The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-02
ASSISTING THE DOCTOR.
4 Trained Attendant Is . Great Help b

ASSISTING THE DOCTOR.
Trained Attendant Is Great Help IN
sickness.
While there is nothing more offensive
to the intelligent physician than what
may be called DELICIOUS and undue anx-
iety to assist him in performing the du-
ties of his calling. there = probably no
one in the werld who more keeniy APP
preciates the service which~a trained
mind, eye and hand can render him II
the case.is serious short visit is sc2rcc-
ly sufficient to acquaint him with all
Ct its details. Indeed, it often happens
that the excitement of his coming pro-
duces an entire change in the patients
state, and when he is ready 20 make
his customary examination the symp,
toms may indicate that which does cot
exist at all.
Suppose there were an attendant ca
pable of taking the patients tempers-
ture Of pulse or OF making on paper .
note Of the hour at which certain Pc
culiarities were most clearly indicated.
Most people cannot afford TO keep q
physician in constant attendance, and
many q life has been sacrificed because
the doctor had no means Of knowing
certain facts connected with his pa
tents illness which would have been
of vital importance to him and might
have assisted him in saving q life.
Every child should be taught what
the pulse is, and why and how we feel
It at the wrist. II is very easy TO under
stand how to tell the pulse, and not at
all difficult to learn to use the clinical
Thermometer. Imagine tho value to
doctor of a carefully-kept record OF the
patients condition from one Of bis
visits to another. With what confidence
could be pursue his treatment and give
his directions, and what q relief to real
ize that his interests are left IN such in.
tellgept 1landsi
Very few persons stop to thing of the
responsibilities that rest upon the med
ical man. No matter how. careless the
attendants or how disregardful they
may be Of administering the medicines
prescribed, they are rarely. If ever. held
to account. On the other hand. the doc
tor is blamed for everything; often, in
deed, when a violation of his most posi-
tive order furnishes the cause for this
cruel censure.
An important item is to have every
thing in readiness for the DOCTORS visit.
Do not wait until you see his horse,s
head coming rsupd the curve, then bur
~ ana hustle and hustle about, upset.
ting the patients tranquility and yonr
own; butmeke it your business, as soon
as the invalid has breakfasted, TO put
everything id order. so that there may
be no confusion at the last moment
Have clean towels. fresh water and
whatever other articles he is in the
habit Of calling for. Ask If your pres,
ence is required in the room; II not,
leave it, unless you are requested to
stay. 1t IS often the case that the doc
tor would like to have an opportunity
of making inquiries thet he would hest
tate to make before third person. II
Is. therefore, always considered il good
form to leave him alone with his admit
patients and give him an Opportunity
for at least five minutes talk II hs
chooses to take advantage Of the inter.
val. II anything Is used during the
doctors visit that should be removed
from the room. take It out at once.
Never leave soiled linen, bandages |
dressings or poultiees lying about;
they are nauseating to Che patient, GA. |
moving to the doctor and exceedingly |
objects for the family OF
any chance visitor.
While everyone cannot have the op |
portunity to study thoroughly any.
thing that belongs to trained nursinG |
most people can. If they try, pick UP |
LITTLE points from doctors and by being |
among sick persons, and viii In . short |
time get a rather good idea Of what |
needs to be done in emergencies. AMI |
what one may do to be Of very great as.
to the physician.-N.Y. Ledger