The Washington herald., 1911-08-18
MONTH OF AUGUST
In THE SICK ROOM
Hints that Will Lend to Pa
tients' Comfort.

CONTAGIOUS diseases are Iortuhateiy rare
during the summer months. but the re-
| turning vacationists are often bringing
with them the seeds Of typhoid. rheu-
matte fever or like diseases contracted
from an unfortunate choice Of locality or
imprudence Of one sort or another dur
ing the outing.
These illnesses do not always develop
at once, but indeed under any circum-
stances or from any cause the sultry
days Of August and September are very
trying to an invalid and to the nurse as
well.
At such a time simplicity should be
the keynote Of the sick room from cell
ing to floor.
Use only the lightest summer counter
panes on the bed; they are scarcely heay-
ier than sheets.
Linen sheets are always cooler than
cotton, but the question Of frequent
changing of sheets Is more important
than quality.
Mattresses and pillows soon become hot
and uncomfortable, especially IL there is
much fever, and a low hair pillow is
sometimes more grateful to a feverish
head than the softer, but warmer. feath-
er bolster.
The hair should be left uncovered in
case Of long illness to receive as much
ventilation as possible.
A pretty and convenient method of
dressing long hair is to braid 1t in two
plaits down the back. then draw each
braid around the head to cross in front,
fastening them on either side Of the head
with little bows Of ribbon. This method
Is cool because 1t eases the base of the
brain and yet keeps the hair from tangling
and removes the discomfort OF hairpins.
Handle Hair Carefully.
OF course, with young children in sick
ness the easiest and coolest way to help
the head is to cut the hair close, but
older people hesitate about doing this
until It is absolutely necessary. The hair,
however, In case Of illness, particularly
at this season, must be carefully handled
II It is not to become thin and poor.
A daily brushing and plating is a re-
freshing matter to the sick woman, and
except In cases of vefy severe illness,
should be done morning and evening.
A little bay rum or witch hazel may be
rubbed into the scalp daily and gently
applied to the temples, forehead. and
back Of the neck several times a day.
AS soon as the patient is convalescent
regular massage and tonic treatment
should be begun to loosen the scalp and
stimulate the growth OF new hair.
mouth wash is also most grateful to
feverish lips and tongue. A little bicar-
Donate Of soda, dissolved In water, is
very refreshing and leaves q pleasant
GOODNESS in the mouth. besides prevent
ing decay in the teeth.
Allow one teaspoonful Of the bicar-
Donate of soda Ordinary baking soda)
to a pint Of water. Keep in a covered
bottle and use freely as gargle and mouth
wash.
Alcohol Rub IL Cooling.
An alcohol rub at bedtime is cooling
and soothing, II the doctor allows it.
This is also excellent for young child.
whether sick or well. Rub down the back
and limbs. The alcohol can be diluted
slightly with water, IL the 80 per cent Is
too drying for the skin.
II the blood Of the patient is 50 thin
as to cause even chilliness even In warm
weather, select blanket that is light In
proportion to its warmth. A new blanket
Is lighter in weight than one which has
thickened in cleaning.
Turn the bed so that the light from the
window does not strike directly In the
eyes. It may also be a little cooler to
move the bed out foot from the wall
Green shades at the window give the
softest light.
Exclude flies under any circumstances;
not only are they insanitary. but 1t is
perfectly maddening to sick person to
listen to a buzz-buzz In a room.
A cooling and strengthening beverage
which doctors allow their patients In cases
where there Is not too strict diet Is
composed Of the strained juice of an or
ange, half lemon. and the white OF an
egg, stirred mot beaten) in ice water
This is delicious to sip, quenches the
thirst, and the white Of the egg Is very
STRENGTHENING and palatable taken In this
way.
Chopped ice held in the mouth Is al
ways better than drinking TOO much
water. and a bedroom refrigerator Is in
valuable in a sick room, for the ice may
in this way be kept from melting Tor
many hours.