Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-01-22
The GAZETTE.
FRIDAY EyENG:, JANUARY u.
AMATEUR NURSING.

AN - II AO
The Saturday Review, 10 its series of discus
sions on domestic topics, has reached "sma-
teur nursing," aud is as sensible and pertinent
Is usual: 80
''Ihe tact required for sick-room differs
from all other kinds Of experience. Amateur
nurses seldnw possess it. Now aud then lady
is to the maaor born. aud without instruction
or previous experience blossoms toto full
grown purse al a moments notice. The doctor
who finds ooe ready 10 house rejoices hearth
". HIS own credit, as we'll rs the recovery OF
his patients, is probably assured. Seldom,
however, has be this good fortune. His ordi-
nary experience is very different LII be Wish
es the sick room kept at certain temperature,
he cannot have it managed. The fire is alter
nate!y half extinct aud blazing up the chimney.
There is no care to have it warm at suorlse
and sunset, and moderate when the sun is
shining and the air warm. The invalid Is
awakened from priceless sleep by hearing the
cinders fall on the unprotected teuder, or by
the noise OF a clumsy hand putting on Goals,
which might easily have been wrapped IN pieces
of damp paper and left ready for oolseless use.
The morning meal is perhaps delayed uotil the
patient has passed from appetite to taintness.
Perhaps, when it comes, the tea IS smoked.
Household troubles are freely discussed 10 the
room. Mary has given warning because there
is so much more going up and down stairs since
missus was i'll; the cook is so extravaga,nt' and
yesterdays diuuer was spoilt; johnny has cut
his finger and Lucy has tumbled down stairs
Such things are told, as if they would amuse
the invalid.
''But worse than this is the mysterious whls-
perpg at the door, and the secrets obviously
kept to excite the nervous patients suspicious.
The irritating creak Of dry boot, the shut.
Alug of loose slipper, try sick persons pa
thence uoreasouably, and the amateur nurse
argues against such silly taucles, aud thinks
they are matters in which reasoning can be OF
apv avail The uutrained curse never COM
mences her arrangements tor the night until
the patient is just beginning to grow a little
sleepy. She then arraDges the pillows, moves
the chairs, stirs the fire, and perhaps makes mp
her owo bed. Such fuses at sleeping tlme pro-
duce fever in most unaccouutable way, and
the amateur is amazed and beWlldered because
the patient lies awake all night.
Besides all this and no matter how polsy and
elaborate the prep aratioIs for the nights can-
paign, several things are forgotten down stairs;
no beef tea is to be had 10 the middle OF the
night, 90 spoon for the medicine, no boiling
water. Amateurs do not koow that sick people
should DOT be asked what they will have, but
should be saved eIeu the metal exer;ion of
making choice However desirable it may
be that they should arrange their affairs, bust
ness matters should not be discussed before
them Sometimes man who has not made
his will before his illpess will be anxious and
uneasy until be has made it, and will get bet
ter when the matter is off his mind. But to
arrange such matters requires nicely and tact
such as the amateur who perhaps shares the
sick mans anxiety canuoe show.