SOOD FOR TEE SICK 805 



a close sick-room; ventilate and reduce the temperature always as needed, 

 and, of course, with proper care. Keep the air pure by carrying out of the 

 room any and all vessels de chanibre as soon as used, no matter how small the 

 discharge may be. Never bring a slop-bucket into the sick-room, as the pour- 

 ing out, rinsing, etc., is not only very contaminating to the air, but annoying to 

 the patient, 



rV. Light.— If a room for the sick has been chosen which will allow 

 proper ventilation and fresh air, as needed, through the windows, the light can 

 easily be governed by the curtains; and it is only necessary to say: allow all the 

 light that is agreeable to the patient; and, except in nervous or eye diseases, but 

 little exclusion of light will be necessary, unless the room is on the south or 

 western side of the house, which is not desirable, generally. 



V. Warmth. — Under this head it will be necessary to include the tem- 

 perature of the patient's surface as well as that of the room. The warmth or 

 temperature of the room being about 60^ to 65° Fah. if the limbs are cold, rub 

 them with the dry naked hand, or wrap in hot, dry woolen cloths, or place hot 

 bricks, or bottles or jugs, filled with hot water, or, what is still better, small 

 bags of dry, hot sand, made for this purpose, whichever is most convenient or 

 necessary to keep them comfortable. Comfort is to be sought, no matter how 

 much labor and trouble it causes; for, unless a genial warmth can be main- 

 tained, health will seldom be regained. On the other hand, in fevers and 

 inflammatory diseases, the surface must be cooled by means of sponging with 

 cool or cold water with a little whiskey, or what is better, whiskey with bay -rum in 

 it — sponging sufficiently often to keep down extreme heat. Especially over- 

 come all extremes of heat or cold. 



VI. Cleanliness.— It is claimed that " cleanliness is next to Godliness." 

 Whether this be a fact or not, it is absolutely necessary, if it is desired to restore 

 the patient to health in the least possible time, that not only the sick-room be 

 kept clean, but the bed, bed-clothing and wearing apparel be kept neat and 

 clean; and the patient, also, must have such frequent washings or spongings as 

 will keep the pores of the skin open, that the general exhalations, perspiration 

 sensible or insensible, as when sick an odor, also, may not only pass readily 

 through the pores, but to provide, in disease, for the escape not only of a larger 

 amount than usual but that of a more offensive and injurious character, if left 

 to be re-absorbed from the surface or clothing. 



VII. Quiet. If the patient is very sick, absolute quiet is very essential. 

 If a person is once admitted to the sick-room who is found to annoy the patient 

 by long talking, or, in fact in any manner, they must not only be asked to retire 

 but never be admitted again. What is necessary to say, speak in a mild but 

 perfectly distinct voice, and never allow whispering in a sick room for any pur- 

 pose whatever. If there are any secrets to be kept from the patient, no hint of 

 them, or whispering about them, should ever occur in his hearing; yet if it is 

 believed the patient can not live very long, I would most certainly inform them 

 •f this belief — 'tis cruel and imjust to withhold it. Any continuous noise. 



