Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-10-29
DARK ROOMS.

| Their UnhealthfulnesS and the Value Of
| Light a Remedial Agent.
The relics of darker age. even.
seem to crop out in some communities.
but few are more conspicuous than that
of darkening rooms simply because
some one is sick, supposing this to be a
remedial measure. In certain forms of
disease. as the measles, for example.
IN which the light seems unpleasant to
the eyes, there may be some reason for
excluding the bright light. yet its ne
cessity. even in tn s case, is not admit
ted. since it is possible to exclude
the light from the eyes by bandaging
them. Indeed. q wet cloth. several
thicknesses. will exclude the light. as
much As may be necessary. at tho
same time reducing the local heat. pro-
noting the comfort of the patient.
As de from this one idea of avoid ng
the local pain in the eyes. from bright
light. I am able to see no valid reason
for the exclusion of the light. On the
contrary, there are many reasons in ia
vor of plentiful supply of solar light.
vivacit1. both d rectly and indirectly
invigorating. In most forms of sick
ness there IS tendency toward de-
spondency and Encouragement. While
the mind exerts potent influence over
the body. often eXerting a greater in
fuence than medicine-as we are as
sured in the Scriptures-the gloom of
a dark room, with the '.long faces" and
disheartening words of attendants. en-
GLIDING hope from the bosom of the pa
tient. must depress, diminishing the
chances of recovery.
We shall see that this is matter of
great Importance Wien We remember
that the wsll-power Is a very important
element in the cure of disease the
faithless. those impressed w til the idea
that recovery is impossible. seldom re-
covering: while those abs Olutely deter
m ned TO live. who are hopeful. not
believing their case at all dangerous,
surprise Their friends by - prompt re-
covery. Again. ght il purifier of
the air, which pur ticatiom is more in
demand in the Sick-rOOm than else
two most important remed al agents
furnished by nature. W thout which it
is impossible long to survive. Since
disease is but an efort OF nature to
throw Oft the d seasing causes and ten
denotes. the effete matters passing off
freely through the pores and from the
lungs to far greater extent than is
usually supposed. it is matter of vital
impo ctance to admit the light. that the
poi ,onous exhalations may be allowed
to es ape. scattered by TIE direct in
fiuences of the rays of the sun 1t is
well to have the patient. as ear as IL
possible, in the direct rays of the snn.
while the clothes and bedding should
be freely exposed to the light and T..
once in six hours in case
of especial malignity of the
disease. In this way the |
germs of sease are scattered. this
light do nc more thorough work than
can be do ne in washing. during the |
same me- Indeed. such light intlu- |
ences will readily dispense with one
half of the ord nary wash ne.
1t is proper here to add that there is
often a fear in reference to the chang
ing of the bedding and clothing OF the
sick This is very absurd. the fear :e-
lating. more general than 9th :rwi:e,
to the danger of taking cold" In |
acute forms of disease. the danger is
very slight, if, indeed. it is possible. in
a high fever. or acute Inflammation. |
In such cases. if compelled to elect be-
tween the two. l would prefer light !
air and good nursing. with no medi-
cine. to good metical treatment. de-
prived of these useful DIS. though it
g not needful to dispense with either.
The great demand of the age is more
sunl ght. pure air. cleanliness. more in
tellectual light and more moral purity
DR.. j. II. Hanaford in Golden Rule.