Evening Care Evening Care

DATE: 1943
LENGTH: 7 min
DIRECTOR: Unidentified
PRODUCER/PUBLISHER: U.S. Army, adapted from a film  by the Chicago Film Laboratory for U.S. Navy
CATEGORY: Educational & Instructional, Sound, Black & White

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[MUSIC]

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[Sailor:] Darken ship.

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All hands, darken ship.

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The smoking lamp
is out above deck.

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[Narrator:] The sick bay presents special problems

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in the evening.

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Blue jackets plunged into inactivity

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because they are sick or injured grow restless

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during the long days in their bunks.

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Days are long, nights longer still.

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What can be done to ease the tension,

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to help the men relax, so they’ll rest and sleep better?

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This man is tired of lying in his bunk.

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Tired physically, tired mentally.

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When you’re sick, the simple act of washing

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your face and your hands, and brushing your teeth

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is refreshing.

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And so evening care begins with passing out the necessary gear.

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Patients who cannot take care of themselves are given help,

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of course.

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Another valuable part of the evening routine

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requires only a pair of trained hands, a little rubbing alcohol,

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and a towel.

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A good back rub stimulates circulation,

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relaxes tired muscles, and relieves fatigue.

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Give the patient as much privacy as possible.

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Loosen his clothing, and turn him over

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on his side or abdomen, whichever is more comfortable.

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Uncover the entire back.

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Place a towel on the bed.

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Pour a little alcohol into you hands, and rub the back.

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Use the heels of the hands and the fingers,

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and rub with a firm circular motion.

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Start at the shoulders, work slowly down the back, gently

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but firmly rubbing away the fatigue,

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rubbing away the tension.

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Go all the way down.

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As you rub, you have a good opportunity

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to observe the condition of his skin,

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and to be on the lookout for the reddened areas which

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indicate the beginning of pressure sores.

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They may appear at any place

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where bones come close to the surface of the skin.

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For instance here at the shoulder blade,

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or down here at the base of the spine.

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When pressure sores first appear, they look like this.

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Just a reddened skin area.

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They can usually be prevented if you rub the danger spots frequently,

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keep the bed linen smooth and dry,

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change the patient from one position to another frequently,

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so he doesn’t lie on the sore area.

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If neglected, the skin breaks,

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becomes ulcerated, and looks like this.

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Finish the back rub with long, firm strokes.

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Keep your eyes open for those reddened areas

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which mean the beginning of trouble.

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Take a good look at the tips of the shoulders, at the elbows,

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and at the ears.

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Other likely spots are the hip area,

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the outer side of the ankle and the heels, and at the knees.

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The patient has been well-cared for, and he’s all right.

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Just before you leave, the crumbs are swept out

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and wrinkles smoothed out thoroughly.

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The hospital corpsman knows that these details are just as

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important as the alcohol rub.

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The bunk is clean and smooth and tight.

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The alcohol rub has stimulated his circulation,

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and relaxed him.

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You can see the response in his whole attitude

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to care and consideration.

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[Hospital corpsman:] Everything OK?

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[Patient:] OK.

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[Hospital corpsman:] All right.

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Here’s some homework for you.

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[Patient:] Thanks.

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[Whistles]

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Some stuff!

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[Hospital corpsman:] Not bad.

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[Narrator:] Beyond this welcome routine care,

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there may be some additional care required

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by each individual patient.

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When you’re finished, all patients

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should be relaxed, comfortable, and at ease

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mentally and physically.

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The patients come first,
as they always do.

86
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Any unusual conditions are reported

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to the medical officer, then the records,

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which must be completed before the ward is secured,

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and you’re ready to be relieved.

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The senior hospital corpsman reports the day’s activities

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to the night watch, and transfers to them

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the responsibility of continuing the care of the patient.

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Then the day watch can shove off.

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The night men muster the patients

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and check on their general condition.

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They should see that each one

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has been attended to before the standing lights are turned on

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at 21:00.

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[Bell rings]

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[Music]

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[Narrator:] During the long night, watch especially

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for the acutely ill patients.

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At least once every hour, a check is made on all the patients,

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to see that they are safe and comfortable,

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and that all is secure.

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[Music]