The Sickroom Nurse

No person has greater power for evil or for good than has the nur.se in the sickroom. Her actual anthorifry is second to that of the ph ysician, but her opportuuities for exercising it are almost unlimited. If a physician in :i country town wishes to secure a trained nurse, he should telegraph or write to the nnrses' directory, to sozne hospital or physician whom he knows, in the nearest adjacent city, stating for what sort of a case he will require a nurse, wbat he will pay and when he will require her. Stich a message should secure for hini almnst immediately whatever service he requires. Tlie traits of character which mate the ideal nnrse are patience, obedience, tact and good sense and temper. The nurse 's costume should consistof a cambric or seersucker gown, with white cap, cuffs and apron. Woolen gown should never be permitted in a sickroom Her authority is absolute after the phy sician's. She must obey his instructions to the letter, even if they are agains her judgment. She has no discretion in the matter. But the patiënt and the patient's fam ily must obey her. She must never be allowed to disobey the physician 's or ders, and the first symptom of any sucb. behavior should be reported immediate ly to the physician. All his instructions with reference to treatment, diet anc care should be followed faithfully. The fact that her patiënt is a man shouk make no difference in her behavior in the sickroom. He is a patiënt, not a man, and she a nurse, not a woman. Whenever a nurse disobeys a physician '9 orders or behaves in any raanner which renders her dismissal advisable, the family or the patiënt should request the doctor to discharge her at once and to supply her substitute. A word from him is sufficient to insure her departure. -