The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-13


is the coolest part of the room. The mat
tress should be hard one of good haic,
or excelsior, or even corn husks or bran,
anything but feathers or cotton; in fact
an excelsior, bran or straw bed is some
times the best thing in certain diseases
because it is cheap and can be burned
when its usefulness is over. There should
be several sets of sheets; two good clean
blankets and a spread, but no cotton
stuffed comforters. Moreover the bed
should stand away from the wall so that
it is accessible on all sides; this also Sc
cures better ventilation.
A bureau is not a necessity in a sick
room; it is rather an encumbrance. A
clean box or bag will serve to receive
Soiled clothing, and clean clothing may be
kept without the room so that it will be
fresh when wanted. Such as may be
needed quickly may be kept in the room
in a covered box. A plain table that can
be easily moved is necessary, but it
should be kept clear of all clutter. Even
a wash basin and running water is not
always a luxury in a sick room; it may
be a detriment Far better have only a
little water in a covered pitcher and a
covered waste pail which should be re-
moved frequently and its contents
emptied. Gas, too, is not desirable, 1t
vitiates the air and burns up oxygen
needed by the patient Rather use
candles even though it seem like going
back to the light of other days; the dim
light is more restful to the patient and
is yet. sufficient to light the way around
the room. If a kerosene lamp is used
let 1t be metal one ano thus avoid add
ing the horrors of burning to death to
other sufferings.
Avoid Use of Rocking Chair.
A chair or two is, of course. necessary,
but avoid a rocking chair of all things
unless it is for the comfort of the
patient. A rocking chair in full action
will give the fidgets to many well per-
son and rocking nurse in a sick room
is enough to send an invalid into a fit.
Moreover the nurse when in the room,
whether sitting or standing, should al
ways keep within the sight of the patient
as much as possible and this also applies
to visitors if they are allowed In talking
to the patient stand or sit at the side
of the bed midway OF it's length facing
the patient where you can see and be
seen Above all keep quiet; don't keep
hitching around; or twiddle your fingers:
or drum on the bed. Don't act as though
you We're afraid Of the patient and stand
at the foot of the bed leaning over the
foot board with your hands on the rail
NJ OIiS COuld. bldnS- the patent II ne
threw book or anything else handy at
the one who does this. And, speaking of
books, If you read aloud to the patient
or anyone else, for that matter sit fac
ing the person, with the book held low
SO that the sound of the voice passes
above the top of the book direct to the
patients ears, and is not muffied by the
book, as 1t would be if it is held in front
Of the face between yourself and the
patient. Speaking of reading aloud let
your voice be even but firm and clear
yet not sharp. There are few good read
ers aloud in the sick room, and the one
who possesses a musical, Well-modulated
voice, low in tone, but clear in enuncia-
tlon, could make a fortune by hiring out
as reader to invalids This also suggests
another light occupation. that of story
lelllng. A person who can tell a good
story we'll is rarity. Such people would
ma much appreciated and well paid oc-
cupatlon among inyalids, especially if
they had the faculty OF reading and
abridglng book into story of their
own, for the invalid, cut off from the
Whlrling round of progress is restless
to know current events. Even a news
| monger might be evolved who would 90
well by telling the latest news to invalids
provided he or she told only of the han
Ply doings of the world and cut out all
the tragedy. Indeed, in most cases the
| daily newspaper may be read judiciousiy
TO an invalid provided all sensational