Mental nursing; or, Lectures for asylum attendants.

  • Harding, W. (William Harry), 1941-
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mental nursing; or, Lectures for asylum attendants. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    appetising and as bright as possible. When most asylums are in the country, and wild flowers are common, there is no reason why in the quieter wards flowers should not be constantly present on the tables in the summer months. In addition to their brighten- ing effect, the arrangement and gathering of them will give pleasure and light occupation to some of the inmates. It is needless to remark that knives and forks should be clean, and that salt-cellars and mustard-pots should be kept freshly supplied. These things appear to be matters of course, but in practice they are curiously apt to be overlooked. Meal times are occasions on which every patient can be individually noticed. Each nurse should have a table assigned to her, and to which she always attends. The same patients should always sit at that table, and in their usual seats. The nurse can then perceive at once either want of appetite, or any altera- tion in the patient's condition. She will become acquainted with the peculiarities and habits at meal times of those at her table, e.g., those who bolt their food without masticating it; those who eat slowly and require extra time; those who would steal from the plates of their neighbours, and, if permitted, gorge themselves to sickness. The class who bolt their food are liable to choke, owing to their greedy or stupid efforts to swallow large masses. Inability to take food, or any change in appearance, should be at once reported to the charge nurse. The latter will see to the serving and exercise a general supervision. Some