GENERAL DUTIES OF THE NURSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8375, 22 July 1905, Page 3

GENERAL DUTIES OF THE NURSE.

The nurse, be she amateur or professional, must have a clear idea of her duties and their limits. She must keep her patient clean and cool, and the bed, comfortable. The medicines and foods must be given by her alone, and ska must be able to give to the doctor a clear, concise, accuVate history of each day's doings when he pays hie daily ! visit. No trusting to memory must be indulged in. She must note on a chart how her patient lies, how he breathes, how he sleeps and for how long, the character of a cough, the state of the skin, the amount of pain (if any), the amount of nourishment taken, the state of the puke, and the degree of temperature, taking the latter at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. regularly. A good nurse's duties ,by no means end with the things she must do. There are some important " Don'ts." She must certainly be quiet and able to move about without creating a small earthquake, but she must also remember that her dress must not rustle and her shoes must not creak. Above all, she must not snore ! The patient who says "Do get a little sleep" does not like to say "And don't snore," but as no nervously organised healthy individual loves the diapason tones of a somnolent caretaker, it is almost superfluous to insist on the agony inflicted upon a .sensitive invalid by such mystic music. THE NURSE'S VOICE Is important. Nature doubtless gives its special timbre, but dolorous notes or tragic whispers are not to bo laid to Dame Nature's account; and cheerful, bright tones may be and must be acquired and exercised. *' THE NURSE'S MANNER vsnusfc be cheerful, her movements brisk without either fussiness or stealthiness. No need to be " hushing " anyone who is in the room when the patient is wide awake; no need to be whispering with an air of mystery, as though she was signing his death warrant, with shakes ©fthe head and solemn air, when she is only saying, "It's a fine day." The patient sees the face and observes the air and movements, • and worries ac*oor"dingly , DUSTING AND TIDYING] Dusting and tidying must be done 3aily, and much worry may be spared to the? patient if a damp duster is used, iboth for the floor and furniture, whije time and fuss are saved if the dusting be done very early, often before the toatient is awake. ; Every cup, saucer, plate, glass, spoon, -and what not must bo washed immediately it is used, and none must be allowed in the -sick-room except those actually needed for the patient. .... FOODS. "No foods should be kept in the sickToom. It is easy to have these outside on a table on the landing, if there is no other place. They can be protected from dust by throwing 1 light covers of nurelin over them. The doctor prescribes the regime, the nurse carries it out. Upon llwr depends the dainty serving, with pretty tray, clean doyley, fresh serviette, which so tempt a ( Capricious appetite. .These small things •play a great part when life and death, Jerchance, depend upon the food be-

. iug eaten. Who does not, in health, recoil from untidy, clumsy, ill-prepared food? Truh-, dainty ways are all tho more necessary when illness takes away appetite, and every device must be resorted to to bring it back.

THE NURSE'S DUTY TO HERSELF

Sentiment says, " Never lofro your patient one moment." Commonsense says, "If j^ou don't leave him for a short while every day, ho will suffer and so will you." Wo havo no right to lower our physical condition and nervous energy by irregular mealfi, insufficient food, and want of exorcise and fresh air. Th'© highest form of unselfishness is to give up one's own idea of being always at the patient's pillow. Requisite rest must be taken. Illregulated zeal is usually followed by reaction, while regulated exertions are steady.

The best equipment for a nurso is a cheerful, pleasant manner, a calm, selfreliant spirit, a gentle an<l sympathetic nature; a power of acting in emergencies without losing her head. Having these traits, 6he has the 1 makings of success. "Counsels of perfection," perhaps some reader is saying. But, no; all these virtues must be exorcised by the nurse at home,' who means to steer her patient through the sea of illness to the safe liaven of convalescence. VISITORS. The last and most important item of all is the quiet which must be maintained. No visitors of any kind must s&o the patient without the doctor's orders. If only this were more practised and more understood, we should hear loss of sudden rises in temperature and sudden relapses. The patient needs freedom from excitement, and until convalescence is well on the way, tho nurse, be she mother, sister or wife, must herself ensure his cheerfulness, and herself insist upon his absolute f cfuiet. j SOME "DONT'S." ! Don't be untidy. j Don't be fidgety. j , Don't mend the fire noisily. | Don't let your patient see you are j nervous, however nervous you may be. j Don't give foods, medicines, or stimulants except as ordered by the doctor. Don't forget to rest each day. Don't neglect your regular meals. Don't ask your pati,ent how he is. Don't ask Mm what be wants. Be alert, be vigilant, b& quick, confident, and' have oommonsense, and. you will give the patient the best chances for recovery.