Part 63 (2/2)

996. Every sick person should breathe _pure air_. The purer the blood that courses through the body, the greater the energy of the system to remove disease. The confined vitiated air of the sick-chamber, not unfrequently prolongs disease; and in many instances, the affection is not only aggravated, but, even rendered fatal, by its injurious influences.

Give an ill.u.s.tration of the evil effects attending such an idea. 995.

Does the skin exert a great influence in removing disease from the internal organs, as well as in keeping them in health? Give an ill.u.s.tration 996. Why should every sick person, particularly, breathe pure air?

_Ill.u.s.trations._ 1st. In 1833, I was called, in consultation with another physician, to Mr. H., who was much debilitated, and delirious.

For several successive days he had not slept. His room was kept very warm and close, for fear he would ”take cold.” The only change that I made in the treatment, was to open the door and window, at a distance from the bed. In a short time, the delirium ceased, and he fell into a quiet slumber. From this time he rapidly recovered, and the delirium was probably the result of breathing impure air.

2d. Formerly, every precaution was used to prevent persons sick of the small-pox from breathing fresh air. When Mrs. Ramsay had this disease in Charleston, S.C., her friends, supposing that life was extinct, caused her body to be removed from the house to an open shed. The pure air revived the vital spark. The result probably would have been different, had she been kept a few hours longer in the vitiated air.

997. The influence of habit should not be disregarded in the removal of disease. If food or drink is to be administered, however small in quant.i.ty or simple its quality, it should be given at or about the time when the ordinary meals were taken in health.

998. Again, the usual time when the patient was in the habit of retiring for sleep should be observed, and all preparation necessary for the sick-room during the night should be made previous to this hour. Efforts should also be made to evacuate the waste matter of the digestive and urinary organs at the period which habit has formed in health. This is not only a remedial agent in disease, but often precludes the necessity of laxative or drastic cathartics.

Are not diseases prolonged, and even rendered fatal, from breathing the impure, vitiated air of the sick-chamber? Give ill.u.s.tration 1st.

Give ill.u.s.tration 2d. 997. What is said respecting the influence of habit in removing disease?

999. MEDICINE is sometimes necessary to _a.s.sist_ the natural powers of the system to remove disease; but it is only an _a.s.sistant_. While emetics are occasionally useful in removing food and other articles from the stomach that would cause disease if suffered to remain, and cathartics are valuable, in some instances, to relieve the alimentary ca.n.a.l of irritating residuum, yet the frequent administration of either will cause serious disease.

1000. Although medicine is useful in some instances, yet, in a great proportion of the cases of disease, including fevers and inflammations of all kinds, attention to the laws of health will tend to relieve the system from disease; more certainly and speedily, and with less danger, than when medicines are administered.

1001. Thomas Jefferson, in writing to Dr. Wistar, of Philadelphia, said, ”I would have the physician learn the limit of his art.” I would say, Have the matrons, and those who are continually advising ”herb teas,” and other ”cure-alls,” for any complaint, labelled with some popular name, learn the limits of their duty, namely, attention to the laws of health. The rule of every family, and each individual, should be, to touch not, taste not of medicine of _any kind_, except when directed by a well-educated and honest physician, (sudden disease from accidents excepted.)

999. What is said of the use of medicine? 1000. Of its use in fevers and many other cases of disease? 1001. What remark by Thomas Jefferson to Dr. Wistar? What should matrons learn? What should be the rule of every person in regard to taking medicine? What exception?

CHAPTER XLIX.

DIRECTIONS FOR NURSES.

1002. The nurse requires knowledge and practice to enable her to discharge aright her duty to the patient, as much as the physician and surgeon do to perform what is inc.u.mbent on them. Woman, from her const.i.tution and habits, is the natural nurse of the sick; and, in general, no small portion of her time is spent in ministering at the couch of disease and suffering.

1003. As the young and vigorous, as well as the aged and the infirm, are liable to be laid upon the bed of sickness, by an epidemic, or imprudent exposure, or by some accident, it is therefore necessary that the girl, as well as the matron, may know how she can render services in an efficient and proper manner. No _girl_ should consider her education complete who is not acquainted with the principles of the duties of a general nurse and a temporary watcher.

1004. It is to be regretted, that while we have medical schools and colleges to educate physicians, there is no inst.i.tution to educate _nurses_ in their equally responsible station. In the absence of such inst.i.tutions, 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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