In all cases of sickness it is better that the care of the invalid be
entrusted to some one person who shall act as nurse, to whom direc-
tions shall be given by the attending physician, and who shall be respon-
sible to him regarding the carrying out of his orders. As sickness will
come sooner or later into every household, we should be prepared to
meet and combat it. The sick room should be the most cheerful room
in the house, if possible, with a southern exposure, in order to have the
benefit of the sunlight. It should be removed from the noise- of the
street and the odors of the kitchen. It is a mistake to keep patients in
a small, ofttimes illy-ventilated chamber, as is too frequently done.
Better use the parlor, if no other room answers the requirements.
Remove all superfluous furniture and. ornaments, and if the patient
is sick with a contagious disease, like scarlet fever or diphtheria, take
up the carpet and use rugs or small pieces of carpet where necessary.
The reason of this is that in contagious diseases the propagating poison
of the disease attaches itself to, and becomes absorbed by woolen
material more readily than others, and the liability to contract the dis-
ease by a visitor entering the room would remain a long time after the
patient has recovered.
We will suppose some member of our family is sick and confined to
the bed. Now, wife, mother or sister must be relieved as far as is pos-
sible, of all other duties. In many cases this will be impossible, but
whatever the household duties, do not neglect the patient, and do
not, above all, show any disposition to worry and fret over the additional
duties imposed. Let your presence in the sick room be a grateful one,
in regard to the appearance you present to the patient. Let your dress
be scrupulously clean ; always have a neat personal appearance, clean
collar, handkerchief and a spotless apron. Keep the hands soft by the
use of glycerine, or what is better, where it can be obtained, the appli-
cation of cosmoline well rubbed in several times a day. A delicate
touch should be cultivated, for a patient dislikes the feeling of a clumsy
hand or a rough one. Wear the hair brushed back smoothly ; let your
dress be a close fitting one, and if obliged to sit. up at night and the
necessity for extra clothing is felt, don't wear a shawl or a sack with
loose ends. It may become entangled in some of the surroundings,
and perhaps, just as your patient is going off into a doze you may upset
a chair or a stand by catching in some part of it, and the noise may
prevent any further sleep that night.
You are in sole charge of the sick room, and you must enforce cer-
tain rules upon those who enter, being careful to observe them yourself.
The first rule which is imperative is never to whisper. If you have
anything to say speak out in a moderate low tone, but never whisper
HOW TO CARE FOR THE SICK. 255
or allow it to be done in the hearing of a patient, either in the sick
room or an adjoining one. Nothing disturbs a patient more; the tired
nerves are strained to catch the import of whispered conversation, and
imagination runs rife in the patient's brain.
Page 225
Presented as published in 1886. 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
In all cases of sickness it is better that the care of the invalid be entrusted to some one person who shall act as nurse, to whom directions shall be given by the attending physician, and who shall be responsible to him regarding the carrying out of his orders. As sickness will come sooner or later into every household, we should be prepared to meet and combat it. The sick room should be the most cheerful room in the house, if possible, with a southern exposure, in order to have the benefit of the sunlight. It should be removed from the noise of the street and the odors of the kitchen. It is a mistake to keep patients in a small, ofttimes illy-ventilated chamber, as is too frequently done. Better use the parlor, if no other room answers the requirements.
Remove all superfluous furniture and. ornaments, and if the patient is sick with a contagious disease, like scarlet fever or diphtheria, take up the carpet and use rugs or small pieces of carpet where necessary. The reason of this is that in contagious diseases the propagating poison of the disease attaches itself to, and becomes absorbed by woolen material more readily than others, and the liability to contract the disease by a visitor entering the room would remain a long time after the patient has recovered.
We will suppose some member of our family is sick and confined to the bed. Now, wife, mother or sister must be relieved as far as is possible, of all other duties. In many cases this will be impossible, but whatever the household duties, do not neglect the patient, and do not, above all, show any disposition to worry and fret over the additional duties imposed. Let your presence in the sick room be a grateful one, in regard to the appearance you present to the patient. Let your dress be scrupulously clean ; always have a neat personal appearance, clean collar, handkerchief and a spotless apron. Keep the hands soft by the use of glycerine, or what is better, where it can be obtained, the application of cosmoline well rubbed in several times a day. A delicate touch should be cultivated, for a patient dislikes the feeling of a clumsy hand or a rough one. Wear the hair brushed back smoothly ; let your dress be a close fitting one, and if obliged to sit. up at night and the necessity for extra clothing is felt, don't wear a shawl or a sack with loose ends. It may become entangled in some of the surroundings, and perhaps, just as your patient is going off into a doze you may upset a chair or a stand by catching in some part of it, and the noise may prevent any further sleep that night.
You are in sole charge of the sick room, and you must enforce certain rules upon those who enter, being careful to observe them yourself. The first rule which is imperative is never to whisper. If you have anything to say speak out in a moderate low tone, but never whisper
HOW TO CARE FOR THE SICK. 255
or allow it to be done in the hearing of a patient, either in the sick room or an adjoining one. Nothing disturbs a patient more; the tired nerves are strained to catch the import of whispered conversation, and imagination runs rife in the patient's brain.