

THE HOME. 649 



disorder, filth, and neglect are constant objects of annoyance 

 which, if not complained of, are yet felt. 



Have a sick-room as large as possible, as crowding, closeness, 

 and rustling against things distract a patient. Have this room 

 thoroughly cleaned. Whitewashed walls are better for it than 

 paper-hangings, and a matting with rugs than a carpet. A fire- 

 place is a rare treat in a sick-room, ventilating it, removing 

 dampness, and making good cheer. Even in summer a little 

 wood fire in a fire-place, morning and evening, would be pleasant 

 and useful in a sick-room. Provide an easy chair for the patient's 

 sitting up, and, with this chair, an extra blanket or quilt that 

 does not belong to the bed-furniture, to wrap over the feet and 

 knees of the invalid while in the chair. Also have a footstool 

 or heavy foot-cushion. This can be made from a box, padded 

 and covered with carpet ; or two circles of wool patchwork may 

 be made, united with a strip of cloth six inches wide, and filled 

 with hay, chaff, or feathers. Do not let the sick-room be dull ; 

 put a picture or two, a fancy bracket, or some other pretty thing 

 on the walls. Have within sight of the bed a stand neatly cov- 

 ered and furnished with a book or two, an ornament, a vase of 

 flowers, or, in winter, of evergreen, or holly, with bright red ber- 

 ries, or even dried grasses something graceful and restful to 

 the eye of the invalid. 



An indispensable quality in a nurse is a good memory. Even 

 the life of her patient may hang on her always remembering to 

 do the right thing at the right time, and it is certainly necessary 

 to his comfort and rapid recovery. A good nurse must know 

 how to air a room without chilling her patient. She must be 

 skilful to make a bed with the invalid in it, if the invalid cannot 

 be moved ; ingenious in airing bed-clothes in a short time 

 without exposing them to dampness ; thoughtful to screen her 

 patient's eyes from the light ; quick in bathing, combing, and 

 changing a patient's clothes ; careful to avoid using damp bed- 

 ding, ill-aired towels, or getting the garments of the sick one 

 wet. She should know how to sweep a sick-room without rais- 

 ing a dust, and to build a fire without making a noise. A mat- 

 ting can be easily cleaned by pinning a damp cloth over the 

 broom before sweeping. Coal can be noiselessly put on a fire 

 by having a handful or so tied up in little paper bags. This is 



