Watchfuhiess in everything is the duty
of a nurse. Without it, a patient may get
out of bed in a delirium , and perhaps fall
down stairs or out of the window. Or, the
clothing may be thrown off, and a deadly
chill will follow. In a thousand things the
life of the sufferer may be in the hands of
the nurse, as the safety of the passengers
and cargo of a ship is in that of the pilot at
the helm.
When many doses of medicine or por-
tions of food have to be given through the
day and night, it is best that the times and
quantities shall be written down^ instead of
trusting to memory. And then, a mark of
record of some kind being made when each
thing is given makes ready a report of the
treatment forthedoctortosee when he comes.
Oicietness is very necessary in the sick-
room. Stamping around in heavy or creak-
ing shoes, talking loud, swinging in a rock-
ing-chair, slamming doors or windows, or
even much rustling of garments; all noises
are utterly inadmissible and injurious. Yet
whispering , and creeping on tiptoe in sight
of the patient, are about as bad, because
they attract his attention unpleasantly, and
that is always to be avoided.
Never ask a patient whether he would
"like to eat or drink" such-and-such a
thing. Prepare and bring, under the di-
rections of the doctor, what will be best and
most likely to be taken, and offer it quietly.
THE FAMIL Y DOCTOR
6=;
If not taken in a little while, remove it out
of sight. Keep no food or medicine in sight
of a sick person.
Neatness is a very similar quality to
quietness. Nothing should be allowed to
be slovenly, much less dirty around a sick
person. Yet " fuss" and much movement
in clearing up are to be avoided. A wet
cloth will be better than a brush or broom
in cleaning furniture and carpet.
Handiness is an excellent quality in
doing all sorts of things, in the sick-room,
as well as everywhere else. While it is not
absolutely indispensable, its opposite, clum-
siness or awkwardness, may cause much
discomfort. I have known one or two men
who, in a surgical ward of a hospital, could
hardly go near to a patient without some-
how hurting him.
Cheerfulness is an excellent attribute in
the sick-room. It is as pleasant as sunshine,
and wholesome like it, without any of its
glare. A long face or a whining voice
should never enter where there is suffering
enough already. Let every one endeavor to
make the best of all things, and the most of
hope. When there is doubt, leaning toward
the brighter side is well ; as the proverb
says, '' while there is life there is hope,"
Speaking of a patient's symptoms in his
presence (unless when needful questions have
to be asked) is to be avoided. Also, there
must be no discussion or mention there of
other people's illnesses or deaths. Much
talking of any kind is out of place in the
sick-chamber ; it interferes with that rest of
brain which, in all kinds of illness, is im-
portant.
The Sick=Room.
When it is possible to choose, the
patient's room should be on the sunny side of
the house, and on the second floor. It should
be one of the largest in the house. If a room
is necessarily small, more contrivance wall
be required to meet all the conditions
wanted in the care of an ill person.
Page 200
Presented as published in 1901. 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
Watchfuhiess in everything is the duty of a nurse. Without it, a patient may get out of bed in a delirium , and perhaps fall down stairs or out of the window. Or, the clothing may be thrown off, and a deadly chill will follow. In a thousand things the life of the sufferer may be in the hands of the nurse, as the safety of the passengers and cargo of a ship is in that of the pilot at the helm.
When many doses of medicine or portions of food have to be given through the day and night, it is best that the times and quantities shall be written down instead of trusting to memory. And then, a mark of record of some kind being made when each thing is given makes ready a report of the treatment forthedoctortosee when he comes.
Quietness is very necessary in the sickroom. Stamping around in heavy or creaking shoes, talking loud, swinging in a rocking-chair, slamming doors or windows, or even much rustling of garments; all noises are utterly inadmissible and injurious. Yet whispering , and creeping on tiptoe in sight of the patient, are about as bad, because they attract his attention unpleasantly, and that is always to be avoided.
Never ask a patient whether he would "like to eat or drink" such-and-such a thing. Prepare and bring, under the directions of the doctor, what will be best and most likely to be taken, and offer it quietly.
6=;
If not taken in a little while, remove it out of sight. Keep no food or medicine in sight of a sick person.
Neatness is a very similar quality to quietness. Nothing should be allowed to be slovenly, much less dirty around a sick person. Yet " fuss" and much movement in clearing up are to be avoided. A wet cloth will be better than a brush or broom in cleaning furniture and carpet.
Handiness is an excellent quality in doing all sorts of things, in the sick-room, as well as everywhere else. While it is not absolutely indispensable, its opposite, clumsiness or awkwardness, may cause much discomfort. I have known one or two men who, in a surgical ward of a hospital, could hardly go near to a patient without somehow hurting him.
Cheerfulness is an excellent attribute in the sick-room. It is as pleasant as sunshine, and wholesome like it, without any of its glare. A long face or a whining voice should never enter where there is suffering enough already. Let every one endeavor to make the best of all things, and the most of hope. When there is doubt, leaning toward the brighter side is well ; as the proverb says, "while there is life there is hope,"
Speaking of a patient's symptoms in his presence (unless when needful questions have to be asked) is to be avoided. Also, there must be no discussion or mention there of other people's illnesses or deaths. Much talking of any kind is out of place in the sick-chamber ; it interferes with that rest of brain which, in all kinds of illness, is important.
The Sick=Room.
When it is possible to choose, the patient's room should be on the sunny side of the house, and on the second floor. It should be one of the largest in the house. If a room is necessarily small, more contrivance wall be required to meet all the conditions wanted in the care of an ill person.