The Water-Bed and the Hammock

The Water-Bed The infant with hydrocephalus is prone to the development of pressure sores on the scalp, particularly during the postoperative period. This tendency can be eliminated by floating the infant on a bag of water, which is made redundant and relaxed by restraining it within an encompassing box. Such a bag may be made from a tube of plastic film with a flat width 2 to 3 times the width of the containing box. A piece of this tubing, twice the length of the box, is tied off at both ends after being filled with water to the desired level. Since the ends may not be rendered watertight, they should not be tucked underneath but should be maintained slightly above the fluid level. Figure 1 illustrates the principle applied to a bassinet. The patient, in fact, floats in water without getting wet. In actual use, a cotton blanket or