Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-12-29
Sick Room Hints
which May BE Useful for Future Ref
erenCe.

experience, were | in the palace of Truth,
| should reply: "There is not much that
you can debut much that you may leave
undone First. do come i'm less noisily /:
shut the door after you; sit or stand in
front where | can see you without straining
the muscles of my neck, and above all, do
not shake the bed Pain is bad enough,
but worries are far worse '-ot one in a
hundred knows how to be, ave in sick e.
room, so as to leave the patient no worse
for the visit This may sound very
sweeping assertion, but it is borne out by
experience, and may be applied to pro-
tessed nurses as well as to professional
friends. But suppose some one cals-one
of those (of whom many are happily ex-
istent) whose presence is "wecome as the
flowers in May who comes in with a
smile, speaks softly, listens with sympa-
thetic ear to all the tale of woe, and is
able to suggest many little things to make
one more comfortable. Perhaps she brings
with her on each visit some little surprise
"a few choice flowers, a Jelly, bottle of
good scent, or a new book. In any case,
it is pleasure to hear her footstep and
see her sweet smile.
Nothing is so irritating as to see from
your bed crooked blinds, dirty cups or
glasses, or tables Uttered with unnecessary
trtles. One of the first duties in a sick
room is to move all knickknacks out of
the way. never leaving thing in the room
when done with, especially any evidence
of food or drink. Flowers may be in the
room day by day, but should be removed
at night, and should always have the low
er leaves stripped of the stalks before put
ting them in the vase. 1t is these leaves,
left in the water, which make it so disa-
greeable, especially in the case of mignon-
cite, asterS and wallilowcrs. Hyacinths.
daffodis and all flowers with juicy stalks
soon make the water unbearably nasty.
After the patient has been washed, had
breakfast, and been generally tidicd. the
door of the room should be fastened wide
open to air it. This can be- done even in
winter, if there is fire. \ few drops of
eucalyptus oil, or toilet vinegar. poured
into a saucer and left to eyaporatc are very
refreshing. Bully's vinegar is lighter and
less aromatic than Rimmcls, but the oil OF
eucalyptus is powerful di,nfectant, be
sides having an agreeable odor. Then
there are many small things that are great
comforts Green blinds for instance tonly
those who have tried them know the rest
that they are to weary eyes,: loose shawl
in bed, to tuck into odd corners: and. in
case OF serious illness. the Goals in the
scuttle each wrapped in a piece Of paper,
20 save the noise of tongs or scoop. Ii
would seem supertluouS to add that the
nurse or attendant should wear quiet shoes
and dress that does not rustic. were il
not that even trained nurses have been
known to sin in thi, matter
Punctuali;y in giving medicine and meals
is of the utmost importance \ serious
relapse may be caused by the food being
delayed. Should there be any hitch in its
preparation, do not let the patient be- kept
waiting. but substitute some other food:
and, above all, never take up anything of
which there is any doubt as to 5 fresh
ness. Taste outside the room everything
before offering it. No pains should be
spared in serving food up in pretty guise-
clean table napkins, garnishing of parsley.
lemon, or beetroot, an extra rub to the
glass or silver; anything, in short, may be
pressed into service to set OIL the appear
ance Of what is not attractive TO the eve.
Pencil and paper should always be kept
at hand to make notes for the doctor of
any peCuliarties noticed in the case. There
are also many little things that the doctor
may approve ii suggested to him, which it
does not occur to him to order. For in
stance, as variety in the way of flavor
ing, orange flower water is a pleasant
change and a valuable tonic. Abroad it is
much used in fever cases to flavor the
drinking water and though it is not very
easy to get it fresh and good at an ordina-
ry chemists here, it can be got at the
stores. Again, very hot milk can be taken
where there is a distaste for it cold. and
when favored is very pleasant \ most
nourishing drink can also be made with
blduNiltu anu pOulucu sweet Almonds, over
which boiling water has been poured and
strained after it has stood a while. A wine
glassful of boiling water-with or without
lemon juce-sipped, has been known to
check and completely stop the most dis
tressing retching and fits of hiccough
caused by weakness of the stomach. PURGE
OF lentils strained through hair sieve is
a delicious dish and very nourshing.
When the doctor allows it, sponging the
body with vinegar or hot water, or Coutts
acetic acid, materially aids convalescence.
Above all, keep all household worries. as
well as too many sympathizing visitors.
well out of the way. To be as cheerful as
possible is ones bounden duty, and GER
tainly one should never retail CHASTITY sto-
ries of other peoples troubles and wounds.
If anything is on the patients mind which
retards recovery, try to ascertain the cause.
You may be of signal service in this re-
spect.
Finally, TO be successful in the sick room.
"a htr. oil