Old people are especially liable to several diseases which need not be mentioned except where the prevention or nursing differs from the same conditions in the young. Senile gangrene is very terrible, but it cannot occur if the skin is unbroken. If there is an abrasion, dress it dry and be watchful, reporting, of course, to the doctor the slightest tendency of the tissues to break down. For the prevention of cerebral hemorrhage in those who have recovered from an attack or who seem likely to have one, discontinue the use of alcoholic drinks, restrict the diet, giving less nitrogenous food and very light desserts. Fractures are comparatively common. When the patient has recovered from the shock the doctor is not unlikely to direct that old people with broken legs or hips are to be taken out of bed daily to sit up. Any old person in bed longer than a few days should be carefully cared for to prevent bedsores. Incontinence of urine is not uncommon and is very distressing, requiring all the ingenuity of a nurse to keep the patient clean and free from chafing. There are many rubber appliances on the market for both men and women, which may help, but eternal vigilance is just as necessary. When old people are sick in bed, change the position often and get them out of bed as soon as the doctor will permit. The aged often recover completely from alarming illnesses where the possibilities seemed small, and they fade away quickly sometimes in what seem only trifling ailments.

Let the rooms occupied by old people (and especially sick old people) be as light and sunny as possible. There may be a protest against the sun at first, but ingenuity and tact will overcome that. The warmth of the sunshine is agreeable; try protecting the eyes and allowing the sun to stream over the patient-it is almost certain to be grateful. Bear in mind that when the present old people were young, darkened sickrooms were proper and smiling faces were much out of place in them. The smiles are welcome now and so will the sunshine be. -Jessie Breeze