The nurse should not sleep with the patient.  Sofas and couches are not commonly comfortable enough to secure needed rest.  A cot bed is at once convenient and inexpensive, and can be readily folded and put out of sight in the daytime.  It can also be used by the patient occasionally, especially during convalescence.

384.  Ventilation of the Sick-room.  Proper ventilation is most essential to the sick-room, but little provision is ordinarily made for so important a matter.  It is seldom that one of the windows cannot be let down an inch or more at the top, a screen being arranged to avoid any draught on the patient.  Remove all odors by ventilation and not by spraying perfumery, or burning pastilles, which merely conceal offensive odors without purifying the air.  During cold weather and in certain diseases, the patient may be covered entirely with blankets and the windows opened wide for a few minutes.

Avoid ventilation by means of doors, for the stale air of the house, kitchen smells, and noises made by the occupants of the house, are apt to reach the sick-room.  The entire air of the room should be changed at least two or three times a day, in addition to the introduction of a constant supply of fresh air in small quantities.

385.  Hints for the Sick-room.  Always strive to look cheerful and pleasant before the patient.  Whatever may happen, do not appear to be annoyed, discouraged, or despondent.  Do your best to keep up the courage of sick persons under all circumstances.  In all things keep in constant mind the comfort and ease of the patient.

Do not worry the sick with unnecessary questions, idle talk, or silly gossip.  It is cruel to whisper in the sick-room, for patients are always annoyed by it.  They are usually suspicious that something is wrong and generally imagine that their condition has changed for the worse.

Symptoms of the disease should never be discussed before the patient, especially if he is thought to be asleep.  He may be only dozing, and any such talk would then be gross cruelty.  Loud talking must, of course, be avoided.  The directions of the physician must be rigidly carried out in regard to visitors in the sick-room.  This is always a matter of foremost importance, for an hour or even a night of needed sleep and rest may be lost from the untimely call of some thoughtless visitor.  A competent nurse, who has good sense and tact, should be able to relieve the family of any embarrassment under such circumstances.

Do not ever allow a kerosene light with the flame turned down to remain in the sick-room.  Use the lamp with the flame carefully shaded, or in an adjoining room, or better still, use a sperm candle for a night light.

Keep, so far as possible, the various bottles of medicine, spoons, glasses, and so on in an adjoining room, rather than to make a formidable array of them on a bureau or table near the sick-bed.  A few simple things, as an orange, a tiny bouquet, one or two playthings, or even a pretty book, may well take their place.