The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-02-22


the room, but take care to protect the
patient from direct draft, at all
times. Use extra covers, if neces-
sary.
Don't allow more than one person in
the sick room at time, unless needed
to help In lifting or moving, and keep
away other members of the family.
Only the patient should occupy the
bedroom, and it is important to re-
member that all sick people are sensi-
tive to noises; such as Tapping cur
tains, squeaky doors and rocking chairs,
rafting windows. ticking clocks, stick
ing bureau drawers, rustling newspa-
pers or over-starched skirts. Never
whisper in the sickroom; 1t annoys the
patient.
If there SENS to be high fever Sc
we're headache, cold applications on
the head will relieve. If the patient
complains Of chill, or feeling cold, put
hot water bottles, securely corked and
well covered. at the back and feet.
Give the patient plenty OF cold wa
ter to drink; 1t helps to wash away
the wastes from his system.
If his throat is sore, have him gar
gle it with salt water-one teaspoonful
to a pint of boiling water. Cold or
hot applications on the throat are
soothing.
Give no medicine unless ordered to
do so by the doctor, with the possible
exception Of mild dose of castor oil,
If needed. Don't take 1t unless need
ed, however. 1t is unwise to give a
physic as routine measure.
Don't kill the patient with kindness,
and don't overfeed him. If there is
fever, give him milk and strainea
broths; If there is no fever he may
have, in addition to the milk and broth,
tea, toast, plain boiled rice, or the
lighter cereals.
1t Is highly important that certain
dishes and cooking utensils be set
aside for the sole use of the patient.
If it is impossible to wash them there,
they should be carried in pan to the
kitchen, and boiled before washing.
Scraps of food left on the tray after
the patient has eaten should be put
In paper bag and burned.
The person caring for the patient
should remember to wash her hands
frequently, especially before leaving
the room to mingle with other mem
bers of the family. She must also re-
member, for her own protection, to
keep her hands away from her mouth
and nose at all times. 1t Is said that
80 per cent Of contagious diseases are
taken through the mouth and nose.
II the sickroom is Kept well aired,
clean and tidy, dlsinfectants will not
be necessary, and should not be used
unless physician advises. All un.
necessary furniture should be removed
from the sickroom. SO that 1t can
be easily cleaned. Remove dust from
the floor and carpet with a damp
cloth wrapped around the broom.
Use clean cloths or paper napkins
to remove the discharges from the
mouth and nose. Burn these aftes be-
ing used. Old cloths and cotton used
to receive any other discharges, includ-
ing vomit material, should be placed
in paper bag and burned imuiedi-
ately.
Soiled handkerchiefs. which may not
be burned, should not be placed under
the pillow; they help to spread the dis
ease. Keep them In a paper bag
near the bedside. Before being sent
to the laundry, they should be put in
pan filled with water and little
washing soda and boiled.
In order to keep from breathing In
the germs of influenza and pneumonia,
which are expelled into the air from
the patient, the attendant should
wear contagion mask. This is made
by folding together six thicknesses Of
gauze, eight inches square and at
taching tapes to the four corners. Tie
the mask over the mouth and nose.
1t is very unwlse for the person who
has been seriously Ill to get up too
soon, or try to go to work until they
are feeling entirely well and strong.