Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-08
HOME CARE OF The SICK
Suggestions That Make for Comfort
and Less Labor.
METHODS OF CHANGING LINEN
Intelligent Use of the various Helpful
Contriyances for the Invalid
value of the sunny
Room.

Here are a few suggestions for the home
nurse. In changing the sheets on bed, |
and this should be done daily IL
the invalid is feverish, turn the
patient ON one side. stand on the
side away from the invalid. Fold
the blanket and upper sheet carefully over
on the patient Pass to the other side of
the bed and roll the lower sheet toward
the invalid. Place the clean sheet on this
side OF the mattress, rolling the part that
will go under the patient. Gently roll or
assist the patient over TO that side OF the
bed on TO the clean sheet, and in this way
the old sheet can be removed and the new
eheet unrolled and put into place. Raise
the mattress In drawing out the used sheet,
30 It will not be torn. II you can get
assistance, let one person sit on the edge
of the bed and hold the patient, while you
shake the pillows and put on clean covers.
The change in posture often rests the In
valid and clean pilow-case is always
refreshing
Many amateur nurses dread changing
a patients nightgown but this is not so
difficult, IL understood. In some hospitals
the night garments are buttoned down the
back as well as in front, as this enables
the nurse to get at the body. This Is open
70 the objection that, IL they become un-
buttoned, a draught may strike the back,
and buttons are often disagreeable to lie
on. In changing the night garments, roll
the skirt of the garment to the sleeves so 1t
forms a ring. Place It on the bed ready
for use. Have the patient lie on his back
and draw UP his knees. II he Is too weak
TO do this, place one hand under the hips
and assist to raise the body. With the
other hand draw up the old nightdress
over the hips, raise the shoulders and
draw it over the head. and gently detach
It from each arm separately. The rolled
nlghtdress, which has been waiting,
should instantly be placed over the head.
Draw the invalids hand through the
sleeve by putting your hand in the front
opening and gently pushing the sleeve over
the patients arm. Pull the gown down,
again raising the body in the middle.
Helpful Contrivances.
There are many new contrlvsnces for
the sick-room that facilitate the care of
the sick. One Is an adjustable table
which can be lowered or raised to any
height The top rests on a support which
is on one side OF the table. This allows
the table to be placed close to the bed,
and the top directly over the bed and in
front of the patient 1t Is convenient to
serve meals on, to rest a book, or to play
a game. Another excellent device Isl a
wooden frame about twelve inches wide
and six inches high. This Is covered with
ticking and piece OF wood on the back
allows 1t to be adjusted to any angle.
The pillows can rest against 1t, and in
this way the patient can be lifted to a
half reclining or sitting position. Other
back-fests constructed on the same prin-
Ciple are made of steel and enameled
white and have a spirit spring back. The
back-test folds up compactly when not in
use. Another device for the sick-roum Is a
big white enameled tray, which can be
filled with eatabes In the kitchen and car
rled to the sick-room, and placed on an
adjustable table.
Bandages can always be kept in the
. house ready for use and be made If
old table-coths, cut in long strips or in
the milleta form. This is a square piece
of cloth, the sides terminating in many
ends which are pinned over one another
when adjusted. 1t does not always take
a professional nurse to provide many
things that add to the comfort OF a patient,
and as many persons, especially chronic
invalids, have to be cared for at home
IT often pays the professional nurse
to see what new comforts are provided
for sick people, and to spend day with
a professional nurse learning how to dress
an invalid make a bed, treat a wound
how to apply relief in case of collapse
and to get hints applicable TO the case in
hand one can learn many little things
that case tile tedium of sick-room. For
Instance, a sheet wrung out in cold water
and hung in the open doorway will cool
the room in the hottest weather When
1t is desirable to keep ice in the room,
II can be placed in a wooden box and
covered with bits OF newspaper. In this
way it will melt very little.
value of the sunny Room.
1t is desirable that the invalid should
be given a sunny room, and towels, hand
kerchiefs, and clothing should be washed
separately from the rest OF the family's
clothes, boiled, and in some cases soaked
for several hours in a disinfecting solu-