284 In the Sick Room capable of general employment is by means of a window and open fire. The lower sash of the window may be raised an inch or two, and boarded up; the fresh air will then enter at the center, and be diffused without causing draught. Liight. An abundant supply of light may, with one or two exceptions, be regarded as essential in the sick room. The exceptions are cases of eye disease and affections of the brain, when it becomes necessary to moderate the light admitted to the sick chamber. In most other instances the sun's rays must be looked upon as beneficial; they exert a great oxidizing power upon organic matters, and render them innocuous. The patient's bed should be so placed that he can easily see out of window. All lights employed for purposes of artificial illumination should be so placed that the eye does not suffer. Temperature. A good fire in the sick room kept burn- ing equally will suffice to maintain a uniform temperature, but care must be taken to see that the chimney is acting well. The temperature which answers best in the sick room in most cases is one about 60° Fahrenheit. It is well to regulate it by means of a thermometer. Should it be necessary to in- crease this, it can be done by permitting steam to pass into the room from a kettle: or if it is necessary to cool the air of the apartment, this can be readily accomplished by plac- ing a shallow dish containing pieces of ice in the room or by suspending a piece of cloth that has been previously moistened with water. Food. Food must be properly cooked and given at regular intervals to be determined by the nature of the case. Everything intended for the invalid's use should be made ready out of his sight and be brought on scrupulously clean dishes, and not too much at a time. Punctuality must be at- tended to, and strict quiet enjoined at meal times. (See special chapter on the subject). In the Sick Room 285 Cleanliness. In the treatment of disease attention to cleanliness is of the utmost importance. If the sickroom is carpeted it should be swept with a soft hair broom; if without carpet it can be gone over with sponges wrung out of hot water and dried by means of the floor brush. Damp cloths may be used instead of sponges. The articles of furniture may be dusted by means of damp cloths. The walls should be painted or whitewashed with lime. The body linen ought to be frequently changed and the hands and face washed daily. The hair should also be combed out at the same time. The body should also be frequently washed with a sponge or flannel and tepid water, only small portions being exposed at one time. It should be rapidly dried with a heated towel. Tranquility. This is most essential to speedy recovery. Whispering is objectionable in the sick room ; so also is talk- ing outside the patient's door. All slamming of doors should be avoided. The room immediately over the sick room should, if possible, remain unoccupied. The admission of too many people into the sick room is another fruitful source of harm to a patient.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

284 In the Sick Room capable of general employment is by means of a window and open fire. The lower sash of the window may be raised an inch or two, and boarded up; the fresh air will then enter at the center, and be diffused without causing draught. Liight. An abundant supply of light may, with one or two exceptions, be regarded as essential in the sick room. The exceptions are cases of eye disease and affections of the brain, when it becomes necessary to moderate the light admitted to the sick chamber. In most other instances the sun's rays must be looked upon as beneficial; they exert a great oxidizing power upon organic matters, and render them innocuous. The patient's bed should be so placed that he can easily see out of window. All lights employed for purposes of artificial illumination should be so placed that the eye does not suffer. Temperature. A good fire in the sick room kept burning equally will suffice to maintain a uniform temperature, but care must be taken to see that the chimney is acting well. The temperature which answers best in the sick room in most cases is one about 60° Fahrenheit. It is well to regulate it by means of a thermometer. Should it be necessary to increase this, it can be done by permitting steam to pass into the room from a kettle: or if it is necessary to cool the air of the apartment, this can be readily accomplished by placing a shallow dish containing pieces of ice in the room or by suspending a piece of cloth that has been previously moistened with water. Food. Food must be properly cooked and given at regular intervals to be determined by the nature of the case. Everything intended for the invalid's use should be made ready out of his sight and be brought on scrupulously clean dishes, and not too much at a time. Punctuality must be attended to, and strict quiet enjoined at meal times. (See special chapter on the subject). In the Sick Room 285 Cleanliness. In the treatment of disease attention to cleanliness is of the utmost importance. If the sickroom is carpeted it should be swept with a soft hair broom; if without carpet it can be gone over with sponges wrung out of hot water and dried by means of the floor brush. Damp cloths may be used instead of sponges. The articles of furniture may be dusted by means of damp cloths. The walls should be painted or whitewashed with lime. The body linen ought to be frequently changed and the hands and face washed daily. The hair should also be combed out at the same time. The body should also be frequently washed with a sponge or flannel and tepid water, only small portions being exposed at one time. It should be rapidly dried with a heated towel. Tranquility. This is most essential to speedy recovery. Whispering is objectionable in the sick room ; so also is talking outside the patient's door. All slamming of doors should be avoided. The room immediately over the sick room should, if possible, remain unoccupied. The admission of too many people into the sick room is another fruitful source of harm to a patient.

The century cook book