Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-08


ValeSc1ng from long and wasting sickness. They
should take daily sun bath of an hour or more
as their strength permits They may be placed
WIN tnelr DackS TO the sun II the glare hurts the
eyes, or wear pair OF blue or green glasses for
the same purpose. The patient should be wholly
or parity nude, allowing the sun to act directly
light-cOlored and lightly weighted straw hat we'll
perforated at the sides, and slightly dampened
should be worn. 1t protects the head from the
direct rays OF the sun. which is important, as in
weakly persons prolonged exposure might pro-
0uce congestion OF the brain or other serious
trouble. We have understood that there is a
large room on the top floor Of the New York
hospital, In this city, for this especial purpose
II must not be supposed from what has been
said here that the author advocates broiling a
sick person for several hours each day in The
sun. COnyaleScentS or chronic cases only should
have the sun bath; all patients, however. need
sun In the room for short time each day, ex-
cept In special cases, which will be pointed out
air, light and sunshine are Natures great Scay.
engerS and diSinfectantS.
A few words may not be amiSs in regard to
the arrangement OF the furniture of the sick
room. AS rule, the paper should be light
and pleasant to look ar; the carpet should be
bright and cheerful, and the furniture strong.
well made ami free from squeak and groan.
AS the carpet Is apt to soil very SOON
u is a good plan to put some light
cheap material upon 1t, especially near
the bed, so that 1t can be daily raised and
shaken, thus obvtating the dust that Will arise
from sweeping or busting up" however light
1t may be. When 1t can be done without dis
turbing the patient, or when there Is an oppor-
tunlty Ior arranging the room before it is occu-
pied, The carpet should be taken up. 1t only
serves 10 deaden the SOUND OF foOtStepS-Wnich
can be much better done by requiring the nurse
TO wear list slippers-it is being constantly
stained, catches all the dirt. and will serve as
medium of contagiOn I'm such diseases for weeks
after the person has left the room. Further
more. the bare floor can be thoroughly cleaned,
without dust or noise. All '.dustingv should De-
done with damp rag. Too little furniture is
better than too much in sick room especially
II the room be small. In contagious diseases all
curtains, hangingS, books and trinketS that can
possibly be dispensed with should be removed,
and where curtains are needed, cheap paper
ones that may be burned should be put In their
place.
There are various little things, the doing and
leaving undone of which add greatly to the
comfort and cOntentment OF the sufferer. This
Is especially the case with children. When well,
they go from toy to toy, and play to play, con-
stantly seeking something new and fresh.
How monotonouS unjust it be, then, for these
little butterflies TO be shut up, day after day,
In room that Is always the same in furniture,
hanglngS and arrangement. SameneSs and
the modified light are supposed by some to
soothe irritation and r., induce sleep. Il is
but 1t will be fragmentary, and instead
of soothing irritation, they often increase
1t. These remarks are. OF course, subject to
should be pleasant pictures and various little
kHick-k nackS on the wall to attract the patients
attention and keep his mind employed. AS he
gets well, he will tire OF these and they may be
partly or wholly removed and others put in
their place while the patient Is asleep. His sur
prise and pleasure on awakening Will well re-
pay the trouble, and hasten his cure. A few
growing flowers will be pleasant to the sight
and smell. cut flowers should never be allowed
in sick room. All plants and flowers should
be removed at night, for then the plants are
throwing out carbonic acid gas and absorbing
oxygen, while In the day time they exhale oxy-
gen and rid the air OF the poisonous carbonic
acid. Patients rarely care for flowers before the
period OF convalescence.
Everything about the room, and those who
enter IL, should be scrupulOuSly clean and neat.
The tables upon which the medicines are kept
should have a clean white cover, and be placed
out OF the patients sight. Glasses and spoons
should be r1nsed after each time of using, and
wiped dry. Water Is good purifier OF the air.
and, OF course. IL the medicine is dissolved In
water and that Is uncovered. such medicine
must absorb vast amount or filth from the air
OF the sick rooIh 1t Is safer when kept in corked
bottles.
A piece OF poisonous fiy-paper should be placed
In saucer OF water near each window. II, In
spite OF this, these pests are troublesome, q
large meShed mosquito bar may be put DIP over
the patient When 1t can be avoided, however
this should not be done, for the netting OBJ
structS the persons sight, prevents free cir
culation OF air about his bed, and Is In the way
when a medicine is to be given. The whole
room should have bright, cheerful and tasty
| appearance. The eyes soon become weary from
resting on the same dull surroundings day after
| day and week after week. Daily changes how
! ever slight, are always agreeable.--7te .SicA
| R0Ona.