The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-07-24
HINTS ON HOME NURSING.
Items of Information for the UA'
Initiated in the Art of Taking
Care of the, Sick.

Learn from your physician the first
symptoms of acute and infectious dis
ease. If they do not yield to home
treatment call doctor. Then carry
out his orders or tell him why you do
not do so. The modebsick room should
have windows on two sides, with con-
slant sunshine if possible; have smooth
hard walls and floor, fireplace, few
doors and fiat framed pictures, but sell
dom of faces, says the Boston Globe.
Metal beds, besides tables and wash
stands, are made in pretty and conven-
lent designs. The three-quarters width
bed with high headboard is best. Cut
piece of netting in two, then seam
and hem, throw over the bedstead to
protect from flies or mosquitoes. Have
sheer white curtains shirred loosely on
q rod that can be removed; shake them
frequently. A lighted lamp set in
fireplace increases ventilation. Flat
clothes frames covered with cartridge
paper or cloth are much better than a
fancy screen. Tack cloth loosely be-
tween the pieces, so that no light falls
through. Graduated glass cups and
spoons are better than metal. Paper
straws may be used for drinking in
stead of glass; use but once; bend it to
fit the cup. Cut rounds of window glass
to cover tumblers. Boil water, put a
plug of absorbent cotton in top; keep
cool by rolling in wet cloth; then
hang in draft of air if you have no
ice.
To get dry heat quickly. take lid
from the range, wrap in paper, or put
pint of bran in spider. heat, put in
bag, tie the corner. Bags filed with
bran or hops can be used by having one
always on register or radiator. Use
covered saucepans. Use only asbestos
packed lamp for alcohol and set it on
a metal tray. Fill hot water bags with
a funnel and they will not leak at the
top. Put in bags of flannel. Never use
for helpless person if too hot to hold
against your cheek.
Patients who cannot lie easily re-
quire all sorts of pillows-square, OBJ
long. wedge shaped or circular. Circu-
| lar rings of cotton flannel. made nap
| side out. stuffed with oakum. are liked
better than air cushions by some inva-
| lids. In case of emergency, protect a
bed by thick pad of newspapers. Put
two thicknesses of cloth above rubber
| or enamel cloth, as they feel cold. Dis
agreeable medicines can scarcely be
| tasted if a bit of strongly favored
candy be held on the tongue a moment
| before and after taking. For children
cinnamon or peppermint DISCUSSES cas-
| tor oil. For an adult put a tablespoon
of lemon juice in glass, carefully pour
the oil in. rub the lemon on edge of
| glass, add as much more juice as is
| liked. Never give a child medicine in
its food unless it is tasteless; 1t will
soon refuse that food with disgust Or
nausea. Salt or lemon juice disguise
cod liver oil, which should be kept very
cold. Use glass spoons. Hold your la
bel toward you, and cork between your
fingers, while pouring medicine. Read
| directions before and after pouring.
| Never use a medicine in the dark. If
| tablets or pills are hard, crush or cut
them before giving. Bed sores on back,
| knees or elbows are caused by pres
| sure or HlolsiuIS, heep Dtu lIoHl
wrinkles and crumbs. Use air cushions
or small pillows to relieve the weight
and permit circulation. Keep skin
clean, rub with alcohol three or more
times day, use busting powder or var
nish tender skin with white of egg
slightly beaten. To battle a patient
without removing any clothing. draw
clothing little aside, wash but a
small space at a time; the clothing
must always have warm, dry towel
between it and your hand; keep the
back of your hand dry and towel will
not become wet. If hair is matted
from blood or dirt, wash with borax or
soda water. When neglected, comb out
in small locks, begin at the ends, wet
snarls with warm bay rum or alcohol,
then separate. 1t is tedious, so do a
little daily till free from tangles. This
amount of alcohol will do no harm.