New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-25
IN THE SICKROOM
THE FIRST THINGS TO BE CONSIDERED
BY THE NURSE OR ATTENDANT

THE SUNSHINE CONDUCIVE 70 HEALTH -NEIES-
srrY OF AIRING THE APARTMENT DAILY
USE OF DIsINFEcTANTs
Every woman IL likely find herself at some
time In charge OF sickroom. and. II II be new
charge. the knowledge Of a few simple rules vii!
he almost Indispensable.
The first point to be considered IN selecting u
room for the sick. says The American Queen IL
that It should II possible. be on the side Of the
house receiving the morning or MONDAY sun. This
n a rule that Is unvarying-in summer or winter
the sun IL conducive to health.
The proper temperature to maintain is from
6 10 IS degrees Fahrenheit one or the pest APP
pI.ances for cooling the room Il an electric IAN
which blows over a tub bowl ~ ice. simpler
MAN IN to use an icebag Of rubber or oiled sIk
Under ordinary circumstances the patients race
and neck may be sponged several times hay
with cool water and the palms OF the hands ruoptu
with ice There large number OF drugs TOT
lowering febrs temperatures. hut they Sho"'"
only re used when prescribed by physician
The same caution must be observed as 10 the use
of Ice packs and poultces. Tepid sponge baths
TO which bay rum vinegar alcohol solution
have been added are cooling and gratefui 10 d
sufferer In the summer time and may. usually De
given least once a day.
A sickroom should always be well ventilated
having II possible. several Windows but the pa
tent should never he permitted to lie or sit for
means OF screens.
II there is an open fireplace. a lighted lamp or
candle set In II will direct the impure air up me
chimney and cause extra current OF oxygen
The prejudice against night air is wholly without
founda ton. II is just pure a. that OF the day
and In cities much purer.
As to the matter OF disinfectants. in the hrst
place the should be kept fresh by daily
wipng each article with a damp cloth and spons
Ing the carpet with water to which teaspoonful
o. ammonia has been added.
However. 1t Is best to remove all unnecessary FUR
nlture and to keep the floor and walls bare But
where there Is carpet clean sheets should he
smoothly tackled IT, TO be changed as often
ne ne ressary and these sheets sprinked once a
day with solution OF carboiic wafer leather
- OF the most useful d-infectants - basin OF
ion. gasas water that has stood open in me bel
room gathers impurities. and i unnt TO diink
The Germans use bread forty -eghi hours Oh Tor
cleaning the wall. Of room after 4 contagious
disease. Ike diphtheria. After rubbing tae VA ns
the crumbs swept up and burned: then me walls
and floors are wiped with > per cent solution 81
The best bed FOR tn. sick isa single OF iron Of
the width and height used IN hospitals Win me
woven wire spring and ,hin mar mares n ne
when extra covering is needed hight blankets are 70
Rran pillows are often recommended for summer
use. but II Is seldom that sick person mos mem
the feather pillow. changed or freshly beaten when
It becomes uncomforiably hot. OF the water bees
10 he preferred The temperature OF IN" water
should be kept about 20 degrees. and must be
chansei once every two weeks. The bed mutt
never touch the wall. small table AZ me 'id"
OF the bed IL necessity for the serving OF meals
az well = sliing papers. BOOKS. flowers or the nu-
merOus other articles necessary 20 the Sex per
sons comfort.
Here is tho way trained nurse In a hospital
makes NJ A patients bed. She hesins ny tuckins
the lower sheet snuely and smoothly about n" mn,
tress folding the square. as grocer f"llN
the edges ~ the paper ne wraps around pa x
age. The top sheet IL brought well up TO the hehf
0. ths bed. 1t vii. turn back nicely over IN.
other clothes Together with tho blankets AM
coun.erpane = l. also folded carefully In NJ ~"
corners and tucked under smooth and tghi - -"
sd.s Never put the ,)dei edge OF the blankets
m al The head for the patient often grows too
weary or TOO warm. AMI rests hy having 'oli
Of the blankets turned down. Re sure the lower
ends OF all the tucked firmly under n,
tn. foot OF the bed. they will not easily pull NJ