(4) communication barrier which precluded obtaining informed consent from the parent or guardian. The entry temperature reflected
the generally accepted threshold for treatment of fever, u The age
range included children small enough to be bathed in a plastic tub
and excluded very young infants in whom febrile illnesses are
considered more serious.
The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either (1)
acetaminophen alone or (2) acetaminophen plus a tepid sponge
bath. Randomization was achieved by assigning subjects to the
treatment group specified by opening in order the next of 20 sealed,
serially numbered envelopes containing previously shuffled cards.
The treatment to be received was written
were 10 cards for each treatment group.