Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-06-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
From DR.. Imray's Cyclopedia Mod. Domestic
Medicine.
THE MANAGEMENT OF SICK ROOMS.

In rooms occupied by the sick, let every care
be taken that the air be kept as pure as possible
If the season of the year will permit, open the
windows more or less, being guided in this re-
spect by the feelings and wishes of the patient,
when he is able to express them. When he is
is not, he should be carefully watched and ex-
amined by a judicious attendant lest he should
receive so much of external air as to render him
uncomfortable. The object of ventilation in
such cases is simply to obtain pure air in the
apartment In cases Of severe disease the air of
the room becomes very much tainted by the eff
fiuvia emitted from the body of the patient
Every person accustomed to enter sick chambers
knows that IN cases of severe sickness-typhus
fever, for instance-an almost intoerable etfluyia
is to be perceived from the patient, and particu-
larly from his BREATH This should indicate to
every one the necessity of purifying, as far as
possible, the apartment of the sick. Remarks
upon the importance of pure air previously made
In this work are indeed sufficient if borne in mind
by the reader, as applicable to the particular
case ct severe sickness. But lest he should not
make the application we subjoin these few
words.
When the patient is capable of taking nourish-
ment, let that be administered to him which is
OF light kind Before he begins to rally from
disorder, mild liquids such as toast-water or
water in which, while it is hot, dried apples have
been stepped, are soothing and safe drinks. Rasp-
berry shrub, Or raspberry vinegar las it is some
times called, diluted in about the proportion of
tablespoonful to a tumble; Ct water, is an ex-
celent drink, and very refreshing to persons in
fever or consumption. Drinks should in such
cases always be given in small quantities, but as
often as the patient may crave.
Food, if any should be desired by the patient,
should be Of the simplest kind. Preparations Of
tapioca, arrow-root, and other like mild SUBJ
stances, may be given in moderation. Cruel,
milk porridge, sage, chicken broth, and other
similar preparations are usually safe and appro-
pirate
In rallying from fever the appetite of the
patient is usually ravenous, because his system
has been so much reduced by the exhausting
process OF his disease. Let the patient COM
plain, scold, or cry even but be sure not to in
dulge him with food in proportion to his appetite.
lfyou do, you will almost invariably bring on
relapse of his disorder, and very probably death.
In a few extreme cases life has been preserved
by indulging the appetite of the patient But
this has been when the system had been reduced
to almost its last point of life-when all hope of
recovery was lost-and when nature has indica-
ted to the patient, by awakening desire for par
ticalar food or drink, what was necessary for his
state.
1t is very desirable that sick person have one
nursa only during his sickness or at least I'M
til it evidently has abated A change of nurses
is often disagreeable and yexatous to the patient,
and new nurse cannot so well understand his
case and temperament. Women are always the
best nurses in any cases. Their kindness, gen.
tleness and patience, fit them peculiarly for a
sick room. Even their tones of voice, (When the
patient is very much reduced,) are, because Of
their softness, far preferable to those of men,
Let care be exercised in the selection of watch-
ers. They should be persons who can resist ut-
terly, any disposition to sleep. They should be
capable of giving their entire attention to the per-
son under their charge; attending to his most
minute wants. Sick people have, in thousands
of instances suffered immensely from the sleepi-
ness and inattention of those who have watched
with them during the night. A talkatiue person
should not be employed
Never submit yourself, or your sick friends to
the thousand and one prescriptions OF your neigh
bors. Out of pure, true, kindness of heart, neigh
bors often give what they consider intdllitle rem
edies.
Trust your physician, if you have one, but be
sure to secure one who has been thoroughly ed
ucated in his profession. If, perchance, you
have none, then trust to one single mode OF treat
ment described by some one experienced mind.
Never dabbie with all things which all persons
prescribe.
In cases of sickness, and especially of severe
sickness, the bedlinen should be often changed,
for the same reason that the room should be well
ventilated Cleanliness of person is of indispen-
sable importance to the sick.
In;some cases, especially in those ola nervous
character, great relief may be given to the sick
person, by his being rubbed by the hand of his
attendant upon any part of the body, which the
patient himself wishes to have soothed But gen.
orally speaking, this rubbing should be, not harsh
or rapid, but soft and gentle.
A room in which sick person is confined
should always be still room. No noise should
be permitted to annoy him. Doors should be
opened and closed softly. The whstling of wind
through the creyices of windows and doors should
be prevented. Footsteps through the room should
be light, and no squeoking shoes be permitted
but slippers always used. Conversation should
never be allowed unnecessarily, and when it
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