The following suggestions may be found useful, in regard to nursing the
sick. As nothing contributes more to the restoration of health, than
pure air, it should be a primary object, to keep a sick-room well
ventilated. At least twice in the twenty-four hours, the patient should
be well covered, and fresh air freely admitted from out of doors. After
this, if need be, the room should be restored to a proper temperature,
by the aid of a fire. Bedding and clothing should also be well aired,
and frequently changed; as the exhalations from the body, in sickness,
are peculiarly deleterious. Frequent ablutions, of the whole body, if
possible, are very useful; and for these, warm water may be employed.

The following, are useful directions for dressing a blister. Spread
thinly, on a linen cloth, an ointment, composed of one third of beeswax
to two thirds of tallow; lay this upon a linen cloth, folded many times.
With a sharp pair of scissors, make an aperture in the lower part of the
bag of water, with a little hole, above, to give it vent. Break the
raised skin as little as possible. Lay on the cloth, spread as directed.
The blister, at first, should be dressed as often as three times in a
day, and the dressing renewed each time.

A sick-room should always be kept very neat, and in perfect order; and
all haste, noise, and bustle, should be avoided. In order to secure
neatness, order, and quiet, in case of long illness, the following
arrangements should be made. Keep a large box for fuel, which will need
to be filled only twice in twenty-four hours. Provide, also, and keep in
the room, or an adjacent closet, a small teakettle, a saucepan, a pail
of water, for drinks and ablutions, a pitcher, a covered porringer, two
pint bowls, two tumblers, two cups and saucers, two wine glasses, two
large and two small spoons; also, a dish in which to wash these
articles; a good supply of towels, and a broom. Keep a slop-bucket, near
by, to receive the wash of the room. Procuring all these articles at
once, will save much noise and confusion.

Whenever medicine or food is given, spread a clean towel over the person
or bedclothing, and get a clean handkerchief, as nothing is more
annoying to a weak stomach, than the stickiness and soiling produced by
medicine and food. Keep the fireplace neat, and always wash all
articles, and put them in order, as soon as they are out of use.

A sick person has nothing to do, but look about the room; and wh