Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-26
HOUSE,
HOLD
IINTS

Climatic conditions that can not be
helped, coupled with many things that
might have been avoided, such as mans
inhumanity to man and gross careless
ness in the shape of polluted water sup
plies. coal shortage, the forcing up Of food
supplies that leaves thousands improperly
nourished, and all the outrages heaped
upon travelling public by railway cor
porations have resulted in an unusual
amount of sickness this winter, and the
"black Christmas and fat churchyard' are
again in conjunction. Another prolific
source of pneumonia in the case of women
may be traced to the foolish fashion OF
improperly protected chests and arms. Silly
this to risk health and life because every
one else" does. But, avodable or unavod-
able, if sickness comes it must be met and
the patient cared for without single II
told you So"
"Hirelings' often flee when Sickness
| knocks at the door and the woman unac-
customed to actual work finds herself not
| merely nurse but cook, housemaid and gen.
eral utility lady, as well. For such the
following suggestions may prove Of infinite
and immediate assistance.
Infectious and Contagious Diseases.
Under the heading of infectious and con-
tagious diseases grouped today not
only scarlet fever and measles, smallpox
and diphtheria, but typhoid and pneu-
! mOna, grip and influenza with tuberculosis
affections of wha tsoever kind.
AS soon as a communicable disease is
suspected the first thing to secure is the
isolation of the patient from family and
public. Preferably the sick~room should
be In the upper part of the house and as
large and as airy as possible. One with an
eastern or southern exposure to receive all
no foht nccih 10 10 hast Thar
should be means for free ventilation with
out danger of cold drafts the patient
If there Is an open fireplace, lighted
lamp or a candle set in it will direct the
extra current Of oxygen. Ventilation should
be Afforded night as well as day, as the
night air Is as pure as the day and In
cities much purer. So also after a rain
OF all needless draperies, particularly
wooden, which are sure to harbor the
poison. Take up carpets, leaving only strips
before the bed and to deaden footsteps.
Large sheets of newspaper, several thick
nesses stitched together. are even better,
for these can be frequently changed and the
old ones burned. Pads for the bed are also
excellent made from paper, and save much
washing. If the carpet is not taken up
tack clean sheets or papers over it sprink-
ling the sheets once day with a solution
of carbolic water. Take out all unneces-
sary furniture, articles of clothing, books
pictures, etc. Hang a sheet wet with sui
phate of zinc before the door connecting
the sick room with the rest Of the house
or in the paSSageway.
The person caring for one sick with a
disease highly infectious should not mingle
at all with the children of family unaf-
fected with the disease and as little as pos
sble with adults. The outer dress Of the
nurse should be of cotton, that can be
washed easily; never of wool. The dress
should be changed when obliged to go in
other parts Of the house. No food or drink
~, he erly ~
ca ten by any other person, and the person
f1lflling the Office of nurse should never
eat without previous and thorough wash
Ing Of face and hands. This particularly in
typhoid where the disease is always COM
municated through the mouth. A good
supply of towels, soap and two basins, one
containing solution Of chloride Of lime
be on hand for frequent and Immediate use
All dishes used by the patient should be
kept separate from those used by the fam
lily and scrupulously cleansed in boiling
water.
In the Sick Room.
Pocket handkerchiefs should not be used
in the sick room for wiping the mouth and
nose of the patient Use instead small soft
pieces of cheesecloth or clean linen or cot
ton rags and after once using for a dis
charge from mouth or nose be Immediately
burned. Japanese paper napkins can also
be employed. Other bodily discharges
should be received at once in vessels con-
tanning a strong disinfectant, then thrown
into the clo=et In cities where sewers ex-
list, follow by flushing and a disinfecting
solution. A stock solution Is chlorAte Of
lime, four ounces of line In gallon of
water. Use at least a quart each time In
the country all discharges that can not be
burned should be buried in the soil at least
100 feet from a well and never under any
circumstances in running stream or in a
vault.
All clothing and bedding taken fror. a
patient should be thrown Immediately into
tub containing several gallons of standard
solution. In which they should remain at
least a couple of hours before being ia zen
from the room. In no case should clothing,
bedding, or even napkins used in the sick
room be carried through the house until
thoroughly disinfected.
In Caring for the Room.
In caring for the sick room. OF any other
for that matter, beware Of the feather dus-
ter. Wipe the woodwork and furniture with |
a amp cloth and sponge the carpet, il kept |
on the floor. with a solution Of ammonia |
water.
The Bed and IT. Making.
Where there is a prospect Of long illness |
two small cots that cost SO little may be |
placed together, making 1t easy to move |
the patient from one to the other when |
changing the bedding, and permitting each |
one to be thoroughly aired each day. Other |
iron, the length and width Of those I
used in hospitals. With this should be o |
fine woven wire spring and q thin hair 1
OF the water beds, those filled |
to be the best. The temperature Of the
water should be kept about seventy de- /
grees and must be changed. every two
weeks. The bed must never touch the
s7,o 1out ~ for tho e. h.