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SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 225 
be tucked in only at foot, corners and one side, then 
turned back diagonally from the head to foot. 
The bed clothes should never be drawn too tightly over 
a person in bed, or they may irritate the skin, especially 
at the knees and toes. Bed sores may be started in this 
way. Perhaps the commonest cause of bedsores is from 
wrinkles in the under sheets. If the spread is heavy it 
should not be used over a patient. Use a sheet instead to 
protect the blankets. 
Bathing 
Bathing is more important for the sick than for the 
well. It not only keeps the skin clean and in condition 
to do its work, but it is soothing to the nerves, makes 
the sick person rest better and is refreshing. 
If the room is the right temperature and the bath is 
carefully taken there is no danger of a sick person taking 
cold. On the other hand bathing helps to keep people in 
condition to avoid taking colds. (See Red Cross Text 
Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick, page 156.) 
When a patient is very sick or helpless, the bath should 
be given by someone who is able to do it deftly and quick- 
ly, with the least exertion to the patient. 
Very often, however, a person in bed is quite able to 
bathe herself, with a little help, if the necessary things 
are brought to her. 
To Prepare for a Bath in Bed 
Have the room warm and free from draughts. A good 
temperature is 70 degrees. An old person or a baby may 
have it warmer. 
Bring into the room everything needed. This will in- 
clude : 
An extra blanket to wrap around the sick person. 
Two or more bath towels. 
