Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-07
SICK ROOM JR0UT|NE
Common Sense } Hints for
Daily Program.
THE DOS" AND" DON'TS"
DIRECTIONS FOR eoMFoRTABLE
BED MAKING. r
Suggestions for the Nourishment and
Best Things to
Have.
THE DOS" AND ON'TS"
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
doctor once made the remark that he
did not see how so many refined women
could be so Indifferent to the simple laws
OF health Ventilation they regard as of no
importance, and open windows instead of
being safeguards Of life ITSELF they con-
slider their mortal enemies. Sunlight they
are positively afraid Of, and a darkened
room Isl often believed to be a sedative for
sick or tired nerves. Indeed. some women
keep the sick room so black that one can
not sea an inch beyond his nose.
Have You ever noticed how a physician
will come into room Of this character.
pull up the shades and by a few healthful
touches here and there bring in an entirely
new atmosphere? The patient at once
brightens up, looks more cheerful, and az
ter the medical man leaves Is apt to say,
Il always feel SO much better when the
doctor is here" OF course she does, for
he not only has brought in a cheerful coun-
tenance, which Is part of his cure, but has
rescued the patient from surroundings bad
enough to negative the physicians efforts
to put her on her feet again. To the in
PRODUCTION of Dame Natures offspring, the
sun, nothing was attributed that made for
good.
A trained nurse manages these things her
self, but the home attendant becomes a
victim to the invalid's caprices and must
OFTEN spend hours by a bedside in cheer
less, stuffy room, when few simple ar
rangements would improve the situation
wonderfully. We are all not fortunate
enough to be able. to employ a trained
nurse, and in many instances the skillful
lay sister Is just as good-that is, If she is
born with healing in her hands, for be it
remembered the true nurse, like the poet,
is born. not made. A nervous or, worse
than all, fussy person about patient is
I1cn nf 1o,,
The great trouble lies in the fact that al
most every woman thinks she is divinev
appointed to comfort and command in the
sick room. The Darwinian idea of natural
selection never fitted in better than it does
Just here; also it may be said that many
are called, but few are chosen
Have Fresh Air.
For the woman who does not know It
all' possibly suggestion or two concern
ing some sick-rcom oversights will be ac-
ceptabe. One Of the first duties of the
nurse should be to see that the circulation
of air In the apartment is as perfect as
possible. The opening Of window not too
near the patient a couple of inches from
the top and bottom is an absolute necessity
A good idea for a crude ventilator is to
raise the window to the height required and
tack piece of wooden material over the
opening, fastening 1t securely to the sash
This device admits the air into the room
without its blowing directly on the patient
A screen placed between the bed and the
open window would keep off draft and
light, but the other plan is safer
Speaking of screens, they are indisnen-
sable in sick room, and the singular
dearth of them where they are most need
ed Is curious. The medicine bottles may
be arranged in the order of use behind the
screen on table having neat linen cover
Inc patient invariably. breads the taking
OF doses, ard when she sees the horrid
stuff actually poured out 1t becomes doubly
nauseous. A rule laid down by a celehrat-
ed physician was that the nurse should
never administer dose of medicine with
out having looked at the label on the bot
tie twice.
Sweet Scents, Too.
1t Is an exploded idea that toilet water
or cologne must be excluded from the sick
room. do not mean by this heavy scents
OF extracts, but a quart Of good cologne
sprinkled around the room with an ato-
mizer. 1 would ask every patient to use
this constantly, and half the women who
nave minor complaints, such as sick head
acheS and the like, would recover in one
third of the time If they would let in a lot
Or fresh air and spray the room with nice,
pungent cologne: A few drops of the oil of
lavender in little hot water is a cheap
and grateful deodorizer. To nervous Ill
person the noise Of putting coal on the fire
Is exceedingly annoying. The best way to
eiCCoiHpllSH II Is TO wrap the coal In paper,
carefully placing the whole contents on the
hre at once. Naturally a regular invalid
bed Is the ideal resting place for the suf-
ferer but the average household does not
boast Of this convenience.
Changing the bed clothing Is a source of
discomfort when not properly managed.
Wrap the well-aired sheet into bolster
shape, INT the covers sufficiently high to
ADMIT the free movement of the hand under
the cover, then roll the sheet gradually un-
der the patient, sliding the soiIed one along
at the same time, until the fresh sheet is
IN place. Keeping ice Is another trial when
a small refrigerator is not at hand This
may be overcome by pressing a
piece OF flannel down into the mouth of the
pitcher and filling the indentation thus
maze with cracked Ice. The ice melts suf-
nclently to supply a reasonable amount of
water.
When Feeding Time Comes.
Feeding the invalid is an art, and in some
cases lost art. tray with legs six or
seven inches high Is the most comfortable
way OF serving food; still the effort may be
loo great, and glass tube be better. AL
ways have the nourishment attractively
served, for dainty dolly under the bowl
OF broth may attract the wavering appe-
tite Do not bring a quantity of food to a
conva!escent, as it often defeats it's pur
pose. Visitors should never be admitted I'M
til a reasonable amount of strength is
gained and the person is sitting up, as the
friends of an invalid are often her worst
enemies when the period of recovery is at
hand. Speak always in a calm, even tone
In sick room and never converse with the
doctor outside the door where the patient
may hear. She naturally thinks sudden
death and all sorts of dreadful things are
In store for her.
Plants and Flowers.
And just here let me hint to, the invalid's
friends that instead Of carrying her cut
flowers they spend the money on a choice
potted plant, which Is q lasting pleasure.
A blooming rose bush would not cost more
than the bunch Of American BEAUTIES.
Here are two simple recipes which are
very acceptable to most patients: Moisten
teaspoonful Of real Bermuda arrow root
with water, rub smooth with a spoon. pour
on half pint of boiling water and season
with wine and nutmeg @ In Cooking arrow
root 1t is wise to nakesit thick, afterward
thinning with milk II as
Panada is also grateful. Put few crack
ers or crusts OF dry bread IN a saucepan
with colo water and few raisins. After
II mas boiled a half hour favor with wine
II the patient has no fever If properly
MADE, the mixture will be quite smooth and
OF moderate thickness. Serve on a dainty
tray covered with an Immediately clean
ciotn. tiny bunch Of flowers tucked on
the tray does not render the arrow root or
panada any the less appetizing, and do not
forget well Drowned strip Of toast or a