Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-08-08
Calling on the Sick.
By RYE JOHNSON.

III you have not quite made up
your mind whether to start on n
round of calls among your sick
friends, let me advise you-don't 90.
Sounds queer, this, when every
paper and magazine you pick III, il
urging the duty upon you. But |
repeat 1t, don't go. As rule the
sick have altogether too many visi.
tors. | know, for | am long time
shut In, and have sad experiences to
speak from. Ask the doctors. They
Will vouch for the truth of nv as
sertion, and, il they have time, tell
you of more than one case in their
practice where the patient had one
chance for life, but lost it because
the friends were SO SympathiZiny.n
And it isn't always sympathy that
influences you to visit the sick.
Look deep down in your heart and
SEQ If 1t is not far different motive
that prompts you to "run in" to
Smiths when you hear some mem
Der of the family Is very sick. Isn't
1t morbid curiosity, an inquisitiyc
desire to find out what ails the IA
tient, what the doctor saws, etc. .
And then don't you sometimes 90
away and tell how untidy the house
was, that the sick ones clothing was
soiled, the bed tumbled, and Won
don't believe they half take care of
them? Then, a little later, the anX.
ious, over-worked woman who has
the responsibility hears Of your un-
kindness. Can you blame her if she
sheds few tears, and then declares
most emphatically that she wished
such people would stay at home and
mind their own business >"
Then, again, though your motive
may be pure and good in visiting
the sick, you may do harm by stay
ing too long, or in making them talk
too much. Some years ago had
the care of patient through run
of fever. During the first week
there were fifty-four callers, every
one of whom must see the sick girl
"just minute" had no authority
to refuse, or rather, my refusals
were set aside; SO was it any wonder
nervous prOStratiOn followed,
from which the poor girl was a wear
in recovering?
There Is class Of crOakers that 90
about the sick good deal that, af,
ter one of their wearisome calls, we
could cheerfully see hung. They
tell you how bad you look, how
much you have failed since last thew
saw you, that they fear you are go.
ing as your poor mother did, and sc
on, until you feel death would be
welcome, were it but to get out OF
the reach Of such harpies. You arc
always worse after such a call, and
wonder if they are not right, and il
there is any use oc trying to gel
well.
One case must mention, where
retribution was swift in overtakinl
the offenders. a dear girl sprainec
her arm very badly, and rheumatism
set in. After a time her face anC
neck began to swell, and she became
friRhtful to behold. She was yer,
sensitive about it, and did not wan
to be seen. Her state became noiset
about, and visitors flocked in. He
mother weakly allowed them to @,
into the room, where they sympa
thized or ridiculed, as their nature
impelled, until the poor girl wa
| NSshu lil6 cAClIeDlont.-
She was we'll revenged, however
and laughs to this day when she re
members it. Within two week
there were thirty well-develope,
cases of mumps among her torment
ors.
or course there is bright side t,
the visiting question. There ar
cases where the coming of a friend i
God-send." There are wear,
sufferers to whom you can go with
little gift in your hand. Or you cal
lind some who need care. You cal
tidy the room, smooth the tumble,
bed, hattie the fevered face, bring
cup of cold water. To such, 90 il
Gods name, and you will know b,
the glow in your heart that you hav
done we'll, and their sincere thank
and eager "come again" will be al
the reward you need.