...Continued from previous week
1) If an electronic device that is necessary for a patient gets extinguished on Shabbos, of course it is permitted to turn it back on for him [in the least severe way of Chilul Shabbos, as discussed previously]
2) If the electricity blows and goes out in the entire house, the main breaker may be turned back on so that the necessary machinery for the Choleh will go back on again. However, before turning the breaker back on, the light switches in the rest of the house should be turned to the "off" position, so that the lights that are not necessary for the ill person do not go back on when turning the main breaker back on, thus minimizing the Chilul Shabbos. This is the case, even though moving the light switches will be a transgression of Muktzeh. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal in Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 32:66. See footnotes there for a lengthier discussion of this Halacha)
3) There are categories of illnesses that are deemed life-threatening and when they arise, there is no need to seek the opinion of medical experts, and they are treated as Pikuach Nefesh, even if the ill person himself does not say he feels in danger. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 328:4)
4) An example of this is an internal wound, where an internal organ is hurt due to a bruise or inflammation or other circumstance. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 328:3). This applies to wounds only, and not to simple aches, as for an ache we don't automatically transgress Melachos of Shabbos, even if they are internal. (ibid.). More intense aches in internal organs, however, where the person experiencing it is concerned that the ache may be a sign of an internal wound or infection or something else serious, indeed if there is no doctor present, he may travel, or be transported, to a doctor on Shabbos. (See Biur Halacha Siman 328 Dibur Hamaschil V'Davka. See also Shu"t Shevet Haleivi Vol. 8 Siman 70"5 and Vol. 3 Siman 36; 328:3)
5) All organs from the teeth and inwards, including the teeth themselves, are deemed internal organs. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 328:3)
6) Thus, if one has an intense inflammation in the teeth or in the gums, and feels that they must be treated immediately to avoid danger, it is permitted to transgress Melachos of Shabbos to have them operated on or to obtain antibiotics to begin fighting the infection. (See Shu"t Shevet Halevi Vol. 1 Siman 70:3 that this is the case even if there is just a large swelling around a tooth)
Of course, if it is plainly evident that there will be no danger if we wait until after Shabbos, no transgression of Shabbos is permitted. (See Mishna Berura Siman 328 S"K 8 and S"K 46 and Shu"t Shevert Haleivi ibid.)
7) If one has an extremely high fever and its source is as yet unknown and he also does not feel well, he may transgress the Shabbos, and we may transgress the Shabbos on his behalf, to get him medical attention. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 32:11)
8) This is the case as well for a fever, even if it isn't extremely high, but is accompanied with chills, and the patient does not feel well and tells us he needs medical attention. If in this situation in the weekday he would travel to seek medical attention, he may do so on Shabbos as well, if there is no nearby medical facility that is open that he can go to without transgressing the Shabbos. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 32 footnote 30)
For an infant, even a regular fever can be grounds for seeking medical attention on Shabbos. (See Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchasa Perek 32 footnote 30 at length for sources and additional information)
9) One who needs to check their temperature on Shabbos, and only has an electronic digital thermometer available, may only do so if it is deemed dangerous to not do so.
10) Mercury thermometers (which are not so readily available nowadays, due to safety concerns of exposure to mercury) may indeed be used on Shabbos, if necessary, to check for fever.
According to many Poskim, other non-electric thermometers may also be OK to use, if no mercury thermometer is available, even if they form temporary letters and numbers on the tape display that is pressed to the forehead. (See Shu"t Yechave Da'as Vol. 4 Siman 29 and Shu"t Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 14 Siman 30)
To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
