Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-08-19

Whenever l think of the state OF
dense Ignorance. concerning hospitals
and their ways IN which left home
for a stay IN one Of them, long 70
enllghten every other woman who is
looking forward in fear and dread 10
such stay.
II Il is at all possible talk with
some friend who has been 10 the par
ttcular hospital you are to go TO. but
do not spread the news broadcast
that you are to be operated upon or
intend trying a rest cure away from
home. There are many cases where
patients have been overwhelmed with
flowers. sympathetic calls and other
attentions and the nerves had to be
quieted BY . long rest before anything
could - zone for the disease. This
tastes great deal Of valuable time
and does no good Make your plans
carefully and quietly so you viii de-
part In calm state.
Most nurses and doctors desire the
women patients to bring old and soft
nightgowns. You viii see the wis
dom Of this when you are absolutely
helpless, for starch Is out Of place
about a tired and suffering body. The
older and softer the gown the more
grateful Il will be to the weary won-
an who may have to have her gar
ments changed several times day. !
remember one weary woman who sat
through the period of her GONZALES
cenco threading pink and blue nib
bons through the beading that adorn-
ed her exquisite nightgowns and she
declared she intended to give them
to her worst enemy as soon as she
was we'll
The thing that gave me the most
comfort, aside from my small clock.
was q paste5oard box in which kept
my small belongings 1t was the de-
light Of my life. for | could help my
self to stamps. knife. paper. pins,
small change a bit Of fancy work.
handkerchief, letters, needles and q
dozen and one other things that have
a bad habit OF rolling on the bed.
Don't leave home without a sharp
knife and plenty OF pencils. One
tired woman used to lie in bed and
cry from sheer vexation over the
knife purchased in q hurry and abao-
lutely worthless. OF course the nurse
sharpened her pencil occasionally
and wrote her letters too. but It Is
30 delightful to scribble on few
lines to the home folks without aid.
These things may seem like trifles
when you are we'll. but a broken pen
ell and a worthless knife are worse
than national caismitles 20 the woman
fat on her back.
And that reminds me OF the choice
OF a hospital. Some women labor un-
der the delusion that they are bet
ter on at home or In a poorly equip
ped hospital near home than to so to
q good institution in a nearby city.
Don't do II n you yalue your life. OK
course you will be home-sick away
from your family, but. you will also
miss the worry and noise and III ef
fects OF even the best home. No mat
tor II you have to economic severely
aftervard go to the best surgeon you
can find, for hospitals are less expen
sive than funerals and broken-up
homes. Very often women insist thai
the family physician must perform
the operation no matter what can be
said, but he can not have the sur
geonN skill
Leave your family In the besi
hands possible and then do not retard
your recovery by fretting about things
II your mother or some other rela
tive undertakes the care OF YOU
home while you are away It fs quite
likely things will move along smooth
ly. 80 don't worry. Obey direction!
and keep your mind hopefully on th'
future. In these days when medice
science has made such rapid stride
there Is little TO fear unless It be de
lay. You win ind many enJoyabl'
things about your stay In the hospi
tai. but when the day comes to be dis
charged you will want wings to a.
home.-Hilda Richmond.