How To Reduce Fever

The following article deals at length on steps that one can take at home to reduce fever or body temperature  for patients. The article is entitled 'Home Care of Fever Cases'.

THE HOME CARE OF FEVER CASES

The Reduction of Temperature or Fever

ELEVATION of temperature is the most striking characteristic of fever; hence the treatment for the reduction of temperature is a matter of primary importance. It should be known, however, that fever is not necessarily destructive in its influence. It is only when the febrile process rises to an extreme degree that it becomes in itself harmful. Careful investigations have shown that the fever is a part of the curative process, aiding in the development of neutralizing substances which destroy the germ poisons,— really the chief source of danger.

It is practically impossible to reduce the temperature of the fever patient to the normal without the use of measures so extreme as to endanger the patient. The reason of this is, that in the state of fever a new standard of temperature is established which is considerably higher than the normal standard. The normal fever temperature has been determined to be from 101° to 102° F., or about three degrees higher than the temperature of health. As long as the temperature does not rise above this point, the curative process may be considered as proceeding in a natural way toward recovery. When, however, as is generally the case in fever, the temperature rises higher, it is an indication that the disease process is progressing with dangerous intensity, and effective measures should be applied at once and continued until the temperature is brought within the normal fever limit.

We are now brought to the discussion of proper measures for lowering the temperature in fever:—

The Wet-Sheet Pack.— Without doubt, the wet-sheet pack is the most generally serviceable and efficient measure which can be used for the reduction of temperature. Sheets and water at ordinary air temperature are always available. What is known as the cooling pack should be applied. The patient is wrapped in the wet sheet and covered with a single blanket. As soon as the sheet is warmed, it is replaced by a freshly cooled sheet, and this again by another as soon as it approaches the temperature of the skin. This process is continued until the sheet is no longer quickly warmed, or until the temperature of the blood has been lowered, as indicated by shivering. In obstinate cases it may be necessary to continue these cooling packs for two or three hours, or even longer. Generally, however, five or six changes will be sufficient to lower the temperature

one or two degrees, or below 102° F. In employing the wet-sheet pack, it is important to remember that the pack should be carefully covered by at least a single flannel blanket. .'No attempt should be made to increase the cooling by allowing evaporation from the surface of the sheet. This produces slow chilling of the surface and contraction of the blood vessels, the opposite of which is desired. The sheet should be covered so that reaction will take place. With the reaction, the surface vessels are dilated, and the blood is thus brought to the surface where it may be cooled by contact with the cool sheet. It is also injurious to leave the sheet in contact

with the skin after the body temperature has been raised, as superheating may thus occur, so that the fever may be actually increased. As soon as the sheet is warm, it should be replaced by another. The first sheet may be warmed in six or eight minutes. The second sheet will probably require a longer time, — ten or twelve minutes; the third, perhaps, fifteen minutes; the fourth, twenty minutes; the fifth may require a still longer time, which will indicate that the effect desired has been obtained.

If the warming of the sheet does not occur quite promptly, reaction may be encouraged by rubbing the surface of the sheet with the hands placed beneath the blanket, but the sheet should never be left uncovered, even for a moment, and changes should be made as quickly as possible.

By the systematic employment of this valuable cooling measure from the commencement, the duration of most fevers may be very materially shortened, and its mortality enormously lessened, while the suffering and inconvenience may be diminished to an almost incalculable degree. If, however, the cooling measure is not resorted to until after the patient has been sick for several days, it may be found quite difficult to control the fever, and the best results may not be obtained.

In such neglected cases, it is only by the most persistent efforts that the intensity of the disease process may be controlled, and the fever rendered- manageable. Failure to obtain immediate success should not, however, lead to discouragement and abandonment of the method as useless or inefficient; experience in a vast number of cases has shown that the cooling wet-sheet pack is capable of lowering the temperature in every single case, if properly and persistently employed.

The Cold Bath. — A bath for fifteen minutes at 68° F. is the method generally employed in Germany for reducing temperature in fevers. The patient sits in a bath of from four to six inches of water. Two attendants rub his back and legs, pouring colder water upon his head and spine at intervals of three or four minutes. At intervals of a few minutes the patient lies down in the tub for a few seconds. The rubbing is vigorous and continuous, the purpose being to keep the blood in the skin so that it may be rapidly cooled. When the patient begins to shiver, he is taken out and put to bed. The temperature usually falls in the bath or immediately afterward. As soon as the temperature exceeds 102°, the bath is repeated. Several baths are given daily, if necessary. A German physician has collected records of eight hundred cases of typhoid fever treated by this method without a death. The mortality in several thousand cases of this disease was only three per cent, while the ordinary mortality is about twenty per cent. If the cold-bath treatment could be generally introduced and applied with thoroughness from the beginning of the disease, few persons would die of this malady.

Healing Benefits of Charcoal

Below are the experiences of an 18th century health reformer Ellen G White on the benefits of activated charcoal in the healing of diseases.

1: Inflammation of the bowels and Bloody Dysentery:

A Rapid Recovery.--A brother was taken sick with inflammation of the bowels and bloody dysentery. The man was not a careful health reformer, but indulged his appetite. We were just preparing to leave Texas, where we had been laboring for several months, and we had carriages prepared to take away this brother and his family, and several others who were suffering from malarial fever. My husband and I thought we would stand this expense rather than have the heads of several families die and leave their wives and children unprovided for. {2SM 299.1}

Two or three were taken in a large spring wagon on spring mattresses. But this man who was suffering from inflammation of the bowels, sent for me to come to him. My husband and I decided that it would not do to move him. Fears were entertained that mortification had set in. Then the thought came to me like a communication from the Lord to take pulverized charcoal, put water upon it, and give this water to the sick man to drink, putting bandages of the charcoal over the bowels and stomach. We were about one mile from the city of Denison, but the sick man's son went to a blacksmith's shop, secured the charcoal, and pulverized it, and then used it according to the directions given. The result was that in half an hour there was a change for the better. We had to go on our journey and leave the family behind, but what was our surprise the following day to see their wagon overtake us. The sick man was lying in a bed in the wagon. The blessing of God had workedwith the simple means used.--Letter 182, 1899 {2SM 299.2}

#2: Eye Inflammation/Bruised Hands/Inflammation:

"One of the most beneficial remedies is pulverized charcoal, placed in a bag and used in fomentations. THIS IS A MOST SUCCESSFUL REMEDY. If wet in smartweed boiled, it is still better. I have ordered this in cases where the sick were suffering GREAT PAIN, and when it has been confided to me by the physician that he thought it was the last before the close of life. Then I suggested the charcoal, and the patient slept, the turning point came, and recovery was the result. To students when injured with BRUISED HANDS AND SUFFERING WITH INFLAMMATION, I HAVE PRESCRIBED THE SIMPLE REMEDY, WITH PERFECT SUCCESS. The poison of inflammation was overcome, the pain removed, and healing went on rapidly. THE MOST SEVERE INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES WILL BE RELIEVED BY A POULTICE OF CHARCOAL, put in a bag, and dipped in hot or cold water, as will best suit the case. This works like a charm. {2SM 294.2}

#3: Fever:

"On one occasion a physician came to me in great distress. He had been called to attend A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS DANGEROUSLY ILL. SHE HAD CONTRACTED FEVER while on the campground, and was taken to our school building near Melbourne, Australia. But SHE BECAME SO MUCH WORSE THAT IT WAS FEARED SHE COULD NOT LIVE. The physician, Dr. Merritt Kellogg,

came to me and said, "Sister White, have you any light for me on this case? If relief cannot be given our sister, she can live but a few hours." I replied, "Send to a blacksmith's shop, and GET SOME PULVERIZED CHARCOAL; MAKE A POULTICE OF IT, AND LAY IT OVER HER STOMACH AND SIDES." The doctor hastened away to follow out my instructions. Soon he returned, saying, "RELIEF CAME IN LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR AFTER THE APPLICATION OF THE POULTICES. She is now having the first natural sleep she has had for days." {2SM 295.2}

#4: Indigestion:

"TEACH NURSES AND PATIENTS the value of those health-restoring agencies that are freely provided by God, and the usefulness of simple things that are easily obtained. I will tell you a little about my experience with CHARCOAL AS A REMEDY. FOR SOME FORMS OF INDIGESTION, it is more efficacious than drugs. A little olive oil into which some of this powder has been stirred tends to cleanse and heal. I find it is excellent. Pulverized charcoal from eucalyptus wood we have used freely in cases of inflammation.... {2SM 298.4-5}

#5: Snake Bites/Poisonous Reptile Stings/Insect Bites:

"My mother had told me that snake bites and the sting of reptiles and poisonous insects could OFTEN BE RENDERED HARMLESS BY THE USE OF CHARCOAL POULTICES..."(2SM 295.3}

#6: Swelling and Pain on the Knee from a dangerous insect bite on an 18 month old:

"Charcoal and Flaxseed.--"..On Thursday Sister Sara McEnterfer [A TRAINED NURSE OF EXPERIENCE] was called to see if she could do anything for Brother B's little son, who is eighteen months old. For several days he has had a PAINFUL SWELLING ON THE KNEE, SUPPOSED TO BE FROM THE BITE OF SOME POISONOUS INSECT. PULVERIZED CHARCOAL, MIXED WITH FLAXSEED, WAS PLACED UPON THE SWELLING, AND THIS POULTICE GAVE RELIEF AT ONCE. The child had screamed with pain all night, but when this was applied, he slept. Today she has been to see the little one twice. She opened the swelling in two places, and a large amount of yellow matter and blood was discharged freely. The child was relieved of its great suffering. We thank the Lord that we may become intelligent in using the simple things within our reach to alleviate pain, and successfully remove its cause.--Manuscript 68, 1899 (General Manuscript). {2SM 299.3}

There are many other uses. Some of these include PYORRHEA, GINGIVITIS, TUMORS, TO WHITEN TEETH, and many other uses...To learn more, go to CharcoalRemedies.com and/or read the book titled "Charcoal"

CHARCOAL POULTICE:

Items Needed:

#1. Activated Charcoal

#2. Psyllium Seed Husk(can get at most health food stores or even drug store)

#3. Water

#4. Saran Wrap

#5. Rolling Pin

#6. Something to Secure the Charcoal in place: example (ace bandage)

#7. Mixing Bowl

Uses:

#1. Stomach and Intestinal Distress

#2. Inflammation

#3. Pain

#4. Infection From Bacteria

#5. Snake Bite

#6. Spider Bite

#7. Poisoning of all kinds

#8. Adsorption of Chemicals

#9. Washing Chemicals

#10. Detoxifying the body

Steps to make:

-Mix 1/4 c. psyllium seed husk with 1/4 c. activated charcoal powder

-Add 1/2 c. to 3/4 c. water to mixture(start with 1/2 c. first and add little by little as needed...this is notto be too wet)

-Mix for 30 seconds to one minute

-Put a piece of saran wrap on the table - do one piece on top and one piece

-Roll out with rolling pin. Flatten no less than 1/4 inch thick.

-Let sit for 3-5 minutes

-Take off one side of sarn wrap and apply to affected area

-Secure in place with ace bandage

-If using for pain, leave on overnight for several hours during the day

-If using on spider or snake bites, change every 15-20 minutes

Below is  a hands-on video of  on preparation of charcoal poultice