In order to keep ice from melting, cut a piece of flannel, about nine
inches square, and secure it by an elastic band, or by tying it round the
mouth of an ordinary tumbler, so as to leave a cup-shaped depression
of flannel within the tumbler to about half its depth. In the flannel
cup so constructed pieces of ice may be preserved many hours ; all the
longer if a piece of flannel from four to six inches square be used as a
loose cover to the ice cup. Cheap flannel, with comparatively open
meshes, is preferable, as the water easily drains through it, and the ice
is thus kept quite dry. When good flannel, with close texture, is used,
a small hole must be made in the bottom of the flannel cup, otherwise
it will hold water, which facilitates the melting of the ice. Ice may be
given freely in most cases and will allay the thirst better than water.
The body linen of a patient should be changed often and the bed
linen daily. Where it is possible, use for bed coverings only sheets and
blankets. Don't use the same upper sheet during the day that has been
used at night, but have two sets, and while one is in use let the other
be airing. It were better if all the bedding could be served the same
way. When fresh sheets or clothing are to be put on, they should be
thoroughly aired and warmed. One side of the bed should be made up
at a time, and the patient gently moved from one side to the other. If
at any time the patient feels cold or has a chill, take jugs or beer
bottles with hot water, and apply them to the feet and legs, being sure
to wrap them well with a number of thicknesses of flannel, lest they
produce blistering. There will be times when the patient will want to
be shielded from view, or when tidying up the room. To avoid dis-
turbing the patient, it is best to put a screen about the bed. A screen
may be extemporized by throwing a sheet over a clothes-horse. A bed
rest may be extemporized by taking a straight-backed chair and turning
it so that it will rest on the front of the seat and the top of the back,
with the feet in the air. The back is to be covered with pillows
arranged so as to support the head and shoulders and small of the
back. It will allow the use of a position which is often a great relief to
patients who have been long confined to bed. In some diseases, where
the weight of the bed clothing is unbearable, a cradle may be extem-
porized by sawing a barrel hoop into two half-circles and tying the
pieces firmly together at right angles. This, placed over the patient's
body, will relieve it from the weight of the bed clothing.
Knowing how necessary it is that patients should receive a proper
amount of nourishment, and how often the sight or mention of food
causes the stomach to revolt, it is of the greatest importance that the
food designed to be given be presented to the patient in the most agree-
able and tempting manner. Let the meals (whatever they may consist,
of), be served upon a tray covered with a clean napkin and in your
daintiest ware. Don't let anything slop over, or bring too much of any-
HOW TO CARE FOR THE SICK. 257
Page 227
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
In order to keep ice from melting, cut a piece of flannel, about nine inches square, and secure it by an elastic band, or by tying it round the mouth of an ordinary tumbler, so as to leave a cup-shaped depression of flannel within the tumbler to about half its depth. In the flannel cup so constructed pieces of ice may be preserved many hours ; all the longer if a piece of flannel from four to six inches square be used as a loose cover to the ice cup. Cheap flannel, with comparatively open meshes, is preferable, as the water easily drains through it, and the ice is thus kept quite dry. When good flannel, with close texture, is used, a small hole must be made in the bottom of the flannel cup, otherwise it will hold water, which facilitates the melting of the ice. Ice may be given freely in most cases and will allay the thirst better than water.
The body linen of a patient should be changed often and the bed linen daily. Where it is possible, use for bed coverings only sheets and blankets. Don't use the same upper sheet during the day that has been used at night, but have two sets, and while one is in use let the other be airing. It were better if all the bedding could be served the same way. When fresh sheets or clothing are to be put on, they should be thoroughly aired and warmed. One side of the bed should be made up at a time, and the patient gently moved from one side to the other. If at any time the patient feels cold or has a chill, take jugs or beer bottles with hot water, and apply them to the feet and legs, being sure to wrap them well with a number of thicknesses of flannel, lest they produce blistering. There will be times when the patient will want to be shielded from view, or when tidying up the room. To avoid disturbing the patient, it is best to put a screen about the bed. A screen may be extemporized by throwing a sheet over a clothes-horse. A bed rest may be extemporized by taking a straight-backed chair and turning it so that it will rest on the front of the seat and the top of the back, with the feet in the air. The back is to be covered with pillows arranged so as to support the head and shoulders and small of the back. It will allow the use of a position which is often a great relief to patients who have been long confined to bed. In some diseases, where the weight of the bed clothing is unbearable, a cradle may be extemporized by sawing a barrel hoop into two half-circles and tying the pieces firmly together at right angles. This, placed over the patient's body, will relieve it from the weight of the bed clothing.
Knowing how necessary it is that patients should receive a proper amount of nourishment, and how often the sight or mention of food causes the stomach to revolt, it is of the greatest importance that the food designed to be given be presented to the patient in the most agreeable and tempting manner. Let the meals (whatever they may consist, of), be served upon a tray covered with a clean napkin and in your daintiest ware. Don't let anything slop over, or bring too much of any-
HOW TO CARE FOR THE SICK. 257