The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-01-25

such q case as this, you cannot 90 Oct
ter than lie down comfortably on sofa
or bed where he can watch you,
and there have . good nap-for his
sake.
Some people have great notion of
tempting the appetite" by the sugges-
ton of all manner of eatables and
drinkables, or by bringing them ready
prepared to the bedside experimental
~. This, no doubt, L. very well at
times-during convaloscence. for In
stance; but as medical man am per-
suaded that it is mistake In the earlier
stages Of an illness, when all food IL
loathed alike, and the creation Of an
appetite is an impossibility. The only
thing to be done Is to impress on the
invalid the necessity of taking what is
ordered for him at stated times. Just as
he takes his medicine; and 1t should be
prepared on the same footing as med
icine-with the understanding that 1t
Is nauseous dose, and must be pre-
scented in a form that will admit Of its
being swallowed rs cOmpactly and
rapidly as possible. 1t is worse than
useless to employ flavoring matters at
this stage, with the idea Of making
anything palatable; If you can render
his food absolutely tasteless. you will
do far more for him. And beyond this
forcible administration. 50 to speak,
of certain amount. think little good
Is gained by suggesting this or that
delicacy, in the hope that your patient
may be induced 10 Clancy" something.
We may take it for granted that when
he feels inclined for anything he will
ask for it spontaneously; and the
prOmptings of nature are more likely
to lead him to a choice of what is best
for him. than our string of suggestions.
have frequently observed that when
sick people have mentioned desire
for any special food, they almost inva-
riably eat of it when it is procured;
whereas, it often happens. when they
have been persuaded to assent TO some
thing which has been proposed. the in
clinatiOn-if 1t ever existed pass
ed away before the dish or article can
be brought to them.
say, IF it ever existed for there
is no doubt that patient often yields
to suggestions in sheer extremity, sims
ply for the sake of peace. ] happened
TO be in sick room the other day,
when relative arrived on the scene.
She had been warned to repress all
emotion, and succeeded very well; but
her tender sOlicitude was wholly ire
pressible. am sure that she asked
at least twenty questions in less than
minute, until the unhappy sufferer
writhed under them. shall l raise
your head little? Will you have an
other pillow? Wouldn't you like your
head a little higher? Let me fan you.
Will you have the blind up? What
can get you? Some arrowrOotP Do
try some! | ain sure you will be more
comfortable with another pillow. VIII
YOU have one?-yes; do! I'll 20 and
get one. Will You have cup of teap
I'm sure il would do you good. A cup
Of tea won't take 4 minute" etc. The
cup OF tea hiss been dreadful instru-
ment of torture in the hands Of well
meaning people, who would not know
ingly have leased fly.
These are small things, you will say.
But a small thing in health is often
magnilied TO grave matter In sick
ness, and the sum total of them all may
be as serious in their effect as the dis
ease itself. 1t will be seen that the
few points upon which l have laid
stress are such - are calculated to
promote tranquility of mind-which.
indeed. is half the battle in medical
treatment. 1t is generally conceded
that trained nurse, who has no inter-
est in the patient beyond that which
the duties of her office impose, Is better
fitted TO expedite his recovery than
those who are bound to him by ties of
affection, however welcome their pres
ence may be in the hour of affliction.
Whether the reader will agree with me
or not. Inv experience in foreign coun-
tries has impressed me with the con-
viction that men make far better nurses
than women.