Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-02-24
Practical Hints For Nursing.

When any one is seriously i'll, YOU will
of course geta trained nurse if you can.
II is seldom that the professional is not
better than the amateur, no matter how
jealous. But in any case, every woman
should know something of how to care for
the sick, and sometimes she must act as
nurse herself. What she must do will be
found clearly and competently set forth in
this and the following papers OF the series,
but any one who attemps to put these in
structions into practise must remember
that the nurse, no matter how well trained,
is the subordinate of the attending phySi-
clan, and that she must follow no direc-
tons, even these, without his full knowl-
edge and approval.
When member OF the household is
sick, il is of first importance to put him in
suitable room. II possible, select
room Of good size, having one or two win
dows and an open fireplace. The fire
place not only makes possible the most
approved method OF heating, but is OF
great use as a means Of ventilation.
Before taking the patient in, give the !
room thorough cleaning. Place in it
only what furniture is needed, leaving no
upholstered chairs, no heavy curtains or
draperies, which catch the dust.
The best sort of bed is high, single
one. 1t is much easier to lift and handle
the patient on this than on any othehkind.
Place it so as to be able to get at both
sides easily, and so that it will not face
window, as strong light is trying for a pa
tents eyes Use hair mattress, or at
least one that's firm, and select bedclotheS
which are of light weight. Even in very
cold weather it IS possible TO keepth pa
tient perfectly warm without heavy
spreads and comfoners, which are op
pressive and firing when one is weak;
hot-water bag placed in the foot OF the bed
will serve to keep comfortable warmth.
A sheet may be used as top cover, un-
less very thin counterpane is available.
A good plan is to take out OF the room
everything in the way of bureau covers
and table covers that cannot be washed;
use towels for covers if nothing else is to
be had.
Unless the room is to be stripped and
turned temporarily into Hospital ward for
surgical purposes or for an infectious case,
there is no reason why a few pictures
should not be left on the walls, since it is
notnecesSary to destroy all homelikenesS.
With fresh muslin curtains, dainty covers,
few flowers and pleasing orderlineSS, it
is possible to be at once hygienic and
cheerful.
The floor should be bare, with few
rugs, which can be taken out each morn
ing and brushed While they are up go
over the floor with damp mop, or straw
broom over which piece OF damp Canton
flannel is tied. In this way the dust is
really removed.
A screen is valuable for protecting the
patient from drafts or shielding his eyes
from the light.
Ventilation is ofthe greatest importance,
as an abundant supply OF oxygen is needed
in the fight with every disease. An ex-
cellent plan is to flush the room thoroughly
with fresh air two or three times day.
Put extra covers over the patient, be sure
that he IS we'll protected, then open all the
windows for few minutes. Afterward
leave the window opposite the fireplace,
or two windows, down at the top. In Bit
ter-cold weather the lower half Of the win
dow may be put down on board several
inches high, which has been cut 10 fit the
width exactly, and in this way fresh air
will come in between the sashes, and be
directed toward the ceiling, where warm,
deyitallzed air always accumulateS. An
adjoining room may be opened and filled
with outside air, which can then be LET in
to the sick-room by opening the connect
ing door.
II the invalid is troubled by picture or
any object in the room, always remove 1t.
These whims and fancies OF illness ought
not to be disregarded, for when nerves
are unstrung by pain and the brain is dis
ordered by fever, familiar objects may |
take on strange and unpleasant shapes,
which hold the eye by wretched sort OF
fascination and cause real distress.
Remove from the patients sight all de-
pressing suggestions OF illness. Just as
soon as glass is used, take it away; when
the bed is changed, carry the Soiled bed
ding out at once, keeping everything in
restful and refreshing order. When il is
possible, use an adjoining room for all
supplies, so that no food or medicine need
be kept in the invalid's roomS In this sec
ond room keep an alcohol-lamp and small
granite boiler, for heating water and nour-
ishment; dish-pan and tea towel, so that
cups and dishes may be washed quickly;
and also foot-tub for soaking soiled lin
en-.
a tin nursery refrigerator is an excel
lent arrangement for keeping ice, milk,
eggs, and so forth, close at hand. AT night |
especially il means great deal to be saved
trips into dark and distant pantries. Ev-
cry device which saves time and worry is
worth while, as il spares the sick man
wearing delays and guards the strength OF