South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-05
SICK ROOM SHOULD
BE MF0RTABLE
Remove Everything That is Not
Needed and Keep Cool and
Quiet.

The eastern or a southwestern room /
makes a good choice for the sick |
room, for these get the disinfecting |
action of the sun daily without the |
discomfort of the midday sun. In |
mid-winter, however, the southern |
exposure is a desired one; but the |
patients bed should never directly |
face a sunny window, as the bright !
light on the eyes is almost sure TO |
cause headache; rather have the light |
fall at the side of the bed toward the |
head.
The room should, Of course, be kept
comparatively quiet, though street
noises are usually not noticed by one
accustomed TO them. Talking and
banging is trying TO a nervous person.
AS a general rule. IL is best not to
walk around on the tiptOes nor whis-
per in the sick room. and il the pa
tent wishes TO see members of the
family, even a visit from active chill
dren for a few minutes will be more
beneficial than to be denied the visit;
while in the case, of a sick child the
result of being kept away from loved
ones is apt TO have very unfavorable
effect, excepting in hospital where
the patient understands that the
friends are not in the building and has
the company of other patients in the
room. Unless during severe weakness
private room is a very lonely one.
Remove Unnecessary Articles.
All articles not needed in the sick
room should be removed and kept
out; il is not only easier to keep the
room clean and neat then, but 1t gives
the orderly appearance so restful TO
the patient. If able to use them, the
patients reading matter or little con-
veniences should have handy place
within easy reach Of the bed. A box
for letters, writing material and small
pieces will keep such from being scat
tered.
Much OF a patients comfort de-
ponds on how the bed Is made. 1t
should be carefully arranged twice a
day, leaving no little ridges anywhere
to press against the patients tender
flesh. If there is a cover over the
mattress, this should be stretched
smooth and pinned at the corners TO
the mattress; then the sheet should
be stretched over this, tucked well in
at the corners and pinned also. 1t is
often well TO pin narrow draw
sheet across the middle of the bed as
we'll. Protection pads to use under
bed-pans. etc, can be quickly made
and a number kept on hand. Use the
whole newspaper and cover il with
a little larger square of old set cloth.
Tack" this firmly on with long loose
stitches.
Sheets should be changed as fire.
quently as possible. not only for clean
illness sake, but because the freshness
of clean linens is very soothing 10 the
patient.
Changing the Sheets.
II the patient cannot sit or move
easily, there is a special method of
changing the sheets that makes very
little disturbance of the position. Fold
the fresh sheet in long folds and lay
ii on the edge of the bed; push the
soiled sheet ahead of it toward the
middle of the bed, opening out the
clean sheet as you go along. This
manages the two with practically the
one movement. When the patients
back is reached, the old sheet should
be in a free roll, and the clean one
spread over the surface just passed;
now the patient is TO he rolled over
upon the smooth cleean place, or lift
ed, II necessary, and the two sheets
managed as before until the opposite
side of the bed is reached; then the
clean one is pulled taut and fastened
and the soiled one discarded The
fresh upper sheet is spread over this
soiled one and this is then pulled from
under II, taking care not to expose
the patient during the process.
After the sheets are tucked in IL is
a very easy matter to quickly replace
the other pieces; but no unnecessary
covers should be over the patient TO
make the bed too warm for comfort.
nor left across the foot of the bed to
be heavy across the feet.
The Importance Of the little flower,
the pretty screen. the cheerful de-
meanor of the home nurse, must not
be underestimate. Mental affections
such as melancholia, depression and a
general indifference to things, initiate
against a successful fight against ILL
ness. When a patient deliberately
gives UP there is little to hope for.
so make the hours as sunny as you
can. Bring in the brightness, good
spirits and hope. even If il costs a
great effort outside the door Of the
sick room.
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