The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-13
HINTS FOR SICK ROOMS.
How to Tighten the Tedium and La
Dor and Comfort the Patient.
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Dor and Comfort the Patient.
u From, the Pittsburg Dispatch.
1t was day in September, when nature
seemed lavish of her smiles, and the sun
shine fell like benediction on all the out
side world Never before had it seemed so
attractive as that afternoon when we en-
tered for the first time that abode for the
sick, the city hospital. Looking down its
wards at the rows of beds and the long line
of faces, some full of pain, others weary
with the struggle for life, and again those
cheered by the hope that belongs
to youth, we asked ourselves
the question that would decide
whether we would go or stayl Not without
an effort did we choose, for the world
looked very fair just outside the window,
and it had not used us harshly. But there
was keen desire to be of use, to relieve
somewhat the burden of pain under which
so great part of the human family seem
to rest, and not less did we desire to test our
strength that we might know if we were
ready for that emergency which haunts
like specter the girl or woman who feels
the burden of dependence may be hers at
any moment. without power on her part
to assume the practical duties of life
should they come and demand support.
So we determined to cast in our lot with
these, and learn something of that struggle
for life which comes to all, if we will or no,
for it is not always the crushed and mangled
body that needs attention; there are some
wounds that come to us in life that the sur
geon's knife cannot reach, nor s|killful ad-
justing of a bandage relieve-those that
need the antiseptic dressing of sympathy
and brotherly love, the gentle and reassur-
ing touch that brings a ray of hope to the
discouraged, and does not allow us to for
get that the Christ is still alive who, gem
erations ago, healed with a woodland is to-
day, as well, touched with feeling for our
infrmities."
NURSING AN ART.
Would you follow us through the novi-
tiate to the time when we were accepted
into full fellowship with this army of
women going forth to lessen pain and to
teach endurance, and then ask if the time
spent was worth while-if the constant re-
curing picture of pain and misery did not
paint too vivldly the struggle for existence,
If it would not color with gloom all ones
after life? We are glad to answer to the
former question yes-to the latter no. There
is much of cheer in the work, and the salts
faction that comes from helping another
less fortunate an inspiration for lifetime.
So we do not regret, but rejoice in the les
sons learned, even though the discipline
seemed bit severe. at is very good for
to be strong" This should be the
motto for every sick room. There
is in this age desire to know the
best rules for perfecting an art, whether it
be of Cooking meal for john" fitting a
dress to my lady or the manufacture of a
bit of machinery that will do the work of
hundreds. So it is in every line of work.
The care of the sick is no less an art than
the cooking of good dinner and as for
+har yNriy Mo r6 ,.,,1o
So do we find in our study of the sick, some
general rules it would be well to follow,
tempered by common sense. They will
Tighten the tedium, bring order out of con-
fusion and comfort to many a patient, that
would otherwise die of despair if nothing
else was the matter 1t is our desire to help
you who care for your own sick, by giving
some of the methods by which care for
them is made simpler and easier. We use
for reference handbook of nursing used
in the training schools of the east. We
will take first
THE PATIENTS ROOM.
The room and its arrangements. The
best room for a SICK person is one on the
sunny side of a house and which has an open
fire place in it, Should there be such a
room to which the patient can be removed,
let the change be made at once. Ii the
chimney is stopped with fire board, news
paper, blower, bunch Of straw, OIL. other OBJ
structions, remove 1t at once, even though
you fear the wrath of the tidy housekeeper.
The room should be kept bright and cheer
full, unless the condition of the patient re-
quires it darkened. Let in the sunlight free
ly, always shading the patients face. IL the
bed faces window turn it round, or better,
set UP screen. Bars and strcaks Of light
from ill-ftting windows or blinds are
very trying to the eyes. Tne bed
should be pulled out from the wall as far as
possible, that the air may have access to ii
from all sides, and the nurse must accustom
herself to moving about quietly in it, and
let no considerations for her own conve-
nience lead her to object to the order. Carry
out of the room breakableT ornaments and
anything not needed that will make lodg-
ing place for dust. Take away rocking
| chairs that persons might be tempted TO
swing in and keep everything about the
washstand perfectly clean and fresh. II
there is no adjoining room or closet in which
YOU can keep the variou, little matters
which you require in your work, keep them
| out Of sight behind screen. A common
! clothes-horse covered with a quilt or blanket
shawl makes a screen easily procured.
BEDSIDE TABLES
A small, light table, with a drawer in 1t,
should be placed for the patients use. A