Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14

HOLD


If the tides of March was the only day
in this month Of boisterous winds and
treacherous weather that one had to 'be-
ware" Of the task would be easy. Close
vigilance is perfectly possible for short
periods, but 1t is the eternal vigilance that
tells. Grip Is unusually prevalent all over
the country and appears in diverse forms.
In one section the seat of the trouble seems
to lie in the stomach. In another 1t Is at
tended by rheumatism and is followed in
many cases by eczema. 1t is proving to be
communicable and infinite care is required
to prevent Its running through an entire
family, when once it makes its appearance
The patient should be quarantined and the
home kept thoroughly aired and fumigated.
When the washing Is done do not put
the handkerchiefs Of the invalid in with the
general household linen until they have
been soaked In some disinfectant. Food or
fruit that has been in the sick room should
not be eaten by any one but the patient.
When one feels the premonitory symp-
toms Of grip there is no use fighting against
1t. The sooner one gets to bed and into a
profuse perspira ton the better. Many doc
tors now Of various schools are ordering
hot whisky punch, but this only avails
when the patient is not in the habit of using
stimulants. The habitual topper stands a
poor show when grip or pneumonia gets
hold Of him.
The hot foot bath is one Of the most
effective methods Of starting perspira ton
to break up heavy cold or grip, but 1t
must be taken with judgment. The safest
way is to take 1t in bed, and this Is easy
When once one knows how. Tell the pa
tient to bend the knees, then slip foot tub
half full of water as hot as can be borne
under the bedding and lift the feet into It..
big Turkish towel will prevent any spat-
tering. Leave the feet in for twenty min
utes, adding hot water from pitcher, from
time to time, as the water begins to feel
cool. When the time limit is up lift the
feet one by one on to the towel. roll 1t
around them while you remove the tub.
Then rub briskly. A foot bath Of this sort
will frequently relieve violent headache,
that refuses to yield to ordinary treatment.
1t must be remembered that ventilation
bears very prominent part In the care of
the sick Calculations from the sick body
are unpleasant and unWholesome for all
concerned, including the patient.
Perfumery or carbolic acid VIII not purify
the air. The ideal ventilation lis the steady
removal OF impure and replacing by pure
| air without draughts. An excellent pan is
to pull down the top sash two or three
covered with wire netting5t A safe thing to
do is occasionally to air the room thorough
ly-having first covered the patient warmly,
head and ALL a *
When clothes are to be changed every
thing should be warmed and at hand that
there need be no delay. If two garments
are to be put on the upper part of the body
put the sleeves Of the undervest into the
night dress sleeves and slip both on to-
gether. 40
In the matter Of diet Il Is getting to be
| considered more and more important thai
| the particular form of food suited to exist
| ing conditions should be given. For grI
patient these lines are not drawn hard and
! fast, but as a rule milk and eggs in some
| form are most desirable. One well-knowr
Brooklyn physician said that his wife
| craved and lived for several days on the
| somewhat incongruous menu of chicken
| salad and ice cream, and thrived on 1t, as
| well. AS a usual thing there is almost nc
| appetite and marked loss of the sense
| of taste. In serving the food let every
| thing be as dainty as possible, and served
| in small quantities. 1t is easy to get more
| IL needed; but the sight of a loaded plate
| is frequently sufficient to send its contents
| away untasted. Be sure the tray is freshly
spread each time. II laundry is difficult
| eschew linen and use clean. pretty paper
napkin to cover the tray, but If possible
supply the linen napkin for personal use
Have the glass clear and bright, the silver
| ditto, and the china the best the house at
| fords. Don't think for a moment that broth
will keep hotter in a big, squat kitchen cur
| that takes away the appetite to look at it
| Put it into china cup and set a saucer OIL