The Portland daily press., 1890-09-16
THE HON &.
LIGHT IN THE SICK ROOM.

~~J 'e"onihscs tudb tHo occupants Oh the SICK
room in the private house should be kept at
all hours In darkened room. Not one time
In ten do we en- ter sick room in the day
time to find it blessed with the light of the
sun.
Almost invariably, before we can get
cd to request that the blinds may be drawn
up, IN order that the rays of a much greater
healer than the most able physician can ever
hope to be may be admitted. Too often
the compliance with this request reveals
condition of the room which, In a state of
darkness, is almost inevitably one ofdisorder
everywhere; food, medicines, furniture. bed
ding misplaced; dust and stray leaviDgs in
all directions.
In brief, there is nothing so bad as a dark
sick room 1t is as II the attendants were an
ticipating the death of the patient, and, if
the reason for 1t be asked, the answer is as
inconsistent as the act. The reason usually
offered is that the patient cannot bear the
light. as though the Light could not be cut off
from the patient by curtain or screen, and
asth0ugh to darkeD one part of the room it
were necessary to darken the whole of it.
The real reason Is an old superstitious prac
tice. which once prevailed so intensely that
the sick, suffering from the most terrible
diseases, smallpox for instance, were shut
up in darkness, their beds surrounded with
red curtains, during the whole Of their ILL
ness. The red curtains are now pretty
nearly given up, but the darkness is still ac-
credited with most mysterious curative
virtue.
A more injurious practice really could mot
be maintained than that of darkness in the
sickroom. 1t is not only that dirt and dis
medy is lost. Sunlight is the remedy lost,
and the loss is momentous. Sunlight diffused
through room warns and clarifies the air.
1t has direct influence on the minute Or
ganic pois0ns, distinctive influence which
lie mn nd hnc nh rfrxI affnn
upon the mind. The SICK should never be
gloomy, and in the presence of the light the
shadows OF the gloom fly away. Happily the
hospital ward, Notwithstanding its many
defects, and it has many, is SO far favored
whenever the sun shines. In private prac-
tice the same remedy ought to be extended
to the patients of the household, and the irst
words of the physicions or surgeon on enter
ing the dark sick room should he the dying
DIR. b. Richardson.
WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD BE TOLD.
A bottle of camphor is not only good
weapon of defense in mosquito time but
disinfectant and agreeable deodorizer.
Hands and arms which are rough and red
may be much improved by using oatmeal
water. In order to obtain this it Is simply
necessary to boil ordinary oatmeal in water
for an hour. Strain the fluid. which is the
required water.
The tooth mug, brush and soap box pro-
vided, the student of beauty will need a fan
mel wash cloth, a meal bag, or, best of all, a
wire basket or porcelain wall pocket is essen
tial for tidiness, If not convenience.
The practice of sleeping with kid gloves
or the skin beneath smeared with some kind
OF ointment, is not very, uncommon one
rough. 1t can not be encouraged, for 1t is
unnecessary, If not really unheathful
II one becomes tanned, without. freckles,
~, she will find the following officacious:
Lemon juice, rose water and alcohol in equal
parts. After these are mixed together let
the solution stand for day and settle. Then
pour the clear fluid off for use. II necessary.
strain. This lotion may be used two or three
times day. After it has been applied the
face should be wiped with soft towel.
Charcoal and arnica soaps are good for q
tooth wash. as they not only clean the teeth
but leave fresh, sweet taste in the mouth.
No matter what dentifrice may be selected,
one application day is sufficient, and that
should be reduced If a soreness of the gums
is felt. Immediately after rising use the
powder, and after each meal brush the teeth
Vary the motion from lateral to vertical, and
| take soft piece of linen to wash the inner
surface of the molas.
NOTES ABOUT WOMEN.
There are In the United States at least
twenty-seven women each of whom owns in
| her own right not less than $3,OO0,O 900, in
Guiding one who is credited with $4,000, 900
and three who possess $2O,OOO,0OO.
There are now three female dentists In
New York, all Of whom are thoroughly
| quallhed to practise the profession. Only
enc OF them is specialist. She Is a clever
and handome young Jewess, and she has
| deal of attention for several years.
Miss Roosevelt, the American tennis cham
| pion amoung ladies, goes through regular
training like college oarsman.
| Miss. Helen Gould, the only daughter of
Jay Gould. owns the rarest collection of
orchids in the United States, and is an &C.
| compllshed botantist
| Mrs. Gilmore, wife f the famous band
master, arranges most of the music for the
in his professional work.
! Nine. Mancini, of Havre, France, Is the
| largest dealer in wild animals in the world.
She has almost rival in Frau HarZenbeck,
OF Hamburg. In New York is Miss Duffy,
] lions with as much readiness and discrim.
ination as a good milliner shows in selecting
pattern hats in Parlg.
Miss. Charlotte M. Yonge at 81 is busy
| time.
| TAKE COUNSEL AND PROFIT BYIT.
Greater truth was never spoken of Ameri-
can women, farmers wives especially, then
the following by writer in the New York
Tribune who says: Justice to herself, in the
matter of maintaining her own health and
mental calibre, Is of the utmost Importance to
her family. No intelligent mother can I'M
derestimate the Importance of her own pres
| ence and work in her household, but it Is
| almost a universal rule among even the
| most intelligent and conscientious to take
| upon themselves burdens they are untitled
| to bear and to neglect in their own persons
those precautions and safeguards of health
others In the family. but which in their per-
sons are of greater necessity than in that
of any other member Of the family. not even
expecting the bread-winner himself. 1t is a
wonder that women with families so well
maintain such health as they have, in view
ti0ns, and it Is a slight wonder indeed that
the average of three wives are worn out in
an average life of one farmer.
A woman of fifty, like man of fifty,
should be in her prime Of life. She should
take keen interest In the world around her
too many worn out women do. When her
daughters have arrived at an age when they
can take the burden of her cares off her
shoulders, she may yet reign as queen OF her
household, and should have more time for
intellectual pursuits than ever before. a
great many women fail and grow old ana
reminiscent because they make themselves
drudges and perform duties which it would
be far better for the children to do. From
the excess of work which many mother do
their appetites become jaded, compilations
pallid, nerves unstrung, and In what should
be the prime of life they are old women I'M
htted physically and mentally for even the
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