The workmen who are more subject to burns, which are seldom of a serious character, are the "gatherers," who roll up lumps of the molten glass out of the pots and drop it into the moulds to be pressed. The "carrying in boys," running to and fro, sometimes get serious burns by coming in contact with the hot glass. Probably as many of these accidents happen from "sky-larking" as from attending strictly to work.

The materials used in the manufacture of glass are sand, soda and lime, to which smaller quantities of arsenic and manganese are added. The "mixers" generally protect their nose and mouth with handkerchiefs. They are subject to fits of coughing and sneezing, and to more or less nasal catarrh, from the irritation of this mineral dust. The sensitive mucous membrane of the eyes also suffers from the same cause, and conjunctivitis is not uncommon with the mixers. Chronic lead poisoning, with its train of well-known symptoms often occurs among mixers, where flint glass is made, in which lead is used.

The "packers" use fine oat straw and prairie grass in packing the glass in boxes, barrels and crates for shipment. They are exposed to the dust and chaff from this material, which is very irritating and sets up nasal catarrh.

The "washers," women and girls employed in washing the ware, have their hands constantly in water, and often get their feet wet. Many of them, consequently, suffer from rheumatism.

The "mould makers" work in cast iron. They cut the metal with chisels, and often get chips in their eyes. A young mould maker came to me recently with a speck of metal imbedded in the cornea. Although he had not been working at the trade very long I discovered several scars on the cornea from former injuries. I induced him to guard against such danger in the future by wearing a pair of wire gauze eye protectors with fronts of plane glass.

Emphysema and hypertrophy of the heart are frequently found among glass blowers, from the over distention of the lungs caused by long and hard blowing. But not so much of this is done now as formerly, and only in the manufacture of window glass and hollow ware.

Glass-making proper seems to be a healthful occupation, and glassmakers who live temperately and take good care of themselves enjoy ordinary good health and fill out the full average of years.

HOW TO NURSE THE SICK.

BY GEORGE B. MOFFETT, M. D., PARKERSBURG.

Whenever it becomes necessary to call the physician to a case of serious illness there should always be some person in the family to become responsible for the patient and to the physician, and that person alone, in ordinary cases, is to be the nurse; for if more than one person is permitted to

perform this duty, confusion and mistakes will invariably follow, as "too many cooks always spoil the broth." As woman is endowed by nature in an especial manner with the capacity of patiently enduring fatigue and privation, she is peculiarly fitted for the duties of nurse. This office is one of grave responsibility when its duties are properly estimated; for on their faithful performance the life of the patient may depend. If I were asked to name the qualifications of a good nurse my answer would be, good sense, truthfulness, and firmness of character tempered with a gentle and sympathetic manner.

In every department of life, let it be ever so humble or dignified, certain qualifications are necessary to the best performance of the duties belonging to each. To the one under consideration too little consequence has hitherto attached a good nurse should possess both mental and physical powers; without the first she would lack judgment, and without this she would be unable to profit, even by experience; without the second she would be unable to properly assist her feeble patient, or endure the fatigue and privations necessarily attending a long spell of sickness. She should cultivate the habit of close observation and be possessed of that most noble quality, strict veracity; the first will enable her to note down the various changes of the disease for inspection by the medical attendant, or it will aid her in the application or the withdrawal of the different remedies, as may have been directed by him; the second forbids exaggerated statements or suppressed facts, lest the judgment of the physician may be misled in forming his plan of treatment.

The duty of a nurse may be reduced to two simple, but none the less important rules, the observance of which should be rigidly enforced; first, to obey every order of the physician, and this in the strict letter of his command; and second, to do nothing, nor permit any one else to do that which he has not ordered; for it is a fair presumption that he will direct whatever he may think necessary for the welfare of his patient; and for the nurse to oppose her judgment to that of a physician is not only dangerous, but the height of arrogance. She should possess no small share of both moral and animal courage in order to restrain the patient whenever necessary, as well as to withstand importunities to do that which is improper, or has been forbidden; moreover a good degree of moral honesty is requisite to remind her of the serious responsibility of her position, not forgetting that her duty is passive obedience, and whenever she refuses to act in accordance with her prescribed duties by following her own suggestions she betrays a sacred trust, by which she may destroy a life entrusted to her charge.

DUTY TO THE PATIENT.

An imperative duty on the part of the nurse is to say or do nothing that may be calculated to destroy the patient's confidence in the physician; never discuss the treatment of the case. As cleanliness is said to be "next to Godliness," she should not only keep an eye to the order and neatness of the sick-room, but should also pay scrupulous attention to her own clothing, which should be frequently changed and always clean. Never permit whispering in the sick-room (for the patient will strain to hear), nor walking on tip-toe, or moving stealthily about the room. Whenever it is nec

essary to converse or move about, a low distinct tone or a light step will seldom annoy; a patient will often suffer from these little annoyances without complaining. Sitting on the bed, the swinging of a rocking-chair or the handling of newspapers should be strictly forbidden, bearing in mind that such disturbances, though slight, may annoy a sick person.

In order to keep the patient tranquil the nurse should educate herself to move quietly about the room, having a place for everything, and promptly putting everything in its place. If the patient is delirious, his whims or notions should be quieted if possible by a gentle word, or say and do nothing unless questioned further.

Speaking of his symptoms in his presence should never be done-more especially if of unfavorable promise. If possible he should be kept hopeful and cheerful, and free from all anxiety about the issue of his sickness.

PATIENT'S ROOM.

In selecting a room for the patient choose one, if possible, on the sunny side of the house, and with an open fire-place. The room should be bright and cheerful, unless the patient's condition requires it to be darkened; the sunlight should be let in freely, always shading the patient's face. If the bed face the window put up a screen; and next remove every article of furniture not needed for his comfort. Rocking chairs and creaking shoes should never be allowed in a sick-room; a small table with a drawer should be placed near the bed; a glass of water and a bowl of broken ice, both covered with a napkin; a nicely peeled orange, or any other fruit permitted by the doctor, placed on a plate of ice, and a few fresh flowers will give an air of comfort and beauty to the sick-room.

If there is a stationary wash-basin in the room, it should be closed for the reason that the waste pipe is almost sure to be defective, and sewer gas may rise through it from other parts of the house, or directly from the streetsewers. Slop pails should never be allowed in the sick room. All vessels after use should be covered, emptied and washed immediately; and bed pans, or urinals, ought to be placed out of sight. They may be kept any where out of sight, except under the bed; if they must be ready for instant use, they may be placed near the bed, with a clean cloth thrown over them. Bed-pans sbould be warmed before being used by the patient; and after use deodorizers should be employed. An excellent deodorizer may be made by dissolving one pound of sulphate of iron (copperas) in two quarts of water; pour a little of this solution into the vessels after washing them. This mixture has no disagreeable smell, but will stain the body and bed clothing.

In typhoid fever, dysentery and all other communicable diseases, always keep conveniently at hand to disinfect stools, some of the following mixture hot water, two and a half gallons; sulphate of iron (copperas), four pounds; carbolic acid, four ounces.

VENTILATION OF THE SICK CHAMBER.

There is nothing that should engage the attention of the nurse more than the proper and constant ventilation of the sick room, for without this care, especially in hot weather, the patient will suffer. Ventilation is nothing

more nor less than the constant exchange of foul air for clean air, or the steady removal of that which has become impure, to be replenished by that which is pure, without chilling the patient; not forgetting that when the thermometer is low, a room is not on that account always well ventilated, as the air in a cold room may be very impure. Thorough ventilation can only be effected with certainty by the admission of a current of air through the sick room by doors and windows sufficiently opened, and for a sufficient time, taking care not to chill the patient. The window farthest from the bed may be kept constantly down an inch or two at the top, having at the same time the blind, shutters, or a screen so arranged as to prevent a direct draught on the patient. To facilitate the removal of the foul air, a lighted lamp may be placed in the fireplace, or better, a fire, if the weather will permit, may be made in the grate. This will draw the foul air up the chimney, while the fresh air takes its place. The notion that a sick room can be ventilated by leaving the entry door open is fallacious, for only the stale air from the house, together with all house noises come in by that door. Every room used for nursing the sick should be furnished with a

THERMOMETER.

The thermometer should be hung near the center of the room, but not near an open fireplace or chimney. The temperature should be maintained, if possible, at 68° or 70° during the day, and about 60° or 65° at night, unless otherwise ordered by the medical attendant.

When it is necessary to air the room more freely (especially in cold weather) the patient's entire body should be covered with an extra blanket so as to prevent all danger from draughts, and then opening the windows for a short time, keeping the patient covered for a while, even after the windows are closed, or until the thermometer rises again to 68° or 70°. Where the case permits it this should be done in dry weather, at least three times a day. If this cannot be done, an adjoining room may be filled with fresh air, and after holding it there until it is sufficiently warmed, the door communicating may be opened and the fresh air let in. In all diseases involving the throat, lungs and nasal passages-diphtheria, croup, pneumonia, scarlet fever and measles-the patient's face should be lightly covered while the room is being aired. As pure air is the most important agent in a sick room, to prevent it from becoming foul, every source by which it may be deteriorated should be, if possible, instantly removed-such as evacuations, &c. The body and bed clothing should be frequently changed, and no filth permitted to accumulate upon the floor, tables or about the bed. It should be impressed upon the friends of the sick, that the burning of coffee and sugar, or the sprinkling of perfumes in a sick room does not disinfect and purify the air; it is simply disguising, not cleansing. The best artificial means for destroying the unpleasant odors of the sick chamber, is the deodorizor I have suggested, hence the necessity of always keeping some of it in the sick room.

HOW TO PUT THE ROOM IN ORDER.

This duty requires management on the part of the nurse, who shall begin her work at a time when the patient will be least disturbed by the neces

sary racket. The furniture should be wiped with a cloth; the floor rugs shaken and aired; after dipping a cloth in water and wringing it dry, pass it quickly over the carpet about and under the bed, if unfortunately the floor is covered with carpet-this can be more easily accomplished by using a broom covered with a damp cloth. If it is necessary to have a fire in the grate, the coal may be carried on paper and placed in the grate to prevent noise. If a wood fire, lay the fuel as gently as possible. Every vessel employed for medicines, drinks or nourishment should be cleansed immediately after using; and bottles, spoons, glasses, &c., placed out of sight. Should the physician change the medicine, all bottles and boxes no longer needed should be put away; all washing of glasses, &c., must be done in another room, as the rattling and jingling will annoy the patient.

HOW TO MAKE THE BED.

In all serious cases the mattress should be protected with a rubber-cloth; next comes the under sheet, and then a draw sheet, which is nothing more than a sheet folded several times and laid across the bed beneath the patient and well tucked in. The draw sheet is necessary to protect the patient from the heating effect of the rubber-cloth. In some cases a second rubber-cloth, put between the under and draw sheets, will be required to protect the under sheet from the patient's discharges. Sheets and blankets are the best covering; heavy quilts and counterpanes should not be used.

HOW TO CHANGE THE BED-CLOTHES.

Fold up the under sheet small and flat through its whole length till it reaches the patient's body, then take a clean sheet well aired, and warmed if the weather is cold, and fold half of it up small and flat through its whole length; lay this folded part next to the patient, pushing before it the soiled under sheet, folded in the same way, press down the mattress close by the patient and gently work the two folds, the soiled and the clean one, under the back and shoulders; raise the head and feet slightly to allow the folds to pass; by this sleight the soiled linen can be removed with the same motion which puts on the fresh piece; this being done, it only remains to pull down the sheet smoothly and tuck it in. The pillows should be changed several times a day by slipping a cool fresh one under the patient's head, and removing the warm one.

If the bed is sufficiently wide, the patient's position may be changed from one side to the other by gently turning, and never dragging him. By care in this way half the bed is always fresh and ready. When allowable, an extra bed for the night is an excellent provision. The best mode of changing the upper sheet is, first to air and warm a clean one, and then make it into a roll; next, commence with it at the foot of the bed and push it under the sheet which is to be removed, and bring it up as smoothly as possible, unrolling it as it is moved up; when the patient is covered by it, draw down and remove the soiled sheet at the foot of the bed. In this way there is no danger of chilling the patient. Sheets should be changed morning and night; but if the supply is limited to two or three, these can be alternated by hanging the one taken off in the morning by a window to air through the day for night use, and the one taken off at night to be hung