Missionary Nurse
203
sharing the care and confinement of the sick-room. Each should have
exercise in the open air as often as possible. This is important to
sick-bed attendants, especially if the friends of the sick are among that
class who continue to regard air, if admitted into the sick-room, as an
enemy, and will not allow the windows raised or the doors opened.
The sick and the attendants are in this case compelled to breathe the
atmosphere from day to day, because of the inexcusable ignorance of
the friends of the sick.—
How to Live, 56
.
1066. If attendants are awake to the subject of health, and realize
the necessity of ventilation for their own benefit, as well as that of the
patient, and the relatives, as well as the sick, oppose the admission of
air and light into the sick-room, the attendants should have no scruples
of conscience in leaving the sick-room. They should feel themselves
released from their obligations to the sick. It is not the duty of one or
more to risk the liability of incurring disease and endangering their
lives by breathing the poisonous atmosphere. If the sick will fall
victims to their own erroneous ideas, and will shut out of the room the
most essential of heaven’s blessings, let them do so, but not at the peril
[251]
of those who ought to live.—
How to Live, 57
.
Suggestions to Nurses
1067. It is of great value to the sick to have an even temperature in
the room. This cannot always be correctly determined, if left to the
judgment of attendants, for they may not be the best judges of a right
temperature.—
How to Live, 54
.
1068. Few realize the effect of a mild, firm manner, even in the care
of an infant. The fretful, impatient mother or nurse creates feverishness
in the child in her arms, whereas a gentle manner tends to quiet the
nerves of the little one.—
The Health Reformer, November 1, 1878
.
1069. Where there are two watchers, they often converse together,
sometimes aloud, but more frequently in whispered tones, which is far
more trying and exciting to the nerves of the sick than talking aloud....
Attendants upon the sick should, if possible, leave them to quiet and
rest through the night, while they occupy a room adjoining. All unnec-
essary noise and excitement should be avoided in the sick-room, and
the whole house should be kept as quiet as possible. Ignorance, forget-
fulness, and recklessness have caused the death of many who might