CHAPTER II. 



THE HOME concluded. 



THE SICK-ROOM. 



" Oh, Woman ! in our hours of ease, 

 Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, 

 And variable as the shade 

 By the light-quivering aspen made ; 

 When pain and anguish wring the brow, 

 A ministering angel thou." 



IN this enlightened age women rank high as physicians and 

 nurses, and it is conceded that, as a class, they are peculiarly 

 adapted to this work. Every woman should consider it not only 

 a privilege, but a duty, to instruct and train herself for the office 

 of nurse. Our Lord, when upon earth, spent more of his time 

 in the cure of men's bodies than in preaching ; and when he 

 ascended into heaven, he charged his disciples to " lay hands on 

 the sick," that they might recover. We are abundantly taught 

 that it is a Christian duty to intelligently care for the sick and 

 helpless. 



The indispensable qualities of a good nurse are, common 

 sense, conscientiousness, and sympathetic benevolence ; and 

 yet one may possess these virtues, combined with good judg- 

 ment, and still be a miserable nurse, for want of knowledge and 

 training. Therefore it is essential that every woman should 

 cultivate every opportunity for gaining knowledge in this direc- 

 tion, so that, in time of an emergency, she may be possessed of 

 the right knowledge, which always gives assurance and presence 

 of mind. This is not only important in the sick-room, but also 

 in every home. 



Cheerfulness and self-forgetfulness are prime requisites in the 

 character of the nurse. Illness makes people selfish ; therefore 

 it is all the more necessary that there should be unselfishness to 

 counteract this weakness. One who cares for the sick should 



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