The Iola register., 1881-02-18
The Hygiene Of the Sick.room.

The Hygiene Of the Sick.room.
WITH every advance of medical sci
,nce and art it is becoming more ana
mere apparent that very large reliance
must be placed upon perfect nurse
ARE of the sick in accord with the laws |
II health and life. This does not at all
mean that there are not most valuable
remedies in disease, and indications
sometimes for their bold and liberal use;
but it does mean that mankind are AMI
mails of high organization, whose health
Or recovery from disease depends very
much upon q conformity to Natures
laws within and Natures surroundings
without.
We do not know why, but 1t mas
seemed to us that there is q great ten
dency to deal arti6cially and against
Nature with sick persons. we stu,
now and then, light upon house WIN
the windows stuffed with cotton or WOO.
and hung over with bed-quilts. Even
in some English hospitals you will still
find hangings about the bed, which are
defended on the ground that they give
privacy to patients and prevent draughts.
Yet there are other evils they cause
which are not easily counterbalanced.
The recovery of many patient turns
chiefly on three things; perfect cieann-
ness, right feeding. and in very many
cases right occupation of the MIND; |
How often do we hear the question, Wll
Il not tire the patient too much to De
changed? when this is the very re1resn-
ment needed. The thorough washing
and bathing of sick persons IS always
hard and tedious work, for it must De
done gently and with parts at time.
Vet the condition of the skin Is very
often a chief factor both in comfort and
recovery. 1t has greatly to 90 Win tne
carrying on of those reparatlve processes
which are so conservative and vital. In
our recognition of these we decide De-
tween failure and success.
The mode and kind of feeding is SO
varied by the disease and so varied as to
time and frequency that often it is a
study by itself. The law of regularity
of meals often needs to be entirely over
looked. The system is making large
demands or is making large taxation.
It is frequently important to meet the
moment cf fatigue, Of WEAKNESS, or OF
alarming prostration with quick nutrl-
I tion. AZ other times the stomach Is IN
no condition to deal with the food which
, the system really needs. There is
sanitary watchfulness, which must 60
Ibeyond the general outline of the physi-
clan and be able to adapt the means to
the end at the right time and with the
right material. We think no one should
attempt any long care of the sick without
a careful study of some OF the many val
.rable treatises now offered to the pubic:
Then, in the management OF mental
conditions there is a wide opportunity
for intelligent nursing. 1t is not merely
the class of mental diseases that stand
In need of this care. Consumption and
dyspepsia and all forms of chronic dis
.ases have their worries for the sick, as
well as when the brain or nervouSsys-
lem is directly attacked. Amusement
has no more precious sphere than amid
sick-rooms. The cheerful talk or play
the interesting pictures, the lively story
Or the comforting, cheerful experience
of some other invalid help much no
only to pass away dull hours, but to giv'
tonicity and aid toward recovery.
A contented mind is not less contin
uai feast in the sick-room than out OF 1t
The true nurse always makes persona
study of the patient, and comes py
kind of instinct or acquired skill to D.
stactile and appropriate in every degree
As to all surroundings, it is interest
ing to see how they are coming to b
studied. Even the color of the furnitnr
and the carpets can be defined. Wit
ali that we know about ventilation, 1t
often very difficult to secure air OF rigf
.temperature and purity in the sick-roon
The patient is often protected frol
draught by being in bed but the breatl
ing Of poor air is depressing, and otte
iniure when not at all perceived. 1t
often well to know by test not only IL
heat, but the humidity of the air and
condition as to the more noxious case
Sick rooms should be flushed by .fres
air much more frequently than is usus
If the patient is well covered over, it
best to throw open the window, SO tn
active currents may sweep through t
room. There is great error OF Jud
ment as to the degree that crevlce
a door slightly open ventilates rool
Often the corners are left with air Col
rparatively unchanged.
Ifthe patient can not be taken out
sthe room attention must all the more
.oiveu to all those nice details OF ca
which constitute good housekeepir
for good room-keeping in such
case is more difficult and me
essential. 1t involves not only the
.covery of the patient, but also the hea
of the attendants. We must, thereto
commend the close study OF the hygle
of the sick-room to all who have oc
SION to prepare for or to care for
ssick.-N. Y. Independent.
inst Treatment Of Children.
PHILANTHROPY shines out in the
we i've in. There are numberl
societies for the encouragement OF Z
fellow feeling which makes the wh
lid and xuhioh OnOh