Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14
FOR HOME NURSING
PROPER CARE FOR INvALIDS I'M
HOT WEATHER.

Cleanliness. and. more. freshness. are es-
sential in every sick room il the patient IL
to have the best OF care. but the usual
method Of obtaining these is quite impos-
stble In the presence OF an invalid
Dust is one OF the most necessary things
to he avoided. for II ia not only bad for the
i'll one To breathe. but carries all germs
Much of this is done away with II the floor
can be bare except for "A few rugs. but even
when there is carpet on the floor a broom
should never be used. 4 bare floor should
be wiped up with a soft cloth. wet and
wrung dry. The water used for this should
have some kind Of deodorizer. such as car
bolc acid camphor bichlorldc OF mercur,
or the like. in IL to the proportion of a Ia.
blespoonful TO a gallon OF water. Mating
should be wiped up in the same way. and
so should carpet. but with the two latter
there must be no doubt that the wipina
cloth is so dry as to leave no moisture on
the floor. III the patient is only slightly i'll
a carpet sweeper may be used but the noise
of this is frequently distressing.
II there are any draperies- and only In
contagious illness Is It necessary to Danish
these-they should be light in weight. but
not In color, as then they throw "A glare
very trying to the eyes. 1t is most impor-
tant that the hangings shall be SO arranged
to make II possible to open the windows
at the top In order that there shall be VEN
tilation. for II must never be- forgotten that
impure air rises ana an outlet Tor IL IL I'M
perative.
Every day the sheets and pillow cases
should be changed and this can be- dons
with very little disturbance to the patient
the way has been mastered. The in
valid should lie on one side OF the bed and
the under sheet of the empty side should
be turned over toward her leaving that side
OF the mattress or bed bare. over this put
the fresh sheet smoothly. tucking II in at
top and bottom. Change the pillow cases
and put the fresh ones at this side.
Then If the invalid Is strong enough to
turn herself have her roll to this newly
made side and have the top sheet ready to
put over. The old under sheet is then taken
from the side just left, the fresh one Is
drawn over and tucked in smoothly at that
side, and the change Is made In n few min
utes and with no fuss. Fresh night gar
mentS should be put on at the same time
II the patient is too I'll to help with this
or TO be moved. the gown should be torn
all the way down the front each arm put
through the sleeve. and the gown be spread
down, literally hind side before. This is the
manner of doing in hospitals after opera
tons when the individual Is often helpless.
Such garments II ripped may be sewn to-
gether again afterward and are none the
worse for the change.
Nothing should prevent a sick person be-
ing sponged every day. and a little alcohol.
a tablespoonful to basin OF water. Is re-
freshing and helps to prevent taking cold.
Only a small part Of the body should be wet
at time and drying should be done imme-
dtately that chill may not follow. No air
should blow on the invalid when being
bathed.
Such treatment to those inexperienced in
sickness may seem fussy, but 1t has much
to do with boarding. or making new.
strength. An I'll person who is neglected
in the slightest particular has just so much
less chance Of recovery.