A Useful, Bath Bed.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1830, 29 March 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Useful, Bath Bed.

A correspondent in the Lancet, writing from Liverpool, describes and recommends the following substitute for a water bed,

which has been introduced into an infirmary in the latter city. It consists of a large wooden tank, about five feet long by two nml a half feet broad, and a little more than a foot in depth. It is lined inside with zinc, and has a tap fixed to the bottom for draining purposes. It is supported on an iron bed cot, and is filled with water to within a few inches of the top. A large macintosh sheet is spread over the surface of the water, and allowed to fall over the sides of the tank for a foot or so on each side. This sheet may be fastened^ if necessary, to the side of the tank. The patient is laid on the macintosh shpefc, a blanket or linen sheet intervening, and ho practically floats in the wat< r. The water can be kept at any temperature that is thought proper. At present the bath bed is being used for a case of typhoid fever with hyperpyrexia, and is filled with cold water at a temperature of 60 degs. ]?., so that the patient has all the benefit o£ the cold water treatment by plunge bathor douche, without the many inconveniences. In many cases of collapse, also where waimth is useful, the temperature of the water can be raised to>Bo or 90 degs. F., and kept at that temperature. The bath bed can be iifed besides for cases of prolonged illness with tendency to bedsores, for the prevention of which it is superior to the ordinary water pillow.