Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-16

If Won are so unfortunate as to have
sick one in the family and have choice or
sick rooms, take one which is light ana
cheerful and with fireplace, If possible, or
windows on opposite sides, to secure Venu-
lation Sunshine exerts beneficial 1nf1u-
ence and should be allowed to flood the
room, unless the Illness be fever, something
wrong with the eyes or brain or other sick
ness requiring quiet. when room away
from the family will answer best. In case
of contagious disease choose room on the
top floor to secure isolation. If the patient
be suffering from an accident let him be
near the rest of the family. where you can
speak to him. This will help to keep him
contented and cheerful your movements
while you are going on with your work
will give him diversion, and it will save
time. in waiting on him. Avoid room ex
posed to dfsagreeable odors from any source
or to annoying sounds.
Never have a window fastened so you
cannot open it, especially at the top. Es-
tablish a current of air. but prevent draft.
The window can be covered with muslin or
cotton flannel. or a window board with
holes bored in it. and at least eight inches
high. can be fitted between the window sill
and the lower sash. A candle burning in an
open crate will draw a current up the
chimney. and will not add to the heat Of the
room. The temperature Is about 6O-65 de-
grees Fahrenheit.
Bear in mind the wooden articles retain
smells much longer than do cotton or linen;
therefore do not have wooden curtains or
wool-covered furniture. It Is better to have
no curtains at all. or those made of light
muslin. which will wash. Cane-bottomed
chairs and a bare floor are preferable. A
strip of carpet or rug may be placed so as
to avoid noise in walking. A moistened
dust cloth and carpet sweeper will serve
for cleaning the room. Should there be time
to wash the floor before putting the patient
to bed. use hot water with a few cents
worth of chloride of lime mixed In 1t, or a
good sized piece of quicklime will do. Rub
well into the cracks and corners. Do not be
anxious to remove all of the lime. A little
left sticking in the crevces and pores of the
wood will prevent insects and give a. clean,
sweet smell to the place. Dry thoroughly.
In case of accident the bed should be
placed where there is good light to see and
dress the wound and where the patient
feels comfortable: but in fever and small
pox let 1t be between the door and fireplace.
AS the fire cannot burn without air, there
must be draft to feed 1t, and as this be-
comes heated and rushes up the chimney it
Is replaced by a fresh supply drawn in
through the door and window. In this way
the chimney acts as ventilator. carrying
away the impurities of the room, and SO
helps to prevent the spread Of the disease.
1t Is clear. therefore, that II a person
stands between the bed and the fireplace,
he must get the air after 1t has been con-
taminated by passing over the patient;
whereas, on the side between the bed and
the door he breathes pure air. If this posi-
ton of the bed cannot be arranged leave
sufficient space between the window and the
bed to stand in.
Before putting a patient into room
which has not been used for some time air
1t thoroughly and If heated by stove or
crate see that the chimney draws well and
have a fire burning.
AS to the bed itself. single bed Is more
convenient for nurse and doctor. II obliged
to use wide bed. a good plan Is to make
a division down the middle with board
few inches high, covered with the under
bedclothes. The invalid cannot slip away
from you, and 1t answers the purpose of
two beds. When frequent change of posi-
ton Is required double bed Is better. The
hair mattress is best. OF whatever material
the mattress be made, firmness Is the neces-
sary quality. Feather beds are to be dis
carded. One filled with straw is far better.
besides being cheaper and easily refilled
To change the bedclothes when the pa
tient cannot get up proceed In this way:
Roll up the clothes to be arranged tightly
to the middle lengthwise, not across the
width rolled up close to the other roll, lift
the patient over to the newly made part.
slip on the clothes he has just been lifted
from. unroll the clean ones, and 1t is fin
ished without difficulty.
The coverings should be light. Wool blan-
kets are better than cotton or down COM.
fortables. pillow made of hair is cooler
than one filled with feathers. II the latter
becomes wet the feathers mat together and
form Jumps.
In Washing
Extremely coarse and soiled clothes a
short. small scrubbing brush is best This
is good for. hand towels and overalIs. The
clothes are washed first on the right side
and then are turned and washed on the
wrong side.
After the two washings the clothes should
be rinsed in clear water SO as to remove