The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1910-11-04
IN ,r the patIcnt is heavy or inclined

sized sheet tOluCu III l0lI, OF Slllll't
one, covering about threc-quartcrS ot
yard, in the center If rubber Is
'bscd It should he put ON under the
draw sheet, firmly pinned to the mat
trcss ON both sides. The latter Is par.
ticularly useful, because it keeps the
under sheet clean for longer time
and may be changed without disturb
ing the patient to any extent.
In putting on the upper sheet leave
n good margin turned over at top To
cover the blanket. Tuck both sheet
and blanket in well at the foot so
the patient may turn comfortably With
out disarrnnging the covers. Pillows
should bc fitted smoothly into cases
large enough for them or they viii he
uncomfortable. Three points to OBJ
serve about the sickbCd are perfect
cleanliness, no crumbs ana no wrin-
kles.
Care Of the Room.
1t Is hardly necessary To say that
the sicliroom should be kept absolute
ly clean, and yet it is not unusual to
find decided signs of disorder about it.
ty cups ana dirty dishes are often lcrt
on the table for hours after they have
been used, and there is general air
of disOrdC'lincsS that is not only
against all rules Of sanitation, but am
noying to the patient as well. Any
thing used about the paiicnt-cluthinE
bedding and diShcs-should be rCmuv-
ed from the room at once and diSin'
fected if there is the slightest iuIcc-
ton about the disease. This is impcra'
tive for the health OF other members
of the family. Even when there is no
infection common dCccnCy demands
this attention to the patient.
The air of the sickrOOm should be
kept pure ut all times. 1t is almost
always possible to have the window
lowered at the top and raised little
at the bottom TO allow the escape of
impure and the entrance of pure air.
If the bed is so near the window that
there is danger of a direct draft ON
the patient, place a screen in front Of
it or, better still, open the window
and fit Il frame two or three inches
wide and covered with coarse flannel
into the space. This will permit the
fresh air to enter ana will also absorb
any moisture.
DO not forget the Importance of sun
light in the siCkroom. Not only is it
cheering to the patient, but sunlight
and fresh air are two great germ de-
stroyers After the room has been
busted by having the floor and all the
woodwork wiped with Il damp cloth
the patient should be covered with an
extra blanket and the windows and
doors opened to admit n free circula-
ton of air for Il few minutes. An
open CRATE fire is also an excellent
method of keeping the air pure.
Giving a Sponge Bath In Bed.
Before giving the bath all arrange
ments should be made FOR it and ev-
erything needed in the process should
be near at hand. The room should be
warm, and during the bath it will be
well to keep the windows closed. If
the patient is weak or likely to take
cold have a hot water bag filled ready
to apply to the feet.
The necessary articles for the bath
will include a basin of hot water, a
pitcher containing hot water, two
wash cloths. a bath towel and one or
two soft towels for hands and face,
some good soap and n bottle of alCo
hol. When quite ready remove the
patients nightgown and wrap him in
blankets. This is done thout re-
moving the bedding, which the blan-
i, int 10, bn &c
bathed first, then the neck, arms
chest and abdomen. Each part is to
be wiped thoroughly and rubbed brisk
ly as it is washed BE careful not to
allow any water to dry without wip-
| ing, as this may cause n chill. Turn
the patient on one side to bathc the
| back and finish with the legs and feet.
| DO not uncover the body more than Is
necessary to wash each part and in
drying and rubbing arms and legs al
ways use an upward stroke. Change
| the water two or three times during
| the bath. After the bath rub the body
! with alcohol, clean the nails and brush
| the hair. DO not neglect the patients
| teeth. These should be brushed at
least twice a day, particularly at
| night. The patient will do this for
| himself if able to sit up. If not it
| must be done for him, as in sickness
the teeth are much more liable to de-
cay than in health.
Changing the Sheets.
When the patient is strong enough
the sheets on the bed may be changed
after the bath This can be easily
managed after Il little practice. The
fresh sheets should be well aired and
warmed. The under one is changed
tlrst. Turn the patient on one side away
from you and roll the soicd sheet
! tightly close to the patient. Lay the
clean sheet on the side Of the bed
near you and tuck it in at the side.
The other side OF the sheet is folded
closely beside the soicd one at the pa
tents back. Go around to the other
side Of the bed, turn the patient back
on the opposite side and gently pull
out the soilcd sheet from underneath,
| Then draw out the folds of the clean