News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1910-10-26

eQ furniture OF curtains. III the gray
crises Of disease the slightest confu
sion may turn the tide against the pa
tent
AS rule, the bed should not b,
ter of the room, so that access to thu
patient may be had on both sides ant
free circulation Of air be permitted.
In pneumonia the room should bt
ventilated freely. The pneumonia pa
tient cannot catch cold. Cold air seems
TO be specific for the disease, and l,
is now the chief reliance In treat
ment.
In acute bronchitis or laryngitis
however. cold air appears to be irritat
Ing, and. while the room should have
a constant supply of fresh air, 1t should
be warmed.
Taking the Temperature.
The temperature is best taken in the
rectum for accurate results, although
a Eve minute exposure in the armpit
or groin will usually give an accurate
register unless the surface of the
body Is affected by an acute chill. II
the temperature is taken In the mouth
the instrument should be placed deep
| ly under the tongue and the lips tight
~ closed and kept closed until the
thermometer is removed. No matter
| what style of thermometer is used; 1t
should be left in the mouth three to
| FIVE minutes. Never take the mouth
temperature Immediately after admin
istering cold drinks.
Bathing the Invalid.
A great deal Of comfort is afforded
the invalid by daily bath where the
condition warrants 1t. When the pa
tent is feeble one part of the body
at time may be quickly and gently
bathed. Alcohol and water. equal
parts. with gentle massage. is often
refreshing and restorative.
The hot pack, cold pack and cold
bath for reduction Of temperature
should be used only under the advice
and direction of the physician. In
mild fever, however, sponging the
body with cold or tepid water or al
cohol and water will prove grateful
and often reduce fever.
Diet In Fever, Etc.
People are often at loss what to
give fever patient to eat. In acute
fever caused by indigestion or bowel
trouble, especially in children. it is bet
ter to withhold food until the system
has been cleared Of poison. Some
persons fear starvation If food is not
given within twenty-four hours. A
little barley water or plain boiled wa
ter is better than food, which will only
remain undigested and add fuel to tn
fire. IAN empty house is better than
poor tenant"
In protracted fever there is a great
waste of tissue. and albuminous food
is required to make good this loss.
This is supplied by broths, soups, milk
and eggs. Carbohydrates (starches.
grains, etc. are also needed, as they
supply energy and lessen the waste of
heterogeneous tissues. These may be
given in the form of strained rice,
strained oatmeal, crushed wheat and
barley, partially predigested if neces-
sary.
Beef tea cannot be relied upon for
nourishment, but Is a good appetizer
and of some value as a stimulant.
Useful Invalid Foods.
Albumen Water.-Cut the white Of
one fresh egg in numerous directions
with scissors. shake it up in bottle
with six ounces Of pure cold water and
q pinch of salt and strain through
muslin. Useful for infants with acute
gastro-intestinal trouble, when milk
must be withdrawn
Barley Water (Thin. Add a tea
spoonful of barley previously washed
in clear cold water to a half pint of
boiling water with pinch of salt. AL
low it to simmer by the fire, stirring
occasionally for one hour: then strain
through muslin.
Imperial Drink.-Pour pint of boil
ing water on a heaping teaspoonful of
cream of tartar; add a little sugar and
lemon peel; strain when cold. This is
cooling and increases the activity of
the kidneys.
Linseed or Flaxseed Tea.-Mix to-
gether three drains of unground fax
seed Qinseed), thirty grains of extract
of licorice and ten ounces Of boiling
water and allow to stand from one to
four hours in a warm place. Do not !
boil. A little lemon juice and sugar |
and one or two drains Of gum arabic |
will improve the mixture. This tea" |
Is especially valuable in acute colds. |
bronchitis, laryngitis and some forms
IF bladder trouble. 1t should be more |
used than is the case.
Beef Tea.-Take pound of lean
beef, free it from fat and fibrous It's
sue, cut into small pieces. Place these
n a crock or fruit jar with good
:over Add to it a quart of cold wa
er and ten or twelve drops of dilute
lydrochloric acid Stand in a mod
.rately warm place for an hour; then
ct it simmer gently for two hours
more; then strain and season with salt
md pepper, if desired. 1t should be
hot, an ounce or two at
| time.
H. DE boof |