The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-08-08
Hints on Nursing.

A sick room or nursery should be pro
vided in which especial care has beer
taken to have nothing which may irri
tate the senses of the sick. In health we
do not regard a hundred little things
which are an annoyance when we are i'll
A conspicuous or peculiar pattern of pa,
per upon the walls should be particularly
avoided, for strange figures or shapes
are cOniUred up by morbid sight and
imagination, from suggestive papering.
A creaking or rattling window-blind,
from the very mOnOtOny of its sounds
and the inability of the sick man to turn
from it, will produce high state of ner-
vOUsness. So also will rustling win
dow-shade which slips in and out
through a partially opened sash. Fa-
miIiar noises of the active household at
tending to the necessary family duties
should be guarded against if possible
the smell of the kitchen should never
enter sick room. Do not call these
mere trifes-they are not. Do you care
to "put yourself in his place" and test
their Importance? I could wish you no
worse misery than to be heIpIessIy laid
on sick bed and obliged to endure
some of these d" trifes, as you may call
them. I have known of strong minded
men who have cried like babies because
some one has forgotten to close the door
tightly, and its chucking together in Il
current of air had soon become so wea-
risome that all self-controI was gone.
The dress of the nurse should be so
simple and plain, as not to attract at
tention except for its entire neatness and
becoming appearance. A plain mate
rial which will not rustic when moving
about the room is the best. Do not en-
ter the room with an air suggestive of
your strength and health, inducing a
comparison with his weakness in the
mind of the patient. Be In harmony
with the condition of the sick, thereby
creating a feeling of support for his fee
bleness. Do not sit in a rocking chair
in fact would not have one in the room
unless the patient could use it-and COM
mence to swing yourself back and forth
in it it may annoy more than you think.
OF course no one would think of wear
ing heavy boots or shoes insuch place
Slippers are heavy enough for the little
walking which is necessary.
Learn to think for, as well as of, your
charge. Be quick to notice whether
what you do, or do not do, annOys in
any manner. Do not expect to be told,
but understand without any hints. Re
call to mind your own experience and
avoid causing any discomfort. Never
contradict or enter into an argument as
to the right or wrong of any whim which
you may encounter. You must possess
rare tact to Out-talk without irritating,
for remember that reason seldom en-
ters into the vagaries of the sick. They
want because they want, just as a child
does. 1t is almost impossible to con
vince a person who in health possesses
a strong mini and is used to self-judg
ment, that his various desires are whim-
steal and therefore it is of but little con-
sequence whether they are filed or not.
Some diseases seem to, and in fact do,
set the mind in a greater state of activ-
ity than when in health.
The appetite is often very tickle, re-
quiring great care and art to please it.
In such cases the more simple, and there
fore the more apt to be forgotten foods,
will usually be most acceptable. Fancy
things are likely to be stale and insipid.
Do not previously inform your patient
that you will have some certain thing
prepared for him in such a time. Make
pleasant surprise by offering a tempting
dish of something which has not been an
ticipated for hours.
Finally, never lose your patience and
exhibit a feeling of irritation at any
treatment or lack of appreciation of
your services. When health returnsyou
will experience a pleasure in thinking
that you have contributed IN restoring
it.
Pay attention to the instruction given
with the medicines and be sure that no
mistakes occur at your hands. Famil
iarize yourself with the nature of the
medicines which you give, and endeav-
or to ascertain whether they are effec-
tive In this way you can assist the
doctor, who, necessarily spending but
short time at the bedside of his patient,
must depend upon you for information
as to the condition of your mutual
cborora - The PSsfO7gTgJ