In all cases where the patient is too ill or forbidden to sit up in bed,
a feeding cup with a curved spout should be used. The nurse’s hand
should be passed beneath the pillow, and the head and pillow gently
raised together. Where there is extreme prostration a glass tube, bent
at a right angle, one end of which is placed in the cup containing the
food and the other in the patient’s mouth, will enable him to take
liquids with scarcely any effort.
If the patient is in a state of delirium, or unconscious, endeavor to
arouse him somewhat before giving him his food. Sometimes merely putting
the spoon in his mouth is enough, but at other times you will require to
get it well back on the tongue. In such cases, watch carefully to see
that the liquid is swallowed before attempting to give a second
spoonful.
When it comes to the convalescent patient the food is no less important
than during the time of illness. Serve it on a tray, covered with a
fresh napkin, have the dishes and spoons clean and shining, and be
careful not to slop things into the saucers. Take the tray from the room
as soon as the meal is ended, for uneaten food sometimes becomes very
obnoxious to the sick person if it remains in sight. To provide food for
the sick which is both suitable and attractive sometimes requires great
care, judgment and patience, but the effort is worth all the trouble it
costs. The aim should be to give what will be at the same time easy to
digest and of nutritive value after it is digested. In another
department of this work will be found many recipes adapted for invalids.
Medicine should be given at regular hours, and careful attention should
be paid to the directions as to the time when the doses are to be given,
as, for instance, before or after meals. The exact quantity ordered
should be given, as even a slight error may defeat the results intended.
Never give any medicine without looking at the label, being absolutely
certain that you have the right one. Never allow a bottle to stand
uncorked, for many mixtures lose their strength when exposed to the air.