Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-12-28
MoRAL1T1Es OF THE SICK cHAM.

ton for nursing: "No rules n moral
ity are invariable in the sick chamber"
The patient is looked upon by a large
class Of doctors and nurses as q sort of
enemy, to be dealt with and deceived
without scruple. "They say there is
honor among thieves" said a kind and
excellent mother the other day, while
nursing her child, but my little girl
and I have quite u different understand
ing we deceive one another all We can,
and as I have had most experience get
along best" Yet, in spite Of all these
smart sayings and seeming exceptions,
there are, in fact, no moralities o
important and sacred, or more powerful
for good, than those Of the sick cham
Der. The doctor who holds that the
patient is to be deceived without scru-
pie, will o o find that even the most
direct truths he can utter win have no
more effect than so many falsehoods.
Even DR.. wayland, in his Moral Philos-
ophy, thinks that the insane may be
deceived, so as to be beguiled into an
asylum. Now, without looking into
this question as a matter simply of ex-
pediency, certain moralities are taught
in the sick chamber as nowhere else on
earth. Perhaps it should rather be said
that here the ripest fruits Of superior
moral excellence are reaped, and yield
their richest favors. 1t is only to the
mos. superficial that every household
rule and morality will seem suspended
BY sickness. There may be no regular
meals. Night may be turned into day,
and day into night. There may be no
church for nurses or patients on Sum
days, the doctor may come and go as on
other days /; medicines, and even whims
may have to be provided for them, rs If
it were a week day, but, after all. there
will be a something, a great fundamen-
tai principle Of moral strength underly-
ing the households Of the good and wise,
and ~elevating their sick chambers.
Truth is n of the principles always
excellent, but nowhere more valuable
than in dealing with the sick. This, Of
course, is not to be COMPOUNDED with
that open-mouthed volubiliy of all tina,
is unpleasant of fact or symptom, which
may often be even far from a fair exhi.
bition Of truth. Every one is not bound
to reveal Unfortunately all he or she
knows on any subject. In many cases
the duty Of concealment al hardly be
over-estimated, and the wisdom, discre.
ton and affection that finds u q thou,
sand ways Of effecting all this without
violating truth, consistency and candor,
are worthy of much study. There is nc
effort of the orator equal to that Of the
nurse, who causes a patient to forget o
severe attack Of rheumatism, or head,
ache, OF govt, by a thousand gentle
attentions to mind and body. The
mothers care of q sick child has in il
more subtlety than that Of many of the
frst-class diplomatists, as slecplessly,
night and day, she watches and soothes
each symptom of fever, and secures her
child's confidence by her simplicity,
sincerity and candor, while yet, when
the hour Of trial comes, with memorable
perseverance she wins a Judgment fol
the necessary medicine, or dresses faith
fully the most terrible wound.
A wife's smile and encouragement has
saved the life of many a husband, OIL
enabled him to undergo and survive
many q fearful operation that nothing
but such a truthful, unfiuching friend
could have carried him through. In
hours of peril, Of long-continued suffer
ing, no great concealmeut can be effect.
ed; but there is a balm in sympathiziug
kindness that instinctively seizes on all
the bright and hopeful and pleasant
spots, so as to bring them out into relief.
Quietness is one Of the moralities Of
the sick chamber, often most vital. The
barking Of q neighbours dog has robbed
many a poor sufferer of the sleep that
might have saved him from the long
sleep. Or the annoyance of friends and
callers, who, from mistaken kindness,
cluster to the sick chamber to relieve
their own ennui, is, at times, q great
and dangerous trouble. In the cities
this is more easily prevented. But the
high moral tone of friendship, which is
ready with all useful acts of kindness,
yet never gains admission to a sick
room, otherwise than as a messenger Of
good, is Invaluable. Patient and some
times courageous suffering and submits
sion to law, are all virtues displayed
at times in the sick chamber, as mo-
where else. Never does seriousness be-
come so sweet, or religion appear more
beautiful. Yet with it all, cheerfulness
and hope, even in the midst of resigna.
ton, can and will add their graces to
the chambered, darkened perhaps from
the light of time, to let in the light Of
.--..- 2. "a. la.