Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-08
PrenarntIons for sickness.

Though Il is not we'll to be always
irearily on the lookout for sickness, yet
since, with our degenerate bodies and
degenerate habits. sickness is so prone
to befall, IL Is DIES rable so far TO antic-
ipate the same that it shall not take US
altogether at n disadvantage when it
comes. It is hard work To take care Of
the sick when no forethought has pre-
ceded and no provision been made. 60
into house OF this kind and ask only
for so much as n soft cloth to battle the
patient face, and confusedness imme-
diatoIy ensues Chests are ransacked,
drawers stirred to their bottoms, rag
bags emptied of their contents, but al
in vain. Everything has gone forth 90
furnish the last rag carpet. or to the
raC-Inau in exchange for tinware. And
- If old flannel OF pieces of old sheets
arc i'm demand; continued search only
serves TO emphasize the fact that, SIM
pie rs the things are, they are-Tnless
good clothes be torn TO pieces-abso-
iutely un-come az "a BILE in that estab-
lishment.
Every housewife should set aside for
this especial purpose some drawer or
box, and sec that il is kept web stocked
ticles required in time OF sicl,ness-soft
cloths for bathing purposes, '0c for cool
ing the head these are best r1ade from
old, fire whie stockings. THE foot cut
off wed mp INTO the ankle, the leg cut
open and trimmed TO the desired size,
the edges turned i'm and the two legs
run tngether with few stitches taken
here and there through the middle);
g .,.tL. 4.
tiers and tho like; old sheets or pieces of
the sunedor congresses or packs; old
linen for dressing sores, blisters or
wounds. old 1anndl. fine towels
and whHtever viii be likely to
come into play. This dispenses
with all hurry or hustle at time
of need, all that is requisite being
TO point out the drawer or give the box
To- the. nurse.
Thoughtful housewives will be likely,
too, To have few pairs OF extra sheets
and 'pillow-slips lait aside, and several
changes of nightdlresses and under
wear not i'm usual rise. so that in Gu
washing cannot be done rs frequently
~ the case requires. the patient may
not suffer from lack of changes of linen
on bed-clothes. The beds themselves
are most important item of the sick
TSom, and especially is this the case
whore the illness is painful or pro-
longed. Many sensitive and nervous
Patients suffer exceedingly from the
hardness, lumpiness. sagging, holiness,
or other discomforts of their beds.
Good springs and mattresses aresidiest,
coolest and most easily made up, and
Tor most patients are wholesome and
comfortable. Light Mattress Of feath-
'crs or down over the other mattress
are admissible where the patient is aged.
thin IN flesh, or otherwise sensitive TO
the hardness OF his couch; but ordinari.
ly soft mattresses of cotton are Irefera-
bic tO feathers for both the sick and the
well. In making the bed. the under
sheet, which should be of extra large
size, should he well tucked in all
around, ut head and foot rs web as nj
the sides. SO that no amount OF restless
moving about shall pull it out of place.
The upper sheet and quilts should be
smoothly spread and tucked i'm well nj
foot, rs IL is most wearisome TO the weak
and i'll To- have the clothes TWISTING
about, pullingup from the foot. o. drag
ging of TO the floor Pillows should be
of good size, and soft.
Too seldom in the planning If our
house is any thought given to the plan
ming OF a room To be sick init is SO
much more natural and agreeable to
plan for our pleasure than our pain
But since pain is more or less the por-
ton of all. would it not be well to plan a
little for that also? If the sick room is
situated ut too great q distance from the
Kitchen or wOrk-rOom, from the stove,
ciStern, pantry, and the like, the result
Is much tiresome journeying for the
nurse. especially if she is also the wife
and mother and house keeper, and in
addition to her sick room duties. has to
oversee. II not actually perform, those
of the kitchen also. But on the other
hand 1t is only that anomaly in nature
"a sick person without sick or sensitive
nerves-that can, without disastrous re-
suits, endure the immediate nearness of
the working machinery of the house.
the pushing of chairs, the Gathering of
dishes. the constant moving to and fro.
These things should be taken into ac-
count and. as far as possible, the we'll
being OF beth patient and nurse consid-
cred.
Nor is the locality of the sick-room
the only thing. Its size and pleasant
ness. its facilities for letting in fresh air
aud sunshine at need. should receive
thought. Means for the total shutting
out of flies and other troublesome in
sects. without obstruction Of fresh air.
are. also, for the summer, q most i'm
Portant point Country Gentleman.