192 



The Sick Chamber. 



Vol. VI. 



The Sick Chamber. 



Ventilation. — Few persons, who are in the 

 habit of visiting the sick, can have done other 

 than notice the great difference of the state 

 of the air, in those chambers where cleanli- 

 ness and good management have been in ex- 

 ercise, and those wherein the value and im- 

 portance of neatness, and the careful admission 

 of a free current of fresh air have been over- 

 looked. If, then, temporary visiters are sen- 

 sible of the difference, how much more deeply 

 interested must the suffering patient be in the 

 attainment of a free and healthy atmosphere! 



Cleanliness. — Since it is often very difficult 

 to get a sick room swept, it may be desirable, 

 if it can be done unheard, to get at least a 

 part of the carpeting away now and then, that 

 it be well shaken. A few tea-leaves may be 

 thrown over a part of the room at a time, and 

 very quietly taken up with a hand-brush. 

 And in those cases which are not at all criti- 

 cal, and where any thing damp can be ad- 

 mitted into the room with impunity, a mop, 

 which after being dipped in water, has been 

 well trundled, may be just used for a few 

 minutes to remove the floe from under the 

 bed ; or it may be very carefully passed over 

 a carpet, if nailed down. 



Change of posture. — It is scarcely to be 

 believed, until experienced, the relief from 

 suffering which a change of posture produces; 

 neither is it generally thought of, how much 

 alleviation would be known in many instances, 

 even by the fresh cording of the sacking of 

 the bed, and a general attention to a level 

 position ; a hard bed, or hard mattress for a 

 suflTering invalid, is far from recommended, 

 but an arrangement for a level position will 

 often afford great comfort. The sacking first 

 tightly corded, (but splints instead of sacking 

 are much better,) then a straw paliasse, which, 

 if not newly made, ought to be raised by a 

 fresh supply of straw in the middle, where a 

 heavy pressure may have rendered it very 

 uneven ; over this, a good feather bed, which 

 ought to be gently pressed and made level, 

 then a mattress, composed first of a thick bed 

 of horse-hair, and well overlaid with wool ; it 

 ought to have room for the bed-post at each 

 of its four corners, so that it may not only be 

 turned daily from side to side, but also from 

 the head to the/ee< ,• indeed, it is better, as it 

 regards even the straw paliasse, to adopt such 

 a plan as may admit of the turning of it, and 

 as it is heavy, and unyielding, it is better to 

 have the corners cut out at each of its two 

 parts, making a small oblong of the same ma- 

 terial and height, to tie on in the middle; or 

 an inconvenient aperture might be made there. 

 The proper arrangement of pillows is of no 

 email importance, and in cases of high fever, 

 a change of pillows is very desirable — this 



too furnishes an opportunity for putting fresh 

 pillow cases. 



Cleanliness of the person. — Washing, re- 

 freshing, whenever able, also brushing the 

 teeth and hair — the latter may be rubbed with 

 lavender water, Eau de Cologne, &c. All 

 this subject to the strength of the patient, and 

 the permission of the medical attendant. It 

 may, by some, be deemed needless to give 

 the above hint, but it cannot be doubted, that 

 by far too many lose the full enjoyment and 

 benefit of a thorough attention to the cleanli- 

 ness of the person. 



Washing Cups and Glasses. — An appro- 

 priate table, not liable to injury, is a great 

 convenience in a sick room, so is a small 

 wicker basket, with compartments to hold 

 the different bottles of medicine; and it may 

 be also useful to have a couple of the said kind 

 of baskets, wherein also are the said compart- 

 ments to hold glasses or cups ; one of these 

 being sent out with the things which need 

 washing, and always ready to be exchanged. 



Change of Linen. — A frequent change of 

 linen is a great comfort and benefit, in most 

 cases. Let the bed linen be frequently changed 

 (when suitable), and in serious cases of fever, 

 it may be useful to untuck the bottom of the 

 bed, and gently shake the upper clothes, so 

 as to let the warm and impure air pass away. 

 Let the sheets and blankets be of full size, 

 that they may be tucked thoroughly under 

 the mattress, or whatever is at the top. It is 

 a comfort to the patient to have all straight 

 and smooth under him ; and nurses are recom- 

 mended to attend to this more than once in a 

 day. 



Change of Room. — In some particular 

 cases of long and depressing sickness, a 

 change of room, conducted with great pru- 

 dence, may be found a powerful auxiliary in 

 the aid towards recovery. 



Avoidance of Noises. — Much conversation 

 often injurious — and whispering offensive. 

 Place a pan covered with sand underneath 

 the fire, to receive the cinders, and have a 

 second ready, to make an exchange when 

 taken up; also use a wooden poker. Let the 

 number of the visiters to the room be chiefly 

 confined to those whose services are effective, 

 and let all wear list shoes, with list or cloth 

 soles. The rustling of silk gowns may prove 

 an annoyance to those who are in a very 

 weak state, also the rattling of cups, stirring 

 the fire, &lc. 



Sitting up. — Let the linen horse be timely 

 placed before the fire, with every article 

 likely to be needed ; and if the clothes are to 

 be put on, and washing included, let the hot 

 water and all be ready, so as to avoid the 

 least bustle. Spread a blanket on the floor 

 for the patient to walk over. 



Neatness. — An increased delicacy of the 



