New-York tribune., 1907-09-18
HINTS ON NURSING.
poaoiicqI Things a House Mother
UrW Find InUaIuG6ic.


~ % i,ss i-lst been issued by G. p PutnamS
5eil' - Work and London). 1t IS called Prac-
sol.9 ,-,~ssnev and was written by Anna SdroIihe
-sSx-n superintendent OF me S,s % - zen 1l
1 - So: of Nursing. and Amy tilzaoelh Pope:
I-tai . = me same school In a simple and
I,i-,I va il describes the ct'iIiilc@IultS OF a
TfaoutaI 80 af the rules and customs of hospl-
nurse 80 -1etI.iug about germs and how to de-
l'-7' .,-.- s,rlaiBS how wards are cared tof, now
:, .-arious kinds o bees are aoe: Low ,Si -
--15 F.a ventilated, and now paie1itS SiIouII @ os
f7s-,1 =. = - tells how 70 detect symptoms, how
- tenperatures and . Thousand ana one
:" ta~ - a nurse must know There are chap
a, lgfbs the adminisJTatlon Of medicines, on
-, -. Fae5i7p and .ThoW 10 meet emergencies Jhe
hook is wel suited 10 be hospital text DOOR, but
:, .o-siserafion Of anatomy and physiology and
:" " -.ie,cA Of obstetrics is omitted. the size OF
-, .oo5x not permitting treatment Of those points
IEere is one thing which every girt VINO ls thilS &
g. n entering fTai~inE school should read ana
80 and Il she finds that she cannot account
.~sslf rossesseG Of the qualities described let her
-, dishes typeWTitc. paint pictures-do any
.hi7g t,It nurse the sick
perception is probably the mental faculty that IS
cslled into play most constantly IN nursing Nurses
-rrr he quick TO observe minute details and equal
s. s,icy 10 act intellisenty on their observations
Tbsv must note instantly any uufaNoracle chanSe
= q patient : condition. since d ialofe % GO -
might result IN MS deatI. u 4,aCeHl ; Po 49,. -
becomes uncomfortable, if his pillows are out OF
Tiaoe if he be exposed 10 draft or II the hsh1
.bines in his eyes. they should perceive II al ONCE
= 8 noise or too prolonged visits of friends aTs
,,ro-snE the parient this should he seen ana pre-
ted when assisting ~ operation or treat
,ant they should anticipate the needs Of the doc
,ar and when being shown how 10 GO anythlnE.
.,ley hr the doctor another nurse. they should
rsv the strictest attention In order thaN II may
nj Be recessarv 10 have the instruction repeated
Tudrmert-Tfe nurses Intelligence should oe 50
taen that when two conditions are Ila'en t'sloIe
her she weigh them quickly ana otsloe tts
relative value II each n the matter IA hanu
Nurses who have never held responsible positions
sre very apt tail at rirst in fh7-espect but by
szsys observing where their ded sion has erred
they will soon learn by their failures Women de-
yoid OF this quality have no legitimate place IN
the profession Of nursing
ECONOMY AND CoURTESG-
Here are two points which. it Is said, some
graduate nurses need I" be reminded Of II cannon
Re- denied that some nurses are lainentabIy lach-
.ns in frugaliry- As 70 courtesy, though nurses
loTnetnes suffer from the want Of II in their en-
rloyers- -.
Thrift in their personal expenditures A system
site kse75ng Of accounts while I'm the school of
rYrsi-E Is earnestly recormended since those who
are frugaI where their oUn belongings are con-
,er7ed are more likely he careful Of the prop
erfv of Others Pains should he taken to learn the
comparative cost n SUPPLIES and 70 use always
the cheapest that viii answer the requirements. 1t
seems almost incredible that II should be necessary
.n Dwell up1n ttlis subject, but complaints come
xery frequently from The homes 10 which nurses
e cf their needless eEtravagance IN the use OF
tyeplies snd their careless destruction Of eXpen~
tirs furniture snd linen
Turses should never be 50 absorbed with their
work thst thev cannot practise courtesy They
should be courteous toward every one with whom
1hev come in contact. The friends of the family
ra-ient's condition must be given with great eau
ton. The servants. upon whom extra work always
falls ~ such time when sickness Is present in
Tha family, Il treated with consideration VIII be
friendly and helpful People visiting the hospital
frequently complain Justly Of the lack OF consider
Etion shown them Patients and their friends are
cen very tying. - be sure. but this is no excuse
fcr tu1poiteness.
Hints ike the following are what every woman
shruid know:
sons Of the many devices tending to increase
hodily comfort rubbing the body. particularly
q. ffFsur rITa-
partially through. that the Patient may be on
oocl SPOT. changing the pillows when they have
become dsarranged. when their position ceases TO
ts comfortable. and placing them in such man
that they VIII 1T into the contours OF the body
and g1ve support Small pillows. or hot water
hays, partially nlied with cool or warm water, Mt
into the hollow Of the back better than large pill
jsws A folded hair pillow. tied firmly together,
placed under TIE knees. viii relax strain the
sbdoninal muscles. 4 triangular hair pillow spe-
oialy made for this purpose Is used in some hos
ptss its base rests on the bed. and the knees are
firmly supported in the fixed position over tie top
Patients wnc. owing 10 dyspnea. are obliged TO
up III bed continually often more comfort
abe II they have something on which 10 lean for
ward To such give bed tray with d pillow on
h Ia private house board with a block of
woo nailed to either end even raised ola
bundle magazines tied firmly together, viii an
Fxsr tho purpose in such cases if is generally
Necessary take measures 20 prop the patient up
well i- is and 70 Prevent him from slipping down
In cases of rheumatism, neUritis. etc. pain Is
sometimes lessened il the affected parts are nNed
h. means of Splints sand bags. When there IS
trasmuaflo~ in extremity relief VIII often be
el7en s'y Cievatiag the affected part An eXtrern-
Ii thus elevared however. must be supported It's
entire length ana the elevation should be gradual
Wien the weight of the bed clothes causes dis
comfort 70 any part Of the body bed cradle should
le used Ia support them "A cradle can he inn
rrerised ly using half barrel hoops tied AZ each
side - n stick by placing a long pasteboard box
on 4 thin board bundle Of TnaGs'zines) When
tfe patient IS very thin either rubber AR rings,
rings made of cotton batting end bandage or pads
made of cotton batting and gauze VIII relieve
pressure If they are placed under or bound over
the bony protuberances.
GIVING THE BED BATH
To give bed bath that the windows are
closed and ztat tie room or ward is sufficiently
warm and devoid OF drafts. Bring 10 the bed
tae everything required. namely. a large bath
p&nkei, or, preferably. two small ones at least
ssn t0Nes--face and batll-wrapped about a Wen
1ieo hot water bag, two wash cloths. d toilet bas-
Ret containing soap. ammonia alcohol, nail brush.
etc foot tub half full of water, 10 degrees
tshrsnheit. and pitcher Of hot water to keep the
nafh al Tho required temperature Draw the pa
lien1 10 ;fe side Of the he'd. Place folded bath
ashkei over The chest; tuck corner of II under
'5e mattress b9th sides, 10 keep 1t from SID
lns aoTn- turn daTn the bed clothes. nnfolding
=. oianket ~ the sam" tihc' SIP tiie Secoiil
Blanket. or. If one large blanket iS used. one-ialf
= y. ua1er the patient. and take OF the nlght
shAn- Then proceed with the hatl, Washing ETHt
tae face and cars and afterward the neck. chest.
arms hack. abdomen legs and feet sUccesslvelF-
II washing exert = firm but gentle pressure Dry
fseh part ir1taed3ately- Wash and dry the cars.
ne spaces behind the ears and between the fingers
az toes. the axila7 and the pubic region partci-
lae Rubbing fhe patient Al the elio OF the ps-'l
N'h alcohol. which eVaporates rapidly, WIZ fur-
,a'er the driving process and also harden tne cpl
aer7nis. thus lessening she danger Of bed sores
never expose your patient. The whole path can
% SVEN under the blanket.
The bath not be considered finished tiil tne
hhser and nails have been inspected aho, II
n~-oessarz. cIesnsed and pared II the patient Is
tAhsusted after The bath. put hot water bas AT
rs feet and give him a drink of hot broth
FirSt-To see that the dishes are clean' whoie'
u proper position on the tray, and that the latter
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