all the foolish, unreasonable whims of sick people, but if you are
true nurses you will do it. There are, however, several consoling
thoughts which have always helped me, and which I will tell you.
In the first place, always remember, as I said before, that the
sick one _is_ sick, and on that ground you can overlook much.
In the second place, remember that it will not last long. A few
days or weeks will surely bring a change. She cannot, in the
nature of disease, remain for long in the very trying stage,
unless indeed she have some kind of mania, and of course if that
is the case, you need pay no attention to her whims. If she says
white is black, let it go. It does not make it so to have her say
so, but if you argue the point, and bring all your wisdom to bear
upon your demonstration, you may bring her pulse and temperature
up to a point that will do her a real injury.

_Tact_, as you know, is worth everything to you, and by it
you will win your way to all hearts. Try then to feel as the
patient does, and you will know by instinct how to treat her, and
will, perhaps, be often rewarded for some little deed by the
pleased surprise with which she will say, "How did you know I
wanted it done?" You need not tell her how you knew, but you may
be sure she will appreciate you all the more for your prescient
thoughtfulness. Her pillows may be flat and hot, her hair
uncomfortable, her under sheet wrinkled or untucked from the
bottom; all these and a dozen more little things can be arranged
so easily, and they conduce so much to the sick one's comfort when
done, that you must ever have them in your mind.

Be most careful also as to your patient's belongings, her top
drawer, her various boxes, and her linen closet. You must keep all