tient
was bitten by a rabid dog or not, and that in all cases of doubt no
hesitation should be felt in resorting to it._

CHAPTER XIII

HYGIENE OF THE SICK ROOM

Far too little attention is generally accorded to the proper care of the
sick,--the prevailing opinion being that the royal road to recovery under
the circumstances is opened up only through the taking of drugs, and that
provided the appropriate ones be given in sufficient quantities recovery
will result. No greater mistake is possible. As a matter of fact, there
are very few diseases for which we have medicines that act in a specific
manner, and far more is usually to be hoped for from good nursing.
Fortunately the general public is beginning to recognize the truth of the
statements just made. It has only been a short time since the trained
nurse was unknown except in the larger medical centres, but now her
presence and beneficent influence is being felt from one end of the land
to the other, and her importance is destined to increase with the onward
march of time; she is undoubtedly the greatest advance that we have made
in medicine during the last decade.

Where persons are ill they should always be attended by a trained nurse
if possible, but if this is out of the question a few suggestions as to
the sick room and its hygiene should certainly not be omitted from any
book dealing with rural sanitation.

_Ventilation and Warmth._--The sick room if possible should be located on
the sunny side of the house, and should have fire in a fireplace if the
weather be cold. It is of the utmost consequence that the room have
windows and doors by means of which it can be at all times thoroughly
ventilated. At all seasons of the year a room on the lowest floor of the
house is more satisfactory, since it is warmer in the winter and cooler
in the summer. The room should not be uncomfortably cold, though it is
much better to have the temperature too low than to have the air stuffy.
In most diseases ventilation is of supreme importance, and should be
secured at any cost. Where, however, it is compatible with thorough
ventilation, a temperature of about 70 deg.F. is generally considered most
desirable.

Before a patient is moved into a room all superfluous furniture should be
taken out, particularly carpets and hangings of all kinds. It is likewise
of the utmost importance that all insects, particularly flies, be
excluded by proper screening.

The patient's be