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Classic
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page 410
in small paper sacks, or rolled in paper slightly dampened. Visitors should
never be admitted to a sick-room. The necessary attendants are usually a
sufficient annoyance to a weak patient, and many a tombstone might truthfully
and appropriately be inscribed "talked to death by well-meaning friends." It is
not generally the loudness of a noise that disturbs the sick, but the sound the
produces expectation of something to happen. Some can not bear any noise. Any
thing that suddenly awakens is injurious. Never awaken a sleeping patient unless
ordered to do so by the physician. In sickness, the brain is weakened with the
rest of the body, and sleep strengthens it. If rest is interrupted soon after it
is begun, the brain is weakened so much the more, and the patient becomes
irritable and wakeful. If sleep lasts longer, he falls asleep again more
readily. Never speak within the hearing of the sick, in tones which can not be
fully understood. An occasional word, or murmur of conversation, or whisper, is
intolerable, and occasions needless apprehension.
Few persons have any idea of the exquisite neatness necessary in a sick-room.
What a well person might endure with impunity, may prove fatal to a weak
patient. Especially the bed and bedding should be scrupulously clean. In most
diseases the functions of the skin are disordered, and the clothing becomes
saturated with foul perspiration, so that the patient alternates between a cold
damp after the bed is made, and a warm damp before, both poison to his system.
Sheets which are used should be dried often from this poisonous damp, either in
the sun or by the fire, and the mattress and blanket next the sheets, should
also be carefully aired as often as possible. In changing very sick patients
(particularly women after confinement) the sheets and wearing-clothes should be
well aired by hanging by the fire for two days, or smoked by holding them over
hot coals sprinkled with bran. Move the patient close to one side of the bed,
turn the under sheet over close to the invalid, then smooth the mattress,
removing any thing that may be on it. Make ready the clean sheet, by rolling one
half into a round roll, lay this close by the invalid, spread the other half
smoothly over the bed. Now assist the patient on the clean sheet, unroll, and
spread over the other side of the bed. Have the upper sheet ready, which must be
carefully and gently laid over the invalid, then add the other bed-clothes. (In
dressing a blister where a bandage has to be placed around the body, roll one
half the bandage, place it under the invalid, so that the attendant at the other
side can reach it, unrolling, and placing it around the patient without
disturbing him.) Light blankets are best for coverings. Never use the impervious
cotton counterpanes and comforters. The clothing should be as light as possible
with the requisite warmth. The bed should be low, and placed in the light, and
as a rule the pillows should be low, so as to give the lungs free play. Scrofula
is sometimes caused by children sleeping with their heads under the clothing,
and patients sometimes acquire the same injurious habit.
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