Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-01-12
How to Care for the Sick.

some suggestion on the importance Of
endeayoring to educate our daughters
in the most import ant parts of skillful
nursing. 1t is a subject we have much
at heart, for we so frequently see how
many suffer needlessly for lack of knowl-
ON the part of those who have charge of
the sick. To be sure. many have not
the comfortable appliances that seem
almost indispensable in the sick room.
In small. crampe3 apartments it is i'm
possible to do quDtly, or entirely out of
the sick-room. much that the invalid
ought not to see or hear.
In such cases, patience. endurance on
the part of the sick and skill on the part
OF the nurse, to keep all preparations as
far as possible out of sight, are all that
can be done.
But in comfortable homes, with the
sick-room at distance from the kitch-
en-, there is no excuse for many things
that are very annoying. We have
known nurses to put a saucepan over
the CRATE in the sick-room to make or
warm over what they intended to be
choice dainties for their patient. But
nothing should be ever warmed up.
much less cooked. in the room of the
invalid. The sight or smell of the most
delicate dish will be wearisome to the
exhausted nerves. and when made is re-
pulsive to the weakened stomach.
Make small messes. Better the pa
tent should crave spoonful more than
revolt at the abundance. Prepare it
far away from the sick room, without 4
word of consultation with any one ex-
cept the physician. and bring it the mo-
ment it is done. Don't linger till it
cools or grows stale and insipid. and the
little that is brought should be prepared
in the neatest. most attractive manner.
Select the daintiest china and silver.
and if possible bring with it a tiny vase
with one choice rose or flower whose
fragrance will not be too pungent;
spread pretty, white, glossily-smooth
napkin over the small waiter: have the
glass like crystal and the silver bright
as ray from the sun. Anything to be
taken hot should be as hot as possible.
Anything needed cold should be like
ice
No high seasoning should be given to
an invalid; but what is allowed should
be the choicest and mingled like Ewes
repast for the angel in Eden. Remem-
Der that salt, pepper or sugar can be
easily added, but if too much is used it
cannot be remeded and the food be ac-
eeptable. A very small proportion of
the sick care for sweet things; broths
and well-seasoned meat, when allowed.
fruit and acid jellies are usually more
sought after.
While endeavoring to surprise the
patient with something that one feels
sure will be relished, if the sick turn
from il, not yet able to relish it, be pa
tient. Do not urge or expostulate. Re
move the dish, and when ont of sight
reflect if you have not taken in too large
quantity If your judgment assents.
try something else in Il very small guam
tity, and an hour or two after prepare
the same thing that was before rejected,
but only spoonful or two. offer it with
out comment. and in nine cases out of
ten, if really daintily prepared and
presented, il viii be taken with q good
relish.
Of one thing, a nurse, or one who has
anything 10 do with the care of IN in
valid, cannot be too cautious. In pre-
pairing broth, beef teas, or soups. let no
mote of fat be seen floating on the sur
face. Nothing is SO repulsive as those
eyes Of fat on the top of 4 cup of broth
or soup. If well-made, few articles con-
time so long TO be acceptable as good
l. Il.