run, the chances for recovery, and what to do in emergency, etc.,
_they_ know the patient, all her peculiarities, her likes and
dislikes, and if you are wise you will get and keep many little
hints from those who have cared for her before you came. If she
likes milk, will she insist upon tea? Does coffee keep her awake?
Does she hate the sight of gruel, or beef-tea? Does she like much
sugar in her drinks? All these are little matters of individual
taste that you must find out for each patient, and if you have the
necessary tact and forethought, you never need ask the patient one
question; usually the friends are pleased to be consulted on such
small matters, and gladly tell you all you wish to know. To be
sure, they generally tell much more than you asked for; but that
does not matter, it is better to listen patiently for five minutes
to someone's tiresome descriptions than to repulse them, and so
lose just so much kindly feeling from the one who wished to talk
to you.

If the amateur nurse has been doing something actually wrong for
the patient, do not tell her so. She did the best she knew how;
but say, as pleasantly as you can, "I think perhaps _this_
would make our patient more comfortable," or "The doctor thinks
such and such things are not now necessary, and it would be better
to do this way." Then you can do what you know to be right, and
not hurt the feelings of the one who has preceded you, and,
feeling your way carefully, have everything just as it ought to
be, and no one's feelings will be hurt, and no one will feel that
you are looking down upon their ignorance; and here I would say
that in your little confidential talks with the doctor, you could
ask him to say a word to the family if they persist in doing what
you know to be wrong. Ask him to give you orders before some of