Applications of medicine to the throat may be made without resistance if the tactful nurse watches her time. She should slowly introduce the tongue depressor which may be a flat stick or a spoon, when the application of medicine with a camel's-hair brush is quickly made to the rolled-out throat as the child gags, and if the nurse then quickly diverts his attention to some beautiful story or a picture or a new toy, the treatment is soon forgotten. Under no circumstances argue with or scold a sick child. Get everything ready, if possible behind his back or in another room, and then with plenty of help make the application or the observation without words, always with gentleness and firmness.
NURSING RECORDS
Whether the nurse be the mother, caretaker, practical or professional nurse, a record should always be kept of the condition of the patient. The temperature should be reported at different periods designated by the physician. The pulse should be recorded, the amount of urine passed and the time it was passed, the number of bowel movements, all feedings and the general well being of the child—whether it is restless or comfortable, sleeping or awake, together with the water that he drinks.
The record may be kept, if necessary, on a piece of common letter paper, and should read something like this:
March 26, 1916
7 a. m. Temperature 102; pulse 132; respiration 40; morning toilet; took 4 ounces of milk; 2 ounces of barley water; 1 ounce of lime water.
9 a. m. Enema given; good bowel movement; mustard paste applied to chest, front and back, and oil-silk jacket applied; drank boiled water, 4 ounces.
11 a. m. Took the juice of one orange; temperature 103; pulse 135.
12 Noon. Very listless and nervous; temperature 104. Has coughed a great deal. Gave mustard paste to chest, front and back, and wet-sheet pack.
1:30 p. m. Temperature 101.8; 4 ounces of water to drink; looks better.