342 CARE OF THE SICK. 



is not a stomach poison, though of course it should not be swal- 

 lowed). Then apply caustics or a live coal. Have the patient 

 drink freely of whisky or brandy. If ammonia water is at 

 hand, add five teaspoonfuls to each pint of liquor. 



Ammonium carbonate, ten per cent solution, is also highly 

 recommended. A teaspoonful dose should be given immedi- 

 ately, and repeated twice at intervals of ten minutes. 



Poison Ivy The itching and discomfort may be relieved 



by bathing the part in a mixture of 



Two teaspoons of carbolic acid (pure), 



Two tablespoons of glycerin, 



One half pint of water or rose-water. 



The Sick-Room. Every boy and girl ought to learn some- 

 thing about the care of the sick, as any one is likely to be 

 called on to do this kind of work. Good nursing is often 

 " half the battle." In the first place, the nurse should faith- 

 fully follow the directions of the physician. Not to do this 

 is to set one's self up as superior in knowledge to him ; and 

 this obedience should be complete as to admission of visitors, 

 as well as in administering medicine, etc. The nurse often 

 yields to the persuasion of some unwise friend, " It won't do 

 any harm for him to see me." 



The nurse should have a quick sympathy, and make the 

 patient feel that all that can be done for his comfort will be 

 done ; yet this sympathy must not lead the nurse to do any- 

 thing for or give anything to the patient contrary to the 

 orders of the physician. The nurse should always be cheer- 

 ful, even when the patient is " impatient " arid annoying in 

 his demands. The patient is not " himself," and no attention 

 should be paid to his unnatural irritability. 



The patient should have a cheerful room, but the bed 

 should be so placed that the light will come not too strongly 



