HEALTH COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1874, 21 October 1887, Page 36

HEALTH COLUMN.

Hints for the Sick-Room. The sick-room should have plenty p^ fresh air. This is especially necessary in cases of fevers. An inch at the tqp of a window and an inch at the bottom may be allowed even in cold weather. Sick persons will not take cold any quicker than well ones, if the draught does not strike them. Where there are windows in the opposite sides of a room, the task of ventilation is easier, but there must be greater care with the draughts. If the bed is where a draught cannot be avoided, cover the patient up a,nd let ventilation take 'place., at least three times a day. I£ecp the inside air as pure as that outside,' without chilling the patient. A fire in the sick-room to takeoff the chill will enable one to give it full ventilation. With sick and well folks the greatest danger from taking cold }s in getting up in the morning. The circulation is. then sluggish and exposure tel^s with double effect. £ In most diseases there is much less heat generated in the body than in health, therefore the temperature of every sick person should be noted. If it is inclined to run down, raise it by means of warm bricks or hot water bottles. The period of greatest decline is apt to be in the morning, and on till 10 or 11 o'clock. Jf a sick-room becomes offensive, the best disinfectants are cholride of lime, carbolic acid, and sulphate of iron. Carpets are a great disadvantage on the floors of sick-roonis. In case of contagious disease it would be well to take the carpet up. Sick people like to be clean. They enjoy a wash, and will be much refreshed by it. A sponge or wash cloth may be used judiciously, but care must be taken not to expose too large a surface of the skin at once. Let the water be tepid. Don't withold soap. Hub each portion of the body, as soon as washed, with a warm towel, Vinegar or bay rum added to the water is 'refreshing. Never shut the sunlight from a sick-room. Light is next to air in healing virtue. Of course there are certain affections of the eyes that require exclusion of light; but healing comes where light sheds its radiance. Avoid noises, and especially the disturbing kind. Every patient is sensitive to some kind of a noise more than another. Never waken a sleeping patient for any purpose, unless the physician requires it. Sleep is ;he best medicine in nature. ' Don't go to the bedside with a sour faoe, and never whisper with the physician or friends in the siok-roora. All appearance of haste is painful to the sick. Do things quickly, by knowing what to do and how to do them, but do them quietly, and without fuss and hurry. Apatient will pick ou£ and rely on a cool-headed, quiet, prompt person every time. Don't bother a sick person when he is doing anything, nor interrupt him when speaking. Never lean against, sit upon, or shake the bed on which a sick person lies. Never read to the siok, except when they

ask it ; then reau what they orave, and do it slowly and distinctly. Give a little variety to the room by occasionally changing things. If flowers are craved, get them, but beware of the effect of very sweet perfumes. Give little food at a time, ,but give often, if craved. As a' rule, sick folks have slow appetites in the morning. You can sustain them till they get a desire for something substantial by giving them a little tea or light broth. i Never leave untastcd food at the patient's bedside from meal to meal. Sight of what is not craved is repellent. Don't fill a patient's plate. Have tempting quantities temptingly prepared and served. Cook with care. As a rule, you can afford to give to a patient a little of whatever is craved, unless the physician forbids. Sometimes the craving is morbid ; then you can refuse to gratify it. Ever watch the bedding. Keep the sheets clean and dry. Change the clothing often. Never let a bed get damp or foul. Don't load a patient with bed clothing.

ruBMC bKNFTArrrpi'J -Mrs 3. A. Alien Jiaa jicMv c:irru'(l Dii.i title, and tiuni.t.uidci ai-.' !Jii?<Jn.\ rejoifirnr over a tine bad of !n t |,i..iiu<p,l h\ licrunrciun'lel pr<»; arntion fo>- rontnriti£. invinmatiTip. nru 1 beautifying Uie hair. Her World's Hair Restorer quickly r/iwnees the scalp, removing dandruff, and arrests the fall; the hair if grey ia clituiged to its natural colour, giving it the same vitality and luxuriant quantity as in youth. Sold everywhere.'Anv T ■" — " Don't you suppose," said a member of the police force, " that a policeman knows a rogue when he sees him I" "No doubt," was the reply, " but the trouble is that he does not seize a rogue when lie knows him." — A Venerable Prince. — Mr Boggs (reading English history): "The Prince of Wales in 1798 " Mrs Boggs (interrupting): "The Prince of Wales in 1798. Goodness! I didn't know the Prince of Wales was such an old man as that."

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