HOME NURSING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 243, 23 March 1915, Page 2

HOME NURSING.

Although only the trained nurse is permitted to take charge of a serious or complicated case, there arc numerous women and girls suddenly called upon'to tend a relative, or perhaps, a neighbor. This is excellent training, for one never knows when an accident pr some other trouble may occur. In simple cases very little actual skill is required. Patience, sympathy, quick observation, cleanliness and presence of mind are the chief qualities needed. If a case is undertaken the amateur nurse must take care of her own health. It is quite wrong, to neglect this, as sooner or later the breakdown is sure to come—throwing everything into chaos —and hindering the recovery of the patient. Manage your hours of attendance in some way so as to insure regular (if short) rest, and daily exercise in the fresh air, taking both at those, times when your .patient may be left to the temporary care of others, but you had better make all arrangements for any emergency before you leave the sickroom. See that the last dose of medi : cine or necessary restorative has been taken, and make up the fire, quietly so as not to risk disturbing the invalid. Wear ward shoes, and let your dress be of some soft and non-rustling material Do not wear bangles or glittering and hanging chains, and, above all, avoid that dangerous but feminine habit of sticking pins into the front of your dress or apron.

Note down in a book everything the doctor tells you—never trust to memory. Keep the room well ventilated, and wipe the floor with a cloth, jrrung out of some odorless disinfectant. Remove dirty glasses, cups, etc., as soon as done with, and keep medicine bottles out of the patient's range of vision. Never whisper in the sick room; let your voice be clear and low; for a patient is often suspicious, and if he hears i a whispered conversation he naturally strains his ears, and is likely to become feverish. Whenever possible, let the sun's rays fall into the room, but take the precaution of shading your patient's eyes from the glare by placing a draught screen round theibed. One more hint: never wake a patient to give him his medicine. Sleep is the best restorative; neither, on any account, ask him how he feels; you will soon judge from his general appearance if lit! is better or worse.