Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1910 — Home Course In Domestic Science [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Home Course In Domestic Science

XVll.—Suggestions on Home Nursing.

By EDITH G. CHARLTON,

In Charge of Domestic Economy, lowa State College. ■ ■ ' ' '. -" ■ ■■■'■" •. .’■ > Copyright, 1910, by American Press Association. TO have good health is the birthright of every individual. Sometimes this gift has been denied, and there is an inherited tendency to disease. But even when this is the case good health may still be attained and, having been attained, may be kept if the path of wisdom is followed. To be free from disease, to be a normal individual, lies more often within our own power than many people suppose. A simple prescription which will help the person who already has good health to retain it and will also do much in gaining it for the individual not so blessed, if it is faithfully followed, is this: Nourishing food in right amount. Sufficient fresh air and exercise. A fair share of work and a fair amount of recreation. Eight hours’ sleep out of each twen-ty-four. A cheerful mind free from worry. A few moments’ thought will show the intelligent person that each one of these rules is essential to good

health, and not one of them can be safely omitted if it is to be retained. However, in spite of wisdom and care or possibly because of a lapse and neglect of one or more of the above rules, sickness does come into the home. It is the result of some transgression of nature’s laws and brings its attending anxiety and care. What to do when some member of the family is ill, is often a puzzling question.

A is not always possible or necessary ’to have a professional nurse, and yet it is necessary that t£e patient should have good care in order that there may be a speedy and thorough recovery. Perhaps it were well if the first direction given in times of sickness should be, “Use common sense and practice rational methods.” and yet sometimes there is so little real understanding of the body that one’s interpretation of rational methods and commton sense is far from right It is not the intention in this article to give technical instruction in nursing in any sense. Merely an attempt will be made to point out some of the little things which should be done and observed in any house where there is sickness. These little things, trifles though they may seem, may be the very points which hasten or retard the patient’s recovery.

Arrangement of the Sickroom. Unless the illness be of an infectious nature, so that the patient must be isolated from the rest of the family, his own room will be most satisfactory to him. But when a choice of rooms can- be made select one that is cheerful and with as little unnecessary furnishing as possible. Restful for the patient will it be if the wall paper is quiet in design and color. Such should be the decoration of a bedroom at any time, but it is doubly necessary in time of sickness. Conspicuous wall paper and bright colors are exceedingly irritating to weak nerves. A room without a carpet is best, in health as well as sickness, but in ordinary attacks of Illness it is wiser not to disturb the ordinary appearance of the room, as it might have a depressing effect on the patient. But during fevers and severe surgical cases there should be no carpet or draperies to hold and breed disease germs.

Making the Patient’s Bed. About the first thing to be considered is the bed. It should have a good, firm mattress, not too soft, with a blanket or pad under the,.lower sheet. The bedding should be light and warm, first the cotton sheets, then a blanket or two, as the case may require, and over this another sheet or dimity spread. The ordinary white counterpane does not add materially to the warmth and is too heavy for comfort. The pillows should be am pie in number and varying in size. There should be small ones to tuck under the shoulders, between the knees or for a rest to the back when the patient becomes weary of his position. There should be one or two larger ones to serve as supports when the patient sits up during convalescence. To make the patient’s bed properly three sheets are required, besides the blankets, pillows and spread; also in case of severe illness a piece of rubber sheeting three-quarters of a yard wide will be needed under the draw sheet. It requires considerable skill to arrange a bed for a sick per-

son so that it will be thoroughly comfortable and free from wrinkles. Begin Operations by drawing the under sheet very smoothly over the pad and tucking it in well under the mattress. Pin it at each corner with a strong safety pin if the patient is heavy or inclined to be restless. Over the undet sheet and across the middle of the bed lay the draw sheet, which may be a full sized sheet, folded in half, or a smaller one, covering about three-quarters of a yard, in the center. If a rubber is used it should be put on under the draw sheet, firmly pinned to the mattress on both sides. The latter ticularly useful, because it keeps the under sheet clean for a longer time and may be changed without disturbing the patient to any extent. In putting on the upper Sheet leave a good margin turned over at top to cover the blanket. Tuck both sheet and blanket in well at the foot so the patient may turn comfortably without disarranging the covers. Pillows should be fitted smoothly into cases large enough for them or they will be uncomfortable. Three points to observe about the sickbed are perfect cleanliness, no crumbs and no wrinkles.

Care of the Room. It is hardly necessary to say that the sickroom should be kept absolutely clean, and yet it is not unusual to find decided signs of disorder about it. Soiled towels and linen are seen, empty cups and dirty dishes are often left on the table for hours after they have been used, and there is a general air of disorderliness that is not only against all rules of sanitation, but annoying to the patient as well. Anything used about the patient—clothing, bedding and dishes—should be removed from the room at once and disinfected if there is the slightest infection about the disease. This is imperative for the health of other members of the family. Even when there is no infection common decency demands this attention to the patient ' The air of the sickroom should be kept pure at all times, it is almost always possible to have the window lowered at the top and raised a little at the bottom to allow the escape of impure and the entrance of pure air. If the bed is so near the window that there is danger of a direct draft on the patient, place a screen in front of it or, better still, open the window and fit a frame two or three inches wide and covered with coarse flannel into the space. This will permit the fresh air to enter and will also absorb any moisture. Do not forget the importance of sunlight in the sickroom. Not only is it cheering to the patient, but sunlight and fresh air are two great germ destroyers. After the room has been dusted by having the floor and all the woodwork wiped with a damp cloth the patient should be covered with an extra blanket and the windows and doors opened to admit a free circulation of air for a few minutes. An open grate fire is also an excellent method of keeping the air pure.

Giving a Sponge Bath In Bed. Before giving the bath all arrangements should be made for it and everything needed in the process should be near at hand. The room should be warm, and during the bath it will be well to keep the windows closed. If the patiept is weak or likely to take cold have a hot water bag filled ready to apply to the feet. The necessary articles for the bath will include a basin of hot water, a pitcher containing hot water, Vtoo s wash cloths, a bath towel and one or two soft towels for hands and face, some good soap and a bottle of alcohol. When quite ready remove the patient’s nightgown and wrap him in blankets. This is done without moving the bedding, which the blanket is intended to protect. The face is bathed first, then the neck, arms, chest and abdomen. Each part is to be wiped thoroughly and rubbed briskly as it is washed. Be careful not to allow any water to dry without wiping, as this may cause a chill. Turn the patient on one side to bathe the back and finish wit-h the legs and feet. Do not uncover the body more than is. necessary to wash each part and in drying and rubbing arms and legs always use an upward stroke. Change the water two or three times during the bath. After the bath rub the body with alcohol, clean the nails and brush the hair. Do not neglect the patient’s teeth. These should be brushed at least twice a, day, particularly at night. The patient will do this for himself if able to sit up. If not it must be done for him, as in sickness the teeth are much more liable to decay than in health.

Changing the Sheets. When the patient is strong enough the sheets on the bed may be changed after the bath. This can be easily managed after a little practice. The fresh sheets should be well aired and warmed. The under one is changed first. Turn the patient on one side away from you and foil the soiled sheet tightly close to the patient. Lay the clean sheet on the side of the bed near you and tuck it in at. the side. The other side of the sheet is folded closely beside the soiled one at the patient’s back. Go around to the other Side of the bed, turn the patient back on the opposite side and gently pull out the soiled sheet from underneath. Then draw out the folds of the clean one and tuck it in well at the side and end. Pull the sheet firmly until it Is straight and make sure there are no winkles under the patient to cause bed sores. To change the upper sheet loosen all the bedding, pdt the clean sheet and blanket on top and then with one hand hold the clean sheet and blanket and with the other slip down the soiled clothing underneath. Draw it out at the foot, then tuck In the fresh bedding.

IN THE SICKROOM.