How to Nurse.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 275, 23 June 1888, Page 6

How to Nurse.

Food and drink are matters of great importance to an invalid, especially to one who is confined to the sick-room for some time. They should always be given according to the doctor's orders, both as regards the nature of the food, the quantity, and the time of eating. The least disobedience here has sometimes produced fatal consequences, particularly in cases of typhoid fever. In dealing with a sick person who is impatient and unwilling to obey the physician, a nurse even though she be young and inexperienced, should try to be firm, and do nothing against the doctor's commands. It is better to endure the complaints of an invalid, than the remorse and reproaches that would follow an indulgence that proved fatal to the one who asked for it. Whether the nurse prepares the food herself, or has it made at her request, she should be very careful to see that it is exactly right before serving. No half-done or slovenly cooking will answer here! Hot food and drink should be served hot, not luke->varm ; cold food or drinks should be refreshingly cold. Above all there should be no suspicion of grease in broth or soup ; no lumps in gruel ; no burnt toast or soggy bread ; no milk half turned sour ; no doubtful meat or vegetables-ad-mitted to the invalid's tray. Such seasoniug as is allowed should be used in moderation while cooking, and more added afterward if the patient's taste is not suited. It is always possible to put in more, but not to take any out. Dainty china and glass add much to a well cooked meal, and sick persons are often tempted by the inviting appearance of food, when they would not touch it if served carelessly. A spray of fresh flowers laid beside the plate is very pretty, but be sure there are nospiders or bugs on them to creep out and spoil one's appetite. Avoid handling bread or fruit or similar articles) in the sight of the sick, if intended for them to eat, and remember never to be offended, if the most carefully and daintily prepared food is z*efused, because an invalid's appetite is the most capricious thing in the world. Study the different recipes for the sick room in reliable cook-books ; prepare unexpected dishes in small quantities, after asking the doctor's advice, and never ask patients what they would like to eat. Cook such food as the physician orders, and take it to them at the proper time ; but if they do express preferences, spare no pains to get the desired article, provided it is allowable. — Good Cheer.

The cloths appropriated to the slop buckets had best be of a different colour and material from other house cloths, thab they may be easily distinguished, and not used for any other purpose. Woman's Sphere. —The Rev. Dr. Talmage says :— My theory is, that if woman wants to vote, she ought to vote, and that if a man wants to embroider and keep house, he ought to be alowed to embroider and keep house. There are masculine women and effeminate men. My theory is, that you have no right to interfere with anyone's doing anything that is righteous. Albany and Washington might as well decree by legislation how high a brown -thrasher should fly, or how deep a trout should plunge, as to try to seek out the height or depth of a -woman's duty. The question of capacity will settle finally the whole question, the whole subject. When a woman is prepared to preach, she will preach, and neither Conference nor Presbytery can hinder her. When a woman is prepared to move in the highest commercial spheres, she will have great influence on the Ex change, and no Boards of Trade can hinder her. I want women to understand that heart and brain can overfly any barrier that politicians may set up, and that nothing can keep her back or keep her down but the question of mental or moral capacity. Impassioned Lover (quoting Moore "in a whisper) : "Our couch shall be of roses, bespangled with dew." Practical Girl* "It would give give me rheumatics, and and so it would you,"