540 Health Care Skills
How to Give Fluids to Treat Shock
If a women loses a lot of blood—for example, during childbirth,
after a complicated miscarriage or abortion, or if she is badly
burned—she may go into shock (see page 254).
When this happens a woman needs fluids fast in
order to save her life. If she is awake and can drink
fluids, let her do so. Also, if you know how, you can
start an intravenous drip (IV). In an emergency,
an enema can be used instead (see the next
page). But enemas should be used for
emergencies only. Using too many
enemas can be harmful.
How to make rehydration drink
2 ways to make rehydration drink
If you can, add half a cup of fruit juice, coconut water, or mashed ripe banana to either drink.
These contain potassium, a mineral which helps a sick person accept more food and drink.
1. With sugar and salt. (You can use raw
sugar or molasses instead of sugar.)
In 1 liter put half of
of clean
a level
WATER
teaspoon
of SALT
and 8 level
teaspoons of
SUGAR.
2. With powdered cereal and salt.
(Powdered rice is best. But you can use
finely ground maize, wheat flour, sorghum,
or cooked and mashed potatoes.)
In 1 liter of
clean WATER
put half
of a level
teaspoon
of SALT
and 8 heaping
teaspoons of
powdered CEREAL.
Boil for 5 to
7 minutes
to form a
liquid gruel
or watery
porridge.
Cool the
drink quickly
and begin to
give it to the
sick person.
CAUTION: Before adding the sugar, taste the
drink and be sure it is less salty than tears.
CAUTION: Taste the drink each time before you
give it to make sure that it has not spoiled. Cereal
drinks can spoil within a few hours in hot weather.
Rehydration drink will also help treat and prevent dehydration, especially in cases of
severe watery diarrhea.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012