D NURSES, PHYSICIANS
AND HOSPITALS.

Every Phase of Nursing Given in Detail and in Plain Mothers'
Language, including Latest Sanitary Care and Science.

VENTILATION.--The sick room should be ventilated without any draught
hitting the patient. The patient's bed should be placed out of the line of
air currents. If this is not possible he must be protected by means of
screens, the head of the bed being especially guarded. That draughts are
dangerous is founded on fact no less than is the modern idea that an
abundance of fresh air is necessary and helpful. A nurse has been guilty
of gross neglect of duty when the patient contracts pneumonia through
exposure to too severe currents of air. A simple way to ventilate a
private room is to raise the lower sash of window six inches and place a
board across the opening below; the air will then enter between the two
sashes and be directed upward, where it becomes diffused and no one in the
room is subjected to a draught. In a room where there is only one window a
pane of glass may be taken out and a piece of tin or pasteboard may be so
placed that the current will be directed upwards; or a window can be
opened in an adjoining room which fills with fresh air and the door of the
sick room opened afterwards to admit the air; or, the patient may be
covered up, head and all, for a few minutes two or three times a day,
while all the windows are thrown open, The room should be thoroughly
warmed before it is so thoroughly ventilated.

[624 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

TEMPERATURE OF THE ROOM.--This should be regulated by a thermometer
suspended at a central point in the room. The temperature should be
regulated according to the nature of the disease and the comfort of the
patient. In fevers it should be lower, varying from 55 to 60 degrees F.,
but in bronchial troubles it should be kept about 70 degrees F. The mean
temperature should be kept about 60 degrees to 70 degrees. It should be
raised or lowered gradually, so that the patient will not be overheated or
chilled.

LIGHT.--The patient should have plenty of light and sunshine, but do not
let the sun or light shine directly upon the face.

CARE OF THE DISCHARGES (Excreta).--This is very important. Sputa, dirty
vessels, soiled dressings and linen are prolific sources of impure air.

Sputum Cups.--These should be of glazed earthenware, without any corners
or cracks and provided with a simple moveable cover when in use. They
should be s