In giving either food or medicine, the following measures are helpful:
| 1 | teaspoonful measures 50 grains. |
| 2 | teaspoonfuls make 1 dessertspoonful. |
| 2 | dessertspoonfuls make 1 tablespoonful. |
| 2 | tablespoonfuls make 1 ounce. |
| 8 | ounces make 1 cupful or glassful. |
| 16 | ounces make one pint, or pound. |
| (This applies to either liquid or dry measure.) |
In giving pills, capsules, tablets give a drink of water first to moisten the tongue and throat. This helps them to slip down more easily.
If there is danger of a pill or tablet choking the patient, crush the pill or tablet between two spoons.
When medicines are taken by spoon, the spoon should be licked by the patient in order to get the full amount.
Nearly all medicines should be mixed with water, and should be followed with a drink of water unless orders are given to the contrary.
Keep all medicines tightly corked.
Buy medicines only in small quantities, as most of them lose their strength in time.
In buying vaseline or cold cream it is better to have it in a tube than in jars. Being opened and dipped into constantly soon makes the contents of a jar unclean.