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The Ministry of Healing
sion, should be avoided. Doors should be opened and shut with care,
and the whole household be kept quiet. In cases of fever, special
care is needed when the crisis comes
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and
the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for
ever.”
Isaiah 32:17, 18
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and the fever is passing away. Then constant watching is often
necessary. Ignorance, forgetfulness, and recklessness have caused
the death of many who might have lived had they received proper
care from judicious, thoughtful nurses.
Visiting the Sick
It is misdirected kindness, a false idea of courtesy, that leads to
much visiting of the sick. Those who are very ill should not have
visitors. The excitement connected with receiving callers wearies the
patient at a time when he is in the greatest need of quiet, undisturbed
rest.
To a convalescent or a patient suffering from chronic disease, it is
often a pleasure and a benefit to know that he is kindly remembered;
but this assurance conveyed by a message of sympathy or by some
little gift will often serve a better purpose than a personal visit, and
without danger of harm.
Institutional Nursing
In sanitariums and hospitals, where nurses are constantly as-
sociated with large numbers of sick people, it requires a decided
effort to be always pleasant and cheerful, and to show thoughtful
consideration in every word and act. In these institutions it is of the
utmost importance that the nurses strive to do their work wisely and
well. They need ever to remember
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help
thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my
righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10
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