2nd. Cleanliness-Fears are often expressed that in washing the surface of a patient; body, or even or changing his linen,, any eruption or rash should be driven in or that cold should be taken. If done properly, there is not the least ground for any such fear. The patient should be sponged over as completely as possible at least once a day with warm or cold water, as may be most agreeable to his feelings, and then quickly but carefully dried with a soft towel. If the patient be much exhausted, a small part of the skin may be washed at one time; or, instead, first a damp so as to disturb the patient as little as possible. See the Section on Enteric Fever.
3rd Beverages-In most cases of illness, especially at the commencement, cold water, barely-water, raspberry-vinegar and water, apple-water, toast-and-water, lemonade, or soda-water see Demulcent Beverages, pp. 78-80), are nearly all that are necessary.
There is sometimes a foolish objection raised to allowing cold water to a a patient; but it is not only most refreshing, but an agent of supreme importance. lowering excessive heat, giving vigour of to the relaxed capillaries, and acceleration favorable changes. The quantity of cold water given at a time should be small -one or two tablespoonfuls-and repeated as often as desired. Sucking ice is useful and grateful.
4th. Food not to the kept in the sick-room-Miss Nightingale’s suggestion on this point so worth repetition here. It is this, do not keep the good, drink, or delicacies intended for the patient in the sick-room or within his sight. the air and temperature of the apartment are liable to hasten putrefactive decomposition, especially in hot weather and the continuous sight of them to cause disgust. Rather take up for him, at the fitting time, and by way of surprise, two or three teaspoonfuls of jelly, or as many fresh grapes as he may consume at once, or the segment of an organs. Or, if it be appropriate to his condition, a small cup of beef-tea, covered with one or two narrow slips of toasted bread, just from the fire.
Watching patients, moderation in convalescence, change of air on recovery from illness, etc., are elsewhere enforced and may be found in the section on Enteric Fever.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."