Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-12-15
Cleanliness In the Sick Room.

Cleanliness In the SICK nOOm.
While cleanliness is of Importance in
every department of the household, it is
doubly SO in the sick room. Grlmy
windows, smoky walls, dirty and dust
filed carpets, objectionable in any
apartment, should never be tolerated
here, especially the last, as they are not
only discomforting to both patient and
nurse, but exceedingly unsanitary also.
the air being constantly vitiated by the
fine dust that is beaten up out OF them
and waited about the room.
Perhaps nothing shows greater neglect
of the sick than untidily-kept bed and
bedding. These should always be scru-
pulously neat and clean. Whatever is
used for the sick to lie upon, whether
| feathers, mattress, or straw, light,
soft quilt should be spread between
that and the sheet, and another in read
mess to take its place that it may be
frequently aired as we'll as occasionally
washed. Quilts and counterpanes
should be light, neat and cleaS sheets
and pillow-slips must be frequently
changed, especially in fevers, where
perspiration is profuse, or in case OF
eruptive and malignant diseases. Pill
low-shields of factory or thick muslin
should always be used inside the slips,
and in case the head requires showering,
or wet cloths are laid across the fore
head, there should always be piece OF
soft Quilt or folded sheet laid over the
slip.
Whatever is worn by the sick or con-
yalescent, whether under garments or
outside apparel, however coarse or
plain, should always be whole and
clean; the nails should be kept carefully
trimmed, the hair nicely brushed, and
if the invalid is woman, neatly braided
at the back. A daily or semi-weekly
sponging off of the body is in most cases
desirable, while an occasional bath is
absolutely indispensable to cleanliness
and comfort. Where, as is sometimes
the case, the disease is such as will not
admit of a free use Of water, the daily
use of the flesh-brush should be substl-
tuted, though this can never wholly take
the place of the bath.
In most cases of illness, whether
chronic or acute, it is desirable to KEEP
some odorless disinfectant scattered
about the room. Flies should be rigidly
excluded; often two or three are suffi
cent to harass and keep the invalid
from repose, and at the now low cost o
furnishing doors and windows will
screens, there is little excuse for permit
ting these pests in any part OF our dom
iciles.
Pleasantness and beauty, as well a
cleanliness, are desirable in the sick
room, especially in chronic invalidism
Yet it is but infrequently we see mucl
thought given to this matter. Dust
laden tables, disorderly drawers. wit
an homogeneous array OF medicine BOT
ties, dirty teacups and grimy drinking
; dishes, make up often the picture tina
meets the patients glance. FIRES
: flowers are always welcome to the cor
valescent, while pictures that hav
something in them to think about ar
restful to the mind as well as pleasing
to the eye. While the sick room shout
never be glaring with light, neithe
should it be like dungeon for dimnes
s and gloom. Where dazzling sunshin
or even bright light cannot be Ell
D dured, often glimmer of sunbeam
through partly open shutter is yer
cheering.
II For those who are, in health, partic,
J; lar and fastidious in their ways, IL
q keeping of themselves and surrounding
D in tidy and agreeable way is doubl
e imperative, as disorder and dirt are
u such continual eye-sore and nerv
7. irritant, and through their harassin
!, effects upon the mind render convale
u ence tedious and return to health diff
,; cult.
Q Occasionally one is to be met who
< Influenced but slightly by things OF tn
II nature, whose mind dwells mainl1 {
r, his own distresses, or on things remot
le while still more seldom we see or he
le of that anomaly in the sick room-ol
lt to whom any niceties of toilet are
0 WEAKNESS, any show of order-keepil
't about him plague; and where I'll
re. occurs 1t is doubtless better for the P
y tient to have his way, however adyer
Il to the principles or contrary to t
P, habits of the nurse, for the reason tn
IL whatever is soothing to the mind is be
81 eficial.-C ostntry Gentleman. ~. NJ
d /cS Parsley in Winter. n