THE SICK ROOM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5861, 1 May 1897, Page 3

THE SICK ROOM.

A trained nurse is always necessary in a case of grave illness, but in the many small ills of children, and of grown folk, too, it is well for every woman to understand the ministering angel's work. First, think of the room itself. The largest, most cheerful bed-chamber should be given up to the sick, no matter who is occupying it. "The model sick-rootn is spacious, light, airy, clean and quiet," said a medical authority to me yesterday. " The larger the room, the better it can be aired ; the airier it is the cleaner it will be, and the cleaner it is the more favourable it is for the recovery of the patient." The nurse should never be an overanxicus, frightened or gloomy person. She should be quiet, quick, cheerful, and composed. A nervous, fussy person will communicate her restlessness to her patients in an incalculable degree, working much harm and absolutely no good. A sick room should only contain essentials — a bedside table, an easy chair, a lounge, and a large moveable screen. One can be easily improvised by placing a shawl or sheet over an ordinary clothes-horse, though a simple folding screen can be bought for a small sum, and is always a useful thing to have in the house. There are tables which are made for the purpose so that the table reaches well over the bed; bed .trays, however, which have a rim round three sides, are better, if used instead of these tables. All furniture should be of the simplest kind, and anything which adds to the difficulty of absolute cleanliness must be strictly avoided. See that everything is substantial and in repair. Blinrls that flap, windows that rattle, and doors that creak, take more out of the patient than medicine can ever restore. A very misguided idea of the wellintentioned is to whisper in a sick room, or to step just outside the door for a little consultation. This is simply torture to the invalid. Try as she will, her attention is strained by the whispers, and she is annoyed and fretted. A low, distinct tone when conversation is necessary, is the best thing, Whatever the patient is not intended to hear must not be said in her presence. And last, by no means least, allow no visitors during the convalesence who stay more than fifteen minutes, who talk loudly or too much, or who are of a " sympathetic" turn of mind. Visitors of this class do the patient infinitely more harm than good by their well-meant b\it ill-timed pity. Your great object should be to draw away the patient's attention, as much as possible, from her sufferings; but without allowing your object to become apparent to her.