The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-27
Home Nursing
Resistance 10 Disease

IF / had only known enough to
take care of myself. perhaps might
have avoided this illness, said the
woman who was. recovering from d
siege Of pneumonia.
! Her nurse told her to stop worry
ing to try to rest and forget about re-
grets. Nevertheless she wondered how
much this woman knew about the little
things that help to avoid pneumonia.
Like many other well-meaning women,
her patient read but little and listened
to a great many tales that were not
only untrue but ridieulously lacking II
wisdom. ~
Later on, when her patient was
stronger, the nurse said, DO you
remember what you said about wish
| ing you had known how to avoid
pneumonia ?"
Mrs. Simmons nodded. II wish you'd
tell me-" she said.
In the first place, pneuTsonia is one
of the foremost worldwide causes OF
death, said the nurse," and It is q
highly infectious disease, thing peo-
pie do not seem to. appreciate. 1t may
be caught from person suffering
from it, spread by careless handling. OF
handkerchiefs, or sputum, or nashai
discharges. One can never be too care
full about stch things.
II sat with johnnie Simpkins when
he had it--just before he died, "ad-
mitted Mrs. Simmons" But was real
careful--or / thought / was. ! imagine
was just run down.
Possibly so," agreed the nurse. "
You hadn't much resistance, had you
But you were game fighter and you
,syo,, !. q ~ hVz akaavl v.I.Vlt g.
The woman smiled and flushed d
little at the praise.
"A few rules to remember and pass
on said the nurse" are:
AVOID crowds, badly ventilated or
crowded rooms mad public places, such
as moving picture theaters that are not
well ventilated.
| Avoid chills and fatigue, also unnec-
| esAary exposure to rain or cold weather,
Don't let your zeal to get your wash
/ ing on the line before your neighbor,
tempt you to chill your body to the
bone in a raw spring wind. It isn't
worth it. u.te
avoid excess Of every kind.
TRY to avoid worry, wearing cares
land depressing influences. This. is not
eaRy because circumstances differ, but
insofar as you can avoid them.
TRY to follow common sense rule
Of healthful living. Eat plain, good
food at regular intervals. Try to rest,
If only for a few minutes, after a big
washing or ironing or a heavy days
work. Never. try to eat a meal when
you are SO fatigued that you think
you are not hungry Nature rebels at
pverwork. She is your best friend.
Don't overtax her. When you are very
tired rest at least ten minutes before
trying to eat. 1t will help you to digest
food that will go to build up your
tissues and strength. If you can't eat
because of weariness, sip glass Of hot
milk and lie down and rest until you
can eat. 1t won't be long.
Take care of your teeth and your
mouth. Wash your mouth out often,
gargle your throat and clean yonr teeth
with a good preparation. A good gargle
for household use is made BY adding
teaspoonful Of table salt to pint Of
water. Don't be afraid TO spray your
nose with this, either. 1t will do no
harm. Fl ~
FINALLY, don't overlook the body's
crying at all times Of fresh air and
sufficient sleep. BY these means only
is it possible to build up ones resistance
to diseases like pnemonia."