DONT’S FOR NURSES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 223, 20 June 1925, Page 15

DONT’S FOR NURSES

"Don’t have one creaking shoe, or, worse still, two creaking shoes,” remarked Dr. George Steele-Perkins in a lecture to nurses in London. Other points from his lecture were:— Don’t try to do all the nursing day and night and never go out; it is not good for the nurse or patient. Bring in a little of the outer world, and the patient will look forward to your return.

Don’t lose your sleep just to go to matinees, theatres, or picture-houses. Don’t be untidy; always dress neatly and look as 'clean and pretty as vou can. This sort of detad helps a patient and makes him happier and more cheerful.

Don’t go near your patient smelling of fimoke; unfortunately, this is a necessary “don’t” to warn you against nowadays.

Don’t doze in an easy’ chair in a position in which you may snore. Don’t knock against a bed; to do so is very painful to gouty and rheumatic patients. Don’t be too high and mighty; study the convenience of the people with whom you are whilst maintaining your professional dignity. Don’t chatter; all' women are born chatterers, therefore you start handicapped. But you are more than women—you are nurses.

Don't talk to your patient about awful cases you have had; it is a very bad fault of which many nurses are guilty. Don’t discuss medical men in the presence of patients. Don’t shout at your patients. Don’t be cross or irritable. Don’t say “dear” to any’ female patient over 18; they don’t like it. Don’t speak of religious matters unless yon know the patient’s views. A Presbyterian might resent the consolations of a Catholic, a Jew might not welcome the prayers of a Christian.

Don’t talk to another nurse in the patient’s room on topics of general conversation, such as the latest fashion in jumpers and millinery. Don’t think you are scrubbing a floor when you are washing a patient.

Dr. Steele-P,terkins added that at times it was virtuous to • tell a lie.— “Manchester Guardian.”

Not long ago it used to be said that strenuous lawn tennis ruined the good looks of women players. Pretty girls were warred against playing regularly in tournaments, and told that they would develop what was called the “tennis expression” (states a wiiter in an English exchange). 'At ' one time there seemed to be some truth in this. The crack lady players were not remarkable for good looks. Pretty girls seemed to be content with private court tennis of the pat ball type. In the last few years, however, there has been a marked change. Four of the leading wevnen playgrs are quite exceptionally' good-looking. Miss Joan Reid-Thomas, Miss E. L. Coly’er, Mrs. Lycett (Miss Austin), and Miss J. Ridley (who defeated Miss Colver the other day) succeed in playing the most strenuous tournament tennis practically’ the whole year round without losing any of their good looks. Miss Ridley is the latest recruit to the ranks of the beauties of the tennis court. Graceful, with small, regular features, blue eyes, and golden hair, she plays, Clike others others of the younger school, just -ike a man, and runs- like a hare.