The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-09-20
Concerning Care-Taking.

helpless, confined to one room for days,
weeks, months?" In asking this Dues
ton over and over, even an inexperi-
enced girl may get some insight into
the needs of an invalid, and be truly
help and care -taker | am certain that
many young girls feel their crudeuess.
rawness, so to speak; they are spirit
ually bony and unfeathered, to take an
illustration from the chicken world.
In critical periods of household life,
they " ould be glad to take hold in the
right place "-be of use in lifting the
too heavy burdens; nurse the sick
mother or father; in short, be blessing
and sunshine maker at home.
But many girls, most young persons
in fact, are thoughtless, brusque in their
Notwithstanding heavily, it may
be; leaving doors open that ought to be
shut, or shutting doors with a snap or a
bang that irritates sensitive nerves; al
loving the air of the sick-room to be-
come too warm or too COO; keeping
windows open or closed according TO
their own convenience; burying them
selves IN fascinating story, and max
ing it necessary for the invalid to ask
for every little service. Light move
meuts, alert tention that yet is not
fusey, quietness OF spirit, lovingness of
feeling, help alleviate the pain and
WEAKNESS of long illness. An invalid
may long for slight change of posi-
ton, a sip of fresh water, more or less
air, a sniff at The cologne -bottle-a
dozen trifing services that she or he
will hesitate to ask for if the girl nurse
appears tired, reluctant, seif-absorbed,
or out of sorts. Often the sick one,
with nerves exhausted by suffering,
says inwaidiy, " would rather 90 with
out it than ask for it," But ever so
little endurance of this kind retards re
covery-may do untold injury.
| was sitting with sick friend lately
when the young daughter nurse, taking
advantage OF my presence, slipped from
the room. In a few moments she re-
turned with cup of steamipg choco-
late. She put it to the mothers lips,
and it was gratefully, eagerly drank
after the first sip lad tested its delicious
quality. The invalid had been fasting
for many hours, the delicate appetite
refusing all suggestions of food. If
the little muse had questioned whether
chocolate were wanted, the reply would
have been a negative. 1t was the
thoughtfulness that provided the cup
that was the valuable quality. The
thought quality can be cultivated, and
it is worth while to take the pains to
this end. Reflect for a moment upon
the WEAKNESS Of the poor body that for
some rea; on must lie in the same posi-
ton for hours and Lours unless some
helpful hand comes to its assistance.
There is a wrinkle in sheet or garment
that presses painfully against the tender
flesh; the shoulders ache; the head is in
an uucoinfort4b BILE position; the bed is
hot or hard Cr cod, Little tender
touches and smoothings, Iubs and
bitches, do wonders; bathing the face
and binds, brushing the hair, straight
ening the ed-covers-many things
that the invalid cannot be expected to
think of, has not the strength to think
of-all help wonderfully toward the en-
durance of the weary moments-mo-
ments winged for well persons but
weighted for the invalid
If once the sick one feels that he or
she is thus tenderly taken into the
thought OF daug liter or friend, a certain
ease of nerve is established, there is a
letling-go that is conducive to recovery
Ii is like being taken Into strong arms
like leaning the head upon tender
bosom. The professional nurse, if she
have true vocation, understands all
this; but the young daughters who
have loving hearts and quick intelli-
gence, but small experience, may gam
by few hints. Invalids have delicate
sensibilities. A coarse cup or plate,
with hicks and cracks, may make the
meal unpalatable; the crushed napkin,
the untidy table is sure to offend though
the feeling may be carefully concealed.
Nowhere is daintiness 50 necessary as
in s;ck-roon. When the loving
mother who has so skillfully nursed
the daughter is in turn helpless, it is
hard for her to miss the order, the deli
cacy, the dizziness she so appreciates.
Let the girl-nurse set herself to
think; TO give up herself for the time;
to plan as for some object near TO
her heart; let her throw her weight,
SO to speak, on the subject in hand.
She will find that she can do wonders
with IA little considering. III useful
ideas are suggested, she can make
note of them in commonplace book;
delicate cookery may be studied; tested
recipes kept close at hand; loving dis
positions cultivated; irritation put res
olutely down. To the loving heart il
SEPARATIONS come. Let the glrl-nurse
look upward and outward, and put her
self by Imagination in the place of the
sufferer-IHe Outlook,