s much
injury to the sick, as that produced by strangers and the vicious.

991. The custom of visiting and conversing with sick friends during
the intervals of daily labor, and particularly on _Sunday_, is a great
evil. No person will thus intrude herself in the sick-chamber who
cares more for the welfare of the suffering friend than for the
gratification of a _sympathetic curiosity_. Inquiries can be made of
the family respecting the sick, and complimentary or necessary
messages can be communicated through the nurse.

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988. What rooms should be selected for the sick? Why? 989. What is
said in reference to the quantity of light admitted into a sick-room?
990. What effect have calls on the sick? 991. What is said of the
custom of calling and conversing with the sick during the intervals of
daily labor?

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_Illustration._ While attending a Miss B., of N. H., sick of fever, I
pronounced her better, withdrew medicine, directed a simple, low diet,
and the exclusion of all visitors. In the evening I was sent for to
attend her. There was a violent relapse into the disease, which
continued to increase in severity until the fourth day, when death
terminated her sufferings. I learned that, soon after I gave
directions that no visitors be admitted into her room, several
_particular_ friends were permitted to enter the chamber and talk with
the sick girl. Their conversation produced a severe headache; and, to
use the language of the patient, "it seemed as if their talk would
kill me;" and _it did kill her_.

992. No _solid food_ should be taken in the first stages of disease,
even if the affection is slight. The thirst can be allayed by drinking
cold water, barley-water, and other preparations of an unstimulating
character. It is wrong to tempt the appetite of a person who is
indisposed. The cessation of a desire for food, is the warning of
nature, that the system is in such a state that it cannot be
digested.

993. When a patient is recovering from illness, the food should be
simple, and in quantities not so great as to oppress the stomach. It
should also be given with regularity. "Eat little and often," with no
regard to regularity, is a pernicious practice.

994. When a physician attends a sick person, he should have the
_special_ management of the food, particularly after the medicine has
been withdrawn and the patient is convalescent. The prevailing idea
that _ev