The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-05-19
HINrs ON HoME NURSING.
Items Of Information for the un-
initiated Ia the Ara 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 model sick room should
have windows on two sides, with con-
stantsunshine 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
a 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
a 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
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 ofwindow glass
to cover tumblers. Boil water, put
plug of absorbent cotton in top; keep
cool by rolling in a 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
a pint of bran in a 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 saueepans. 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 a 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 moment
before and after taking. For children
cinnamon or peppermint disguises cas-
tor oil For an adult put 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; il 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
iure or moisture; keep a bed from
and crumbs Use air cushions
or small pillows to relieve the weight |
and permit circulation. Keep skin |
.lean, rub with alcohol three or more
times day, use busting powder orvar-
lish tender skin with white Of egg
slightly beaten. To battle a patient |
removing any clothing. draw
a little aside, wash but a
mall space at a time; the clothing |
must always have warm, dry towel |
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,
hen separate It is tedious, so do
little daily till free from tangles. This !
amount Of alcohol will do no harm.