Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-03-21
DEVICES DESIGNED TO BRING COMFORT
 TO THE SICK ROOM
Little COntrivances That Can
 be Purchased Eco- nOmically

uulge Tn the latest sick room devices there are many little contrivances that will bring real comfort to the invalid and which can easily be made at home. Here are a few suggestions which can be adapted to individual needs.
 For long illness high bed is a necessity. It should of course be sinble one and of white iron if possible. It is real hardship to take care of any one. in a double bed, and it is not comfortable in illness, for on account of the width the springs are likely to sag in the mid die. It is even harder to work over low bed than over a low kitchen table and sink. By the time the nurses morning work of bathing, lift ing, changing sheets, etc, is over she is likely to be suffering agonies of backache and fatigue. This is avoidable. It is not necessary to purchase a hospital bed. It can be managed in other ways. Remove the casters and place block of wood the desired height under each leg. But the disadvantage of this method is that the bed cannot be moved when cleaning, or as the patient becomes better cannot be wheied over to the window TOT change.
 The High Bed
 The better Way to make high bed IS to remove the springs and take two strong Doaros long enough to reach across the frame of the bed To eacn ol these nall a stout wooden box about twelve inches nigh. Place one board at the head and the other at the foot of the bed, resting across the frame with the boxes on top Bore holes through the box corners that come next to the posts and run through these pieces of stout rope tying the boxes firmly to the posts Then lay the springs on the boxes and over the spring spread a sheet place the mattress on tnis, and when the bed is made up the sheet will hang down and cover the boxes, SC that all will look neat and ship. shape.
 II you have no rubber sheet you can improvise one with table oif- clotth, and if pads are lacking to pro tect the mattress take several large i sheets of newspaper and haste cot. ton on top. Have several on hane and burn them as they become soiled
 A serviceable ice cap can be made out of a piece of table oilcloth eigh teen inches square. Do not us' more than two cupfuls of ice, broker to about the size of walnuts, or i will be too heavy and clumsy. Pu the ice in the centre, having th' rubber side of the cloth within, la! ring of absorbent cotton aroun. the ice and put piece on top, fo this will absorb the water as it melts then gather up the edges and tie SC curcly.
 Glass drinking tubes break so eas ily that it will be found convenien to use paper straws such as can b obtained at soda fountains. A smal cream pitcher with long spou makes an ideal feeding cup.
 . For bathing the patient chin bowl will not be found handy, for i it the water cools too quickly and also is hard to carry. A tin or gal vanised foot tub is best because 0 the handles, but if you do not ow one a tin dishpan can be purchase at the low priced stores for ten cent and will answer the purpose just a we'll.
 By bringing all the essentials c the bath in market basket you wi save yourself many steps to and fir from the bathroom. Keep in it com and brush, talcum powder, soap, bottle of alcohol, nail scissors an file, absorbent cotton, a whisk brool to brush crumbs from the bed, an when damp towels and face cloth have been dried and stunned they Ca be replaced for the next days batl
 ImprOvised Conveniences.
 If you must use a polished tabl at the bedside you will save bot blcmishcs and regrets in case med cincs are spilled or hot dishes st on it by covering it with sever; thicknesses of newspaper or care board and laying neat piece ( white people cloth on top. Keep d the paper bags that come from th grocery for the refuse of the sic room-soiled absorbent cotton, pad dressings, etc., can be dropped them and burned without furtht handling to spread germs. If ba is hung open near the bed and th patient supplied with squares of ol linen or clean, soft rags instead ( handkerchiefs, it will save laundi bills as we'll as the possible infe' tion of others. Paper flour sacks al usewul to hold the soiled linen ( the sick room till ready for disinfe, tion.
 If there is a light on the bedsid table it may be shaded from the sic persons eyes by the simple cxpedier of placing palm leaf fan in vas between the lamp and the bed.
 good back rest can be contrived ft the convalesccnt by putting
 straight backed chair upside down h. hind her and making it comfortab with two or three pillows.
 Table Substitute
 When lying in bed 1t is hard to fee oneself from tray at the side witl out spilling things, and holding u tray on the lap is tiresome. A be table can be made from q wooden bo twelve inches high, about twel' inches wide and twenty-four incht long. If the cover is removed an the two long sides knocked out yo have little table that will sit quit steadily across the, patients lap. khc boards are thick it may not II auire bracing. Spread towel ovs this and set the tray on 1t and T { iouth your patient will enjoy h' mclls more comfortably.
 From the sides of the box le! from this table you can make boo rest, for holding book is tiresonl to weak arms. Cut two pieces cigi z ;nchoc suuare and nail them tOgetf