Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not

[3] [Sidenote: Careless observation of the results of careless Visits.] As an old experienced nurse, I do most earnestly deprecate all such careless words. I have known patients delirious all night, after seeing a visitor who called them "better," thought they "only wanted a little amusement," and who came again, saying, "I hope you were not the worse for my visit," neither waiting for an answer, nor even looking at the case. No real patient will ever say, "Yes, but I was a great deal the worse." It is not, however, either death or delirium of which, in these cases, there is most danger to the patient. Unperceived consequences are far more likely to ensue. You will have impunity--the poor patient will not. That is, the patient will suffer, although neither he nor the inflictor of the injury will attribute it to its real cause. It will not be directly traceable, except by a very careful observant nurse. The patient will often not even mention what has done him most harm. [4] [Sidenote: The sick would rather be told a thing than have it read to them.] Sick children, if not too shy to speak, will always express this wish. They invariably prefer a story to be told to them, rather than read to them.