Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-07-04
FOR LITTLE rNvALips.
Suggestions for the Care and Amusement
of Ill Children.


OF Ill Children.
In dangerous illness, when the hos
pital nurse has control of the sick
room, well-ordered routine is quickly
established, but in less serious cases
(where trained help Is not sought), and
during convalescence, a few practical
hints on the home nursing of children
may, at the present time, especially,
be offered, says the London Times.
To begin with, food or medicine should
never be prepared or discussed before
little patient, nor should TIE doctors
opinion or the child's symptoms be
talked over Children often catch half
phrases and misunderstood whispered
conversations and so form terrifying
anticipations of their illness and its
treatment. AS drinks are sure
to be in constant demand
weak lemonade may generally be
given, but children often prefer pure
water. 1t is best to use small glass,
and only give the exact quantity al
lowed; no thoughtful nurse will dis
appoint thirsty child with the trying
admonition mot to drink it ALL" Now
is the time toremember expressed pref
erences and dislikes, judiciously ig-
nored in days of health. Children, as
rule, are more guided by their eyes
than by their palates, and fancies pre-
vail strongly in the young; even in
health very imaginary dislikes are
taken, which an alteration in appear
ance, or even name, will remove. For
instance, small invalid had been eat
ing little pink shape, which, served
in glass saucer, almost masqueraded
MS straw berry ice, before she demand
ed the name Of her pretty pudding"
Ground rice, dear" the incautiously
candid nurse replied. 'Oh." mournful-
ly; then / can't eat any more, for I
remember don't like ground rice"
Highly-favored dishes are seldom
liked by children, and are quite un-
suitable for them, but a pretty appear
ance will make simple, nourishing
forms of diet inviting. Half dozen
glace cherries or few Hundreds and
thousands" scattered over plain blanc
mango turns it into party" dish.
The portion of custard or milk pud-
ding, which would have no attraction
quite desirable if baked in a tiny dish,
and the joy of helping oneself will pos
sibly lead to second supply being
consumed The bread and butter or
I! bread and jam at teatime, made into
| thin sandwiches, then cut into narrow
fingers, and built up crosswise on the
child's plate, lends the interest of de-
! molishing the pyramid to help out the
| languid appetite. A child's dislike to
beef tea, soup or beaten-up egg and
milk may sometimes be overcome if
the novelty of taking it through tube
or straw be adopted. What matter if
returning energy suggest the blowing
of few bubbles, when the nourishing
compound has gone to build up tissue
and muscle anew.
In illness, where coaxing is legiti-
mate, little story will sometimes help
down unwelcome but necessary food, a
fresh mouthful accompanying each
item mentioned; this recalls the realis-
tic adventures of an imaginary boy
starting on journey by train and the
weak smile (the first seen for many
days on pale little face), which
greeted the exciting climax, "And
this is the guard who closed the door
+ with bang; and this is the bang!" as
the last spoonful was valiantly swal-
lowed.
| Another little victim of influenza al
most enjoyed her obnoxious cough
mixture from the happy thought of
putting the medicine into her dolls
teapot, and allowing her to pour it for
pretended dolls tea party, at which
she was the sole guest! Any trivial
, devices, which lessen the chances of
pevishness or tears, are worth consid-
ering; small wants and wishes should
be complied with as much and as
quickly as possible. The indefinite
presently, DEAR" SO trying in health,
seems unbearable in illness; when
the thing petitioned for is not
practicable, some substitute should be
found, or diversion of thought sug-
gested. With returning health nurs-
cry discipline can be resumed, for
ordinary boys and girls are only too
eager to throw off invalid ways, and
of all patients children are the least
| likely to become malades imaginaires.
| The invalid bed table makes the best
vantage ground for toys, but if not at
hand large japanese or tin tray is not
bad substitute. On it the boy can
maneuver his tin soldiers, or the girl
| give her doll a party. The most COM
| Portable bed wrap is light flannel
| jacket, made with a wide whole back,
which permits the arms to be slipped
in easily, and loose sleeves, ending
above the nightdress cuff, which does
not then ruck up the arm. In cold
weather it should be lined throughout
with white wadding, lightly quilted,
an extra lining not being required.
and when any part is worn off or soiled
it can be easily renewed. This cozy
garment can be run up in an hour or
two if wanted in a hurry and in cases
of bronchitis, CONGESTION, etc, is the
best possible protection against fresh
chills. Chicago Tribune.
English Tramps and Their Babies.