B^oor) :h'oti thie sick:. 



THE SICK-ROOM.— Its Location— A Good Nurse— Fresh 

 Air— Light— Warmth — Cleanliness — Quiet — Food, Drink and 

 Delieacies, and the Faithful Administration of Medicines, are 



of the utmost importance, and will each receive consideration. But, in accord- 

 ance with the design of this work, the essentials only will be pointed out, the 

 minor details, or little things, must be left to the judgment and "common sense ' 

 of the nurse or head of the household, to be met as best they can by the conven- 

 iences at hand or the means of obtaining them. 



I. Location of the Sick-room.— In summer, if it be possible, ^et the 

 sick-room be on the north side of the house; in winter, upon the south — to 

 avoid the mid-day heat of summer and the cold blasts of winter. And also, if 

 there is a room in the house having a fire-place, give it the preference, as it is 

 considered the best means of aiding ventilation and providing artificial warmth 

 when needed. And, if the windows do not admit of lowering the upper sash as 

 well as to raise the lower ones, prepare them at once to allow this movement. 

 Further on, you will see, under the heads of " How to Produce the Temper- 

 ature of Sick-rooms," and "Ventilation of Sick-rooms," where the necessity of 

 this is fully explained. 



n. A Good Nurse. — We have so often heard the expression: "If 

 Mr. Blank had not had the best of nursing, he would never have got well." 

 Knowing that very much depends upon it, I say, get the best nurse that 

 your means can obtain; then see and know for yourselves that they carry out 

 yom-, or the physician's directions faithfully; for a physician's prescriptions, nor 

 your own desires or directions, are of any account unless they are faithfully fol- 

 lowed: But, of course, much of the details must be left to the nurse, hence the 

 necessity of getting one of sound judgment and considerable experience, if 

 possible. 



m. Fresh Air.— Although fresh air is essential in a sick-room, yet a 

 draft must not be allowed to strike upon the patient; hence the necessity, in 

 small rooms especially, of having the means of raising and lowering the sash, 

 either for ventilation or to reduce the temperature. The temperature of the 

 sick-room, in all ordinary cases of diseases, had better be kept as near 60" to 65" 

 Fah. as possible, by opening or closing windows, or by raising the fire or 

 lessening it — either, or both, — as the necessity of the case requires. And, 

 let me say, the day has gone past when the great "bug-a-boo" against 

 " night-air " has any weight — pure night-air, properly managed in the season 

 of the year requiring it, is far better than the stifled or suffocating air of 



