- Essentials of Medicine—Emerson, Chapters XVI, XVII.
- The Human Mechanism—Hough and Sedgwick, Chapter XII.
- Notes on Nursing—Florence Nightingale, Pages 105-136.
- Why Worry?—Walton.
- Those Nerves—Walton.
- Tuberculosis: Its Cause, Cure, and Prevention—Otis.
- Publications of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis—105 East 22d Street, New York City. (Pamphlets free on request.)
- Publications of the National Committee for Mental Hygiene—50 Union Square, New York City. (Pamphlets free on request.)
- Publications of the Mental Hygiene Committee of the State Charities Aid Association—105 East 22d Street, New York City. (Pamphlets free on request.)
- Publications of The American Society for the Control of Cancer—25 West 45th Street, New York City. (Pamphlets free on request.)
CHAPTER V
EQUIPMENT AND CARE OF THE SICK ROOM
Adequate care of the sick consists to a large extent in rendering their physical and mental surroundings as favorable as possible. Obviously, a sick person, since his strength is already depleted, needs not only to have his resistance increased in all possible ways, but also to have all his remaining strength conserved by eliminating every unnecessary tax upon it. In sickness even slight fatigue, chill, or nervous strain, insufficient ventilation, or improper feeding, may become factors of immense importance. Nothing is trivial if it affects the welfare and comfort of a patient.
Even when perfect provision for the care of the sick is out of the question, every effort should be made to insure as satisfactory arrangements as possible. Ideal conditions are seldom found except in buildings originally planned for the sick; yet in many houses a few simple changes will produce excellent results. Of course, it is not necessary
in every case to adopt all the following suggestions. Common sense must be the guide. For instance, in illness that is slight and likely to be of short duration, a patient may be more distressed than benefited by radical changes in his surroundings. Except when certain essentials are concerned, great consideration should be given to a patient's preferences; yet on the other hand it is not reasonable to make an entire family miserable in order to gratify some slight whim.
Choice of a Sick Room.
—A south or east exposure is generally best for a sick room. A south room may be undesirable in very hot weather, but sunshine during a part of the day is essential. The room should be quiet, near the bath room, and well removed from odors from the kitchen. It should be situated so that good ventilation is possible. It is desirable though not necessary for it to have more than one window; in summer the windows must be thoroughly screened. It should be possible to open the window without exposing the patient to a direct current of air, and to open the door without placing him in full view of all who pass through the hall.
It is essential for the patient to have a room to himself. Unless he needs care or help or watching at night, not even the person caring for him should sleep in the room. Neither should the
rest of the family keep their possessions in the sick room. Closets opening into the room, bureaus, and chiffoniers should be emptied of the belongings of other members of the family, to prevent people from tiptoeing into the sick room at all hours to remove garments. The sick room should for the time belong exclusively to the patient, and resulting inconvenience should be borne by well members of the family.