Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-09-20

THE HOUSEHOLD.
~ YHE NlcK oNE.N Roou


4 Number Of I-cfui sugge-iisns ~ 10
Want shouid he Done Rnd Whni I.cft
uudone.
The sickroum should be as cheerful a.
possible, and if practicable should bee ON the
sunny side of the house Some diseases.
such AS affections Of the eye and a few 9th
ers require exclusion from the sun but in
the majority Of diseases the sunlight is
powerful curative agent IN the sickroom.
The furniture should be light, aud only as
much Of 1t as is actually necessary, since
there are few things 50 annoying TO "a good
nurse as an over furnished room as it is
almost impossible to keep it IN order Drap
cries Of any kind are unsuitable, and il the
disease is contagious they are Of all things
the most dangerous Have nothing but
bright, cheerful pictures on the walls, and
these, with the furniture, ought to be chang
ed about occasionally, to vary the monotony
Of the invalids surroundings Have at one
side Of the room screen, behind which
place the table upon which the medicine
spoons. glasses, etc, are kept, and never,
cles in sight of the patient Wash the med
icine glass and spoon Immediately after us
ing, if possible, and when this cannot be
done let them lie in cold water until time
can be given them Flowers, although they
may give pleasure to the patient during the
day, ought not to be allowed to remain in
the room over night, except in very small
quantities Fruit had best he kept out of
the room until wanted
In regard to the nurses dress, it may be
said that any kind of soft, serviceable goods
may be worn, provided it be something that
will wash, such as cambria, Saline, etc but
never on any account should it be starched
There are few things so annoying 10 an in
valid rs the rustic or swish of "A stiff dress
every time the nurse moves Soft, quiet
colors are the best and the various shades
Of gray are pleasanter to the eye than any
of the other colors Light woollens are us
ed by many nurses and are very good un-
less the disease is contagious when they
become actually dangerous
In the matter Of ventilation physician
advice is always in order but, where the
disease is not of dangerous form, the
room ought to be ventilated each morning
by lowering the windows at the top and al.
lowing them 10 remain in this way for ten
or fifteen minutes, the patient head being
first covered with the bedclothes except for
"A small breathing space. In very damp or
cold weather, however. this must he omit
ted, and the ventilation received by way Of
the door or through crevices of the windows
Never trust to any one but Il physician rs
to ventilating the room where there is dis.
ease Of the lungs
some people always talk in whispers in IA
sickroom, thinking that their natural tone
will disturb the patient, when in fact the
very opposite is the case If the patient is
asleep, no one ought to be allowed in the
room but the nurse and physician but if
awake-for an invalid is not always asleep
when the ewes are closed-the hearing is
very acute and the Imagination exceedingly
vivid, and consequently whispering should
never be allowed in the sick room
The nurse ought 10 keep herself in good
health and spirits, and TO do this she must
eat freely of nourishing food and each day
take an airing of at least half an hour if
possible 1t is for the interest of the patient
that the nurse toe kept in good condition.
and the family should see that this is accom-
plshed As far as lies in their power