To make a room cold does not necessarily prove that it is venti-
lated. It should not, save in special cases, where the doctor must be
the judge, go below sixty degrees, and it ought never to exceed
seventy unless specially ordered. A good fire and an open window
will enable one to secure this, and in summer, when fire is not
required, the chill of early morning or of exhaustion can always be
prevented or checked by hot-water bottles. Do not dread night air,
even in a malarious country. To breathe even that is better than to
take in the poison thrown off by the lungs, and as there is no air at
night but night air, we may conclude it was intended to be used.
Air by means of windows and not through doors which may
admit effluvia of every sort. Allow nothing in the room which can
give off moisture. If damp towels or clothing are dried in the room,
the damp passes into the air breathed by the patient, and may be the
cause of a sudden relapse. And, above all, let no excreta remain
there a moment uncovered. It is a custom to push such vessels
under the bed, the effluvia from them saturating the under side of the
mattress. If you do not believe harm can be done in this way,
examine the lid of such an utensil after it has been a short time
covered. Drops of offensive moisture will roll from it, which must
go to whatever is above them where no lid is used. Disinfectants
and fumigations will not help where the cause of the foul odor
remains in the room, and they are useless in any case unless absolute
cleanliness in both room and house is the rule. Infectious diseases
are far less likely to prove so under the present system of open
windows and light bed-covering than in the old days, when closed
windows, heavy fires and piles of " comfortables " made death prefer-
able to the torture they caused.
Cleanliness is next in order, and though this is partially included
in the arrangements for pure air, some special treatment of walls or
sinks and drains may be necessary. Where the drainage is bad and
the sickness results from such cause, there is no help for it during the
IN THE sick-room; OR, SANITARY NURSING. 1 57
sickness save in disinfectants, much scrubbing, and a removal of the
false system of pipes or drains at the first practicable instant.
Carpets, heavy curtains and bedding are all disease-holders, and
therefore disease-breeders. Dust in a sick-room is more irritating
and harmful than anywhere else, and the greatest pains must be taken
to remove it. Of course sweeping is not to be thought of during
severe illness, but all wood work and furniture can be wiped with a
damp cloth, and the carpet with a dry one. Papered walls are very
objectionable, as paper also accumulates dirt and holds the germs of
disease. If it were possible for every house to have an unpapered,
uncarpeted, airy room for use in sickness, convalescence would be
speedier. It need not seem bare and comfortless, for the walls could
be painted and thus admit of wiping off daily with a damp cloth, and
the floor could be oiled or stained, and also wiped daily, a rug being
by the bedside for comfort. Only perfect and exquisite cleanliness
can check infectious diseases, and it is the chief requisite in all.
Page 97
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
To make a room cold does not necessarily prove that it is ventilated. It should not, save in special cases, where the doctor must be the judge, go below sixty degrees, and it ought never to exceed seventy unless specially ordered. A good fire and an open window will enable one to secure this, and in summer, when fire is not required, the chill of early morning or of exhaustion can always be prevented or checked by hot-water bottles. Do not dread night air, even in a malarious country. To breathe even that is better than to take in the poison thrown off by the lungs, and as there is no air at night but night air, we may conclude it was intended to be used.
Air by means of windows and not through doors which may admit effluvia of every sort. Allow nothing in the room which can give off moisture. If damp towels or clothing are dried in the room, the damp passes into the air breathed by the patient, and may be the cause of a sudden relapse. And, above all, let no excreta remain there a moment uncovered. It is a custom to push such vessels under the bed, the effluvia from them saturating the under side of the mattress. If you do not believe harm can be done in this way, examine the lid of such an utensil after it has been a short time covered. Drops of offensive moisture will roll from it, which must go to whatever is above them where no lid is used. Disinfectants and fumigations will not help where the cause of the foul odor remains in the room, and they are useless in any case unless absolute cleanliness in both room and house is the rule. Infectious diseases are far less likely to prove so under the present system of open windows and light bed-covering than in the old days, when closed windows, heavy fires and piles of " comfortables " made death preferable to the torture they caused.
Cleanliness is next in order, and though this is partially included in the arrangements for pure air, some special treatment of walls or sinks and drains may be necessary. Where the drainage is bad and the sickness results from such cause, there is no help for it during the
sickness save in disinfectants, much scrubbing, and a removal of the false system of pipes or drains at the first practicable instant.
Carpets, heavy curtains and bedding are all disease-holders, and therefore disease-breeders. Dust in a sick-room is more irritating and harmful than anywhere else, and the greatest pains must be taken to remove it. Of course sweeping is not to be thought of during severe illness, but all wood work and furniture can be wiped with a damp cloth, and the carpet with a dry one. Papered walls are very objectionable, as paper also accumulates dirt and holds the germs of disease. If it were possible for every house to have an unpapered, uncarpeted, airy room for use in sickness, convalescence would be speedier. It need not seem bare and comfortless, for the walls could be painted and thus admit of wiping off daily with a damp cloth, and the floor could be oiled or stained, and also wiped daily, a rug being by the bedside for comfort. Only perfect and exquisite cleanliness can check infectious diseases, and it is the chief requisite in all.