s firm and
tight. If the sheet is of proper length tuck fourteen or sixteen inches
under at the top, but take care to cover the mattress at the foot also.
Next tuck the sheet under at the side, folding its corners to make a
neat finish like an envelope. Place the rubber sheet, if it must be
used, across the bed, with its upper edge where the lower edge of the
pillows will come. A draw sheet somewhat wider than the rubber sheet is
needed next; an ordinary sheet, folded once the long way of the sheet,
may be used, with the fold toward the head of the bed. Tuck both rubber
and draw sheet securely under the mattress at the side. In some cases
the rubber sheet may be placed next to the mattress, and covered by the
mattress pad and lower sheet. Place the draw sheet as directed, whether
the rubber is used or not. After the lower, rubber, and draw sheets have
been adjusted on one side of the bed, go to the opposite side, draw them
over smoothly, and tuck them under the mattress as tightly as possible.

Next spread the upper sheet over the bed so that its upper edge reaches
to the upper edge of the mattress, and its middle crease lies over the
middle line of the mattress, and place it right side down, so that the
smooth side of the hem will be uppermost when the sheet is turned over
the blankets. Place the blankets so that their upper edges lie a little
higher than the place where the lower edge of the pillow will come, and
tuck them in firmly at the bottom and sides. If the blankets are not
long enough to tuck in at the foot, place the lower blanket as directed
and the upper blanket five or six inches lower than the first. When
tucked in, the upper blanket holds the lower one in place fairly well.
Place the counterpane evenly and smoothly, tuck it under at the foot,
turn its corners neatly, turn its upper edge under the upper edge of the
blankets and fold the upper sheet down over the whole. Last of all,
shake the pillows and place them neatly on the bed.

[Illustration: FIG. 13.--THE CLOSED BED. (_From "Elementary Nursing
Procedures," California State Board of Health._)]

Practice is necessary before it is possible to make a bed quickly and
well, and a certain amount of proficiency in making an unoccupied bed
should be acquired before undertaking to make a bed with a patient in
it. One should learn to work in an orderly way, without confusion,
unnecessary motion, or jarring of the bed.

TO CHANGE A PATIENT'S PILLOWS.--Stand