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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]