Pneumonia

(nu-mo’-ne-a). Inflammation of the lungs. Double pneumonia means that both lungs are diseased. Nearly every physician has a different method of treating pneumonia, but the most common nursing treatment is to keep the patient in bed, in a room with temperature of 65 degs. Temperature every four hours. Ice poultices every two hours or jacket poultices every four hours; keep a steam kettle going; liquid stimulating food frequently. The sputa must be kept for the inspection of the doctor. The crisis usually comes about the end of the first week, if delayed beyond the ninth day the case is critical; the convalescence takes three weeks. Relapse is always to be feared.