porary watcher.

1004. It is to be regretted, that while we have medical schools and
colleges to educate physicians, there is no institution to educate
_nurses_ in their equally responsible station. In the absence of such
institutions, the defect can be remedied, to some extent, by teaching
every girl _hygiene_, or _the laws of health_. To make such knowledge
more available and complete, attention is invited to the following
suggestions relative to the practical duties of a nurse.

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1002. Does the nurse require knowledge and practice in her employment,
as well as the physician? Who is the natural nurse of the sick? 1003.
What, then, is incumbent on every girl? 1004. Should there be schools
to educate nurses, as well as physicians and surgeons?

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1005. BATHING. The nurse, before commencing to bathe the patient,
should provide herself with water, two towels, a sponge, a piece of
soft flannel, and a sheet. The temperature of the room should also be
observed.

1006. When the patient is feeble, use _tepid_ or warm water. Cold
water should only be used when the system has vigor enough to produce
reaction upon the skin. This is shown by the increased redness of the
skin, and a feeling of warmth and comfort, after a proper amount of
friction. Before using the sponge to bathe, a sheet, or fold of cloth,
should be spread smoothly over the bed, and under the patient, to
prevent the bed-linen on which the patient lies from becoming damp or
wet.

1007. Apply the wet sponge to one part of the body at a time; as the
arm, for instance. By doing so, the liability of contracting chills is
diminished. Take a dry, soft towel, wipe the bathed part, and follow
this by vigorous rubbing with a crash towel, or, what is better, a
mitten made of this material; then use briskly a piece of soft
flannel, to remove all moisture that may exist on the skin, and
particularly between the fingers and the flections of the joints. In
this manner bathe the entire body.

1008. The sick should be thoroughly bathed, at least twice in
twenty-four hours. Particular attention should be given to the parts
between the fingers and toes, and about the flections of the joints,
as the accumulation of the excretions is most abundant on these parts.
In bathing, these portions of the system are very generally neglected.
The best time for bathing, is when the patient feels most vigorous,
and freest from exhaus