisely and intelligently instead of confusedly, or blindly, in the emergencies in which you will be called upon to act,—that you will be, not merely attendants at the bedside of the sick, but, that best aid to the physician, the true nurse. Do not claim to be doctor or midwife, or anything whatever that you are not. If a smattering of knowledge causes any affectation, it will only degrade you. Study physiology in the books commonly used; store your minds with the facts and instructions in this book; obtain additional knowledge in every way that is practicable. As you have opportunity, make practical application of the knowledge received, and you will commend yourself more and more to your sick or suffering friends. 11 12 PART I. PREGNANCY AND CONFINEMENT. 13 CHAPTER I. CONDUCT OF THE MOTHER BEFORE AND AFTER MARRIAGE. The physical treatment of children should begin, as far as may be practicable, with the earliest formation of the embryo. It will involve the conduct of the female even before her marriage, as well as during her pregnancy—the various contingencies which effect her in health as well as in disease. Very much depends on her to insure for her child a vigorous constitution, or to prevent a feeble frame in the child. She should not enter into the holy state of marriage with heedless haste; if she does, she will discharge its duties with inexcusable neglect. To constitute a mother, in the best sense of the term, requires a patient endurance of fatigue, and anxious solicitude, which will sorely tax the mother’s strength. I would, if possible, diminish the toil and danger of childbirth, and relieve the fatigue and anxiety of nursing. And let me, in one paragraph, give a hint to the husband: that the responsibility and care of the children is too much laid on the mother; she is overburdened. Let the father partake in the arduous and responsible duty of their education. And let me hint, also, that the health and strength of the child depends upon the father as well as the mother. Marriage should not be at too Early a Period of Life.—I am not disposed to discourage early marriage, but I am decidedly opposed to a premature one. Marriage should not take place until the body is healthily and completely developed; to bear offspring prematurely endangers not only the mother’s health, but it materially influences the health and well-being of the child. We cannot fix rigorously the age at which the body becomes fully expanded. I am inclined to say it is at 20 in the female, and at 24 in the male; but original stamina, education, climate, mode of life, etc., have their influence, and may make an earlier or a later marriage proper. The evil consequences resulting from precocious unions in this country are: diminished vigor and shortened life in the husband; faded beauty, blasted health, and premature old age in the mother, and a diminutive stature, debility of body and imbecility of mind, perhaps a strong predisposition to consumption, rickets, scrofula, etc., in the children. Marriage should be when the Parties are in Health.—I do not say that every ailment should be a bar to marriage or child-bearing. It is possible that prolapsis uteri may be benefited by a pregnancy and parturition. But if a woman has prolapsis uteri, or other ailment, it is a poor preparation for the burdens of gestation, and good health is an important qualification for the responsibilities of married life. No learning can be of more importance to a young lady than to know how to preserve health, and how to restore it when lost, for we cannot reasonably expect healthy children from unhealthy parents. There are numerous other complaints besides scrofula and insanity, inherited by children. If a wife is to be healthy and strong, she must use means; health will not come by wishing for it merely, and whether pleasant at first or not, habit will make early rising, temperate living, taking exercise, thorough ablution of the whole body, etc., easy. That state of vigorous health and strength which prepares a woman to bear strong and vigorous children, is attained not by idleness and luxury, and neglect of personal cleanliness, nor by tight lacing, the use of stimulants, nor by irregular modes of sleeping, etc., but by rising early, and taking early walks in the open air, and engaging in household labor, or other exercise during the day, going to bed betimes, living on an abundance of good, wholesome food, by daily ablutions, followed by rubbing the skin thoroughly, and in general by observing the laws of health. If a woman who has thus preserved her health, marry a man who has been equally careful to observe the laws of continence and hygiene, she may hope to be the mother of a healthy child, and a blessing to all. The Constitution of both the Male and Female should be good and strong. It is not enough that the body be well developed, if there is at the same time a very feeble constitution. Even if the children of such parents seem to be hale looking and robust, they do not attain old age—are very liable to die young. If there is only a predisposition to disease, such as is often inherited, it may be very doubtful whether the parties ought to marry. If there is only a disposition to habits of intoxication or dissipation, or to gout, madness, scrofula, consumption, etc., in the man, we may advise the woman not to unite herself to him, for these diseases do not show themselves until called into action by some exciting cause. But we advise the woman, if there is any physical disability which renders her ineligible to the married state, that she should not pass it over lightly, or conceal it, and we would recommend to a woman who may have deformed pelvis, that she abstain from marriage, as she “may purchase the title of wife at too dear a price.” Temperament is a matter of less importance in choosing a husband. It is said to be the case that in choosing a mate, a person inclines strongly to one unlike themselves. If it be true that a person of a nervous temperament has a preference for the sympathetic, the sanguine for the bilious, etc., it is probably nature imparts the liking that the offspring may combine the excellence of both, the defects of neither. Blood relationship is not necessarily a bar to union. Cousins may marry when the family has traits of mental and physical excellence as a means of perpetuating them, but it is not best to develop, by repeated unions, a lurking disposition to disease, which may exist in any family. Moral and mental character is of the greatest importance. It is not true that “the reformed rake makes the best husband.” If he is not the prey of loathsome diseases, the results of a vicious life, his constitution is probably impaired, so that he cannot be the father of good, strong children. The only way that women can guard their own health, and preserve from degeneracy their offspring, is by having husbands of a different character from that of the debauched rake. CONDUCT OF THE MOTHER AFTER MARRIAGE. 14 15 16 The mother is accountable for the health and intelligence of her first child; she must be careful of her own health before marriage and at the time of marriage, as well as for the succeeding time. I will here state a few things which seem unimportant, and yet are of some little consequence. I consider that the great object of conjugal union is the transmission of life, and I cannot believe that anything is unnecessary or unimportant that has a tendency towards the perfect health or well-being of the child that is yet to be born. During the first few months after marriage the wife should seek to have bodily quiet, and mental calmness and serenity. The custom of hurrying the bride from place to place may properly be condemned. So we would have her avoid going into a whirl of excitement and pleasure—into a round of visiting and late hours—into close, heated rooms—into fashionable amusements—rich living and a want of rest—sitting in ill-ventilated apartments—quickly bolting unquiet meals—drinking wine, beer, or brandy, or other alcoholic stimulants—late rising in the morning—sleeping in close, badly-ventilated rooms—living in rooms that are kept dark—tight lacing—wearing thin clothing—worrying, and indulging in ill-temper. She should avoid these at all times, but her future health and happiness depend so much upon her prudence and care during the first year of married life, that we may properly give these hints and cautions in regard to this particular time. 17 18 CHAPTER II. CONDUCT OF THE MOTHER DURING PREGNANCY. There are no signs of a fruitful conjugation, which in all cases indicate to the woman that she is pregnant. Some few seem to know the exact time; in some instances there is faintness, or vertigo, that in these particular cases impress the fact upon the mind of the woman. But usually, within a month, the point is tolerably certain, she being assured by such signs as will be here pointed out. It now becomes her duty to be especially careful, not only for herself, but also for her offspring. Abortions frequently occur, especially in the first and last pregnancies, and in the first months of pregnancy, these should be avoided if possible. The train of evils which follow when the habit of abortion is established, as well as the moral obligation she is under to preserve the life committed to her, should make her willing to endure the few privations and conformities which her situation imposes on her. She must avoid undue exercise of the muscles, such as long walks, dancing in hot weather, hastily running up stairs, lifting heavy weights; she must avoid things that inordinately hurry the circulation, such as heated rooms, stimulating liquors, etc.; she must not overload the stomach, or eat late suppers; she must not take drastic purgatives; must not constipate her bowels by taking laudanum, etc.; must not compress the chest by tight lacing; must not use strong tea or narcotics; must not lie long in warm feather beds, and must not engage in severe study, night watching, etc. The pregnant woman need not indulge in a wayward or voracious appetite, and, although there is a tendency to fullness and fever, she need not necessarily be bled. The pregnant woman needs fully as much food as usual, but she must avoid excess in eating and drinking. Ripe fruits, lamb, veal, fresh fish, milk, coffee, and, in general, every thing which agrees with the stomach may be eaten; the taste, as a rule, is a safe guide, and may be reasonably indulged. After the sixth month, she may properly eat four or five meals a day. The best plan of treatment for one to adopt who has longings is not to give way to them, unless the longings be of a harmless, simple nature. The CLOTHING of the pregnant woman should be suited to the season; but as the vicissitudes of the weather affect her more than they previously did, she should be dressed rather warm. In general, she should wear flannel drawers, especially during advanced pregnancy. Many women have done themselves an injury by lacing tight to conceal their pregnancy. The dress should be loose and comfortable, nowhere pressing tightly or unequally. Stays or corsets may be used, in a proper manner, during the first five or six months; they should be moulded to the shape of the changing figure, and must not depress the nipple or the enlarging breasts. The garters ought to be worn slack; tight garters are very injurious, and if the veins are enlarged or varicose, it will be necessary for her to wear an elastic silk stocking. Moderate exercise in the open air is proper during the period of pregnancy, and walking is a good kind of exercise; but very long walks, and dancing, ought not to be indulged in. Riding in a wagon over rough roads, and railway traveling, are objectionable. Bathing should be practiced with great care. A warm bath is too relaxing; a tepid bath once a week is beneficial. Sponging the body every morning with lukewarm water may be practiced, and the skin should be quickly dried with a coarse towel. The temperature of the water may be reduced gradually until it is quite cold. A sitz bath may be used every morning, although it is best to sit in it but a few seconds. If it gives a slight shock, it will be immediately followed by an agreeable glow. Put a little warm water with the cold at first. Ventilation is of the utmost importance. During the day time, the windows in every unoccupied room in the house ought to be thrown open. Attention should be directed to keeping the atmosphere in the sitting and sleeping rooms of the house fresh. Many poor people sleep in a very small, close bedroom, and breathe an air that is really poisonous. The lady should see also that the house is kept light, that the drains are in good and perfect order; that the privies are frequently emptied of their contents, and that the drinking water supply be not contaminated. Sleep, by its sedative influence, and by the calmness of all the functions that attend it, has a favorable influence upon the disturbed nervous system of the mother, and upon the growth of the fœtus. Her bedroom ought to be large and airy, and she should not have curtains closely drawn about her bed. The windows of the room should be opened during the day; the bedclothes should be thrown back, and everything ventilated; the bed must not be loaded with clothes, and the bedroom at night should be dark, and as far as possible from noise. These things will tend to secure sleep; but if the pregnant woman should still be restless, and feeling oppressed and hot, she should perhaps admit more air into the room. Let her also attend every day to her bowels, that they be not allowed to become costive; perhaps eat cooling fruits, live on an abstemious diet, and if there is a feeling of faintness when she attempts to lie down, she should have a bed so arranged that her shoulders and head are elevated. The pregnant woman ought to retire early to rest, and I would advise her to lie abed in the morning as long as she can sleep well. If she cannot sleep well, let her get up in good time in the morning, take a bath, or thorough ablution, a stroll in the garden, an early breakfast, and then perhaps a short walk, while the air is cool and exhilarating. A nap of an hour or two after that, upon a sofa or lounge, will prove very refreshing. A TRANQUIL MIND is of the greatest importance. Forebodings of a gloomy nature should not be encouraged, as they often are, by relating dismal stories, etc. Unnecessary fear upon the part of the mother may have a bad effect upon the child, as may also the indulgence in unbridled anger, or yielding to temper,—perhaps may cause convulsions or hemorrhage, or even abortion. There is reason to believe 19 20 21