CALL OF THE RED CROSS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 176, 31 August 1914, Page 3

CALL OF THE RED CROSS.

In whatever walk of life a woman is place!, be she queen or peasant, some knowledge of nursing and first aid is an absolute necessity, writes "Queen Bee" in the Australasian. She need not go through a trained course, as that is only for those who perhaps intend making a profession of it, but there are excellent books to be had from whose study a large and useful amount of information can be gleaned. Of course, there are born nurses, but they are few and far between. They, however, cannot afford to neglect practical knowledge. Eveu if a woman may never be called to nurse in her own home, how valuable she would be as a friend or neighbour, if only in a sudden emergency, knowing how to apply simple remedies, and able to discern between slight and serious symptoms. Knowledge gives calmness in a crisis, and that alone is a valuable asset. One of the very first things to learn is ventilation without draught, an absolute necessity in a sick room. This can only be accomplished by having an outlet for foul and an inlet for fresh air. Many people have the fixed idea that night air is injurious, but the contrary is the fact. It is oftey purer and sweeter, because all factories are stopped, fires are out, the traffic that raises dust has ceased, and generally a breeze follows a still day, especially in summer time. Then again, in a sick room or tent, everything must be kept scrupulously clean, aud all hangings or draperies, except those of a protective character, need to be "avoided, as they OTiiy harbour dust. Often a sick person has to lie in an unsuitable room, and then it is that the resourcefulness of the nurse is brought into play, for she has to make the 'best of her surroundings, Which may require dealing with in the most drastic manner. And it is in cases like these that hygienic knowledge is of the utmost value, espe-' cially the use of disinfectants and their applicability, processes necessary for cleansing what to banish and what to retain, anil how to improvise ventilation —in short, the way to make the room as far as it is in her power, fit for the nursing of the patient. Perhaps, after all this is done, it may not be sufficient to give the sick person a fair chance of recovery. It is then

that the practical nurse would advise the absolute necessity of removal of the patient to a hospital, and be able to back her opinion by facts that Could not be gainsaid. Again, how many women know how to wash a patient in bed, or change sheets, or administer medicine, and yet these things are quite simple if the practical method be followed. The hygiene of the mouth is a most important detail in the nursing of to-day, as it is most necessary that, a patient's teeth and gums should be kept clean. For those who are able to stir up the matter is simple enough, but for those who are not the way is almost as simple, but it has to be learned. There are now so many and such excellent sickroom appliances that are not only a comfort to the patient, but to the nurse as well, and reduce her work considerably. When the worst is passed, and the period of convalescence arrives, quite as much care is needed in order to keep the patient mending from day to day. Then it is that talkative persons require keeping at a distance, for their well meant attentions may result in over-excitement and possible relapse. It often cheers a patient to see a few friends, but they require warning as to the extent and aim of their conversation, ami on no account should they be allowed to make a long stay or bring flowers. Noises of all kinds should be avoided, such as ringing bells, rattling of fire-irons, banging doors, crackling of newspapers, ticking of clocks, or flapping of window blinds. These irritate a person in good health, and how much more will they injure an invalid, to whom the slightest noise is magnified four-fold, especially at night time. Avoidance of chills must be rigidly guarded against, and here knowledge of what may produce' a chill, and what is really a draught, is most valuable. There is a belief that fresh air admitted to a bedroom through wide open windows will produce chills, but there is ho fear of this if the door be closed and the patient thoroughly and warmly covered; indeed, the more fresh air let into a sick room, night and day, the

better. The nurse, too, should know that she requires a certain amount of rest, outdoor exercise, and regular meals during the twenty-four hours. If this be not strictly adhered to it is more than probable that she will also become a patient. For those who can devote the time to them the rudiments of nursing'should now be learned. There are plenty of admirable books to be obtained, with diagrams that clearly illustrate how the most necessary things should be carried out, and the directions are so full that a child could understand them.