Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-28

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son so that 1t will be thoroughly COM
Portable and free from wrinkles. Begin
operations by drawing the under sheet
very smoothly over the pad and tuck
| ing it in we'll under the mattress. Pin
1t at each corner with strong safety
pin II the patient is heavy or inclined
to be restless. Over the under sheet
| and across the middle of the bed lay
the draw sheet, which may be full
sized sheet, folded in half. or smaller
one, covering about three-quarters Of
| a ward, in the center. If a rubber Is
used 1t should be put on under the
draw sheet firmly pinned to the mat
tress on both sides. The latter is par
ticularly useful, because 1t 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
good margin turned over at top to
cover the blanket. Tuck both sheet
and blanket in we'll at the foot so
the patient may turn comfortably with
out disarranging the covers. Pillows
should be fitted smoothly into cases
large enough for them or they will be
uncomfortable. Three points to OBJ
serve about the sickbed are perfect
cleanliness, no crumbs and no wrin-
kles.
Care Of the Room.
It Is hardly necessary to say that
the sickroom should be kept absolute
" clean. and yet it is not unusual to
find decided signs Of disorder about 1t.
Soiled towels and linen are seen. emp
ty cups and dirty dishes are often LETT
on the table for hours after they have
been used. and there Is a general air
of disorderliness that is not only
against all rules of sanitation, but an
noying to the patient as well. Any
thing used about the patient-clothing
bedding and dishes-should be remov-
ed from the room at once and disin-
fected If there Is the slightest 1nfec-
ton about the disease. This Is impera-
tive for the health Of other members
Of the family. Even when there Is no
infection common decency demands
this attention to the patient.
The air of the sickroom should be
kept pure at 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.
II the bed is so near the window that
there is danger Of direct draft on
the patient. place a screen in front OF
it or. better still, open the window
and fit a frame two or three inches
wide and covered with coarse flannel
into the space. This will permit the
fresh air to enter and will also absorb
any moisture.
Do not forget the Importance Of sun
light in the sickroom. Not only is 1t
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 damp cloth
the patient should be covered with an
extra blanket and the windows and
doors opened to admit free circula-
ton Of air for 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 1t and ev-
erything needed in the process should
be near at hand. The room should be
warm. and during the bath it will be
we'll to keep the windows closed. If
the patient is weak or likely to take
cold have hot water bag filled ready
to apply to the feet.
The necessary articles for the bath
will include a basin of hot water.
pitcher containing hot water, two
wash cloths. bath towel and one or
two soft towels for hands and face,
some good soap and a bottle of alco-
hol. When quite ready remove the
patients nightgown and wrap him In
blankets. This Is done without re-
moving the, bedding, which the blan-
ket Is intended to protect. The face is
bathed first. then the neck. arms,
be wiped thoroughly and rubbed brisk
~ as it is washed. Be careful not to
allow any water to dry without wip-
ing, as this may cause chill. Turn
the patient on one side to battle 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 day, particularly at
night. The patient will do this for
himself If able to sit up. If not 1t
must be done for him. as in sickness
the teeth are much more liable to de-
cay than in health.
Changing tho Sheets.
When the patient is strong enough
the sheets on the bed may be changed
after the bath, This can be easily