The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-12-22
ABOUT NURSING.

power Of putting oneself in the place of, and
entering into the feelings of another; and
repressed sympathy does long way in the
sick room. Indeed, to my mind one of the
principal qualifications of good nurse con-
sists in the fact that she has been i'll herself,
and knows what sick ness is. Sill, sympa
thy is not everything; and as the necessity
arises at one time or another to almost every
woman to minister to the need of those sbe
loves when they are sick and weak, it is well
worth while to find out in what the secret OF
good nursing lies, go that We may be ready
TO practice it when needed.
Good nursing, then, consists first in seeing
that the proper remedies and medicines are
administered, and afterwards in securing to
the patient, without any trouble to himself,
pure air, suitable 'nourishment, quiet, and
warmth, together with perfect cleanliness
about his person, his room, and his surround
iBgs.
The remedies, the medicine, and the food,
vary indefinitely with the nature of the CON-
plant, but it is desirable to say one word
about the necessity of following closely the
orders of the medical man, if one be in a.
tendance. | suppose the very fact that the
sick person has been given into the charge OF
the doctor proves that confidence is felt in
bis skill. If any cause should arise to doubt
his competency to deal with the case, the
best thing to do ia to tell him so politely,
either by word or by letter, and try other
means but as long as he is attending pa
tient, his advice ought to be closely followed.
It seems as if some persons thought that the
visits of the doctor had charm about them
which might prove beneficial, but that the
advice was merely mentioned in the course
of conversation. and need not be thought
about again. 0 hers call him in to aci as q
sort of safeguard to prevent things going
wrong, aud then try all sorts ef experiments
on their own account Bob these courses
are equally foolish as matter of policy, and
equally unjust to the doctor
There are number of small wants and
small annoyances expressed by all sick per
sons, which the nurse alone can look after
and guard against; and it il the intelligent
and kindly observance of these, or the ignor
ant or INDECENT neglect of them, which makes
one difference between good and an inefi
cient nurse Some sick people like the fur
niture arranged in particular way, or the
medicine put in certain place, and will be-
oone exceedingly annoyed if their wishes are
not attended to and remembered.
a good nurse will neither forget these lit
tie things nor argue against them. Maybe
they are in themselves immaterial, but they
are for the time important to the one whose
interests are bounded by small space. You
cannot argue sick person into taking 6
sensible view Of things. Get him well, ant
then he will be as reasonable as ever be was
if you argue the case out now, you will very
likely produce no other result than that o.
fixing the weakness in his mind, making hin
feverisb, and giving him bad night.
Whilst you are very careful not to give
way to dependency and low spirits before
him, be careful also not to be perSstently anG
determinedly cheerful 1t is exceedingly ag
gravating to sick person who feels i'll, anG
knows that be is i'll, to have the nurse assur
ing HIM he is great deal better, that this oil
that little symptom iS only fancy, and tc
hear her telling the doctor that he has slept
beautifully, when he has really been tossing
about and longing for the morning, while The
nurse herself has enjoyed uninterrupted aud
sonorous repose.
At the same time, carefully avoid the OF.
posite extreme, and do not choose the very
saddest subjects of conversation. The talk
of some nurses is perpetual dissertation on
Mrs. Camps text, 6" We are BORN in vale,
and We live in vale, and we must take the
consequences of such a situation"
Do not allow yourself, or any one else, to
stare at the patient. Some people come into
sick room, and fix their eyes upon the nva
lid, and contemplate him continuously and
uninterruptedly, as if he were curious work
of art. have seen this done again and again.
The poor victim lies in bed quite helpless,
but getting more and more uncomfortable ;
aud the interested friend keeps up close
observation, until one does not know whetl :
er to feel amused or cross.
Be careful, too, not to bend over the pa
tient any more than is necessary, and es-
pecally not to allow any one to sit upon the
bed or turn it into table. This is an an
noyance to be guarded against when friends
are allowed to enter the sick chamber. Two
or three hours discomfort may follow from a
few minutes thoughtlessne s.--Southsrn
PRESBYTERIAN.