OF THE 
 
 University of California. 
 
 Class 
 
STUDIES IN 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 A Manual for Nurses and 
 Attendants 
 
 BY 
 
 SUSAN E. TRACY 
 
 WHITCOMB & BARROWS 
 BOSTON 1910 
 

 Copyright 1910 by 
 Susan E. Tracy 
 
 THOMAS TODD CO. 
 
 PRINTERS 
 
 14 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass. 
 
(J" 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 
 WILLIAM MAXWELL HOUGHTON 
 
 IN LOVING RECOGNITION OF 
 
 GREAT LESSONS TAUGHT 
 
 BY A LITTLE CHILD 
 
 223157 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 These studies were brought into systematized form and first 
 tested by practical application in the classes of the Training 
 School for Nurses of the Adams Nervine Asylum, Jamaica Plain, 
 Massachusetts, with the interest and unfailing sympathy of its 
 superintendent. Dr. Daniel H. Fuller, who courteously writes 
 the introduction to this book. 
 
 The closing chapter relating to the work for the insane is 
 supplied in great kindness by Dr. E. Stanley Abbot, of McLean 
 Hospital, Waverley, Massachusetts. 
 
 For the assistance of these two earnest supporters of all 
 helpful methods I wish to express my sincere thanks. 
 
 Susan E. Tracy. 
 Boston, September lo, 1910. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 Introduction i 
 
 The Need of Instruction for Nurses in Occupations for 
 the Sick 
 
 1. Methods of Teaching ii 
 
 II. The Teacher i6 
 
 III. Necessary Equipment 20 
 
 TYPICAL INVALIDS 
 
 IV. The Child of Poverty and the Child of Wealth . . 22 
 V. Restricted Positions 47 
 
 VI. In Quarantine 58 
 
 VII. One-Hand Lessons 67 
 
 VIII. The Impatient Boy 76 
 
 IX. In the Hospital 81 
 
 X. Grandmother 95 
 
 XI. The Business Man 109 
 
 XII. With Waning Powers 124 
 
 XIII. In Waiting Time 132 
 
 XIV. Without Sight 138 
 
 XV. The Clouded Mind 151 
 
 Conclusion 170 
 
 List of Occupations 173 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 A Group of Colonial Clothespins Frontispiece 
 
 FACING PAGE 
 
 Paper-Box House . 24 
 
 Furniture from Paper Boxes 44 
 
 Cloth Animals . , -50 
 
 CuT-OuT Picture Work 58 
 
 Bed-Desk 68 
 
 Reed, Raffia and Pine-Needle Baskets 80 
 
 Practical Suggestions for an Old Lady's Work .... 100 
 
 Examples of Bookbinding without Tools 112 
 
 Miniature Fowls 122 
 
 Rake Knitting. An Acadian Basket 128 
 
 Eggshell Toys 132 
 
 Full-page photographs by Frank A. Rugg. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 The Need of Instruction for Nurses in Occupations 
 FOR THE Sick 
 
 By Daniel H. Fuller, M.D. 
 
 There is a growing tendency on the part of many physicians 
 to depart from the custom of the past generation by prescribing 
 fewer drugs and these more rationally. Other means of treat- 
 ment are widely employed, not all new, to be sure, but exploited 
 with renewed emphasis, and practically new to those who have 
 been educated to other methods or who have heretofore given 
 little thought to such matters. Among these important adjuncts 
 to drug treatment, and in many cases substitutes for it, may be 
 mentioned massage, electricity, gymnastics, dietary regimes, 
 hydrotherapy, the use of light, heat and fresh air in various 
 ways, occupations, instructions in methods of self-help and 
 multitudes of ways of using suggestion or psychotherapy. 
 
 Each one of these methods of treatment has been vaunted 
 from time to time by successful enthusiasts as a panacea for 
 so-called functional diseases, and not infrequently for organic 
 troubles also. Enthusiastic confidence in a method of treatment 
 always brings a measure of success, somewhat in proportion to 
 the enthusiasm, and every physician can recall occasions where 
 his method was entirely subordinate to his enthusiastic main- 
 tenance of confidence in the method being used. 
 
 It is the belief of the writer of this chapter that suitable 
 occupation is a valuable agent in the treatment of the sick. It 
 has its place, not as a panacea, but as an important adjunct 
 to other forms of treatment, and sometimes it is quite all the 
 treatment necessary. It has been used too exclusively by the 
 specialist, and too little by the general practitioner, although 
 
2 ,^ X <; </- '■ . INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 there is much clever use of it by resourceful doctors and nurses 
 which is never widely published. 
 
 Occupation for the sick is not employed so much as it might 
 be profitably, partly because of ignorance of the great good that 
 may be accomplished thereby and partly because of the difficul- 
 ties which appear to stand in the way of its satisfactory use. 
 The busy doctor and the busy nurse may feel that they have 
 not time to initiate any regime of this kind even if the useful- 
 ness of it is apparent. More frequently perhaps, through lack 
 of experience or ingenuity, an occupation cannot be provided, 
 much less maintained by either the physician or nurse. 
 
 The psychology of work is a subject of importance and 
 interest, but it is not necessary for the physician to be a psy- 
 chologist to prescribe work wisely for the patient whose physical, 
 nervous, mental and moral characteristics he has made the 
 object of keen observation and study. 
 
 It must not be inferred from the above that occupation can 
 be used successfully in a haphazard manner. Not only must 
 the nervous and physical strength be carefully estimated, but the 
 temperament, natural tastes and disposition have to be taken 
 into account in the kind and amount of occupation suggested, 
 as well as in the manner and place in which it is presented. 
 Different physicians will have different theories as to the psychic 
 processes involved. Immediate or more remote results may be 
 aimed at, and the precise conditions to be treated may be of a 
 subtle nature. 
 
 The elimination from the patient's mind of the idea of 
 "prescription" or "remedy" in connection with the occupation 
 is doubtless often much to be desired. When the work is fol- 
 lowed for its own sake, wholesome interests are substituted for 
 morbid ones and gradually the attention is shifted to and absorbed 
 by the new lines of thought aroused, so that, instead of being 
 a medicine that can be dropped when the patient is cured, it has 
 become rather a part of the restored individual's life, to be 
 retained in some form so lonsf as health exists. 
 
INTRODUCTION 3 
 
 Then, too, the use of occupation in a sanitarium or hospital 
 is quite a different matter from its use in the home or away 
 from the association with sicl<ness and treatment. 
 
 The conditions in a well organized and wisely administered 
 sanitarium furnish many invaluable advantages and possibilities 
 for the treatment of the sick, so that it is difficult to see how such 
 institutions could be dispensed with. Nevertheless it is and doubt- 
 less always will be true that the association of invalids together 
 will be attended with undesirable reactions to their environment 
 on the part of some. Occasionally absolute harm may result, 
 necessitating the removal of the patient. In a hospital or sani- 
 tarium for nervous invalids there are usually a number of patients 
 who really need treatment other than occupation. Hence it 
 becomes a necessity to combine occupation, as there offered, 
 with other remedial treatment. On the other hand the remedial 
 element in the idea of work becomes a compelling argument 
 with others to whom it appeals and whose confidence in the 
 physician leads to the eager grasping of any suggestion which 
 presents the possibility of a restoration to health. But even in 
 such cases the remedial effect is most completely attained when 
 the occupation is followed from a gradually acquired ability and 
 interest, and no longer simply because it is prescribed. Such 
 a result means a cure in the broadest sense, in that the mental 
 attitude toward life has been changed. Wholesome interests 
 have been aroused, and a conscious poise and control in the use 
 of one's strength in the accomplishment of work has made work 
 a pleasure and Hfe satisfying. 
 
 There is danger also, in the sanitarium, of permitting the 
 occupations furnished to fall into the category of other methods 
 of routine treatment, so that many who can hardly expect to be 
 benefited thereby will beg to be allowed to dabble in them, some- 
 times from curiosity and sometimes with that peculiar desire, 
 which some dwellers in sanitaria have, to try everything the place 
 affords, more for the sake of adding another to the ever increas- 
 ing number of treatments which they have taken than for an)' 
 
4 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 desire or expectancy of being benefited. Again, the value of 
 occupation may be discredited by some who feel that unfair 
 discrimination is made if they are denied what their neighbors 
 have, while yet others, with better intent, are prone to rush fever- 
 ishly into any occupation offered, in their earnest and genuine 
 determination to leave nothing untried in the search for health. 
 Unless such misuse of occupations is carefully guarded against, 
 its wholesome influence is greatly diminished. 
 
 But in spite of the possibilities of ill effects from the associa- 
 tion of nervous invalids, and of the dangers of misuse of the 
 occupation room, there are many advantages to those who gather 
 there from day to day with an earnest purpose and a growing 
 interest. The occupation room offers a new environment. It 
 takes the patient away from his individual apartment and from 
 the living rooms of the institution which may be filled with the 
 suggestion of invalidism. It presents a cheerful atmosphere of 
 quiet activity and a satisfying sense of something worth while 
 being accomplished, which is stimulating to interest and effort. 
 All talk of sickness, invalidism, treatment, past experiences and 
 symptoms should be rigidly excluded, and here is one place where 
 this can be accomplished effectually by a tactful and watchful 
 teacher. This is most important. The working together with 
 others under these conditions often proves an inspiration. The 
 example of one who is interested and happy in his work is a 
 strong and natural incentive to the discouraged and fearful one. 
 The willing and kindly effort to assist another who finds the tasks 
 perplexing and discouraging is sometimes wonderfully helpful 
 to both. Again, for many nervous invalids who have gradually 
 shut themselves away from all association with others and whose 
 self-seclusion has become a habit — the result of morbid fear — 
 the occupation room offers a most effective opportunity for anni- 
 hilating this fear and establishing the patient again in normal 
 habits and natural relations with his fellow-beings. The activi- 
 ties of the occupation room become the subject of wholesome 
 interest and conversation outside of the room itself and so react 
 
INTRODUCTION 5 
 
 favorably on the whole institution. In many instances entirely 
 new ambitions have been permanently aroused. The possibilities 
 of the continued use of some of the work outside of the insti- 
 tution have been eagerly developed and profitably followed as 
 strength returned, and so have helped the solution of the always 
 perplexing question for the person whose nervous strength is 
 small but who longs to use effectively what little he has. 
 
 In some cases the beginning of work must be apart from 
 others and under individual instruction. Even in these cases, 
 it is important, if possible, to bring the patient to the occupation 
 room at times when it is not in use by others, so that he may 
 become accustomed to the new surroundings and interested in 
 the opportunities there presented. If he gets started in some 
 work which requires the apparatus of the room, so much the 
 better, as he will eventually the more easily merge with the 
 general activities and life of the room. 
 
 Perhaps the most essential element in the success either of 
 an occupation room in an institution or in the use of manual 
 work as a therapeutic agent with the individual patient in the 
 home or elsewhere outside of institutions is the teacher on 
 the one hand, or the nurse on the other. Leadership and example 
 are necessary. The German physician who always worked in the 
 garden with his patients recognized the surest way of keep- 
 ing them interested. It is futile to put work into the hands of 
 the sick and expect them to create an interest in it. A dozen 
 kinds of occupation may be suggested, material furnished and 
 explanations and directions given, but without the constant co- 
 operation of the teacher or nurse, without the daily expression 
 of interest and the stimulus of example, the work is either never 
 begun, or, if begun, is soon thrown aside. The personality of 
 the teacher and nurse therefore becomes an important factor. 
 Her real enthusiasm and love for the work react most power- 
 fully on the patient. The daily support of the leader, the devel- 
 opment of a common interest in the work, a judicious arrange- 
 ment of the times and seasons and resourcefulness in suggestions 
 are among the desirable requirements for success. 
 
6 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 The physician's function is primarily to determine the question 
 of the need and advisabiHty of manual work and then to pre- 
 scribe carefully the amount, watch the results, guard against 
 fatigue, appreciate the work accomplished and encourage the 
 wise persistence in it. There should be the closest cooperation 
 between the doctor and nurse or teacher. While of necessity 
 much latitude is given the latter, she should be trained in the 
 keen observation of signs of overfatigue, and be able to analyze 
 her patient sufficiently to determine whether the fatigue comes 
 from the too great strain of the mechanical effort or from more 
 subtle causes of worry, discontent, unnecessary friction with her 
 environment, etc. Failure and even harm may result by the pro- 
 longed effort of a conscientious person to peg away at some 
 kind of work because he doesn't want to offend the doctor or 
 nurse, but which is in itself distasteful and entirely wanting 
 in interest for him. The observing nurse will note such a con- 
 dition and substitute some different work which will appeal to 
 the patient. It must always be borne in mind that a loss 
 of interest in all kinds of activity and a loss of the power of 
 initiative are frequently symptoms of the condition which is being 
 treated. It is therefore a part of the problem to arouse and 
 foster interest and fan the flame into real enthusiasm at last. 
 It will sometimes be the task of the nurse to prevent the patient 
 from overdoing when his interest develops faster than his 
 strength; and here, too, tact and care are requisite to keep the 
 patient within his limitations without discouragement. 
 
 The recognition of the need as well as the practicability of 
 instructing nurses in various ways of occupying their patients 
 was a direct outgrowth of the attempt to furnish occupation to 
 the patients in the sanitarium. 
 
 There is nothing in the life of the modern sanitarium which 
 calls for louder protest than the unemployed hours which furnish 
 the patients opportunity for self-analysis and morbid brooding, 
 or, what is equally if not more insidious in its baneful effects, an 
 opportunity for the exercise of a natural tendency to get con- 
 
INTRODUCTION 7 
 
 fidential and discuss in minute detail symptoms, experiences, 
 doctors, nurses, treatments, causes, mistakes, theories and con- 
 clusions, conduct, food, management, etc., ad infinitum et ad 
 nauseam. The opportunity to discuss these petty matters, the 
 lack of stimulating thought, the narrowness of the horizon, 
 the prevailing sentiment among a large number of invalids that 
 there is nothing for the patients to do but lie back and wait 
 and that somebody or something will do all the rest for them — 
 this, as a part of sanitarium life, led to an eflfort at the Adams 
 Nervine Asylum to meet the demand in part by the building 
 and equipping of a house devoted to the occupation and treat- 
 ment of patients. Much importance was placed on the occupa- 
 tion room, wherein opportunity was provided for various forms 
 of interesting and useful work. Weaving rugs and finer fabrics, 
 basket work, bookbinding and clay modeling were employed at 
 the start. Fortunately there was secured an excellent leader, 
 trained in teaching, conversant with the work to be taken up 
 and interested in it. The room was open at definite hours each 
 day, but at other times those who wished could work without 
 the presence of the teacher if their condition permitted. A rigid 
 rule against the discussion of symptoms or any matters relating 
 to illness or treatment was enforced and the room became at 
 once a cheery and attractive place. The atmosphere of inter- 
 ested activity prevailed. The work became the source of new 
 purposes, of changed avenues of thought and of stimulated 
 ambitions. Other kinds of work were introduced from time to 
 time, such as leather work, brass work, free-hand drawing, chair 
 caning, the manufacture of photograph albums, notebooks, etc. 
 The department was a success. The evils of the idle association 
 of nervous invalids were in a measure remedied, and a more 
 positively wholesome spirit pervaded the institution. 
 
 As this department developed under its efficient leader, it was 
 noticed that the nurses became interested in the activities of the 
 occupation room. The results attracted their attention. Some- 
 times they were allowed and at other times requested to come 
 
8 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 with their patients and work with them. Requests for permis- 
 sion to use the room when off duty were granted. Nurses and 
 patients became interested in the same kind of work and the 
 mutual interest was stimulating to both. Graduate nurses, con- 
 scious of the value of occupation for their private patients, began 
 to return to the sanitarium for suggestions and instructions. 
 Most nurses felt keenly their lack of resourcefulness in supply- 
 ing some kind of occupation for their convalescing and nervous 
 patients. The sanitarium equipment provided opportunity for 
 instruction in many forms of simple work. Practical teaching 
 in ministering to the sick was furnished in the training school 
 for nurses, why should not lessons in occupations for invalids 
 be included also in this curriculum? The author of this book, 
 being the Superintendent of Nurses, saw the need and the 
 opportunity. The hours available for instruction of nurses were 
 already full, but the summer months were comparatively free 
 from training school exercises, and the nurses were found will- 
 ing to devote an afternoon each week to talks and practical 
 work in this line. The interest deepened. Nurses were found 
 employing their off-duty time in the practical working out of 
 the ideas suggested and demonstrated in the lessons. The occu- 
 pation room was placed at their disposal at certain hours and 
 one or more of the nurses could often be found there busily 
 interested in some work which had been assigned or which 
 had been taken up voluntarily. Problems were given and worked 
 out involving the question of occupation for a patient suffering 
 from this or that malady, or living in a real or imaginary environ- 
 ment under certain definite limitations. Graduates in private 
 practice came back with the real problems of their special patients, 
 and so the practical need was verified and the department in the 
 instruction of nurses in methods of occupying their patients was 
 created and organized. Exhibitions at the sanitarium of the 
 work accomplished by patients and nurses resulted in the awaken- 
 ing of the interest of the superintendents of other training schools 
 in this subject. Requests for talks to the nurses of these schools 
 
INTRODUCTION 9 
 
 were received and granted. Soon came demands for the exhi- 
 bition in other cities and for explanatory talks and demonstra- 
 tions before nurses engaged in advanced courses of study, and 
 before nurses' alumnae associations. The strong appeal which 
 the subject made to the graduate nurses in active work was 
 particularly significant. 
 
 There are nurses and physicians who are naturally resourceful 
 and clever in providing useful diversions and occupations for 
 their patients. There are many more who are not, but who 
 recognize just as clearly the benefit to the patient of such inter- 
 ests, and experience a feeling of helplessness in their inability 
 to supply the need. Such a feeling of helplessness deadens 
 hope and enthusiasm. It leads the nurse to regard as prac- 
 tically hopeless certain invalid states which her reason tells her 
 ought to be helped, but her own experience tells her are rarely 
 much benefited. If they get better it is because they have 
 worked out their own problem, and the nurse finally accepts that 
 as the only possible solution and is content to wait patiently 
 for the uncertain result. Nothing can be more destructive of 
 the nurse's enthusiasm and active interest in her patient than 
 this. Nothing can be more destructive of the patient's ambition 
 and hopeful efifort to recover than to be left to a monotonous 
 succession of days and weeks of waiting for something new to 
 happen. 
 
 By routine instruction in the classroom, by personal talks, 
 by advice showered upon them in graduation addresses, by text- 
 book and magazine articles, by the related experiences of recov- 
 ered patients, nurses are constantly being impressed with the 
 fact that the technical and mechanical part of their work is but 
 one aspect of their professional duty, that a broader conception 
 must be attained — a sense of obligation to minister to the indi- 
 vidual as well as to the disease. The value of wise human 
 sympathy, of cheerfulness in word and mien, of tactful dealing 
 with unreasonableness and irritability, of skillful diversion of 
 thought from pessimistic channels, and many other desirable 
 
lo INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 qualifications are emphasized as essential parts of the trained 
 nurse's equipment for her work. All this is right and true. But 
 the best intentioned nurse, who aspires to do her full duty 
 .toward her patient and who recognizes pretty clearly the line 
 of action which would help, has often found herself bewildered 
 and helpless in her effort to meet the need. 
 
 The instruction of nurses in these lines is therefore a matter 
 of practical value, and far-reaching in its influence. Not only is 
 the knowledge thus obtained a useful addition to the nurse's 
 working capital, but it serves efficiently as a reminder of the 
 wide scope of her functions, and helps to make her thoughtful 
 of the deeper needs of her patient. A determination to meet 
 this need will be strengthened by such instruction. The inventive 
 power will be quickened and greater resourcefulness developed. 
 
 A nurse who has noted the return of an expression of interest 
 to one who has long been apathetic, who has been able to pre- 
 serve this interest and lead it on to a desire to act, who has 
 nurtured this feeble desire into a willingness to try, and who 
 finally has turned the effort into an accomplished fact with a 
 tangible result will appreciate the value of occupation for in- 
 valids, while the larger possibilities which it holds out to certain 
 classes, particularly those whose obstacle to recovery lies in 
 perverse fixed habits of thought or the insistence of morbid 
 fears, abundantly justifies patient and interested effort for long 
 periods of time. 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 METHODS OF TEACHING 
 
 The teaching of occupation lessons to nurses comes directly 
 in the line of manual training but is a newer adaptation of this 
 most valuable department of study. Just as provision is made 
 in the training school curriculum for cookery, massage and 
 various appropriate branches, so a place may be found for this 
 also. A proper lesson in cookery requires a longer period than 
 one in anatomy, in order that there may be time for some review 
 and explanatory work before the actual constructive study begins. 
 It is likewise most desirable to secure for this occupation class 
 a two-hour period. If the attempt is made to give the explana- 
 tory and theoretical part of the lesson while the actual work is 
 being done many interruptions will occur and less purposeful 
 work result. 
 
 Materials being all at hand and systematically arranged before 
 each pupil, the class may be assembled as for other study. It 
 is well for the teacher to adhere to a single subject in each 
 lesson. It would not be wise to attempt to teach one-half the 
 class a lesson designed for a feeble old man and the other half 
 one for a sixteen-year-old girl. Although there may be many 
 kinds of work going on they should all point in one direction. 
 In all classes there are the swift and the slow, the clever and 
 the dull. One nurse will complete a piece of work weekly, while 
 another will use up an hour in doing what the first would com- 
 plete in twenty minutes, therefore it has seemed best to draw 
 a sharp line between finished and unfinished work, one table 
 being reserved for the laggards while the more fortunate are 
 sent to the new work table. The desire for promotion has 
 influenced speed to a considerable extent. 
 
12 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 It is essential that a carefully kept notebook be required. 
 If the work be carried on without this the pupil may produce 
 excellent work but when graduated will not have proper direc- 
 tions or patterns, will not know where the necessary materials 
 may be obtained, or just how things go together or why they 
 are placed in a given lesson. If the blackboard shows the sub- 
 ject of the lesson and the leading principles aimed at in its 
 presentation, the detail may follow in the notebooks. For the 
 most part the instructor will do best to watch the work in 
 the hand of the individual student; occasionally, however, a 
 demonstration before the class of some special work may be 
 a saving in point of time. In any case it will be an extremely 
 busy period. 
 
 Leaving room for originality, the value of models must not 
 be forgotten. If the student can be set down facing a good 
 model, the instructor is relieved of a large part of the teaching. 
 The models should, of course, be of the best and the pupils 
 cautioned against, and taught to observe, their defects and to 
 preserve their excellencies. Pupils will be of many sorts; those 
 of quick insight who select materials with little hesitation and 
 take themselves off to some quiet corner to bring back some 
 charmingly worked out scheme. Perhaps there will be two out 
 of ten of this class. The average pupil works along rather 
 laboriously but with a certain interest and satisfaction in results. 
 After these come the trials, those whose hands seem not to be 
 a part of them, those who work while the instructor is beside 
 them and then wait until she gets around again. Perhaps the 
 saving grace in this work is its variety. The pupil who made 
 shipwreck of a Canton flannel dog turns out an excellently bound 
 book; the one who flounders and gasps over a piece of paper 
 folding will knit a shawl with good, steady strokes. But because 
 they are nurses and will be called to suit all sorts of men and 
 minds they must learn to do the things for which they care little, 
 if by so doing they can supply the needed interest to the patient 
 dependent upon them. 
 
METHODS OF TEACHING 13 
 
 It is not possible or desirable to have each separate pupil 
 attempt all the kinds of work. Choice may be permitted to a 
 degree but not altogether — the thing chosen may often be 
 allowed after a less attractive piece of work is completed. There 
 is danger that too much time may be spent on a popular form 
 of work. Every pupil wants to make one of these articles, 
 and in consequence an estimate of value out of proportion to 
 the time allowed results. 
 
 The real problem of the nurse is to find means whereby she 
 may initiate and actually lead and cooperate in forms of occu- 
 pation suited to every invalid condition and any natural temper- 
 ament. She must possess within herself that which may be 
 offered to young and old, rich or poor, man, woman or child. 
 Those things popularly termed amusements in no sense supply 
 this place. In the valuable little book, "The School and the 
 Child," Dr. Dewey writes: "By occupation is not meant any 
 kind of 'busy work' or exercise that may be given to the child 
 to keep him out of mischief or idleness when seated at his desk. 
 By occupation I mean a mode of activity on the part of the 
 child which reproduces or runs parallel to some form of work 
 carried on in the social life. The fundamental point in the 
 psychology of an occupation is that it maintains a balance between 
 the intellectual and the practical phases of experience." This 
 being accepted it may be placed over against the invalid's feeling 
 of being interrupted in his legitimate work, of being relegated 
 to the physical repair shop. Here let the occupations serve to 
 keep up the connection with the social life. Although forbidden 
 to look into the faces of his friends there may still be strong 
 and tangible relation between the invalid and other men and 
 their needs; thus self-respect is preserved and ambition fostered. 
 Only by observation of many examples of such activities and 
 by consideration of all sorts of materials, especially those com- 
 monly overlooked, can the pupil nurse attain to anything like 
 an equipment for this inestimable service. Choice she must be 
 allowed, but not to the discarding of a single scrap of valuable 
 
14 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 and available material. Her choice will need much education 
 before she wakens to the sense of the greatness of her resources 
 in any home, the poorest not excepted. She will never be a truly- 
 good nurse until she can produce something out of what others 
 call nothing. She must possess a prodigality of ideas sufficient 
 for any demand. Let the thought be uppermost throughout the 
 course that the nurse is learning to do these things in order to 
 teach another and, realizing this, she will work out any problem 
 and truly rejoice in the finished product and acquired skill. 
 
 The arrangement of materials in such a way that a sense of 
 beauty is reached early in the constructive process will be of great 
 value. This is more possible than may always appear at first. 
 In the making of what, for lack of a better name, are called 
 cut-out pictures, the work may seem stupid in the beginning, 
 but if the papers collected be grouped in harmonious color com- 
 binations even before their application, a color charm will precede 
 actual work and hold to great extent the pupil's feeling until 
 the form and general effect be produced to strengthen her idea 
 of the value of the work. There is perhaps no greater principle 
 to be taught than that of the quick recognition of beauty in 
 despised and discarded materials. It is really a question if any 
 place can be called truly barren of such material, certainly no 
 home need merit the term. The only barren thing is the mind 
 which is unable to recognize its resources. In a class of unde- 
 veloped nurses there will be a strong tendency to employ crude 
 colors and sharp contrasts. The knowledge and appreciation of 
 color and its delicate gradations are productive of far-reaching 
 effect. The student's own clothing will be better chosen, and it 
 may not be too much to feel that even tones of voice and muscular 
 tension in general may be thereby modified. 
 
 Whatever the work let it possess a certain dignity. Do not 
 encourage the employment of time on unworthy materials and 
 purposeless productions. A bit of waste paper may be folded 
 so as to teach a great principle, while ten sheets of wadding 
 may be gobbled into uncleanable table covers and mats to perish 
 of their own unworthiness. 
 
METHODS OF TEACHING 15 
 
 Having, then, secured a proper lesson period, provided for 
 both bright and dull pupils, required well-kept notes, secured 
 good models, arranged for great variety of subjects and per- 
 mitted legitimate choice, the way is truly opened which leads up 
 to beauty and dignity of the product and the culminating sense 
 of time well spent, even though it be within the four walls of a 
 sick-room. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 THE TEACHER 
 
 The desire to place occupation studies in the curriculum of 
 the training schools makes way at once for the question, Who 
 shall act as teachers? A very different set of qualifications is 
 necessary in the teaching of the sick from those that suffice 
 in teaching the well, therefore those attempting to teach nurses 
 the art of teaching the individual patient must themselves 
 possess like qualifications. One teaching invalids should be 
 familiar with the limitations imposed by all sorts of diseases. 
 She should be able to find just the thing which a person suffer- 
 ing from chest troubles might safely do without aggravating 
 symptoms, while she should be no less appreciative of ortho- 
 pedic cases. She must detect eye strain, know and heed the 
 early signs of fatigue before the patient is himself conscious 
 of it. Nervous disorders and temperamental differences must be 
 read and appreciated individually. She must be able to observe 
 the patient closely for long periods in order to do really fine 
 work by this method of treatment. All things being considered, 
 it would seem that, given the necessary training, a nurse would 
 be the one best suited to this work. There may be a feeling 
 that most successful nurses are far too busy to take time for 
 this special training. The group which promises well for this 
 is made up of those nurses who have already had a somewhat 
 long experience in private nursing, who have come to a realiza- 
 tion of the great need and also feel the strain of nursing, so that 
 a six months' course to be followed by an opportunity to teach 
 sounds refreshing. A class made up in this way would be a 
 desirable and certain aid to the work. There should, if possible, 
 be some natural ability along these lines ; still, given genuine 
 
 i6 
 
THE TEACHER 17 
 
 interest, the chances are good even with Umited knowledge at 
 the start. Here and there may be found a kindergartner or 
 craftswoman who will do good work provided she can grasp the 
 conditions, but it will be almost necessary to train her first to 
 nursing, for the double reason of gaining free access to the 
 patients and the proper adjustment of work to abnormal con- 
 ditions. When patients are strong enough to go to a workroom 
 or shop the need for nurse teachers is not so manifest ; but when 
 the shop is the sick-room, and the bed the bench, it is almost a 
 necessity that the nurse be the teacher. Certain eminent neurol- 
 ogists have prescribed for their wealthy patients a lesson once 
 or twice a week to be given by some qualified craftswoman. In 
 one instance this was bookbinding. This invalid was shut away 
 from all with the exception of physician, nurse and this teacher 
 who gave one lesson weekly, leaving some one definite problem 
 to be worked out by the patient with the assistance of the nurse. 
 This proved a wise and profitable arrangement. Teachers of 
 basketry, chair caning and other hand-craft are employed by the 
 city of New York to visit and instruct the poor in the various 
 city institutions. This is surely a great step in the right direction. 
 Hospitals have, however, been singularly overlooked in this re- 
 spect, and it is only here and there that the trustees of such 
 institutions are becoming cognizant of the need from the stand- 
 point of the patients' own welfare. 
 
 It is not enough that the teacher be prepared with three or 
 four forms of occupation. It is a very great mistake to teach 
 basketry or any other one thing to all classes of invalids. The 
 variety for choice needs to be almost inexhaustible. Work which 
 proves a distinct sedative to one patient will drive another wild. 
 One must treat symptoms by the "work cure" as well as by 
 drug treatment. 
 
 In conducting these classes among nurses it sometimes 
 happens that a teacher is developed unconsciously. In one class 
 three kinds of work were going on ; this was requiring more 
 personal attention than the one teacher could bestow. Without 
 
i8 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 being asked one pupil quietly assumed the teaching in one of 
 these groups, carrying it along with good success. It is a cheer- 
 ing thing when this takes place. 
 
 The field is already well opened for this work ; teachers will 
 surely be in demand. They must possess resourcefulness, un- 
 failing patience, quick perception of capacities and limitations, 
 an enthusiasm which can anticipate for the patient the attractive- 
 ness of the finished product and the insight which substitutes 
 a new piece of work or a new phase of the old before the patient 
 is conscious of weariness or distaste. Such teachers exist and 
 may be developed, although they are none too frequently met. 
 They should receive quick recognition and careful training. 
 
 The first requirement then in a teacher for this work is that 
 she be able to understand abnormal conditions. Nurses come 
 at the head of the list for these reasons: they are of necessity 
 constantly with the patient, they have a certain scientific knowl- 
 edge, they have been taught all along through training to work 
 with the hands, and they themselves need the change offered by 
 a newly developed phase of their own work. Kindergartners 
 will be of very great service if available. Craftswomen will be 
 of highest value in preparing nurses in special branches and in 
 teaching directly the accessible invalids. Pupil nurses may 
 receive a special normal training under some circumstances. 
 For instance, application is made to a small school having done 
 this work to teach the pupils of a large school. These large 
 classes are subdivided, and under a competent head teacher the 
 pupils of the smaller school are made responsible for the in- 
 struction of single groups of the larger school. To make this 
 possible the thing to be taught should be definitely decided and 
 steadfastly adhered to; the pupil nurse should know long before 
 that she is to teach this thing. Thus stimulated few pupils will 
 fail to respond. The main trouble with the pupil nurse lies in 
 her failure to make strong connections between occupation and 
 nursing. She feels that the essential experience lies in witness- 
 ing and assisting at unusual and striking surgical operations, but 
 
THE TEACHER 19 
 
 out in the world of private work she will get little of this; what 
 she will get will be the long twenty- four hour day, the seven day 
 week, the thirty day month, and even the three hundred and 
 sixty-five day year, with only the monotony of diminished powers. 
 Whatever renders these long stretches fertile and hangs even 
 the smallest fruit on the weak branches of the tree of life will 
 never be a matter for regret. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 NECESSARY EQUIPMENT 
 
 In order to teach occupations in institutions certain equipment 
 is necessary. This, however, may be reduced to very simple forms. 
 Much of value might be taught in a common sitting room if no 
 other place be available, but far better would be some rather 
 empty supply room. An attic may be utilized. Light is essential, 
 but beyond that other equipment may be improvised. Not less 
 than two large tables, long and narrow rather than square, will 
 be found practicable. For the stock a generous space in the form 
 of wall closets or shelves and a special wall-case to hold finished 
 work in such a way that it can be displayed without continual 
 pulling down is much to be desired. There should be some 
 heating apparatus, an electric or gas stove for cooking paste, 
 heating flatirons, etc., for example. A small letter press is very 
 useful, and a patent paper cutter for cutting pasteboard and 
 other materials. Few rather than many tools should be employed, 
 since this training is designed to teach nurses how to set invalids 
 to work in their own rooms. The sick-room is to become a 
 workshop, therefore to bring in or to demand a supply of tools 
 would make the undertaking assume burdensome characteristics 
 in most homes. The very zest of the thing often turns upon its 
 being accomplished by a person below par and with small and 
 heretofore unrecognized resources. In this way the tools common 
 to every home and almost to every room are the ones on which 
 the work should depend. To scissors, needle and thread, pen- 
 knife, paste brush, ruler, glue pot, add a pair of pliers, an awl 
 or two, a small hammer and a few tacks. If fortunate enough 
 to find tools in the house a nurse should show that she knows 
 how to use them, but if none are found she can be equally credited 
 with knowing how to get along without them. 
 
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT 21 
 
 The actual materials used are many and varied. Here, too, 
 it is desirable to make much of such as may be already at hand. 
 In institutional work great quantities of such material will be 
 donated by friends if the need is made known. Some material, 
 as basket stock, leather, fancy paper, etc., must be bought. Pupils 
 may be required to pay for this if they wish to keep the product. 
 
 If the instructors have open eyes and are ready to seize upon 
 anything which may be converted into useful stock by being 
 wisely arranged, it may be found on every hand — papers from 
 bundles, backs of catalogues, old magazines, bits of leather, paper 
 boxes, newspapers, soiled blotters, scraps of cloth, bits of wood, 
 and so on, ad infinitum. Each of these suggests a thing fashioned 
 for a purpose and capable of supplying some definite need. All 
 these should be carefully classified. The workroom should never 
 present the appearance of a general rubbish pile, but that of a 
 well-ordered stock-room. Paper boxes plainly marked and placed 
 on convenient shelves may contain this stock and much more of 
 the valued material. A blackboard should be available. It is 
 also desirable that a couch or bed be included in the outfit, as the 
 only satisfactory way to teach a lesson for restricted position 
 cases is to have a model which may be one of the class. By this 
 means it is possible to put the nurse in place of the patient, and 
 thus learn what may really be done. A simple bed-desk or 
 inclined table will be described later. 
 
 Briefly summarized the equipment would then be: a good- 
 sized room, well lighted ; two long tables ; a heater ; stock closets ; 
 a few common tools ; blackboard ; couch ; bed-table or bench ; 
 and classified materials. 
 
TYPICAL INVALIDS 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 THE CHILD OF POVERTY AND THE CHILD OF WEALTH 
 
 Both the rich and the poor child come, during severe illness, 
 under the care of the trained nurse. In the case of the former 
 the disease may be far from severe, indeed, many times there may 
 be no real existing disease, but for the less rugged child of the 
 rich a trained nurse may be employed for long periods. Aside 
 from the consideration of the poor child in the hospital, and 
 dealing with him only in his own home, the period will be neces- 
 sarily brief. Provided for as this child must be by some charitable 
 source, church, lodge or individual gift, his time in the hands of 
 a trained nurse will not be extended beyond necessity. By the 
 introduction of occupation treatment it is to be proved that the 
 so-called poor child is rich because of his apparent poverty, while 
 in many instances it is quickly perceived that the rich child is poor 
 because of his riches. The first lesson has been prepared for a 
 poor child of four years, recovering from a pneumonia. It has 
 been proved in the working out of this lesson that its principles 
 are equally applicable to the child of wealth. The spending of 
 even the smallest sum of money for materials for this lesson 
 is strictly forbidden. A nurse who can fashion a great variety 
 of interesting objects from the barest scraps becomes in the esti- 
 mation of any child, rich or poor, a sort of magician. The rich 
 child is surfeited with expensive and beautiful toys of which he 
 soon tires ; they are too perfect to be interesting unless destroyed 
 in order to learn their secret, which piece of work is often under- 
 taken if the child be left alone. But let a wise nurse take these 
 fragments from the wastebasket, together with all sorts of utterly 
 despised and discarded material, and from these produce a new 
 and attractive toy and the creative spirit wakens and the child 
 will not fail in appreciation and response. 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 23 
 
 What then shall constitute the stock of material in the poorest 
 home? Do not for a moment think of it as being meager. As 
 this lesson is taught year after year it seems well-nigh boundless. 
 The entire summer could be spent with profit on this first prob- 
 lem of the profitable occupation of a child without the expenditure 
 of money. The realization of resources is the first and might- 
 iest principle. From this one never escapes. If success is won it 
 is because of, and in direct proportion to, the ability to understand 
 and apply this great power. What comes into this house of 
 poverty? Bits of paper from packages, here and there a colored 
 paper from the drug store, a piece of wall paper, the colored 
 cover of an old magazine, the label from a can of tomatoes. 
 Treasure each clean bit — paper bags from the grocers, any sort 
 of pasteboard box, all kinds of advertising pictures, newspapers, 
 scraps of leather cut from an old shoe perhaps, the shell of every 
 egg used, a potato, turnip, lemon, a peanut, an apple, a bit of 
 wood, pins, toothpicks, cork stoppers, seeds of fruit or vege- 
 tables, bits of crayon, strings, scraps of worsted and cloth of all 
 sorts. 
 
 From common brown wrapping paper make a House, cutting 
 in this fashion: 
 
 
 
 T^oo^ 
 
 /^ 
 
 u H 
 
 1 -_. 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 Fig. I 
 
24 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 This house forms the nucleus around which a large number 
 of related objects gather. In the same manner fashion barn, 
 woodshed, dairy, pigpen, etc. Children are attracted by a log- 
 ical series ; their thought in this often outstrips that of their 
 elders. 
 
 A farm without animals is absurd ; they too must be cut out, 
 and who without practice can cut out a first-rate cow ? Sit down 
 in a leisure half hour and see how many animals you can cut out 
 and come fairly near to the originals. An excellent study for 
 this work is a paper Noah's Ark. The "two of a kind" may be 
 cut together. This opens the way for wall decoration. The 
 ordinary walls of a sick-room are often very wearying. This 
 need not be. There is no reason why a patient, young or old, 
 should not live in different places while confined to the bed. 
 Suppose that a long strip of green paper can be found; above 
 this paste another strip of bluish gray; have the latter some 
 two-thirds the depth of the former. Beginning with the ark 
 and the men and women thereof, follow with the procession of 
 animals. This picture-story will go a long way around the 
 room. Some children simply tear out animals with surprising 
 accuracy, using no scissors. One feeble-minded boy who could 
 be taught little else did this well. This first piece may repre- 
 sent the Bible story. A Mother Goose story which gives a 
 good progression, such as "The House that Jack Built," "The 
 Old Woman and Her Pig," "Sing a Song o' Sixpence," etc., 
 will work out well in this. A fairy story, as "Cinderella" or 
 "Jack and the Bean Stalk," may be added. 
 
 A child's room may easily be turned into any part of the 
 world. Clusters of roof tops and chimney pots running along 
 the lower edge of a paper frieze give a chance to compare 
 architectural features, while speeding through the sky overhead 
 Santa Claus and his reindeer hold the child's thought in the 
 old spell. Flying machines and windmills can be introduced 
 with great effect. 
 
 Learning to stitch up a book correctly for a picture and 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 25 
 
 story-book will be worth while. From common brown wrap- 
 ping paper cut even rectangles twelve by eight inches, folding 
 once to make the page six by eight. Place from three to four 
 of these one within the other to form the sections, or signatures, 
 of the book. Six such sections will make a very good-sized 
 book. Now find some bits of tape or even strips of cotton cloth 
 of good color ; cut in four or five inch lengths ; if the book be 
 small two strips will be sufficient. Holding all the sections 
 closely together in the left hand, stretch a tape tightly across 
 the back one-third of the way from the top and mark plainly 
 with a lead pencil on either side of the tape, making sure that 
 each section is plainly marked. At the distance of two-thirds 
 from the top place the second tape and mark in the same way. 
 Remove tape and draw a single line three-fourths of an inch 
 from the top and another single line the same distance from 
 the bottom of the book. (Fig. 2.) 
 
 KettU. 
 st.TOi 
 
 -» 
 
 - 
 
 > 
 
 " 
 
 
 1* 
 
 - 
 
 "Tcv|aC& 
 
 — — - • 
 
 - • "■ 
 
 •" 
 
 " 
 
 * 
 
 tm * 
 
 * 
 
 " 
 
 ' ' ' ' U.JL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 otcross 
 
 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ., 
 
 . 
 
 ,. 
 
 ., 
 
 
 
 
 „^ 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 
 
 ^0 
 
 
 
 Fig. 2 
 
 After marking thus, open each section in the middle and, 
 with a large needle, prick through all the leaves at the points 
 marked on the back. Take a very long double thread of linen 
 or silk in a large needle, having no knot at the end of the thread. 
 Pick up the first section, open in the exact center, sew through 
 
26 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 the first upper hole from without inward, leaving two inches of 
 thread hanging loosely outside. Sew out through the next hole, 
 which will be at the top of the first tape, lay this tape across 
 and sew down over it but not through it to the center again. 
 Repeat this over the second tape and bring the thread up to 
 the outside through last hole. Place the second section of the 
 book close to the first and sew down through the lowest hole, 
 over the two tapes, out through the upper hole. Tie the loose 
 ends at the top of the first section to the long thread, leaving 
 them an inch long after tying. Continue down the third sec- 
 tion in the same manner until the bottom is reached. As the 
 thread is brought up through the last hole a sort of half-button- 
 hole stitch, called by binders the " 'kettle-stitch," is made by 
 slipping the needle under the stitch of the next preceding section 
 and holding the thread in a loop in front, then drawing up just 
 as in buttonhole stitch. This is repeated at both top and bottom 
 of each section and serves to hold them firmly together. When 
 all are sewn, tie securely and leave an inch of thread, which is 
 tucked down between the sections, as are the first threads. Draw 
 the ends of the tapes evenly and paste down firmly to the upper 
 leaves of the book. Allow to dry thoroughly. This makes a 
 strong book and is one of the methods employed by fine binders. 
 
 The next thing is to gather up any pictures from news- 
 papers or any source, pasting one or two on a page with ample 
 space between for the text. When the pictures are all in, write 
 or print a story composed for the purpose of connecting them, 
 using them as illustrations. This story may be of joint author- 
 ship. The value of advertising pictures is great in many lines 
 of work. 
 
 House Furnishing by these same advertisements is another 
 source of pleasure. From a pasteboard box cut uniform-sized 
 pieces for the rooms, and with a few lines indicate floor, ceiling 
 and walls; little or no perspective may be employed. Select 
 wall paper, carpets, window shades, etc., of paper, pasting and 
 fitting neatly, cutting out the furniture from the advertisements. 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 27 
 
 Arrange the various rooms of a house with its occupants. This 
 may be done in a book or on separate sheets of board. 
 
 Paper Folding opens up a wide range of profitable enter- 
 tainment. Paper folding proper does not include cutting or 
 weaving, but the fashioning of various objects, usually from a 
 square, eight inches being a favorite size. The very first essen- 
 tial is that the paper be exactly square. Paper which is tough 
 but not too heavy will work best, but all sorts may be used, and 
 one can always get a piece of paper. Children traveling may 
 be kept occupied and happy by this for long periods ; nor is the 
 interest restricted to children. A good piece of paper folding 
 represents a fine mathematical problem. Men like it and a piece 
 thus left with a patient aflfords an agreeable puzzle. 
 
 There is a series of boats which will be sure to interest. 
 The Dory may be folded in three different ways : First method. 
 Fold an eight-inch square evenly through the center; open, fold 
 the lower edge up to the central fold and crease ; fold the upper 
 edge down to central fold and crease; open, turn paper around 
 and repeat the same folds the opposite way, making sixteen 
 squares altogether. Turn paper over and fold one side so that 
 the outer fold meets the central crease ; turn paper over and fold 
 
 l>«.ck / , 
 
 r 1 
 • 1 
 
 • • 
 
 X 1 
 
 ^ t 1^ ^l e. 
 
 ;s;«^c 
 
 1 ^ X ^«^"*"*^ 
 
 ' S 
 1 X 
 
 X 
 
 • X 
 
 X 
 
 • X 
 
 1 \ 
 
 \ 1 
 \ , 
 
 \ ' 
 S 1 
 
 \ 1 
 \ j 
 
 Tu,r VI X 
 
 Po»xtle. 
 
 \ ^;<ie 
 
 1 • 
 
 • y 
 
 1 * 
 
 • • 
 
 1^^ Wo^cK 
 
 Fig. 3 
 
28 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 a small half-square in each corner of the thin side ; now fold two 
 small half -squares in each outer corner of the thick side through 
 all the thicknesses ; now fold the thin side down over the thick 
 side and open through center for boat. This makes a dory with 
 a sharp-edged bottom which will not stand on level surface. 
 (Fig. 3-) 
 
 Second method. Fold a square diagonally; open, fold the 
 other diagonal; open, fold straight across the diameter; open, 
 fold the other diameter ; leave this folded ; fold down each folded 
 corner to the center ; open at bottom and crease so as to form 
 a square ; turn up the loose points to top and crease ; open again 
 to form smaller square; turn up corners again. These last will 
 
 HcUow* 
 
 ru.K occt 
 
 Fig. 4 
 
 be very thick; open again and turn up the corners. Pull out 
 the two points at either end, leaving a point which stands up 
 in the center, forming a base on which the boat may stand. 
 
 (Fig- 4-) 
 
 Third method. For this dory an exception is made and an 
 oblong takes the place of a square. Fold evenly across the 
 shorter diameter ; fold the two double corners down to the center ; 
 this will leave a narrow edge at the bottom which is folded 
 back on each side like a hem. Now open at the bottom to form 
 a square and turn up the corners to the top as in the preceding 
 example ; repeat this and open in the same way. If made of 
 paper of different color on the two sides the effect is of a boat 
 with a painted border around the inner side. 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 29 
 
 Sailboat. Fold the diagonals and diameters, opening the 
 paper flat after each fold. Hold two opposite corners together, 
 letting the other two corners fold inward toward the center, thus 
 forming a square. Turn back the outside corners to the lower 
 
 *TLu>rvi u-fc 
 
 Fig. s 
 
 corner, leaving the two folded corners standing upright; fold 
 each of the three lower corners back on the inside to the long 
 fold. This makes three folded edges on which the boat stands. 
 (Fig. 5.) 
 
 The Catamaran or double boat and the Gondola are 
 started alike. Fold the diagonals and diameters ; open ; fold all 
 
30 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 four corners to the exact center ; repeat with the corners of this 
 smaller square. Open out fully, letting the central folded square 
 stand up like a table top, the four corners standing sharply 
 folded outward like a stiff tablecloth. Place one side of this 
 tablecloth on the table and fold the central square up against it ; 
 fold back through the center of the square, bringing the two 
 upper corners exactly over the two lower; crease firmly and 
 open on the long folds and stand up ; this forms the double boat 
 or catamaran. 
 
 Continuing with this, the gondola is made by turning the 
 corners of the double boat back upon themselves, first from 
 point to the bottom corner, then the folded corners back on to 
 
 Fig. 6 
 
 the side of the boat; leaving these tightly folded, open all the 
 other folds to form a square box. Now make a strong fold 
 through the center of the folded corners on two sides of the 
 box, bringing the outer edge just even with the bottom edge. 
 This gives the suggestion of a frame with mitered corners, as 
 the folding of the thicker sides draws the thinner sides down 
 so that they easily crease lengthwise through the center. Now, 
 holding the frame towards you, bend the thick sides right back 
 so that they meet in the center of the back. Last, fold directly 
 across these thick sides, which brings all four of the small double 
 corners together; holding thus draw out the edges on each 
 side very carefully to avoid tearing. This makes a curious and 
 interesting little boat. (Fig. 6.) 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 31 
 
 The Chinese Junk is a still more complicated fold, although 
 resembling the gondola so much as to be frequently confused 
 with it. Begin precisely like the last, going on until the first 
 corners have been folded in to the center ; then repeat this twice 
 again, making in all three sets of corners folded to the center. 
 Then make the double boat fold just as in the gondola; next 
 the sharp corners are folded inward between the center and the 
 sides, filling the triangular space but being but once folded, while 
 in the gondola they are twice folded. Next open to form the 
 square box, and now loosen and pull up the two opposite corners 
 
 P«.tl ocut 
 
 R-lUtct 
 
 Fig. 7 
 
 from the center on the ends, having the small points on the out- 
 side. Turn these small points right back again, leaving two lids 
 on opposite sides standing upright ; fold back the outer points on 
 these lids and crease the whole lid down firmly like a table leaf. 
 Proceed to fold the picture frame with the thick and thin sides ; 
 make the central crease across the thick sides and pull out just 
 as in the gondola; in this you will have two opposite little 
 corners which, if turned outward, will allow the boat to stand. 
 Last, pull up from the crease at either end the folds which 
 were the lids of the box and which now form two square sails 
 one at either end of the boat. (Fig. 7.) The things to remem- 
 ber in this are that the corners fold in three times before the 
 
32 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 double boat is made ; two opposite corncFs are pulled out to form 
 the lids to the square box. In the gondola fold the square box 
 has no lids. 
 
 Much of the paper folding ordinarily taught results in rather 
 meaningless and useless figures ; on the other hand, many truly 
 charming and useful things may be made in this way. To fold 
 what has been called "The Nantucket Sink" is well worth 
 learning, as it forms a tolerably strong toy and is very cleverly 
 planned. Fold diameters and diagonals, open, fold all four 
 corners to the exact center and crease; fold this double square 
 straight through the center, having the corners on the outside. 
 
 
 
 "^ 
 
 ■MM 
 
 7^ 
 
 
 
 Tur»^ 
 
 
 
 / 
 
 
 \ 
 
 ^ bcuckwa.-rdL 
 
 -foruwctrd 
 
 / 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 N 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 / 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 / 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fig. 8 
 
 Fold these upper corners of the present fold, one backward and 
 one forward in the line open between the first corners, holding 
 the folded side up and folding in the dotted lines. (Fig. 8.) 
 
 Now open just as the dory was opened at the bottom and 
 crease to form a square having on each side two pockets divided 
 by a slit from top to bottom. (Fig. 9.) Slip a finger into each 
 of these pockets and pull out and crease down, resulting in 
 Figure 10. Turn paper over and repeat on opposite side. Now 
 fold back each side through dotted line. Turn back a little half 
 square of single thickness on either side of the central fold on 
 both sides of the paper as indicated by dotted lines, making thus 
 four small half squares. (Fig. 11.) Now fold these sides 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 33 
 
 H 
 
 ""*" 
 
 
 N V 
 
 
 
 X % 
 
 
 
 ^ \ 
 
 
 
 ^ % 
 
 
 J- 
 
 
 X 
 
 V X <>>' 
 X ^ 
 
 
 
 % N 
 
 
 
 X \ 
 
 
 
 N X 
 
 
 
 \- 
 
 Fig. 
 
 together and you have Figure lo again. Bring the free edge 
 at the bottom up even with the folded edge and crease down 
 two neat Httle half squares at each end of this fold. (Fig. 12.) 
 Fold each side through the vertical dotted line which brings 
 you back to Figure 11. Fold the sides just even with the central 
 
 Fig. 10 
 
34 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 Fig. II 
 
 Fig. 12 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 35 
 
 line and turn the top point down to point of meeting of the 
 folded sides. Crease down very hard and open. It will give 
 a square, boxlike sink having two opposite shelves and standing 
 on four pointed legs. (Fig. 13.) 
 
 The Flying Bird is one of the best folds. This, like many 
 of the finest, is of Japanese origin. Fold diagonals and diam- 
 eters, open, bring one edge of the entire square over from the 
 corner to the line of the diagonal crease ; bring the other over 
 to meet, making a kite shape; unfold and do the same from 
 
 Louftt Pot*^ 
 
 Fig. 13 
 
 each of the three remaining corners. Opened flat, the square 
 now shows four intersecting kite shapes. (Fig. 14.) 
 
 Now, with the exact center outward, crease so that four sharp 
 points fold upward, two flat, the two on the side being doubled 
 and lying turned in between the two flat points ; crease down 
 well and get Figure 15. To do this, the straight sides must be 
 turned in and the pointed corners turned out. Holding with 
 the long points downward, turn the two flat outer ones up 
 straight as far as they will go, leaving the two folded lower 
 points downward. In one of the doubled points reverse the fold 
 diagonally close up to the center, repeat on the second double 
 
36 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 w - ^ / 
 
 1 
 
 ' - V 
 
 ^"^v"^-- 
 
 
 ^ .'' V 
 
 ^ t 
 
 
 \ ^ ' X 
 
 \ ^v ^>- 
 
 
 A- ' ' 
 
 
 ■^1* "• 
 
 
 \ '»-' 
 
 
 ^* # / 
 
 \ ^-^^ 
 
 
 A-. / 
 
 - . ''^ 
 
 
 ^ \ "d^ 
 
 ^.^ ^ ' V 
 
 
 ' ^ ' " w 
 
 » » ^ ^ •. — • «> 
 
 V 1 
 
 •1 ^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 " ^T 
 
 — ♦♦ — ^- 
 
 ' \ 
 
 • • 
 
 s f \ 
 
 
 f {. 
 
 
 ^ ^ / 
 
 
 V • » -* 
 
 ^ ^ * • 
 
 
 ' -. < 
 
 
 1 ^^ ^ ^ 
 
 / / 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 -- ' • V \ 
 
 
 
 r-^ ^\ 
 
 
 
 Fig. 14 
 
 Fig. 15 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 37 
 
 point and on this one reverse again very near the tip. This gives 
 Figure i6. 
 
 Last, roll the wings backward from the front angle at dotted 
 line. To make the bird fly, hold with thumb and forefinger 
 of left hand at -\- on back of wing, and right hand at -{- on 
 front of neck, then move right hand back and forth. 
 
 This bird was being folded to teach the elder of two little 
 brothers. Little Sam was thought too young to understand the 
 
 Fig. i6 
 
 process; he watched the plain square of paper gradually take 
 shape, and at last as it flew he said with great earnestness, speak- 
 ing for the first time, "Miss I think when you grow up 
 
 to be a man, you will be a king ! " 
 
 The Japanese employ paper folding with great effect. This 
 same bird they fold and vary in many ways by turning the head, 
 tail and wings at different angles. Not turning the tail up at all 
 gives a white, long-legged stork; pulling the neck out straight 
 and tail straight behind, the bird is flying swiftly through the 
 
38 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 air. Best effects are obtained by mounting these folded figures 
 on a background slightly sketched in with water color. The 
 Japanese also tint and decorate the figures very beautifully. 
 Soldiers, trades-people, women paddling through the rain, the 
 umbrellas of folded paper, all are represented most artistically. 
 
 Most difficult of all, perhaps, is the folded Japanese Frog. 
 
 Fold the diagonals, open, fold diameters. Now, starting from 
 the exact center, fold so that one of the diagonals is exactly cov- 
 ered by one of the diameters (Fig. if) ; continue turning in this 
 way until all the diagonals have been covered by the diameters, 
 
 Fig. 17 
 
 creasing down the whole line A. This gives when fully opened 
 the creases in Figure 18. Those indicated by the dotted lines are 
 next made by folding the paper from the center of each side, 
 bringing the edge even with the diameter and creasing only 
 from center of the side to the line of the kite-shaped fold. Open. 
 Now fold the dotted lines running to each corner. To fold this 
 up, fold all the spaces outside the star inward, then fold all the 
 lines running from center to both long and short points inward. 
 This will close the paper up like an umbrella, the center making 
 the tip. Holding it folded, go around and turn all the short 
 points back towards the tip as far as they will go. Close it, leav- 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 39 
 
 ing two short points one on the top and one on the bottom and 
 the other two folded in at the sides much as in the bird fold. 
 It now is represented by Figure 19. You have folded on each 
 side two long points creased through the center. Holding with 
 the tip upward, fold back the two long points which are farthest 
 from you until the sharp corner is at the central tip ; crease 
 through center, and leave closed on either side. With frog lying 
 
 Fig. 18 
 
 flat on table turn up first fold at + ^"d fold outer edge back- 
 ward to center, on dotted line. Now do the same with the next 
 fold under this one, making very long, sharp points. Repeat on 
 other side. Now make two diagonal reverse folds in the long 
 points folded in underneath ; these form the front legs ; in the 
 upper long points make three diagonal reverses ; these form 
 the hind legs. Mark the eyes and mouth and lastly inflate 
 through the opening at back. Made from tough green paper 
 
40 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 these are very clever favors for St. Patrick's Day or other 
 occasions. 
 
 These are only a few of the many folds. Books of directions 
 may be found at the kindergarten supply stores. There is a 
 series by Kate F. Hobart as well as others. The book on " Scien- 
 tific Paper Folding," by Prof. David Smith, of Teachers College, 
 New York City, will interest mature minds. The pupils of our 
 
 + 
 
 Fig. 19 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 41 
 
 school are much indebted to Mr. K. Kinonchi, of Kyoto, Japan, 
 for the gift of his wonderful books on paper folding, as nothing 
 can rival the work of the Kyoto Normal School in this fascinating 
 occupation. 
 
 In Paper Cutting, as distinguished from folding, there is 
 great variety. To decorate a child's room tie strings across 
 from windows or doors and on these lines hang tiny paper lan- 
 terns made thus : 
 
 Paper Lanterns. From rather firm, colored paper cut a 
 strip five inches long by four wide. Fold evenly lengthwise 
 through the center and crease very firmly. Cut even slashes 
 through th*^ folded edge to within one-half inch of the top edges, 
 each strip between the slashes being a half inch or a little less 
 in width. Open and join the ends by pasting. Push up rather 
 than pull down on the lantern and paste a paper strip over the 
 top for a handle. For the light, fringe a strip of gold paper or 
 tinfoil and gather it into a ball ; suspend this by a fine thread 
 fastened to each side of the top of the lantern. 
 
 Apple-seed Mousetraps. First save the plump, brown seeds 
 from an apple. Cut an even pasteboard disk, marking it by the 
 top of a tumbler. Cut another disk, exactly by the first, of 
 bright and rather strong paper. To the pasteboard sew the 
 apple seeds with heavy black linen thread, leaving at the larger 
 end of each seed a long, loose loop for a tail. Arrange the mice 
 in a nice group in the center. Fold the paper disk four times 
 to a wedge-shaped form. Cut a slash first from one side to within 
 a little distance of the other side, but never through ; turn and 
 cut from the other side, alternating until within half an inch or 
 so of the point; the longest slashes begin a quarter of an inch 
 from the edge of the disk. (Fig, 20.) Open, paste the border 
 neatly around the pasteboard and fasten a bit of narrow ribbon 
 or bright thread to the very center. As you lift by this to hang 
 it up, the mousetrap opens. This, as well as the lanterns, make 
 nice Christmas tree ornaments. 
 
 May Baskets. There is surely no prettier form of paper 
 
42 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 weaving than the old-fashioned May baskets. For these cut 
 two strips of paper of contrasting color. Six and one-quarter 
 inches long by two and one-quarter wide will be a good pro- 
 portion. Fold evenly across the center the short way, divide 
 the folded edge into six strips three-eighths of an inch wide, 
 then cut these double, leaving three-fourths of an inch on top. 
 Both pieces are cut in the same way. To weave, hold one piece 
 in the left hand with wide edge up ; with the right hand take 
 
 Fig. 20 
 
 the second piece and hold first strip near folded end. Slip this 
 folded end between the first strips of the left-hand piece close 
 up to the wide edge. Slip the second strip of left-hand piece 
 through the first strip of right hand and continue until all the 
 strips have been alternately threaded one through the other. Be 
 sure that they are slipped through and not over or under the 
 opposite strips, as this ties the work together and the basket 
 cannot be opened ; to get in the last strip requires great care 
 and the first strips must be carefully worked up to the top to 
 make room for it. The strips must all be threaded through one 
 another as a thread is slipped through a needle's eye, or ribbon 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 
 
 43 
 
 through a tape needle. Always work from the top towards 
 the bottom and finish at the bottom point. The border at the 
 top may be scalloped or decorated in any pretty way. The handle 
 is a Jacob's Ladder. To make this take two very long strips of 
 the contrasting paper the same width as the strips of the 
 basket. Place one above the other (Fig. 21), and fold back and 
 forth, always from underneath over, from side to side. Sew or 
 paste this to the top of the side folds of the basket. For valen- 
 
 FiG. 21 
 
 tines weave the basket and cut the top heart-shaped. Another 
 pretty way is to cut open the bottom point and paste in a small, 
 stifif cardboard disk for a bottom so that the basket may stand 
 well. 
 
 Another May basket is made by combining paper folding 
 with tissue paper decoration. From strong paper cut an eight- 
 inch square, fold diameters and diagonals, fold all four corners 
 to the center and crease hard. Now fold back the corners from 
 the center to the outside folded edge, turn paper over, fold all 
 four corners to the center, then turn back these inner corners 
 
44 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 to the edge. Now pinch up the thick outer corners on the 
 diagonal fold so that the basket opens, the four lower points 
 serving as a flat base ; sharpen the folds a little to emphasize 
 the shape. To decorate, cover the upper and lower corners with 
 fancy paper, cut several thicknesses of tissue paper about three 
 inches wide and plait up lengthwise ; cut into fringe right through 
 the plaits to within half an inch of the edge. This makes a 
 crinkled fringe which is pasted around to fill in the space be- 
 tween the upper and lower points. The handle is braided tissue 
 paper. These make pretty bonbonieres or lunch favors. 
 
 Paper Box Toys. Among the most practical of the tempo- 
 rary toys are those made from pasteboard boxes. These stand 
 considerable wear. A number of small boxes exactly alike were 
 taken into class and the pupils given an opportunity to show 
 originality in transforming these into toys. The illustration on 
 the opposite page shows the result. The wheels of the go-cart 
 are button molds; large buttons might also be used. Attractive 
 cottages may be made, discarding the box cover and adding 
 pointed ends for the gables, while corrugated pasteboard, used 
 so largely for protection in shipping bottles, etc., makes a good 
 roof, suggesting tiling. A hole cut in the roof admits the 
 chimney. The inside of the cover of a much larger box makes 
 the yard to be laid out as taste directs. The edge forms the 
 wall or fence. 
 
 There are boxes, often holding druggist's supplies, which 
 are put together with a fancy strip of bright tin over the corners. 
 These, if of proper size, make the finest of cook stoves. The 
 box stands on the cover, to the top corners of which it is sewed ; 
 oven doors are cut, with shoe buttons punched in for knobs. 
 The top of the cover forms the bottom of the oven; holes are 
 cut in the top, an oval tube for the stovepipe of stiff paper 
 fits into a similarly shaped hole in the stove ; covers are cut of 
 pasteboard a little larger than the stove holes, and a common 
 button- fastener cautiously straightened out makes a neat little 
 lifter. The box may be blackened with shoe dressing and re- 
 
TYPICAL CHILDREN 45 
 
 spends with a fine shine. One nurse remarked in the Saturday 
 class, "Regular Saturday job, blacking the cook stove." 
 
 A square box cut as in the illustration makes the dining 
 table, a pound candy box the cupboard. Dishes may be made 
 of tiny scraps of kid or thin leather, cut perhaps from an old 
 shoe. For this one must mark and cut a perfect disk, using 
 spools of different sizes for guides. Be careful to cut them 
 perfectly round without angles. Lay these flat, face down, upon 
 a hot stove cover. In a few seconds they will puff up in the 
 center, while the edges will be permanently drawn in to form 
 a shapely bowl or plate. They must be closely watched and 
 taken off very quickly. 
 
 Clothespin Dolls may be very cleverly costumed. The 
 overall children, the Puritans and, in fact, all sorts of noted 
 characters may be produced by dressing clothespins in paper. 
 Dolls of string tied first like a tassel, then dividing off arms 
 and legs and braiding hair. Rag dolls a nurse should always 
 know how to make ; more will be said of these in the old ladies' 
 lesson. The book, "Lady Hollyhock and Her Daughter; or, 
 A Book of Nature Dolls," is an inspiration ; written by Margaret 
 Coulson Walker; published by Baker and Taylor, New York. 
 
 Eggshells. From eggshells one may make pitchers, baskets, 
 cradles, dishes, boats, etc. The eggs should be broken only at 
 one end and a small hole is necessary, but they need not be blown 
 for most articles. 
 
 For a pitcher, cut carefully around the top or small end, 
 cutting down in a broad point on one side for the nose. The cut- 
 ting must be done with great care, and a pair of manicure scissors 
 held with the convex side towards the eggshell will be found 
 useful. If the shell is fresh it will cut much better than when 
 old and dry. Bind the top edge with a narrow strip of pasted 
 paper; cut a triangular piece and apply to form the nose, which 
 should be pinched up as applied. Another stouter piece of several 
 thicknesses forms the handle, and several little fluffy tissue mats 
 form a sort of nest which suggests a doily ; in this put a liberal 
 
46 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 amount of paste and set the pitcher in to harden. This makes 
 it stand upright. Very charming decorations may be had by cut- 
 ting out the tiniest flowers and designs from bits of caHco or 
 chintz and pasting on the shells. The illustration opposite 
 page 132 shows the cradle and basket also. 
 
 Fruit and Vegetable Animals. Many of the animals made 
 from vegetables and fruits described in Chapter VIII will he 
 useful in this case. Ideas will come from all sides for this lesson. 
 The things which one used to do as a little child and had almost 
 forgotten are revived. The magic of something made from noth- 
 ing has power to stimulate the child's wonder at what seems to 
 him actual creation. 
 
 Cork and Pin Furniture. Select a rather thin cork, cover 
 it with a bit of cloth, ribbon or velvet, just as a button mold is 
 covered. Stick into this quite firmly some common or fancy- 
 headed pins to form the back of a chair. Weave around these 
 pins worsted, string or thread of almost any sort to form a close 
 back. A patient was given a small box of black-headed pins to 
 make some of these chairs ; she used up the pins, then covered 
 the box neatly with velvet and, using this for a seat, made a 
 sofa in the same way. The four legs are connected by a con- 
 tinuous thread, woven around from pin to pin for a little depth 
 to form a neat finish. 
 
 On no one case would all of these suggestions be employed, 
 but given a few well-learned principles any appreciative nurse 
 will quickly apply these to whatever material she may find. Wher- 
 ever one turns some contribution waits. And what does it all 
 amount to to the little child emerging from his pneumonia? He 
 remembers a strange, new sense of pressure on his chest, but 
 with this troubled memory comes another — a new world which 
 came little by little into his sick-room. Queer dollies danced for 
 him, stories covered dingy walls, houses were built on his very 
 bed; suppers were served in fine style and, as the weight on his 
 chest lightened, more jolly things happened. Best of all, some- 
 body, who seemed to be able to bring about all these things, was 
 happy with him. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 RESTRICTED POSITIONS 
 
 Among the large number of cases treated by orthopedic 
 appliances are found children suffering for months and years 
 with hip disease or that tubercular affection known as Pott's 
 disease and resulting in the so-called hunchback. Under modern 
 methods much of the serious deformity arising from these con- 
 ditions is not only greatly modified but, in many instances, 
 completely overcome. To bring about this great end, however, 
 severe treatment must often be instituted and the child strapped 
 with great firmness to an inflexible frame. This frame is usu- 
 ally made of gas pipe, a little larger than the whole body. This 
 lies upon a firm bed and holds its occupant in a truly iron grip. 
 In spite of all this the child may lead a happy and far from 
 useless life. The arms and hands are entirely free and also 
 the head in a large number of cases. In some, however, the 
 head also is grasped by auxiliary apparatus. Only during acute 
 conditions is this most rigorous treatment continued, but it may 
 last for a long period. 
 
 In addition to these diseases one must include in the studies 
 for restricted positions all those of traumatic origin, as fracture 
 of femur, etc. In a case of accident one may find both femur 
 and left radius or humerus fractured. This will mean at best 
 six or eight weeks of strict fixation. In a large majority of cases 
 the trouble is local and the patient is like an animal caught in 
 a trap. Here, indeed, occupation treatment is of paramount 
 importance. Happiness and contentment will certainly prove 
 conducive to rest, and absolute rest is the foremost condition 
 of recovery. 
 
 With such a case there is no propping up in the ordinary 
 sense. An incline of the whole frame or bed on which the patient 
 
 47 
 
48 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 rests is sometimes permitted and in some cases the head may 
 be propped to a considerable angle; but it will be readily seen 
 that in order to do effective work under these circumstances a 
 properly adjusted inclined desk must be obtained. The illus- 
 tration shows one of simplest construction made by the hospital 
 engineer, which might possibly be produced by the nurse her- 
 self. Fitted over the patient's body at an incline arranged for 
 best vision much work may be made possible. Suppose this 
 to be the case of a girl of twelve years or more. Although there 
 may be no real poverty there is sure to be the inevitable strain 
 of a long and tedious illness. For this reason it has seemed 
 wise to consider in this lesson the making of such articles as 
 shall possess a certain market value. Even a little money earned 
 by such a patient seems worthy of consideration in offsetting 
 the financial strain. 
 
 Rake Knitting. One of the best forms of work for such 
 a subject is the sort of knitting known as rake- work. This is 
 done on a wooden rake which may be made in various sizes. 
 There is a patent rake made by The Polypus Knitter Company, 
 New York City, and sold at Isaac Allen's, Winter Street, Boston, 
 Massachusetts. The price is seventy-five cents. The actual cost 
 would be very little if some friend who could use tools could 
 make it. 
 
 In a strip of wood fifteen and one-half inches long by three- 
 fourths of an inch wide bore twenty holes the size of a large 
 lead pencil ; these should be three-sixteenths of an inch apart. 
 In these holes set as many wooden pegs or teeth, cut one and 
 three-quarter inches long. These may be made from a piece of 
 dowel. In one instance, where this was not readily obtained, 
 the pegs were made from penny pencils. On these rakes may 
 be made afghans both for children's carriages and couches ; 
 snug little jackets are also made which are very warm. For a 
 child's carriage robe one pound of eightfold Germantown wool 
 will be needed. Only heavy wool is suited to this work. 
 
 To knit, tie a loop and slip over the first peg, then wind 
 
RESTRICTED POSITIONS 49 
 
 around each peg, being careful that the straight thread running 
 between the pegs is always kept on the same side of the rake, 
 never crossing between the pegs. (Fig. 22.) Turn, and wind 
 
 Fig. 22 
 
 back again, observing the same rule, the straight thread run- 
 ning exactly above the first ; turn, and begin to wind back in 
 the same way, but as you wind, having three on each peg, pick 
 up the lowest stitch of the three and pull it up and over the 
 two above and over the top of the peg. A common knitting 
 needle is best to pick it up with. In this way continue, always 
 slipping the lowest loop over the two upper ones. This con- 
 stitutes the entire process, except as the required length is 
 reached for the strip all the double loops are slipped off and 
 crocheted across to prevent raveling. Three strips the width of 
 the rake make the afghan. Crochet these together and put on 
 border or fringe as one likes. Extra wool will be required for 
 the fringe. The robe may be lined with thin silk. The wool 
 costs two dollars and a quarter per pound. The afghan sells 
 readily for five. 
 
 The Hug-me-tight Jacket is made in the same way. A strip 
 the width of the rake and the length of the back from collar 
 to waist line is first knitted. Knit a second strip the width of 
 the rake and the length of the underarm seam. Take the stitches 
 off four pegs on one side, on a string, temporarily. Continue 
 knitting until you reach the outer tip of the shoulder, which 
 will be about fifteen rows. You have on your rake sixteen 
 stitches ; these should now be reduced to ten, which is one-half 
 of those on the back piece. Beginning at the shoulder end care- 
 fully slip the first two on to the next peg, making four on the 
 peg; repeat this on the next two pegs, after which slip the first 
 four up one peg. Proceed in this way until you have only ten 
 
50 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 pegs in use. Knit off these double stitches by sHpping the under 
 two over the upper two. When across turn and knit back to 
 next the last peg ; leave this and return ; omit one on the shoulder 
 end every alternate row until all are knit, and you have a tri- 
 angular gore, or yoke, on the shoulder and ten stitches on the 
 rake. Slip off carefully and crochet or sew to the ten on one 
 side of the back. Make the second front in the same way and 
 join to the other side of back and underarm. Bind the edge 
 with ribbon and run ribbon around waist line. Tie in front, 
 crochet scallop around armholes and waist. This rake-work is 
 wonderfully adaptable to limited powers. 
 
 Cloth Animals. In all the toy stores much is made of 
 stuffed cloth animals. These are turned out in large numbers 
 by factories and command a very good price. Perhaps no toys 
 are better loved than are these. Children will cling to a dilapi- 
 dated elephant or pussy cat to the discarding of all more elegant 
 toys. How many babies go to sleep hugging these favorites ! 
 One little boy who was himself a rather hot child insisted on 
 hugging an old disreputable "Jumbo" so large and warm that 
 his mother had to steal it away after he was fast asleep each 
 night to prevent too profuse perspiration. Long after this same 
 child was in school and the elephant's head torn off save an inch 
 or two, he was still cherished. Arriving one day while the boy 
 was in school, his aunt picked up the poor beast, mended his 
 neck and put on a smart red leather collar to cover the scar. 
 In less than two minutes after the boy's return he had pounced 
 upon Jumbo and rushed off with him to shut himself into the 
 parlor. After a time he emerged, and stole up to whisper in 
 his aunt's ear, "While we were in the parlor Jummy asked me 
 to thank you for the stitches you put into him." A certain 
 lawyer has never been willing to part with his Canton flannel 
 elephant, but keeps him in his den. 
 
 To buy these animals requires considerable money. It is not 
 easy to obtain the patterns of many ; elephant, dog, rabbit and 
 possibly a few others may be bought at the various pattern stores, 
 
RESTRICTED POSITIONS 51 
 
 but it is quite possible to take from these finer store animals a 
 pattern without injury to the toy. This is done by carefully 
 stretching thin cotton cloth and basting closely to the seams of 
 the model ; this is best done with an overhand stitch. One part 
 at a time is covered and cut around, allowing for a quarter-inch 
 seam, then clipping the stitches. In this way take each part. One- 
 half the piece is sufficient to take in parts which are to be cut 
 folded. The best material is usually Canton flannel or, in some 
 cases, shaggy cloaking. Many expensive models are made of 
 velveteen. In cutting out be sure that the nap runs the right way. 
 Bits of faded pink ribbon or silk make the lining for the ears. 
 Shoe buttons, nail-heads, beads, or black-headed pins may be used 
 for eyes. The whiskers are made from the bristles from an old 
 floor brush threaded into a needle and sewed in. Baste the parts 
 carefully and closely, allowing seams never less than an eighth of 
 an inch deep ; stitch by machine and turn. If of some size, it will 
 be best to slip some sticks into the legs, as this prevents the bend 
 near the body. For a large elephant broomsticks may be sawed 
 and used. The cotton stuffing should be packed around the sticks. 
 A pair of surgical dressing forceps will be found very useful in 
 stuffing the smaller parts. One of the class triumphs was a pair 
 of real tusks made for the big elephant from the handles of two 
 old toothbrushes, made by the engineer with a hack saw. Holes 
 were bored by which they were sewed to the head. 
 
 The stripes and mottlings can be made with paint brush and 
 ink or other color, but one should remember that it is the habit 
 of the infant to put toys headfirst into the mouth, and there- 
 fore it will not do to use harmful paints. One baby insisted 
 upon sucking a camel's head all through whooping cough, but 
 strange to say the camel never whooped once. To make these 
 animals well requires certain practice, but many an invalid has 
 earned a good sum in this way. Of course the machine work 
 must be done by the nurse. These animals should always be 
 stuffed hard. The amount of cotton consumed by an elephant 
 is truly great. One non-ambitious patient for whom the broom- 
 
52 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 stick legs had been provided decided to use but one, letting the 
 other three legs go singularly limp, as was indeed the entire beast. 
 She gave as a reason that she didn't feel very strong, but strove 
 to make up the deficiency in legs by a much bedizened blanket. 
 Any healthy child would surely have reduced this animal to flat- 
 ness in a brief space of time. Among the animals turned out 
 by the class were dogs, cats, rabbits, hares, elephants, pigs and 
 bears. 
 
 Rag Dolls of many varieties are included in this lesson, as 
 also in some of the others. The double-headed topsy-turvys, 
 white and black, always sell well. This idea took root in the 
 hospital one winter. One patient, unable for a long time to earn 
 money, began making these. Long after she was discharged she 
 returned, reporting that she had made and sold five hundred. 
 To make these, two separate dolls as far as the waist line are 
 made and stuffed ; they are then sewed together around the waist, 
 not flattened. The arms are made separate and stuffed only in 
 hand and forearm, the upper arms being left entirely limp. These 
 are then attached to the body and readily fall when the doll is 
 inverted. The dress skirt is long enough to cover completely 
 the lower doll. This is made double, of two kinds of material, 
 one gay and conspicuous for the Dinah, the other of dainty, light 
 goods for the white dolly. The Dinah wears a turban, the other 
 doll a pretty sunbonnet. 
 
 The little dolls from the stores may be dressed wholly in 
 crocheted clothing. Every piece of one suit began with thirty 
 stitches. Cunning little boy-dolls were dressed in red silkateen 
 crocheted trousers and blouse. A little red union suit was first 
 made, a cap of Harvard crimson was set on the yellow Dutch-cut 
 hair, and a white H on the red sleeve. Two very dainty little 
 walking dolls from Paris were dressed in these crocheted dresses 
 and jackets, with charming little flappy brim hats to match. Fine 
 split zephyr is best for these suits. 
 
 The quaint little Nut Dolls, made from a roll of cloth to the 
 top of which is fastened a hickory nut with pointed nose, may 
 
RESTRICTED POSITIONS 53 
 
 be dressed as old-time nurses or as nice old ladies in black silk 
 gowns, caps and kerchiefs. The nut is fastened by binding a 
 strip of cotton over the nut and sewing it to either side of the 
 doll. One clever woman always clipped a little white hair from 
 the family cat to serve for the locks of these old ladies. 
 
 There is always a good sale for doll's clothing if well made. 
 The dolls from the stores come in a definite scale of sizes. If 
 clothes are made by these they will be sure to fit. 
 
 Weaving. Any rectangular frame may be turned into a 
 simple hand-loom by driving in small brads, or wire nails, very 
 near together, across the top of opposite ends. On these the warp 
 is stretched as tightly as possible. This may be of thread, silk, 
 cotton, linen, wool, raffia or, in fact, anything which may be 
 woven. The filling may be even more varied, as no strength is 
 
 3 
 
 i.Uc V. « J 
 
 Fig. 23 
 
 here required. On these little looms one may weave rugs for 
 doll houses and all sorts of mats, working out varied designs 
 and color schemes. One thing which has to be constantly guarded 
 against is the drawing in of the middle of the warp, making the 
 rug hourglass shape rather than a true square or oblong. To 
 overcome this tendency long knitting needles are sometimes placed 
 at the sides and woven over with the outside warp threads, to be 
 withdrawn when the work is finished; but even then constant 
 vigilance is necessary to prevent the pulling in. The best and 
 altogether satisfactory contrivance for this is made of two strips 
 of wood, long and narrow and dove-tailing in the center. This is 
 called the temple. (Fig. 23.) In both middle and side strips 
 holes are bored exactly opposite, and as the middle strip is slipped 
 in to the required length two pegs are slipped through. Sharp 
 
54 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 wire nails on the end prick through and stretch the cloth. The 
 holes must correspond in all three strips. 
 
 A good deal of interest has been shown in the weaving of 
 little raffia bags over a cardboard frame. A long strip of thin 
 cardboard perhaps eight by five inches is punched across either 
 end, with holes set very closely together. Through these the 
 warp is threaded, keeping the strands all on one side. When 
 filled the cardboard is folded across the center so that the holes 
 come exactly opposite. Now add to one end just one extra strand 
 half the length of the others to give an uneven number. Begin 
 
 Fig. 24 
 
 to weave at the bottom, weaving right around the doubled card, 
 working in any stripe or pattern desired; fill closely to the top 
 and fasten. Now cut the board out and a neat bag results. This 
 may be finished by a buttonhole stitch around the top and two 
 handles worked over with the same stitch. In all this weaving 
 a large tape or ribbon needle may be used in place of a shuttle. 
 In the looms a straight stick the size of a lead pencil may be 
 laid across the warp threads and attached to each alternate strand 
 by a sort of coarse buttonhole stitch done with string around 
 both strand and stick. This stick is pushed up to the top and 
 slipped down after every few threads of filling are put in to 
 act as a reed to bat the work up closely. 
 
RESTRICTED POSITIONS 55 
 
 Doll's Hammock. A clever method of weaving a doll's 
 hammock is to cut from a pasteboard box, as, for instance, a 
 tailor's box, an oblong measuring perhaps twelve by nine and 
 one-half inches. Round each end as shown in Figure 24, and 
 cut the notches one-quarter of an inch apart; this gives thirty- 
 five notches with an inch and one-quarter border on each side 
 left unnotched. At the points X and X sew two brass rings. 
 Using a ball of very strong, colored twine, begin by tying it to 
 one ring, leaving a half yard or so free end. From this knot 
 carry the ball end up to the outer notch on the same side, straight 
 down on the other side to the outer notch on the other end, 
 over this and up to the second ring. Previous to this another 
 three-quarters of a yard free twine should have been cut and tied 
 to this second ring. With these two free ends, one at either ring, 
 the warp, running from ring to notches and to second ring, is 
 buttonholed or crocheted to the ring. By this means it is not 
 necessary to draw the real warp through the ring, but merely 
 turn it and take the stitch through with the free cord. In this 
 way the warp is all put on, passing through each notch and 
 terminating at the last ring. The weaving is done beginning 
 on the side of the rings, and about two inches from the notches ; 
 it is simple in and out weaving, a ribbon needle being used as a 
 shuttle. Continue across the entire back and over the second 
 end to match the first. When complete clip the stitches, holding 
 the rings to the board, and remove the board, leaving a hammock 
 ready to hang up. The line on the sides is a guide in keeping 
 the filling from drawing in, and it is easier to leave a loop of the 
 cord to form a loop fringe at each turn. Various patterns may 
 be introduced. As the weaving goes on the tension on the warp 
 becomes greater, so that the pasteboard curves ; but this proves 
 an advantage, as the warp is thus kept taut. There seems to be 
 no reason why more elaborate weaving of small pieces may not 
 be done in this same way. Using wool for filling, a very close, 
 even weave results, which looks not unHke the Navajo blankets. 
 These, it will be remembered, are woven on a still simpler loom 
 
56 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 consisting of two sticks, the upper held by the ends in a pair of 
 forked sticks stuck in the ground, the lower weighted with stones. 
 
 ScRAPBOOKS of various kinds belong in this lesson, but will 
 be described in the later lesson on home bookbinding. 
 
 Penwipers. Describing a few only among the countless 
 numbers, the Black Cat Balls will come first. Cut two disks 
 of pasteboard marked by the top of a teacup and cut out the 
 centers, leaving a rim about three-fourths of an inch wide. Place 
 these two pasteboard rings together. Take one skein of black 
 Germantown wool, cut it right through once and wind the whole 
 skein together over the rings so as to completely cover and fill 
 the entire central space. It will be found easier to pull the last 
 of the skein through with a crochet or button hook. When 
 crowded full, clip through the wool on the outside of the ring 
 right around. Now with a strong, black shoe lacing tie very 
 tightly between the two rings, which must be pressed slightly 
 apart. Tear out the rings, leaving a rough ball hanging by the 
 shoe lacing. Clip this to a very even ball. From double-faced 
 or heavy ribbon cut two black ears ; sew these deep down among 
 the wool. Roll up a bit of pink ribbon for a nose and sew in 
 also. Stick two black-headed pins through two amber glass beads 
 and stick into the ball for eyes. From a soft floor brush cut 
 white bristles, tie in little bunches and fasten with glue deep 
 down among the wool for whiskers and eye-whiskers. Last 
 replace the shoe lacing ends by an orange ribbon to hang up by. 
 Calico, Maltese and other cats are made in the same way. 
 
 Candle Penwiper. With fine wool, or silk, make a chain 
 of fourteen stitches, join; in short crochet stitch pick up each 
 stitch in the chain, increasing in every alternate stitch, i. e., make 
 two stitches in every other chain stitch. Continue in this way 
 until you have a mat the size of a teacup in seven pie-shaped 
 gores. Now begin in the center and crochet in each stitch around 
 the hole. Continue up without increasing for one and one-half 
 inches, then with white wool, or silk, continue to form the candle 
 as high as desired ; narrow off at the top and close entirely. In- 
 
RESTRICTED POSITIONS 57 
 
 sert a black thread wick in top. Make a scallop border around 
 the mat, and also where the white candle begins. This forms 
 the cup for the stick. Roll a strip of note paper just the length 
 of the candle and large enough to fill the inside ; slip it up into 
 the candle from the bottom ; cut two or three disks of chamois 
 a trifle smaller than the mat and fasten to the bottom of the 
 mat. Crochet or buttonhole over a small brass ring with the 
 color of the stick and add a row of white and sew edgewise to 
 the candlestick for a handle. 
 
 Turtle Penwiper. For these save English walnut shells 
 in perfect halves. Bore four small holes near the edge to sew 
 through. - Paint the outside to simulate a turtle shell, varnish; 
 cut head, tail and legs of black, thick cloth and sew to a mat of 
 cloth, then sew on the shell; fasten chamois leaves underneath 
 
 Picture Frames. Many picture frames cut from paste- 
 board and covered with one layer of sheet wadding and then 
 with thin leather, silk, cretonne or other materials were included 
 in this lesson. The silk frames were decorated with ribbon work 
 embroidery ; fine rococo ribbon is threaded directly into a small 
 darning needle and the flower pattern produced by sewing with 
 the ribbon alone. Beads and nail-heads also were used in deco- 
 rating suede leather frames. A piece of transparent celluloid 
 is used in place of glass and a pasteboard back a trifle smaller 
 than the frame glued on, leaving an opening at the top for slip- 
 ping in the picture. Rings were used to hang the frame by or 
 a standard of stiff pasteboard attached. 
 
 The decorating of paper charlotte russe cases for luncheons 
 affords profitable work. These cases cost only a few cents a 
 dozen, and give great opportunity for dainty device and color. 
 
 The possibilities of this lesson are very great, and new sug- 
 gestions will always be welcome. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 IN QUARANTINE 
 
 No nurse who has had the care of a child through scarlet 
 fever can feel that she can afford to set aside anything which 
 offers help or suggestion for those long, distracting hours, days, 
 and weeks when, no longer ill, the child feels keenly his restric- 
 tions and behaves accordingly. Her only defense will consist 
 in the fertiHty of her resources. 
 
 How may this period be made one of pleasure and profit to 
 both nurse and patient? In considering the work for contagious 
 cases two leading principles have been allowed to dominate. In 
 the first the aim has been to employ no material which may not 
 be completely destroyed, but, at the same time, to teach with 
 this destructible material an indestructible principle. The child 
 then comes out of quarantine the richer for the time spent in 
 seclusion. The second aim is to find such materials as will stand 
 the test of complete and satisfactory disinfection, so that the 
 products may be disposed of without suspicion. 
 
 Paper Cutting is, of course, one of the mainstays of this 
 period. A word as to the kind of paper best suited to this purpose 
 may be of service. If one attempts to buy colored paper it almost 
 certainly results in a collection of strong, rather crude colors ; 
 if, on the other hand, an assortment of colored waste paper be 
 made, a wholly different effect may be obtained. Papers from 
 bundles, backs of catalogues, envelopes, common tissue, the green 
 wax paper from the florists, ordinary white wax paper, colored 
 magazine covers, nothing is discarded. Take all this collection 
 and arrange, carefully putting all the blues together, the greens, 
 and so forth. When this color-box is ready select some rather 
 simple picture to reproduce. In this lesson it has been the 
 custom to distribute post cards chosen for the purpose. These 
 
 58 
 
THE ORICIXAL POST CARD 
 
 crT-PArr.u RErRonrrTioN' 
 
 Pnxes^ 
 
IN QUARANTINE 59 
 
 are copied in enlarged form in the cut paper picture. In this 
 reproduction no color is applied, as paint or any other medium, 
 save the papers. No drawing or tracing is done. Only scissors 
 and paste are used. The results have been truly charming and 
 far more attractive than the model. A pale blue, plain paper is 
 pasted evenly to cover perhaps two-thirds the depth of the whole 
 foundation surface, which is of common light paper. From 
 white tissue tear out cloud forms, never cut these; apply paste 
 only to those spots where you wish to indicate shadow. Arrange 
 the clouds on the blue. If still water is to be represented arrange 
 the landscape somewhat double, the second forms being inverted ; 
 cover the lower half with wax paper, thus obtaining a softened 
 effect for the reflections in the water. Of very great value are 
 the printed colors found even in the cheapest pictures. A piece 
 clipped from a colored fashion plate will sometimes give just 
 the needed tint. No printed figures are cut from pictures, but the 
 color is made to serve all ends. 
 
 The value of this paper cutting has been proved to be much 
 greater than was at first supposed. Distances are managed, per- 
 spective constantly taught. The overlaying of closely related 
 tones brings a surprising pleasure to those not familiar with 
 color values. Form is, of course, constantly required. The elim- 
 ination of detail, together with the preservation of beauty of form 
 and color, teaches much fine discrimination. A new satisfaction 
 has been experienced since this work has been carried on in the 
 recognition of its value preparatory to the use of water colors 
 and other paints. The student who has never painted, and believes 
 herself unable to do so, will handle color far differently after 
 learning how to get good effects in paper. 
 
 In this lesson wall decoration on a large scale has been taken 
 up in planning friezes for a child's room. Aside from those 
 mentioned in the first lesson, certain motifs have been repeated. 
 A strip of pale gray-blue paper pasted to a lower one a third 
 the width of the first is the background for a long procession 
 of galleys cut all alike from white paper. To do this a large 
 
6o INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 sheet of white paper is folded to the size of one galley, which is 
 drawn on the upper fold. This outline is then traced with a dress- 
 maker's tracing wheel straight through the several folds of paper, 
 which are then easily cut and pasted to the blue paper sea. This 
 idea may be developed to almost any extent — a caravan, the 
 "Song of Hiawatha," historical events, a city street with all its 
 shops. Any child may be carried miles away from his troubles 
 in this way. 
 
 A good play may be enjoyed by stretching a line across the 
 bed and on it hanging a long row of paper Christmas stockings. 
 These may be made of common brown paper trimmed as fancy 
 dictates. Cut with the long fold of the paper up the back of 
 the stocking. The front and foot may be shaped and cut with 
 flaps to turn in and paste. These being designed one for each 
 member of the family, suitable gifts of paper are made to fill 
 each stocking. One needs to husband the supplies in a long case. 
 There can be no prodigality of entertainment ; but, given a keen 
 sense of resources, the time may all be well filled. 
 
 Papier-Mache. In order to teach modeling papier-mache 
 has been introduced. This seems better than modelene or clay 
 because capable of more complete destruction. Costing nothing 
 whatever, this material lends itself well to contagious work and 
 is moreover made by the patient. It is possible to buy from 
 the paper mills at Holyoke, Massachusetts, paper pulp at six 
 cents per pound. After trying this it was found to be more 
 interesting to attempt the whole process and make the pulp. 
 Newspapers were first used. Tear these into reasonably small 
 bits, pour on boiling water and leave to soak over night or 
 several hours. Turn all into a stout cloth and wring very dry, 
 twisting as you wring. This breaks the fiber still more. Take 
 a small lump of this on a board and, with a table fork, scrape it 
 up into fine flakes. Make some thin paste of flour and water, 
 well boiled, and add to the prepared paper, mixing and rolling 
 as if it were dough. It is now ready to be applied to any forms. 
 Simple shapes are best. Glass sauce dishes, smooth bowls, etc.. 
 
IN QUARANTINE 6i 
 
 will work well. No form which is smaller at the top than any- 
 where below can be used. Before applying, dip the dish in 
 melted paraffine to coat the outside evenly and prevent the pulp 
 from sticking. Apply the pulp quite thickly and evenly and 
 allow to dry. A little paste on the hand as it models will help 
 the form. The bowl will require a day or two to dry thoroughly. 
 It will then slip off the mold readily and may be decorated with 
 water color. These vessels are very tough, but will not stand 
 water unless protected by strong coats of varnish. 
 
 Pleasing effects were gained by using old, soiled blotting 
 paper instead of newspaper. A sheet of gray and one of blue 
 were used mixed, and decorated in indigo pattern. The ink 
 on the blotter grays the color and is a help. It has been well 
 suggested that a little "Easy Dye" be added to the water in 
 which the paper soaks, as in this way all tones may be obtained. 
 The most recent experiment, however, is to use the colored pages 
 of the Sunday papers together with the others. This color slips 
 off and mixes to form neutral greens and blues. Artistic nut 
 bowls and reproductions of old Mexican pottery may readily be 
 made. 
 
 Tape Belts. Anything which may be boiled may be safely 
 sent out from quarantine. Many a patient will be interested in 
 braiding belts of linen tape. To make these, eight even lengths 
 of tape about three yards long and one- fourth of an inch 
 wide will be required. Using a pillow from the bed, pin the 
 first two strands to the pillovv\ as is shown in Figure 25, weav- 
 ing them over and under until eight strands have been used. 
 Now fold the outer strands back and weave back. Repeat on 
 alternate sides until the belt is of the required length, being 
 careful to turn the tape so as to preserve a straight edge on 
 both sides. When the weaving is completed, unpin and finish 
 the ends by turning in the tape even with the weaving to form 
 a point, then sew down. Being careful not to stretch, stitch one 
 row of machine stitching to hold the edge firmly. These are 
 desirable belts for wash dresses and launder well. At an exhibit 
 
62 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 given by this school, where everything was displayed on open 
 tables, this belt proved too great an attraction for one visitor 
 and was slyly spirited away never to be returned. 
 
 Fig. 25 
 
 Metal Work. The well-known fact that bacteria do not 
 choose inorganic substances for propagating beds places metal 
 work in the list of legitimate quarantine occupations. This 
 metal may be thin thirty- four gauge brass or German silver. The 
 design is traced directly on the metal by using carbon paper. 
 The brass should then be tacked rather closely to a smooth board 
 and the design outlined by a line of fine holes pierced by an 
 awl or even a large darning needle. A light tap with a small 
 hammer or mallet is all that is required. If the surface of the 
 brass be dressed over very lightly with vaseline or other oil, it 
 will pierce even more readily, hand pressure alone often being 
 sufficient. After the design is outlined, the entire background 
 is likewise filled in with small holes. There are one or two 
 precautionary words needed. In tacking to the board remember 
 the tendency of metal to "crawl" when worked, and therefore 
 place the tacks rather closely. Be careful not to pierce the holes 
 too near together, as it will then crack. And above all, in this, 
 as in all other work for invalids, do not permit interest in the 
 work to allow eyestrain. Sometimes parts of the work which 
 
IN QUARANTINE 63 
 
 might prove such a strain to the patient may be done by the 
 nurse while the former follows on with less exacting work. 
 
 The necessary materials for putting these articles together 
 may be found at the larger hardware stores, and consist of small 
 brass shanks made by the Dennison Company, Boston, and claw- 
 feet for jardinieres, fern dishes, etc. The candle shades are 
 finished with a bead fringe put on with the shanks. The brass 
 may be polished either before or after tooling. If ordinary 
 metal polish is used after tooling, it must be scrubbed off and 
 out of the holes by strong soapsuds and a brush, and rinsed in 
 very hot water, otherwise polish lodges in the holes and soon 
 turns the brass green. One of the best methods of polishing 
 is by using steel wool. This needs no subsequent washing, but 
 rubbing off with a dry cloth or chamois. 
 
 Various other small tools are sold at these stores for working 
 in other ways than by piercing, as repousse, etc. These articles 
 may be rendered entirely sterile by heat. Designs are found in 
 the newspapers, and they are also on sale at these same stores. 
 Among many poor ones there is here and there a very good one. 
 
 Sealing Wax. Obviously a thing which may be made in 
 a flame of fire can be safely sent out of quarantine. The use 
 of sealing wax in making hatpins, fancy clasp pins, buckles 
 and many other articles will prove really profitable. Another 
 thing which recommends this work is that it may be done entirely 
 by candle flame, the light best tolerated by oversensitive eyes. 
 Even a measles case could bear a little of this. The first require- 
 ment is a foundation. A penny hatpin, a cheap and otherwise 
 useless belt buckle, old cast-off metal ornaments, all form the 
 best of foundations. Next, a stick of coarse commercial sealing 
 wax will be needed, and last a few colors of the finer sealing wax 
 used for letters. Holding the pin in the left hand, the coarse 
 wax in the right, melt the wax over the candle and apply as it 
 melts to the pinhead. Repeat this until a sufficient amount is 
 deposited for the required shape. In a few seconds it will be cool 
 enough to shape with the fingers into all sorts of forms. When 
 
64 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 the shape has been determined, go over the surface with httle 
 dabs of the finer wax in any color scheme suggested. This finer 
 wax should not be applied so as to cover the coarser wax entirely, 
 as this is accomplished by heating. This heating is done very 
 cautiously, the pin being turned constantly. Be careful not to 
 heat clear through or the wax may fall off the head. Should 
 the accident occur, remember that this wax may be remelted and 
 applied again. This accident may sometimes be averted when 
 threatening by dipping the pin quickly into cold water. If this is 
 done, be very sure to dry thoroughly before reheating, or blisters 
 may form. In coating buckles, beautiful effects may be obtained 
 by covering first with the coarse wax and then applying the 
 colors. It is thus possible, with little cost, to make buckles to 
 match hats or gowns. It takes a considerable blow to break 
 these, but should this happen it requires only a little more 
 heating and reshaping to make them as good as new. Passing 
 them very quickly across the flame gives the final polish. If a 
 candle is used, do not let any melted candle grease or smoke 
 touch the pin, as this dulls and darkens the wax and it will not 
 then polish. If gas or alcohol flame be used there is danger of 
 too rapid heating, but there is less smoke. Taken altogether gas 
 gives, perhaps, the best results. Interesting Venetian beads are 
 made over the "Job's Tears" purchased at the druggist's. A 
 wooden toothpick stuck through the hole to prevent its filling 
 with wax is removed later. 
 
 Paper-bag Masks. For some inexplainable reason a gro- 
 tesque face or mask nearly always appeals to a boy. An inter- 
 esting article on the making of paper-bag masks appeared in 
 The Ladies' Home Journal for October, 1907. The author of this 
 contribution. Miss Lina Beard, suggests that from large bags, 
 both of the simple pillowslip sort and also those having a plait 
 at the bottom, the various masks representing animals' heads 
 may be made. The features are coarsely drawn in ink with a 
 large brush. The owl, cat, lion, rabbit, fish, seal and various 
 others are made with little cutting. The eyes and nostrils pro- 
 
IN QUARANTINE 65 
 
 vide breathing space and the bag is sHpped over the head of the 
 wearer. These are readily available for amateur theatricals and 
 require only a suggestion of costume beside. The owl was 
 effectively worn by a member of the school and, with gray 
 flannelette pajamas, made as good an impression as any character 
 present. 
 
 The problem of suitable occupation for tuberculous patients, 
 the output being free from all cause for suspicion, has been 
 considered. It was stated by Dr. Farrand, of New York City, 
 that after long study of these cases it had been found that the 
 rest treatment had been overdone and that patients did better 
 when given carefully regulated employment. This may properly 
 be discussed in this chapter. Although such patients cannot be 
 said to be under strict quarantine, still they are subject to many 
 of the same rules. 
 
 In the Brookline, Massachusetts, Day Camp for Tuberculous 
 Children the demand for work was met by lessons in sewing. 
 Each little girl dressed a doll and later applied the principles 
 so learned to her own wardrobe. This form of work was chosen 
 because the superintendent felt herself qualified to teach it. The 
 boys and girls also made baskets, the girls using rope and raffia, 
 the boys reed and raffia. The question was raised as to the 
 desirability of a form of occupation which tended to constrict 
 the chest. It seems rational that work on large, plain surfaces 
 should be substituted as far as possible. Consumptive women 
 have a propensity to stoop, sew and cough. Blackboard drawing 
 or Crayola work done on a good-sized easel suggests itself; also 
 stenciling on wash goods. It was noted with surprise that book- 
 binding was included in the work of these tuberculous patients 
 which was recently exhibited in New York. It has been found 
 very difficult to dispose of baskets made by such patients, even 
 after formaldehyde disinfection ; how much more so to dispose 
 of books, the most impossible objects of disinfection. 
 
 An industry long since out of fashion was suggested by a 
 
66 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 college professor who remembered that in his home there was 
 formerly a rectangular frame set closely on all four sides with 
 small nails or brads. Running from these was wound coarse, 
 white knitting cotton, first from end to end, then from side to 
 side alternately until nearly two balls were used. No diagonal 
 strands were permitted. When all wound, more cotton threaded 
 in a large darning needle was used to tie at each crossing by a 
 half -buttonhole stitch, first one way and then the other, so that 
 the work was solidly fastened. It was then cut from the nails 
 and the edge trimmed to form a fringelike border. This forms 
 a very thick, open-meshed table mat which may be boiled without 
 harm and used without concern. 
 
 Experiments in home dyeing are worth considering in this 
 connection. Nearly all fabrics are better colored if the dye is 
 boiled in, thus disinfecting the work. The "Easy Dyes" are 
 examples of both hot and cold methods. Common white paper 
 may be dyed any desired shade, also raffia, jute, wools, etc. There 
 is a fine opportunity for chemical experiment for one who can 
 collect vegetable material for dyeing. Barks, roots, woods, leaves, 
 fruits and nuts will all yield valuable colors if properly treated. 
 One boy did a piece of rich illuminating with the purple of 
 cooked blueberry juice. To perfect this industry needs long and 
 careful study, but there are many helps. Apply, for instance, 
 to some old lady in the country who dyes carpet rags independ- 
 ently of ready-made dyes, and you will be apt to get many a 
 valuable suggestion. Chemical experiment appeals more readily, 
 as a rule, to boys than to girls, although both will appreciate 
 results in color. Best of all the patient is kept out of doors by 
 this employment. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 ONE-HAND LESSONS 
 
 Far more numerous than was at first supposed when this 
 course of instruction was planned are the subjects having but 
 one hand available for work. Fracture, paralysis, deformity, 
 burns, wounds of all sorts leading up many times to amputation, 
 may bring us face to face with the problem of what may be 
 done with one hand unassisted, or aided only to a very limited 
 extent, by the other, if other there be. At the Industrial School 
 for Crippled Children in Boston, good work has been done along 
 this line. Here it has been found that clay modeling possesses 
 advantages in that any hand, even a single remaining finger or 
 deformed little stump, may be used as a sort of tool to which 
 the plastic clay responds and invites further experiment. A child 
 having a deformed hand usually tries to hide it, thus allowing 
 it to become more and more useless. By developing it in this 
 way the owner gains not only confidence, but experiences actual 
 pride in the results and a sense of mastery of his queer little tool. 
 The hands shown in the illustration showed examples of remark- 
 able dexterity. Pointing to the little hooks the patient said, 
 "This one turns all my hems; this one takes the dirt out of all 
 the corners," and so on, finding a peculiar fitness even in the 
 deformity itself. Exquisite needlework, knitting and brass work, 
 to say nothing of excellent housekeeping, were among the accom- 
 plishments of this patient. 
 
 Any one by persistent practice may learn to use left hand for 
 right. The next thing is to find means for supplying the assist- 
 ance normally given by the less active hand. With the left hand 
 one ordinarily grasps whatever his right hand finds to do ; in lieu 
 of this one may use a vise, a sewing bird, hand screws or clamps 
 of various nature. In every case the rigid principle to be observed 
 
 67 
 
68 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 is that the work be firmly fixed. If the patient be in bed the 
 frame desk already described in the chapter on restricted posi- 
 tions and shown in the ilhistration on the opposite page may 
 be used. Embroidery frames may be fastened to the arm of 
 an invalid's chair. A good, firm, resisting surface must be 
 provided, and this surface must be arranged at such an angle 
 as to give the least possible disturbance of vision. If the 
 patient's head can be propped up, so much the better; still, there 
 are cases where a strict horizontal position must be maintained 
 — a fracture of femur and left radius, for example, or a case 
 requiring a collar brace, as in torticollis. The thing to be re- 
 membered is that there is always some way which may 
 be devised. 
 
 Brush work of all sorts is applicable to these cases. The 
 fact that the patient has never painted and declares that she 
 "cannot even draw a straight line" need in no way hinder the 
 instruction. Any one can learn to draw, although not all may 
 become artists. Teach the simple principle of free-hand pencil 
 drawing. Do not omit to use some color. There is peculiar 
 charm in a little color used correctly. Japanese water color 
 paints in book form may be bought for seventy-five cents ; these 
 are perfectly transparent and are therefore adapted to coloring 
 prints and photographs where only flat washes are required and 
 all the shading preserved in the print. These colors are very 
 economical, lasting a long time. They are exceedingly strong, 
 and are on paper instead of being in cakes or tubes. One needs 
 only to clip a tiny scrap, which, when floated in water, sheds 
 its tint to be used as a delicate wash. Directions are given 
 with these little books. In the case of photographs having a 
 shiny surface a little wash of sizing which is to be had for 
 a nickel prepares the surface for the color. This sizing is spread 
 on paper, as is the color. In selecting kodak pictures or prints 
 for coloring it is better to choose those which are lightly printed. 
 Often a print too pale to be of much value uncolored will color 
 very successfully. Magazine illustrations picked up here and 
 there take on new significance when so tinted. 
 
Pointing to the little hooks the patient said, "This one turns all my hems ; 
 this one takes the dirt out of all the corners." Pug^ ^7 
 
 I 
 
 BF.n-DKSK 
 
 Pao^e 48 
 
ONE-HAND LESSONS 69 
 
 Illuminated mottoes attract much attention. The outlines for 
 these in black and white may be bought at the various schocl 
 supply places. Some of the very best are printed at the Valhall 
 Studios, 339 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, New York. Fred Rust's 
 Crafts Shop, Evanston, Illinois, and Cheney and Carmichael, 
 Minneapolis, Minnesota, also supply them. Great neatness should 
 be observed in illuminating. A paste may be used to raise capital 
 letters and other parts. Gold and silver paint are effectively 
 employed. There is good sale for these mottoes. Beginning with 
 these simple printed designs the student may gradually work up 
 to doing little things on bits of vellum or parchment, which is the 
 ideal ground for illuminations. There is a stiff kind of oil paper 
 which is sometimes found between layers of bonbons; this is 
 semi-translucent and resembles vellum in appearance. This has 
 been found to take both ink and water color very well. A little 
 manual of illumination is supplied by the Valhall Studio, at the 
 address already given. 
 
 Dinner cards will always bring a good price if daintily 
 executed. A single little figure brings from thirty-five to fifty 
 cents. Linen finish Bristol board makes a good card. The de- 
 sign, outlined either by tracing with carbon paper or sketched 
 in freehand, is then colored with water color and when perfectly 
 dry outlined with ink. Quaint little figures, animals, flowers and 
 fruits are all suitable subjects. A charming place card for a 
 dinner given to a foreign guest has a stretch of blue sea over 
 which flies one beautiful white sea gull. An odd series is worked 
 out using large, white tape-buttons, those having two large, deep 
 holes side by side, for faces. The button is glued to a card, 
 •the body drawn and colored, and the two deep holes each receive 
 a black dot in the center and serve for most expressive eyes. 
 Hats, caps and bonnets are painted over and above the button- 
 face. All sorts of soldiers, sailors and children of all nations 
 are thus represented. 
 
 Pastels or colored crayons may be used, the best paper for 
 practice work being the common cartridge paper used for walls. 
 
70 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 English crayon paper bought at art supply places is very nice, 
 the rough side being the one to which the color is applied. This 
 costs more than the cartridge paper, and the regular woolly pastel 
 paper is still more expensive and not so well adapted to all pieces 
 of work. All pastels rub off very easily and should be fixed 
 with special pastel fixatif — that used for charcoal drawing will 
 not do — or else they should be at once covered with glass with 
 a passe-partout binding. In pastel work much of the delicate 
 blending of tones is produced by rubbing in lightly with the finger. 
 The finer lines are obtained by using the broken edges of the 
 crayons, which fracture with a touch but lose no value by 
 breakage. A little box, ample for any beginner, can be bought 
 for fifty or sixty cents, and it is always possible to buy separate 
 crayons of any colors not included. Pastels are rich in tone 
 and usually demand a gold frame. Further suggestions will be 
 found in Chapter XIII. 
 
 Charcoal and water color used together give a curious and 
 pleasing variation. An effect much like old tapestry may be 
 obtained by treating charcoal paper to a gray coating, applied 
 evenly over the surface by a piece of charcoal rubbed over 
 lengthwise of the entire stick. Next make a strong drawing in 
 charcoal, taking out the lights with a piece of kneaded rubber 
 or artist's gum. Turn the picture face to the easel and wash 
 the whole back freely with charcoal fixatif applied with a broad 
 brush. When dry, turn face towards you and wash the entire 
 surface with cold coffee or a very thin wash of yellow ochre. 
 In applying this wash fill a large brush very full, sweep right 
 across the top of the picture, letting the drops run down, but 
 quickly catch them up by a second brushful applied just below 
 and continue until the surface is evenly washed. Let this dry 
 thoroughly and then color with water color, using strong colors 
 as the picture suggests. The yellow wash gives the appearance 
 of age. These are best framed by a flat black border. 
 
 Envelope Sachets. A woman deprived of the use of all but 
 three fingers, and hopelessly bedridden, has found a way to earn 
 
ONE-HAND LESSONS 71 
 
 money by painting common envelopes with some flower design, 
 slipping sheet wadding and sachet powder into these and adding 
 a little poem copied by her own hand, or all that remains to her 
 of a hand. For these she finds ready sale. Fixed in a frame 
 and unable to raise either hand to her head, she contrives to 
 use a long-handled pen and paint brush. 
 
 Designing Toilets. With practice and a little study many 
 young girls are able to design dainty gowns. Draw carefully 
 the outlines and then color with water colors. A written de- 
 scription, with estimate of amount of goods and probable cost, 
 will increase the value. If possible, have the invalid designer 
 where she can look out into the world of growing things. Here 
 let her find her color schemes. It is said that Worth, the Parisian 
 designer, made a practice of studying the changes on the spring 
 hillsides when planning spring costumes. Let the colors drop 
 into line with the great march of the seasons as told by the 
 trees, the skies, the waters and the birds. 
 
 Rake Knitting. There is good ground for believing that 
 the rake-work already described in the second lesson might well 
 be adapted to a one-hand subject. Fixing the rake steadily, 
 there is no reason why this could not be easily knit ofif with 
 but one hand. 
 
 Leather Tooling. If the leather be securely tacked to a 
 board and the board firmly clamped to a support, this form of 
 work offers a great variety of charming products for the one- 
 hand subject. The leather should be of good quality; dressed 
 calf or split cowhide, ooze finish, may be used. This is sold by 
 the square foot at some hardware places, as Chandler and Barber, 
 Summer Street, Boston, and other dealers. If a number of work- 
 ers can combine to buy a whole skin, which costs several dollars, 
 it will be found to be a great advantage. The design is first 
 traced upon the leather with a hard lead pencil without carbon 
 paper, the leather itself taking the impression. When this is done 
 the lines are all gone over and strengthened with a leather tool, 
 certain parts being rubbed down very hard, giving a good con- 
 
72 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 trast with the lighter imtooled surface. Between the board and 
 the leather there should be fastened a sheet of tin which helps 
 to emphasize the pattern and prevents its sinking in. Before 
 tooling, the whole upper surface is brushed over hghtly with a 
 damp sponge or cloth. On some light leathers this must be done 
 with great care, but on most of that used the water leaves no 
 stain. Sometimes water is applied to parts of the design on the 
 under surface, which enables them to be modeled up more fully. 
 The only really necessary tool is one having one rather broad, 
 spoonlike end, which is used in rubbing down broader spaces, 
 and the other smaller and more pointed end for smaller parts 
 of the design. This tool costs twenty-five cents and may be 
 purchased at the same stores as is the leather. All sorts of 
 pocketbooks, portfolios, bags, frames, book covers, etc., may 
 be thus made. It requires a fairly strong, firm pressure to get 
 the best results. The metal fasteners for pocketbooks may be 
 put on at the leather shops or, if one is to do many, an outfit 
 for this which can easily be used by any one may be had for one 
 dollar. Leather work is among the most satisfactory products ; 
 it is durable, beautiful to a high degree, not really expensive and 
 always desirable. Fine colored calf is obtained at W. A. Hall's, 
 119 Beach Street, Boston, Massachusetts. 
 
 Cross-stitch. The problem of any kind of needlework for 
 a one-hand patient was long considered. It was at last demon- 
 strated that a patient lying on her back in bed with one hand 
 wholly useless could do cross-stitch embroidery. Turning the 
 frame already described on page 48, the canvas was stretched 
 across the open back and the patient could then carry out the 
 design. In order that she may thread her own needles a cushion 
 may be tacked to one side of the frame, the needles stuck into 
 this and there threaded. Patterns for cross-stitch may be had 
 on all sides ; very desirable ones are issued on single sheets by 
 The Jenny Brooks Company, Salem, Massachusetts. When the 
 design is done on cloth, railroad canvas is basted over, the pattern 
 worked, and when completed the canvas pulled out a few threads 
 
ONE-HAND LESSONS 73 
 
 at a time. One nurse shows a beautiful piece of work done in 
 this stitch on white satin with fine Berlin wool. Somewhat less 
 than seventy years ago the pupils of a Canadian private school 
 were taught the stitch but allowed to work only on samplers. 
 One little girl of thirteen was inspired to attempt the reproduc- 
 tion of a Scriptural scene which would much resemble a fine old 
 tapestry. Not permitted to do it in school and required to go 
 early to her bed at home, her only chance was to work at her 
 great task surreptitiously at night, while her sister held the candle 
 for her. By this means she produced a work of great beauty, 
 which is cherished by her daughter and framed in a plain wooden 
 frame made especially for it by the grandfather. Among the 
 countless crude and deplorable efforts constantly found in coun- 
 try houses and county fairs one may often stumble upon a piece 
 of real artistic value done in this old-time stitch. 
 
 This jingle, quoted from memory and without knowledge of 
 its source, has amused many who were induced to try the cross- 
 stitch : 
 
 "An old and respectable ostrich 
 Was seized with a wish to do cross-stitch. 
 *I will cover my eggs and respectable legs 
 With rugs and with mats,' said the ostrich. 
 So she went to a friendly red heifer. 
 And purchased some needles and zephyr, 
 Some canvas and crash and some burlap for cash, 
 For 'I don't sell on trust,' said Miss Heifer. 
 But when casually the ostrich 
 Remarked that she wished to do cross-stitch. 
 Miss Red Heifer's smile made her feel that her style 
 Was obsolete e'en for an ostrich. 
 Said the heifer: 'My dear Mrs. Ostrich, 
 Art embroidery now is the boss stitch 
 (H you'll pardon the slang). I experience a pang 
 That you wish to revert to the cross-stitch.' 
 'There's something much older than cross-stitch — 
 'Tis courtesy, ma'am,' said the ostrich." 
 
74 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 Weaving. Certain kinds of hand weaving may be done in 
 the little loom described in the second lesson, the difference being 
 that for a one-hand patient it is better to place it on its side, 
 weaving up and down instead of from right to left. At the 
 Marblehead Crafts Shop they sometimes offer work to some of 
 the patients of the Children's Island Hospital. Among these were 
 two girls, one using only the right hand, the other only the left. 
 These girls were able to use a large loom together, each managing 
 one side of the weaving. 
 
 Several remarkable examples are reported of work done by 
 patients deprived of the use of both hands. A book published 
 by the Riverside Press many years ago, entitled, "The Life of 
 John Carter," by Frederick James Mills, gives a full account, 
 well illustrated, of the work done by John Carter of Coggeshall, 
 England. He was a silk weaver, earning twelve shillings or more 
 a day. He lapsed into rather idle and dissolute habits. Together 
 with some mischievous companions he was attacking a rookery 
 in May, 1836, when in his climb for the birds he reached the 
 height of forty feet and fell to the ground. He never moved 
 hand or foot from that time. The injury was to the fifth, sixth 
 and seventh vertebrae and his death was expected. Contrary to 
 this, however, he lived. He was then only twenty-one. One 
 day, in reading from books loaned him by his friends, he hap- 
 pened upon a little account of a certain Elizabeth Kinning at an 
 asylum in Liverpool, who, having lost the use of her hands, had 
 learned to draw with her mouth. This suggested to him that 
 he might do the same. He began with a slate, then with a piece 
 of paper pinned to the pillow, first with a pencil, then with a 
 brush. By this means he worked up to line drawing for engrav- 
 ing on copper. This was accompHshed in three years. He de- 
 veloped this work to great perfection, one of his drawings being 
 kept by Queen Victoria. He used a small, light desk of wood 
 and a lead pencil about four inches long, held firmly between 
 his teeth. A brush dipped in India ink by his attendant was, by 
 a peculiar muscular action of lips and tongue, made free from 
 
ONE-HAND LESSONS 75 
 
 superfluous ink and brought to a fine point. He then held it fast 
 in his teeth and drew with great swiftness by the motion of his 
 head. In this way he Uved and worked fourteen years. He died 
 June 2, 1850. 
 
 To the right spirit every Umitation seems to constitute a 
 summons to greater victories. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 THE IMPATIENT BOY 
 
 The study of impatience has been much neglected. By a 
 large majority it has been set down as a serious fault if not 
 a major sin. To say that a person is impatient is equivalent to 
 saying that he is irritable ; to say that he is irritable is equiva- 
 lent to saying that his nerves react too rapidly and violently to 
 various stimuli ; and to say this is to admit that he exhibits a 
 deviation from the normal and is, therefore, to a given degree, 
 ill. The moment one transfers crossness from the list of faults 
 to the list of symptoms the whole aspect of the case changes. 
 It may not be possible to arrive at full and complete diagnosis, 
 but here, as elsewhere, one may treat symptoms. 
 
 The symptom of impatience precludes the long-continued use 
 of special nerve centers and therefore of special sets of muscles. 
 Particularly is this true of the finer groups of muscles. This 
 principle is observed in the kindergarten and lower primary 
 schools on account of undeveloped mental conditions ; in the 
 case of older subjects it must be adhered to because of impaired 
 function, if not structural change. To set a little child to making 
 lace would be reprehensible. To expect an impatient boy or other 
 subject to accomplish work requiring finely coordinated move- 
 ments is equally wrong. But we have another factor to con- 
 sider, namely, that, while this boy can do nothing intricate, he 
 must do something. With his inability to act discriminatingly 
 comes his powerful impulse to act at any cost. He cannot pains- 
 takingly lay up a building-block wall piece by piece, but he can 
 demolish such a wall at one fell blow. The conditions rendering 
 a subject impatient are many and varied. A nagging and inter- 
 mittent pain is apt to foster this, while a continued pain, or one 
 increasing in severity, often makes the subject patient. But take 
 
 76 
 
THE IMPATIENT BOY -jj 
 
 a boy with earache or toothache — who can stand before him? 
 How he hurls his grandmother's poultice across the room and 
 his mother's hot water bottle after it ! The only safe treatment 
 for the members of the family to attempt is the absent treatment. 
 
 Fortunately for his nurse there are intervals, and these may 
 be used with great tact even unto the lessening and postpone- 
 ment of the next storm. One boy with toothache found his own 
 sedative in cutting out enough paper devils to go all the way 
 around the room. Extensity seems to be a factor in planning 
 occupation for such a patient, large surfaces, long strokes, push- 
 ing away from rather than gathering towards one. And then, 
 after all, the boy likes fun, so make him laugh. Bring in some 
 vegetables and fruits, make for these ridiculous faces with pins 
 or buttons, and add toothpick legs and paper tails. Let the onions 
 grin while they weep. Make a row of apple jack-o'-lanterns, 
 lemon pigs, potato turkeys, raisin turtles and carrot cows ; line 
 them all up at good range, then give the boy a bean blower and 
 let him shoot every one of them — dead! It will do him a world 
 of good. Make up absurd jingles; let him splash them on paper 
 with ink and brush in big, untidy strokes. Call them street car 
 signs and suggest trades of all sorts to advertise. It sounds 
 large. If he succeeds and keeps this thing up he may turn out 
 an advertiser and earn more money than his medical adviser ever 
 saw. 
 
 Boys are attracted by a sleight-of-hand performance. The 
 trick of stencil may be taught here. "Let the nurse make the 
 stencil while the boy sleeps or is otherwise engaged. To do this 
 she traces the design on common brown wrapping paper, cuts it 
 out with slim, pointed scissors or with a knife, and then shellacs 
 it on both sides (if on one only it will curl). When dry it is ready 
 to use. On a broad board lay a piece of blotting paper ; over this 
 stretch smoothly the surface to be decorated, then let the boy 
 slap on the color or ink. The nurse takes oflf the stencil and lo, 
 the boy has made a beautiful thing in spite of himself. Beaut}' 
 with a surprise in it is always charming, and pain has been 
 
78 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 charmed away. When the boy feels better he will do this more 
 carefully. Then you may teach him that all sorts of paint may 
 be used — old dried oil colors in tubes (if the tops will not un- 
 screw, heat them for a moment over a candle or gas flame), 
 dry paint in powder; oil rather than water color is preferable. 
 The best fluid medium is made up after this formula: Into a 
 pint bottle put one ounce oil or essence of wintergreen, one ounce 
 acetic acid. Fill up to the even pint with spirits of turpentine. 
 Mix the paint to a thin, creamy consistency. Have a stencil 
 brush which is square across the end and use always the end 
 of the brush and not the side. Take up the color and apply the 
 brush each time it is dipped to a piece of common pasteboard 
 or strawboard before applying to the stencil. This takes up the 
 superfluous fluid and prevents the color from running under 
 the edge of the stencil. Apply the color with a stippling motion, 
 not with a stroke. Take up the stencil carefully to prevent 
 smooching, and after thorough drying rub a very hot iron over 
 the under side of the goods to make the color set more firmly. 
 The exact consistency of the paint must be learned by practice. 
 The wintergreen and acid make the color bite into the cloth. 
 Almost any surface may be stenciled. This is often done by 
 rubbing crayola or wax crayons over the stencil and then iron- 
 ing, but this gives a less attractive effect, although it is much 
 easier for little children. 
 
 Spatterflies. This clever name was suggested by a patient 
 for the curious and truly beautiful butterflies made so magically 
 with one or two spatters of paint. To do this fold a piece of 
 fairly heavy white paper evenly through the center once ; open 
 and on one side only, very close to the crease, dab two or three 
 very tiny specks of paint from tube colors — oils will work best. 
 Now fold back the paper and with a paper-knife or silver table- 
 knife crease down very hard, first along the fold for a short 
 distance and then from the fold outward. Rub down very hard, 
 so that only the thinnest possible layer of paint is spread between 
 the papers. Now open and the result will surprise you both as 
 
THE IMPATIENT BOY 75) 
 
 to blending of colors and beauty of form. It is not possible to 
 duplicate these. The same colors may be used, the blending will 
 always vary; the same strokes may be repeated, the forms will 
 never be reproduced. Mount these on pale gray paper and make 
 a truly beautiful decoration. 
 
 Blue Prints made from natural specimens of trees and leaves 
 of various sorts will be a means of real educational pleasure. 
 To make these one needs only a small printing frame, a roll of 
 blue print paper, the leaves and some running water. Lay the 
 leaf on the glass, cover with the paper with the sensitive side 
 towards the glass, and fasten ; expose to the direct rays of the 
 sun, usually four or five minutes. Sometimes a much longer 
 period will be required to bring out any detail of veins which 
 will show perfectly in a good print. In northern latitudes it 
 requires more time. In Nova Scotia, recently, a twig of rose- 
 bush was exposed two hours on a fair day, in the sun, before 
 the veins showed in the print. When printed, place in a basin 
 under cold, running water and wash very thoroughly. After this 
 place between two layers of blotting paper to dry. These make 
 beautiful nature-study scrapbooks. The paper may be cut, but 
 the part not in use must be slipped into a book at once away 
 from light. Get the paper out of the package and into place 
 as quickly as possible, as it is spoiled by exposure to light. Cover 
 the roll of paper at once. 
 
 Impromptu products always attract children. A tiny Christ- 
 mas tree was being decorated for an old lady by a thoughtful 
 nurse. A boy in the house at once set to work to make a Santa 
 Claus for the top. The body was quickly rolled up from absorb- 
 ent cotton kept in shape by red string wound first over each foot 
 like a sandal and so up the leg, the cotton making snowy trousers. 
 The jacket was made from a bit of red bathrobe, with a red 
 leather belt and cap, the last set on a cotton wool head. The 
 cheeks were tinted with red ink, the features marked in black, 
 the nose pinched up of cotton, a fine white beard of cotton and 
 a pipe made from a little brass screwhook, with a drop of black 
 
8o INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 sealing wax to form the bowl. All that was lacking was the 
 pack. A bit of brown, leather-like cloth formed the bag, and 
 toys cut from colored paper stuck out of its top. 
 
 A wishbone Indian is made by applying melted brown sealing 
 wax to the tip for a head. Shape up the face and set two bright 
 beads for eyes before the wax cools. A long feather may also 
 be embedded in the scalp. The feet are made of wax and have 
 large flat soles, so that the Indian stands firmly. The dress is of 
 bright felt and has an under-cape of chamois leather, so that 
 it may be used as a penwiper. One model has this inscription: 
 
 "Once I was a wishbone, 
 Growing in a hen ; 
 Now I am an Indian, 
 Made to wipe your pen." 
 
 Nearly all boys like to play Indians. The pounding out of 
 grain or popcorn in a mortar or bowl affords a chance to work 
 off pent-up feeling. The impulse to grind may be transferred 
 from the boy's teeth to a coffee mill or meat grinder. This 
 may induce perspiration and so hasten the elimination of toxic 
 substance. 
 
 The making of a pumpkin lantern is always fascinating 
 employment. A lantern made in the same way from a big red 
 apple supplied with a little red candle will furnish light enough 
 for a child to eat supper by. This is especially useful in cases 
 of weak eyes, as in measles. As one of these burned, the red 
 wax ran out of the grinning mouth and cooled in the shape of 
 a long, red tongue. 
 
 Kite making is well worth trying if the boy can be taken 
 out to watch the flight. For this the stock must be light and 
 the tail-weight carefully adjusted. One old doctor in a Con- 
 necticut village was distinguished for his kites and would stand 
 for hours at a time in rapt admiration in the midst of a corn- 
 field to watch his treasures in upper air. Surely the story of 
 Franklin and his kite never fails to gain an attentive audience 
 when told to a little boy. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 IN THE HOSPITAL 
 
 The space allowed the average ward patient is far from 
 magfnificent. The law has been obliged to step in to insure even 
 the modest space of nine square feet under and around each 
 bed. The space for the patient's belongings is even smaller. In 
 the majority of general hospitals the clothing in which the patient 
 arrives is quickly bundled up and sent to some clothesroom, there 
 to remain until the discharge of the patient. Sometimes in a 
 ward of nine or ten beds two chests of drawers are provided, 
 one drawer for each patient. In a much larger proportion of 
 wards, however, the only place which the patient can call her 
 own is the tiny drawer in her bedside table. There may be a 
 small shelf under this, and there her personal property is allowed 
 to remain, provided there be no litter about it. 
 
 The matter of personal attention is also painfully limited, 
 not from desire but necessity. How much time, you ask, has the 
 overtaxed ward nurse to give to the treatment of her patients by 
 this occupation method? Little enough surely, but while she 
 makes her bed can she not give through word of mouth a new 
 and stimulating suggestion? While she rubs a back or combs 
 hair or performs some of the "strictly necessary" duties of her 
 profession may she not give, perhaps, a more potent remedy than 
 any contained in the ward medicine closet? Convalescence as a 
 rule is not long tolerated in the rush of the hospital service. 
 One not infrequently finds, however, old ulcer cases, long drain- 
 age appendicitis cases, a whole sluggish list, any one of which 
 keeps the patient stationary in a ward where everything around 
 her shifts constantly. What shall be offered to these? There 
 are certain dreary occupations presented by the hospital, one of 
 the most miserable being the picking out of resterilized gauze. 
 
 8i 
 
82 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 If treatment by suggestion means anything, this must indeed 
 fail to bring joy or health in its train. An endless procession 
 of discharging wounds must be the picture presented. 
 
 Whatever work we offer in this chapter must be suited to 
 the limitations of the tiny drawer or possibly a paper box on the 
 lower shelf. But how many pretty things these may hold ! Let 
 the subject be a young woman. Has she ever crocheted a 
 
 Bean Bag? The materials needed are one spool of colored 
 silkateen, cost five cents, and a fine steel crochet hook of the 
 same price. Make a chain of six stitches ; join. In long crochet 
 stitch fill the hole as full as it will hold to make a flat circle, 
 joining the first and last stitch to keep an even edge. Chain 
 two and make the second row of long stitch, putting the hook 
 only over the chain on the edge, not between the long stitches. 
 It will need to have two stitches in nearly every one to increase 
 sufficiently. In this way continue until nine rows have been made 
 and the mat is smooth and flat; then finish off. Make a second 
 mat exactly like the first and crochet the two together with a 
 short stitch, leaving an inch open for filling. Fill, not too full, 
 with dry beans and close up. Finish by crocheting a little scallop 
 border around. Three of these form a set and sell for thirty-five 
 cents each. Piled one upon the other in a neat package tied with 
 pretty ribbon, they make a nice holiday gift. 
 
 Chatelaine Pinballs. Sometimes one likes a few pins 
 close at hand. Select two button molds the size of a small 
 watch. Cover these with delicate satin or silk cut a quarter of 
 an inch larger than the mold. Before covering, the satin may 
 be decorated in fine ribbon work. To do this use rococo ribbon ; 
 this costs four cents per yard, and may be had in shaded colors. 
 Thread this directly into a fine darning needle and sew the ribbon 
 into the pattern. No stamping is necessary ; one stitch makes a 
 petal, another a leaf. It is better to outline the tiny stems in 
 fine green silk. In this way a tiny wreath, a bunch of daisies, 
 a four-leaved clover, etc., may be put in in a few minutes. Now 
 cut several thicknesses of old flannel a shade smaller than the 
 
IN THE HOSPITAL 83 
 
 mold and stitch through and through Hke a holder. Next sew 
 a band of baby ribbon to match the silk around one of the molds 
 in fine overhand stitching on the outside, leaving enough at each 
 end to tie in a bow when finished. Now press the flannel pad 
 in and, holding the other covered mold on closely, stitch to the 
 other edge of the ribbon. Tie the bow and fasten well, so that 
 the pinball may hang from the ribbon bow when pinned to the 
 waist. Sometimes a dainty row of featherstitch is done on the 
 ribbon after the ball is otherwise finished. These sold readily 
 for thirty cents each. 
 
 A Roller Bandage Pincushion. Tear old or new white 
 flannel into strips one and one-half inches wide and wind as a 
 bandage, very tightly. Fasten by a few stitches. Bias flannel 
 should not be used. Cover one end smoothly and neatly with 
 silk or linen, decorating it with an embroidered wreath, eyelet 
 work, or set in a lace medallion. Cover the bottom with plain 
 material. Cover the sides with a dainty ribbon of the exact width 
 and join very neatly. Sew the upper edge of the ribbon to the 
 top of the cushion with a coarse, half-buttonhole stitch of em- 
 broidery silk. Cover two brass rings with the same silk in button- 
 hole stitch and sew to opposite upper sides of the cushion for 
 handles. The pins go in readily between the flannel edges of the 
 roll. 
 
 Fig. 26 
 
 Lamb's-wool Cushions. These are made by cutting from 
 writing paper seven hexagons the same size as Figure 26. 
 Cover these with dainty Dresden ribbon, if possible of a garland 
 pattern, joined to make it appear continuous. Six should be 
 
84 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 covered thus ; the seventh forms the center and is best covered 
 with a bit having a tiny bouquet or sprig in the middle or other 
 design which makes a definite pattern. Sew these six pieces all 
 around this center and together down one side by very fine over- 
 hand on the wrong side. Around the entire edge sew. on the 
 right side, a strip of ribbon three-eighths of an inch wide. Join 
 with a fine seam. Cut seven more hexagons and cover either like 
 the top or with plain silk for the bottom. Sew this to the second 
 side of the ribbon, leaving an opening for stuffing. Stuff with 
 
 Fig. 27 
 
 soft lamb's wool, which may be bought as wadding or from the 
 factory as fine wool, or from the surgical supply places at the 
 rate of two dollars per pound. A pair of dressing forceps is best 
 to stufif with, as this little cushion has many angles and depends 
 on perfect shape for its beauty. Only a little wool is required. 
 When very full, close up. These are dainty and the pins will 
 never rust in them. 
 
 A Shaker Bonnet. From light gray felt or broadcloth cut 
 two pieces like the pattern. (Fig. 27.) From delicate pink or 
 blue cashmere cut two more and pink them around the edge. 
 
IN THE HOSPITAL 
 
 85 
 
 Place these between the two gray pieces; fasten at back of neck 
 and under chin. Trim with ribbon bows and, last, tuck a white 
 or colored celluloid thimble in the crown to form the headpiece. 
 This makes a charming needlebook. A little doll's face might 
 be added. 
 
 Shamrock Needlecase. Cut four pieces of stiff cardboard 
 like the pattern (Fig. 28) and four more of stiff paper. Cover 
 two cardboard and two paper pieces with green silk or satin. 
 
 Fig. 28 
 
 Cover the other two cardboard and the other two paper sections 
 with a contrasting shade of silk. Sew the four cardboard pieces 
 together, one green and one contrasting shade, making two double 
 pieces. Sew the four paper pieces together in the same way. 
 You now have four double pieces, two stiff and two pliable. Fold 
 these last two straight through the center from the point to the 
 top notch. This makes them appear half pieces. Sew all four 
 pieces together point to point, stiff pieces opposite and flexible 
 pieces with folded edge turned inward. Of course all green sides 
 are outward. In folding, the green side is inward. Sew from 
 
86 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 the central point out as far as the first corner in such a way 
 that the two paper sections fold in on either side when the case 
 is closed. Fasten strips of ribbon across inside to hold papers of 
 needles, etc. A little bag for thread may go on one of the stiff 
 sides. Add ribbon ties. When the case is opened it resembles 
 a four-leaved clover. 
 
 Black Dinah Emery. Cut two disks of firm cotton cloth 
 two inches in diameter. Stitch these tightly together, leaving a 
 small opening to fill. Fill very hard with emery and press out 
 round. A tiny funnel made of thin sheet brass rolled up will be 
 found of great service in filling. Sew up tightly and cover one 
 side with black silk, bringing it over the seam a quarter of an 
 inch, gathering the edge as in covering a button mold. On 
 this work eyes, nose and mouth in black, red and white silk, 
 or else paint them. Now cut a half-handkerchief piece from gay, 
 soft silk and sew the long side around the seam so that it will 
 turn back, leaving pointed ends at the top. These ends are 
 hemmed, and as the middle point is brought under and nicely 
 arranged these two points are brought together and tied in a 
 genuine bandana knot on the forehead. 
 
 Heart-shaped Emery. Another emery which always seems 
 mysterious in its construction is made by measuring a perfect 
 square of two-inch satin ribbon of very firm quality, allowing 
 for a quarter-inch turn in as it is cut. Fold this square diag- 
 onally and sew from both outer points in a close overhand, leaving 
 a tiny opening a quarter of an inch or so on one side of the 
 middle point for filling. Before doing this it is well to baste 
 down the two cut edges very closely. Do not cut off the sew- 
 ing silk at the opening, but unthread it, and after filling use this 
 rethreaded to close up the seam. This obviates a knot. It should 
 not be possible to detect the place after closing. Before filling, 
 draw the two outer points almost together with double silk, hav- 
 ing several threads over which a buttonhole stitch is worked as 
 in making a loop. Insert into the opening the little brass funnel 
 mentioned above and pour in the emery. This requires consider- 
 
IN THE HOSPITAL 
 
 87 
 
 able skill. The emery works down into the long points and 
 the ribbon gradually assumes the form shown in Figure 29. 
 
 Fig. 29 
 
 The emery should be packed in very firmly indeed to give good 
 form. The finger can be worked in around the hole to shape 
 it. If the emery is not firmly packed these outer points will 
 be flabby. When no more can be filled in, sew it up, brush off 
 any emery spilled, and complete by a bow of narrow ribbon tied 
 over the bar. Great care must be used in filling those of delicate 
 color not to spill the emery and so soil the satin. 
 
 A Fish Pinball. From Gloucester, Massachusetts, comes 
 this appropriate souvenir. From a bit of cardboard cut two 
 
 Fig. 30 
 
88 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 sections like Figure 30. Cover each neatly with some silk or 
 satin suggesting fish shades. Sew these together; arrange com- 
 mon pins to form the fins. Use a fancy-headed pin for the eye. 
 
 Match Boxes. The little sliding match boxes can be daintily 
 covered and used for rubber bands. Many materials may be 
 used, fancy paper, silk, ribbon or linen. A neat design is em- 
 broidered or painted on the top. Almost anybody likes a box 
 of rubber bands. 
 
 Ribbon Flowers. One of the most attractive and profitable 
 occupations is the making of ribbon flowers for evening wear 
 or for trimming hats or other decoration. This requires a certain 
 knack, but no more than can be learned with a little practice. 
 The materials necessary are a spool of green stem wire, a sheet 
 or two of dark green tissue paper for winding stems, white wire 
 taste, ribbon and foliage. 
 
 A Bunch of Violets. One roll of number four violet satin 
 ribbon costing about sixty cents, stem wire, green paper and 
 foliage are needed. Cut one whole spool of wire into six or 
 seven inch lengths. Cut green tissue paper into quarter-inch 
 width strips and wind the wire stems with this, covering com- 
 pletely. Twist firmly at the ends. In covering the stems the 
 paper should not be held at right angles with the wire, but at a 
 long slope. If at right angles much more paper will be used 
 and a thick, clumsy stem will result. With the ribbon make an 
 irregular bow, simply holding without tying and with no knot 
 in the center, the ends and loops being not more than a half- 
 inch long. (Fig. 31.) Pinch up the center and twist over and 
 around it the end of the stem wire, nipping it in tightly and so 
 bringing both ends and loops pointing upward. Hold the ribbon 
 with all four parts of the bow together in the fingers of the left 
 hand as the wire is twisted. In this way continue until the ribbon 
 is used up. In a bunch of violet foliage as purchased there is 
 usually enough for two or more of these bunches. Arrange the 
 violets in a nice bunch and border with leaves. If enough ribbon 
 is provided, tie several bows in the ends of as many irregular 
 lengths and use for a shower to tie up the bunch. 
 
IN THE HOSPITAL 
 
 89 
 
 Sweet Peas. Ribbon, pale pink, white or lavender, one and 
 one-quarter inch wide is used. Cut stems and wind as for violets. 
 Cut ribbon into inch and a half lengths, double one end and sew 
 together ; turn to form a little hoodlike pocket. Cut the other 
 end in a double scallop ; pucker up in the center and twist wire 
 around as for the violets. Cut a few lengths of stem wire, with- 
 out winding with paper, twist very regularly around a knitting 
 needle for two inches. Slip off this spiral tendril and mix with 
 flowers. Sweet pea foliage is hard to find, but one can usually 
 
 Fig. 31 
 
 Fig. 32 
 
 find something which may be used, often in shopworn and 
 discarded sprays. 
 
 Roses. For large roses two and one-half inch ribbon will be 
 needed, about one yard or a trifle over for a rose. Cut six-inch 
 stems of wire taste, turn one end over the finger to form a loop 
 and twist around. In one end of the ribbon lay several length- 
 wise plaits for an inch or two and loop over the wire loop, 
 sewing firmly. This forms the center. Now, holding the stem 
 in the left hand and the ribbon in the right, turn the stem so 
 that the ribbon twists slightly towards the right. Loop the 
 ribbon for each petal, turning between each loop and the next, 
 always in the same direction. This turning gives each petal a 
 hollow side towards the center and a convex side outside. Con- 
 tinue in this way, sewing each one as it is formed until the 
 ribbon is used up. The tendency will be to make the petals 
 look like bows and not like rose petals, and also to creep down 
 
90 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 the stem. These two things must be guarded against. Push 
 the outer petals up to almost cover the center. Last, wind the 
 stem with green tissue paper, using a little paste at the start 
 around the rose. Rosebuds are made the same except that the 
 ribbon is cut into loops one and a half inch long when doubled. 
 One and one-half inch width is also used. Gather coarsely 
 across the bottom and draw up as shown in Figure 32. This 
 hollows the loop. Roll back the two double corners and catch 
 with an invisible stitch to the petal. Arrange these around 
 a center made as for the rose and having each one overlap the 
 preceding one slightly. Finish with stem paper and arrange 
 roses and buds among rose foliage. The corners of the rose 
 petals may be rolled back in the same way as those of the bud. 
 Another way to make very large roses is to cut petals of silk, 
 sew the edges of two together and turn like a pocket. Put a 
 fine wire inside around the edge and stitch around the petal with 
 corresponding shade of silk. Arrange these around an artificial 
 flower center to form a large, flaring rose. In these the petals 
 may be shaded and form a very rich rose. Small baby roses 
 may be made of narrow ribbon and arranged in wreaths with 
 fine rose foliage. 
 
 Another ribbon flower which lacks a name but which has 
 figured largely in Fifth Avenue millinery is made by twisting 
 inch-wide ribbon in two rolls towards each other, thus forming 
 a pointed petal with a crease down the center. These petals are 
 arranged around a covered center in groups of five and so made 
 up into clusters of blossoms. Leaves are made of ribbon with 
 considerable success by using a green picot edge ribbon, half- 
 inch width. Double it for an inch and a half and gather the 
 double edge together on one side ; draw it down rather closely 
 and open. This forms the midrib to the leaf, and arranging 
 these as rose leaves the effect is satisfactory. All these bring 
 good prices when well made. 
 
 Blackberries. For these a rather heavier wire is used, as 
 black-covered bonnet wire. Cut for stems and on the end sew 
 
IN THE HOSPITAL 91 
 
 a roll of black, soft cloth as a foundation. This should be longer 
 than wide. On this sew black beads, the size of the separate 
 segments of a blackberry, until wholly covered. A bit of brown 
 cambric or cotton is cut for a calyx and fastened to the base 
 of each berry. The blackberry belongs to the rose family, and 
 a few wild rose leaves may be used with them in lieu of their 
 own foliage. These are used on black hats and bonnets, and 
 a bunch shown in a little birch-bark basket has attracted much 
 attention. This leads up to other 
 
 Beadwork. It is well known that the savage is charmed 
 by colored beads, and there is still enough of the same spirit 
 remaining in the civilized mind to render them attractive. Beads 
 are strung, woven and sewed upon a foundation of canvas. They 
 may also be strung and knitted or crocheted. It would be a 
 mistake to go into much detailed instruction here when such 
 a wealth of this material may be found in the shops and fancy- 
 work papers. A well-made bead bag easily sells for twelve or 
 fifteen dollars. Bead purses cost less but command good prices ; 
 necklaces range from high to low prices and are of almost in- 
 finite variety. One fine example of beadwork is a piece done 
 by the Eskimos, showing bead patterns inlaid into hair seal 
 fur. The skin is nicely cut away in a definite pattern and the 
 space perfectly filled with colored beads. Little children often 
 do good work with beads, and the same is true of the blind. 
 One of the best places to buy beads and obtain directions is 
 Isaac D. Allen Company, 21 Winter Street, Boston, Massachu- 
 setts. They supply a nice little book on "Apache Bead Work" 
 for twenty-five cents, which is full of instructions. A number 
 of illustrated leaflets showing a great variety of strung neck- 
 laces, with prices and instruction, are also sent. In the chapter 
 on work for the blind more will be given on the subject of 
 beadwork. 
 
 Basketry. There is a chance for the making of small but 
 dainty baskets by a hospital patient. The only trouble in doing 
 this is the fact that it makes a little more litter, but if properly 
 
92 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 carried on lovely baskets inay be made. The materials for this 
 are fine reed, number o or i or 2, colored and uncolored raffia, 
 a raffia needle and a glass of water. All the first named may 
 be obtained at a school supply place, as J. L. Hammett's, Devon- 
 shire Street, Boston, or Milton Bradley's, Boston and New York. 
 The colored raffia prepared by various craftspeople is best. It 
 is a mistake to allow these materials to soak any length of time 
 as is sometimes suggested, since they shrink after being made up 
 wet and an irregular basket results. To start, select a reed ; 
 whittle one end, as in Figure 33. Moisten slightly. With the 
 
 Fig. 33 
 
 Fig. 34 
 
 desired shade of raffia cover the reed for an inch or so back, 
 allowing the raffia to lie flat and lengthwise and so over the tip. 
 Lead back to the tip and wind upward closely for an inch. 
 Thread this raffia, which has been split and moistened slightly, 
 into a raffia needle. Bend the flexible tip of the reed into a tiny 
 coil and, holding very firmly, sew over and over with the raffia 
 until a close, firm little buttonlike center is made. (Fig. 34.) 
 You may now progress by a number of different basket stitches. 
 The Lazy Squaw Stitch is made by winding the raffia over the 
 outer reed once or twice, then taking a long stitch over the two 
 reeds, the outer and the inner, as in Figure 35. 
 
 This stitch lends itself to a great number of patterns. The 
 Knot Stitch or Oatmeal Stitch is much the same except that after 
 
 m\\wm7MW////m ww/m'/^M y//m/MW////M 
 
 ^.Tii illl lllhiill llilf llil iili'llll nil :ilii [III Hill (III III III till llil^ III llti II II III 
 
 Fig. 35 
 
IN THE HOSPITAL 
 
 93 
 
 the long stitch is taken the raffia is brought over across this long 
 stitch at right angles between the reeds like a back stitch, before 
 going on with the winding between the long stitches. This gives 
 a knotted or grainlike appearance and spreads the reeds some- 
 what apart, as in Figure 36. 
 
 Fig. 36 
 
 The third stitch is the Figure of Eight Stitch, and consists in 
 winding the raffia over and under the outer and inner reeds, as 
 the name signifies. It will be best to bring the raffia up from 
 the outside of the inner reed tozvards you, over the outer reed 
 from you, up again between the reeds towards you and then 
 down between the inner reed and the one next below. In 
 Figure 37 the two reeds are spread apart to show the method, 
 
 Fig. 37 
 
 but in actual work they lie close together, the raffia being tightly 
 drawn and the reeds being really twice covered, as the inner or 
 lower one is always the upper one of the previous pair. The 
 work is very firm and substantial. This is a slow weave, but 
 one of the best and adapted to straight line designs rather than 
 curves, while the Squaw Stitch or Knot Stitch may be used for 
 both sorts of patterns. There are many excellent books on 
 basketry, " Practical Basket Making," by George Wharton James, 
 being one of the best. A bed patient will do well to attempt only 
 small baskets, which seem simply another form of light needle- 
 
94 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 work. It is well to learn the stitch thoroughly and to try a simple 
 shape before attempting any pattern. 
 
 Crochet in cotton or linen thread is one of the commonest 
 occupations. This is not free from eyestrain and should not 
 be permitted to the point of fatigue. Some patients do this 
 easily ; to others it would be a decided strain. To any interested 
 the making of a scrapbook of crochet designs from the various 
 fancy work papers is an especially good work. The patient 
 whose eyes do not admit of the actual work will be able to make 
 a fine collection of designs. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 GRANDMOTHER 
 
 Rarely is there found an old lady who is not anxious to be 
 active. Rheumatism may have a tight clutch upon her, her 
 mind may show plain signs of failing processes, pain may give 
 many a twinge and poor eyesight may exasperate; still, she "sees 
 things to do." Ill fares it with her nurse if she has been brought 
 up to know only her hospital work. What poor opinion the old 
 lady has of a young woman who buys all her underwear ready- 
 made, who never learned to knit ! How she despises the nurse 
 who. when her special nursing duties are over, sits down with 
 folded hands or with a novel for her own entertainment ! Just 
 because she is herself limited in her activities she wishes to see 
 able-bodied people busy. Sitting beside such an old lady a nurse 
 dressed a doll for her little granddaughter. Long after, when 
 the nurse called, Grandma had no recollection of her face or 
 name, but when the doll was mentioned her face at once lighted. 
 "What," she cried, "were you the one that made the green cape 
 with the pink f eatherstitching ? How nice it looked ! " A piece 
 of good mending or a child's garment made from some cast-off 
 grown-up article does such a patient more good than her porous 
 plaster. Let every nurse learn to knit before her graduation. 
 There is a record of one who escaped this — possibly intention- 
 ally. Her first case proved to be an old dementia patient who 
 could do nothing but knit. The nurse's postgraduate training 
 had to be along this line. 
 
 Another old lady fell downstairs and was put to bed to die. 
 Cherishing a private preference in the matter she declined to 
 depart but waited for her old bones to mend, which process 
 was indifferently accomplished. As she felt herself pulling back 
 into life she thought of no gown of sufficient dignity to grace 
 
 95 
 
96 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 her first "sitting up for callers." Day and night she pondered 
 and at last announced her solution of the problem. Being at all 
 times far removed from extravagance she had carefully saved 
 the reUcs of an old black silk cloak which came within six inches 
 of the required length. How to make good this "all round defi- 
 ciency" seemed a difficult matter, but no, during all their married 
 life her husband had worn a silk hat for best. Fifty years' hats 
 had been conscientiously stripped of their beaver before dismissal. 
 A goodly roll of these hat strips had waited long for resurrec- 
 tion. Of course, frequent piecing was necessary, but neatly done 
 this added to rather than subtracted from the glory. Then fate 
 turned and the hats gave out on the last six inches in the back. 
 No caller was allowed to leave the room after this without the 
 polite request from Grandma, " Excuse me, but you do not chance 
 to have a gentleman's old silk hat by you, I suppose?" No one 
 had, so at last the gap had to be filled with a piece from the 
 crown, a pinwheel whirl which, though always a problem in 
 brushing, still preserved the integrity of the work as "trimmed 
 wholly with Daniel's hats." To the nurse fell the privilege of 
 making this wondrous gown. As it grew in form and stateliness 
 the glow of satisfaction mounted ever higher in Grandma's soul, 
 and there is no question but that her digestion was improved 
 by this curious plastic operation. 
 
 Directions for knitting would, perhaps, be superfluous here, 
 as books and papers teem with them. The really important 
 point is to learn to do it. 
 
 As a rule old people will not care to learn new things. They 
 do, however, like new adaptations of old processes. These can 
 go on indefinitely, so that there need be little monotony. Even 
 if the patient be reduced to knitting only facecloths, there are 
 many sorts of these : checkerwork, fancy borders, smooth and 
 rough sides, and the bath towels knitted of linen tape will occupy 
 much time. Absorbent knitting cotton makes a fine bath towel 
 which brings a very good price. This is a German cotton, light, 
 soft and fine. A nurse should learn all these stitches and, 
 
GRANDMOTHER 97 
 
 above all, she should learn to pick up dropped stitches, no matter 
 how much they have "run down" or become involved in the 
 pattern. 
 
 One of the next best occupations for an old lady is Cross- 
 stitch. Of this much has already been said in the one-hand 
 lesson. Attractive patterns may often be found in carpets, couch 
 covers, wall paper and oilcloth. To take down such a pattern 
 get a sheet of paper ruled in checks or draw crosslines on a piece 
 of ordinary ruled paper. With black and colored ink or pencil 
 check off the pattern, and it is ready then to work from. Patterns 
 worked on plain linens through railroad canvas, which is after- 
 ward pulled out thread by thread, are often combined with a 
 drawn-work border. The D. M. C. Library issue good books 
 of design. 
 
 Patchwork. Can any one read "Aunt Jane of Kentucky" 
 and sneer at patchwork? Perhaps it seems foolish to a young 
 and vigorous subject, but when stiff and crooked fingers find 
 their exercise therein the sneer changes to admiration. And 
 why may it not be truly beautiful? We pay large sums to have 
 tiled floors laid in patterns ; we visit museums to look at mosaics 
 — patchwork, every one. There need be no cutting up of new 
 cloth into pieces to sew together again. Take the scraps, the 
 remnants, put them into feeble hands and let some one sleep 
 the warmer for the work. Very fine examples of patchwork 
 quilts are seen in the South. Golden oranges and green leaves 
 applied to a creamy white ground finely quilted constituted one 
 of these examples. A most pathetic reminder of a clouded mind, 
 or rather one which had never known clearness, was embodied in 
 a box of "patch-scraps" with a great sacking needle still stick- 
 ing in the work, just as the hand left it to gain through death 
 a new liberty and wider range of activity. This was under the 
 garret eaves of a sweet old Southern home where all the other 
 fingers had been as deft as these were feeble. 
 
 A Calendar Quilt. Just a year in the making, this bed- 
 spread was conceived and executed by one woman with infinite 
 
98 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 pains and careful thought. Composed of twelve large squares, 
 each square a month, each made in its proper month. 
 
 January is full of midwinter cheer. Strips of white and 
 silvery gray suggest ice and snow, with some of the greens and 
 red of Christmas left over. All point to a Happy New Year. 
 
 February suggests Colonial days. Blue and buff are its colors. 
 Quaint old silks and figured waistcoats; all the old-time finery 
 mustered for the minuet on Washington's Birthday. 
 
 St. Patrick is up betimes in March. Yellow and green, with 
 dull blue for the skies, but unmistakable signs of spring withal. 
 
 April is fair in lilac and white for Easter. A yellow chick 
 peeps from the center and a rabbit or two peer out. 
 
 The Maypole colors in all their spring gayety are gathered 
 in the fifth square. Tender green and Mayflower pink, they all 
 make merry together. 
 
 Garlands of roses in Dresden ribbon, with rich greens in 
 yellow sunlight, bring midsummer to the center of the quilt. 
 June holds court surrounded by the months. 
 
 To an American July can have but three colors ; but the red, 
 white and blue are softened by creamy tints, and it seems like 
 an old silk flag, beautiful in the past as well as in the present. 
 
 August speaks of vacation days. The summer girl with her 
 floating silks of dainty shades is there, and one or two of the 
 cravats of the youths about her have found a place. 
 
 September is, perhaps, most beautiful of all, the fruit time 
 of the year. Purples many-toned, with yellow of birch leaf and 
 ripening grain ; brown leaves and pale autumn skies. 
 
 October is lavish of gold of pumpkin and russet of oak. 
 Crimson maple leaves against the late greens. A carnival of 
 color. 
 
 November is lovely. Blues and grays, purplish haze with 
 two dashes of golden sunlight across the center. 
 
 Last of all comes December, with all the Christmas greens, 
 holly ribbon and scarlet. It is in truth a merry square. Has the 
 time been lost in its making? 
 
GRANDMOTHER 
 
 99 
 
 Y 
 
 Sid. 
 
 4 
 
 .Ulr 
 
 FiG. 38 
 
 Fig. 39 
 
 Fig. 40 
 
 Grandmother's Chair. How many grandmothers have 
 made these workbox chairs, cut by this pattern? (Figs. ^8, 39, 
 and 40.) The seat lifts to form the Ud to the box and is stuffed, 
 as is the back, for a cushion. Cut two of each piece from paste- 
 board, cover with flowery chintz and sew overhand all around 
 each two pieces. Cut two squares the size of the lower line x 
 
i 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 for bottom of box and two more the size of top line v for seat. 
 Then sew them together and see how many will exclaim, "Well, 
 if there isn't one of those chairs such as Grandma used to 
 make!" 
 
 A McGiNTY. Here he sits before you. A droll Uttle figure, 
 made by an old lady of ninety odd years. You will recognize 
 him sitting in the center of the picture on the opposite page, 
 on the edge of the little braided mat. An old stiff linen cuff 
 rolled up and fastened forms his body ; over the top is puckered 
 a velvet cap. A little larger velvet bag is sewed over the lower 
 end, after tucking into the cuff a big glass marble, or alley. 
 Funny little flippers of velvet with chamois skin hands are sewed 
 on and little legs and feet to match. A Brownie face is marked 
 with ink on the white cuff. This fellow turns repeated somer- 
 saults when started at the top of an inclined plane, as the big 
 alley rolls to the other end of the cuff at each pitch. Sometimes 
 these are called "Brownies," but this grandmother calls hers a 
 " McGinty." 
 
 Kitchen Holders may be made in many ways, from the 
 common square or round shapes, neatly bound, to the elaborate 
 chicken. For the last, cut two sections like Figure 41, sew up 
 to form the head and back, stuff the head and, spreading the 
 wings, cut a round or oval piece to fit. Sew this to the sides 
 and bind around with braid. Add black bead eyes and a red 
 flannel comb. Make the bill with yellow thread. 
 
 A most desirable holder is made by cutting two flannel squares 
 and putting between them a piece of old leather such as may be 
 cut from the top of an old boot. Cover with cotton or some 
 smooth material. This holder can be much thinner and will not 
 heat through as does a common wool or cotton holder. 
 
 Some holders are knitted and some crocheted of colored 
 twine. The roll-like teapot holders are knitted in this way. 
 Using either one or two colors of Germantown yarn, cast on 
 forty-four stitches. Knit back and forth plain until you have 
 four ribs, then knit four stitches plain : then with second shade 
 
GRANDMOTHEll' - : .;'/';; ;,- ; \ ; ioi 
 
 Fig. 41 
 
 knit four; now with first thread brought tightly behind the last 
 four stitches knit four more, then four with the first. In this 
 way repeat until you have seven groups of four stitches each, 
 thrown up into puflfs by the other thread passing behind tightly. 
 This also makes the holder double. At the last knit four plain 
 for the border. If two shades are used it will make checker 
 work of alternate colors. If only one shade, as corn color, is 
 used, it will have the effect of an ear of corn in long yellow 
 ridges. A green border is pretty in the latter case. When the 
 desired length is reached, knit four ridges like the top for the 
 border and bind off. Now pucker the two ends to form a close 
 roll and finish with a crocheted scallop around the opening. This 
 is intended to fit over the teapot handle. 
 
 Egg Cozy. Closely related to the teapot holder comes the 
 egg cozy. The pattern (Figs. 42, 43, and 44) shown is from 
 one which came from Surrey, England. It is designed to fit 
 over an egg cup to keep the egg hot for breakfast. This one 
 
Ifi^ 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 Fig. 42 
 
 Fig. 43 
 
 Fig. 44 
 
GRANDMOTHER 103 
 
 is made of scarlet and white felt. Cut two of each piece except 
 the comb. Stitch the red wattle to the white neck. Cut a disk 
 of white just large enough to show a ring around the black nail- 
 head eye, which is sewed on before the two halves are stitched 
 together. The comb is inserted between the two sides. The bill 
 is of white, cut in one piece with the neck, but painted to look 
 natural. This chanticleer would grace any invalid's tray and 
 should a collection of various breeds greet our sight on an Easter 
 breakfast table interest would surely be added to the meal. 
 
 Rag Dolls. A well-made rag doll does not wait long for 
 a purchaser. Even though she may be put together with few 
 stitches, if cleverly done, the maker will not fail of her reward. 
 One of the most brilliant examples of rag-doll industry has 
 been developed in a suburban town by an old lady who was 
 left a widow some years ago. Much alone and depressed, she 
 was, moreover, almost totally deaf. One day a maid from a 
 neighbor's house came in with a rag doll in her hand and said, 
 "Why don't you make rag dolls?" The suggestion did not strike 
 any responsive chord and the doll was not an attractive one at 
 best. The maid, however, stuck it up on the mantel and left 
 it. After a time another woman came in, and seeing the doll 
 said : " Why, do you make rag dolls ? I wish you would make 
 me one to give to my little niece." After she went out the old 
 lady kept looking at the doll and decided to try. She went off 
 by herself and produced her first rag doll. This one sold, 
 another was wanted. The minister called and, knowing he had 
 some little girls, the old lady gave him a package to take home 
 to them. At his next calling place curiosity prevailed and he 
 opened the package to find two dolls. The lady on whom he was 
 then calling at once ordered some. Then a number were sent 
 to a fair. The little daughter of the proprietor of a certain 
 old-fashioned store was there, bought a doll and took it home. 
 The father, seeing it, ordered some for the store and sold a hun- 
 dred dozen of them. From this their fame has spread. She 
 has made between five and six thousand, sending them, as she 
 
I04 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 says, all over the world. They sold at first for five cents each, 
 but latterly she has charged ten. They are made from scraps of 
 cloth contributed by friends and stuffed with the clippings. The 
 only expense is the thread with which they are sewed. She has 
 a box for each sort of garment, as hats, shirts, trousers, waists, 
 etc. They are usually sold in pairs, a boy and a girl. The two 
 dolls in the rear of the picture were made by this busy worker. 
 Another lady has made a rag doll having a true profile. One 
 nurse says that her little niece would never play with an ordi- 
 nary rag doll because it had no nose. Here this lack is sup- 
 plied. At first the common flat-faced head is made and stuffed, 
 then a two-piece side section is cut, seamed up the center and 
 stuffed. This is then sewed to the flat face. To avoid a seam 
 up the center of the forehead three pieces may be used, the fore- 
 head seaming through the eyebrows. (Fig. 45.) The ink fea- 
 
 Fig. 45 
 
 tures almost completely conceal the seams. The hair of these 
 dolls is made of raveled out thread or fringe. It may be curled 
 around a hot wire nail. These dolls are wholly of rag. The one 
 shown in the picture carries a white Teddy bear, also made 
 of a bit of woolly rag. 
 
 It is a good plan to require a little practice in class in making 
 rag doll faces in ink or paint. One finds that very few strokes 
 are required to give a suggestive countenance. Too much draw- 
 ing will usually result in too old-looking a face. 
 
GRANDMOTHER 105 
 
 Needlebooks. There is no end to the variety of needlebooks. 
 To make the old-fashioned "roll up" a piece of fine kid, bronze 
 preferred, is required. Cut a strip five and one-half inches 
 long by three and one-half wide ; cut one end of this in a blunt 
 point. Now roll closely a strip of old and soft flannel four 
 inches wide until you have a roll one inch in diameter. Sew 
 closely together. Cover the two ends of flannel very neatly with 
 velvet, bringing it down over the ends about an inch. Cut a 
 strip of the kid just wide enough to cover the roll, leaving the 
 velvet ends and just long enough to meet exactly around it with- 
 out overlapping. Bind this all around its four sides with narrow 
 ribbon. About a quarter of an inch from one long side of this 
 piece cut a round hole large enough to allow a thimble to slip 
 in, just midway between the ends. Next make a tiny silk bag 
 the size of the thimble hole, tuck it in and fasten its edge to the 
 edge of the hole cut in the leather and bind both together with 
 the narrow ribbon. Very carefully clip away the flannel roll 
 just opposite this hole to form a case for the thimble. This 
 will cut nearly through the roll and should be deep enough to 
 allow the thimble to sink in entirely. Into this hole press the 
 little silk bag, bring the kid around the roll and sew the bound 
 edges very neatly together. Now line the long kid strip with 
 silk and bind all around with ribbon. Next to the straight end 
 fasten two neat little flannel leaves for the needles. Just beyond, 
 towards the pointed end, sew a little full silk bag with elastic 
 across the top. At the very tip fasten a ribbon in the center, 
 leaving two long ends to go around and tie. Sew the straight, 
 bound end to the seam of the leather covering the roll. 
 
 The beauty of a needlebook always seems to consist in its 
 extreme neatness rather than its elaborateness. The plain rec- 
 tangular book made on cardboard covered with silk or other 
 material, one side being padded for pins and the other for the 
 leaves, is always attractive if exquisitely sewed. Tiny pin- 
 cushions with cross-stitched tops are always welcome. Those 
 made of colored dress braid of different shades, first sewed 
 
io6 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 together and then featherstitched down each seam and stuffed 
 with wool, are among the best. The ends are drawn up very 
 tightly and fringed out. A strong stitch through the center 
 from side to side shapes it. Old ladies are very apt to keep 
 such a little cushion on the sill of the window at which they sit. 
 
 Flag Penwiper. This is made in red, white and blue silk, 
 worked in cross-stitch or single diagonal stitch on railroad canvas. 
 The design is of an American flag, the pattern having the 
 original thirteen stars. The edges are neatly turned under. It 
 is lined with red silk and, after the penwiper leaves have been 
 attached, is fastened by red ribbon bows to the top of a red lead 
 pencil which serves as stick. 
 
 The little panlike Cushions are made by cutting a square 
 bottom of pasteboard and four double sides like Figure 46. 
 
 Fig. 46 
 
 These are covered with silk and sewed together to form a square 
 basket. This is then filled rounding full of soft wool. Have 
 a square of the silk just the size of the top after the edges are 
 turned in and basted ; sew this neatly in overhand around the 
 top. Crochet over two brass rings with silk and attach to oppo- 
 site sides to form handles. 
 
 A good many old ladies with crippled lower extremities are 
 great rug makers. Braided Rugs may be made which are really 
 handsome, one of the newest suggestions being to braid the rug 
 of some neutral tinted goods and then apply a large stencil de- 
 sign, radiating from the center. The color being finely chosen, 
 these are certainly effective. Drawn in or hooked in rugs are 
 more difficult, as they require some stooping. Nothing could 
 
GRANDMOTHER 107 
 
 exceed the nicety and true beauty of these rugs as made by the 
 descendants of the returned Acadians on the shores of St. Mary's 
 Bay, Nova Scotia. The French taste here has prevailed over 
 all the monstrosities shown in the county fair types of impossible 
 dogs, etc. Designs of fine block or brick work in choice lines 
 of color, palm leaf patterns almost like fine old cashmere done 
 in beautifully graded tones are a real joy to the eye. Sometimes 
 a delicate scroll or a maple leaf pattern is put in in soft wool 
 and raised above the surface of the background. The even 
 shearing is truly wonderful. This much was learned as an 
 admiring American watched the little French station mistress 
 who, with her eight small daughters about her, none being old 
 enough to share her labors, was augmenting the family exchecker 
 by rug making. A beautiful, even, plushlike surface may be 
 obtained from no finer material than old black cotton stockings. 
 Only a few loops, these being very short, were drawn in at a 
 time and immediately sheared. In the imposing cathedral on 
 this desolate shore these drawn-in rugs are placed before the 
 great crucifix and also before the shrine of St. xAnne. 
 
 Crocheted rag rugs may also be made, using a large wooden 
 crochet hook and taking pains to tear the strips narrow. Knitted 
 rugs are also acceptable. 
 
 A Turkey Feather Fan. A handsome specimen stands 
 near the center of this group. This was made in the South by 
 an old lady and her daughter. The long turkey feathers are 
 sewed in place and fastened to a round stick handle, the downy 
 feathers being used on the lower half. The stick is then covered 
 lengthwise with the needles of the long-leaved pine of the South, 
 which are held in place by weaving a thread in and out, giving 
 it a close resemblance to a turkey's leg. A little netted cap fits 
 over the end. These may be ordered from Mrs. Retta Boykin, 
 Charleston, South Carolina, price one dollar and a half. They 
 are among the most satisfactory fans made. 
 
 ScRAPBOOKS. Many old ladies enjoy making scrapbooks. 
 Indeed, this is an occupation suited to all classes of subjects. 
 
io8 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 Personal recollections, pictures, poetry, designs, recipes — all 
 manner of information is thus made available. 
 
 "Sometimes a light surprises" an aged subject, reflected back 
 from the accomplishments of youth. One such instance is shown 
 in a revival of painting by a lady of eighty-two years. Always 
 living near a picturesque shore, she had made many studies of 
 its color. After the death of husband and son she felt that she 
 must try to earn a little money. She bravely got out her old 
 paint box; and, although too feeble to go sketching, she used 
 the snapshots taken by her daughter and painted her beloved 
 shore on bits of modest academy board, selling these at two 
 dollars and a half each. She said that in one year she had 
 earned forty-eight dollars in this way, "and," she added enthu- 
 siastically, "if I live long enough I believe I shall learn how to 
 paint!" 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 THE BUSINESS MAN 
 
 Gloomy indeed is the outlook for a man whose interests 
 have been centered in the strong tide of men and affairs, when 
 he finds himself shut in a four- walled space through long con- 
 valescence or more tedious chronic conditions. He will care little 
 if at all for the bits of manual work offered to many patients 
 and proving for them sufficient. What can the nurse bring into 
 this limited space, a veritable prison to a man of active habits, 
 which will appeal to him as being worth while? 
 
 To build is a strongly developed human instinct. Every man 
 has some definite ideas on this subject, and the building or Plan- 
 ning OF A House will make its own appeal. The man has either 
 lived in houses which he feels might be improved or he has 
 some ambitions of his own in the way of building, or will be 
 gratified to have others consult him in planning their house. 
 To be able to plan a house, even of the simplest construction, 
 involves some definite knowledge. This the nurse must gain 
 through reliable sources. A single lecture is given to this end, 
 and various plans presented by the students have proved that 
 many of the essentials have been grasped. Nurses are asked 
 to draw a plan on the scale of one-quarter inch to the foot. 
 Given a twenty-five by forty foot rectangle they allow six inches 
 for all partitions and side walls. The size of the chimney is 
 thirty-eight by eighteen inches. The opening for a fireplace 
 must be twenty- four to twenty-eight inches wide ; the mantel 
 four to five feet long. In rooms of twenty feet or less, nine feet 
 is enough for height, reckoning to lower edge of floor beams 
 and adding ten inches for beam and two for flooring. Stairs 
 offer perhaps the greatest problem. Allow seven inches for the 
 rise of steps ; the treads should be ten inches wide. The second 
 
 109 
 
no INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 story must never be less than eight feet high; preferably eight 
 feet six inches. The width of the stairway should not be less 
 than three and one-half feet. Above the third step from the 
 bottom the upper floor must be cut away for headroom, called 
 the well. It is interesting to see how, given the same size rec- 
 tangle, different arrangement of rooms may be planned. Some 
 will make the mistake of having the plumbing all on the outside 
 wdiere the pipes are sure to freeze. Others will allow only 
 cramped space for service rooms, closets, etc. Still others will 
 be lavish of fireplaces, ignoring the fact that the least expen- 
 sive one means fifty dollars. Some will provide a place for the 
 ice to go in outside, thus saving trouble and untidiness within. 
 The first and second floors, a front elevation, drawn without 
 perspective, and, last, a little water color sketch of the whole 
 in perspective, with a suggestion of the grounds, will provide 
 interesting work even though the patient be kept in bed. 
 
 Gardening. Very naturally from the house the thoughts are 
 directed to the garden. The joy of planning a garden is pure 
 and refreshing, and man was a gardener before he was a builder. 
 This may be even more practical than the house planning, for 
 even if one cannot build, he may be able to find a bit of the 
 earth to plant. The early experiments may be made in the sick- 
 room itself. Three sorts of house gardening may be tried. First 
 the ordinary window box, with plants which will stand steam or 
 furnace heat. This was tried in the case of one woman who 
 was on the verge of mental break-up, and who felt great fear 
 of everything that suggested responsibility in any form. She 
 also held to a belief that if a plant failed to thrive, a like calamity 
 might overtake her. Great care was taken in planning this box 
 and, at the suggestion of the wise physician, one plant already 
 in bloom was placed in the center and so selected that it proved 
 a perpetual bloomer. A great fondness for this little garden 
 resulted on the part of the patient, together with much pride 
 in its care, while recovery came slowly and surely as the plants 
 grew. Some of the same group of plants are still flourishing 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN 
 
 ITT 
 
 in the room of the once more independent gardener. Another 
 patient was surprised into great pleasure one Christmas morn- 
 ing by a charming window box which had been thoughtfully 
 prepared by her nurse. Genuine affection for this little garden 
 was manifested, and she actually undertook cultivation by stir- 
 ring the soil with her buttonhook every few days. When the 
 box was borrowed for an exhibition she found it necessary to 
 attend in order to visit her garden. All this would prove of 
 equal interest to a man. 
 
 A seed box is a second form of gardening adapted to the 
 house. There is an invitation in every package of seeds to share 
 a great secret — a mystery — who can understand it? Find a long, 
 rather shallow box and fill it with earth which has been fitnely 
 pulverized ; get a toy watering pot and plant your seeds. It is 
 a goodly interest and somehow lays hold of the great truths 
 in life, the elemental wisdom. When the seeds have grown to 
 stout little plants, the potting off into tiny thumbpots may be 
 done as bedside occupation. 
 
 A third form of horticulture is the propagating frame. Take 
 a box rather deeper, say twelve to fourteen inches ; saw the ends 
 slanting (Fig. 47) to form a one-pitch greenhouse roof, sawing 
 
 Fig. 47 
 
 down the front to the same level. Across the front nail a narrow 
 strip of board and over the top lay window glass to form the 
 sloping roof. The board across the front projects above the top 
 
112 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 a trifle, and so prevents the glass from slipping off. Fill the 
 bottom of the box with sand and in this set cuttings of various 
 plants. Many of these may be picked out of the bunches of 
 flowers sent to the patient, a bit of rose geranium or lemon ver- 
 bena or carnation pipings. Many and varied are the products 
 of this box. When the cuttings have struck root they should be 
 taken up and reset in earth, as the sand affords only temporary 
 nourishment. This box should have some sunlight, as the cut- 
 tings will damp off if kept covered in the shade. Especially is 
 this true of common geraniums, which contain much moisture. 
 
 So, if fears prevail and days go heavily, start a garden. 
 Bulbs may be tried with interest but do not result in such con- 
 tinued satisfaction as do the earlier forms of gardening suggested. 
 But who can feel that life is stripped of its good or that renewal 
 is not possible as he looks at the green things pushing up towards 
 the sun ! 
 
 Home Bookbinding. Among all the industries suggested 
 for home execution none appeals more strongly to both the 
 practical and artistic temperament than that of home bookbind- 
 ing. In this one actually learns a new trade, and this will usually 
 appeal to a man. It is entirely possible to bind books at home 
 far more strongly and often more beautifully than many done 
 in commercial binding. Several different varieties are within the 
 scope of this domestic art. Start first with the 
 
 Japanese Binding. This form of binding is peculiarly 
 adapted to kodak books, post card albums, etc., but may be 
 employed for many other purposes. To make a photograph book 
 select a paper which is light rather than heavy. Bond paper is 
 very good. Other papers are the grays and browns having a sort 
 of linen finish and popular for mounting pictures. These are 
 obtained from the wholesale houses at a small price, three to five 
 cents per large sheet, provided a ream, i. e., about five hundred 
 sheets, can be used. If buying for individual orders certain 
 stationers, as Samuel Ward, Franklin Street, Boston, will furnish 
 this large size paper by the sheet. The size of these sheets is 
 twent^'-five by twenty inches, or more. 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN 113 
 
 These are first carefully folded and creased down with a paper 
 knife to the required width and two-page length, so that you 
 have a piece twice the size of the book folded once on the shorter 
 diameter. Three large sheets will usually fold to make some 
 twenty pages. Carefully pack these up with all the folded edges 
 together and all the cut ends together. Be very careful about 
 this. Now cut the light pasteboard for the covers the same length 
 and one-quarter inch wider than the pages. From one end of 
 these two pasteboards carefully measure and cut off a strip one- 
 half inch wide. These four pieces of board, two large and two 
 narrow, must now be covered with any selected material ; it may 
 be thin leather, linen, cretonne, Japanese crepe or anything which 
 pleases. Brush good ilour paste over the entire surface of the 
 board and apply the cover, which should be cut a quarter inch 
 larger than the pasteboard. Paste over the edge carefully, mak- 
 ing very neat corners. This last will require practice. Clip the 
 material off diagonally at the corners before turning it in, but 
 avoid clipping too closely. The corners should be very exact. 
 The two narrow strips of board are covered likewise. 
 
 When this is done cut two strips of leather or kid, it may be 
 from an old long-wrist glove, an inch and a quarter wide ; paste 
 the end of one large portion of the cover and one narrow strip 
 and fasten to the leather so that the latter forms a flexible hinge 
 for each cover, one-quarter of an inch space showing between 
 the strip and the cover board. Allow these to dry thoroughly 
 under a weight. When dry, line the large piece of each cover 
 with paper or silk, pasting neatly over the first edge of the strip 
 of leather. When this too is perfectly dry, place the double 
 folded sheets between the two covers, having all the cut ends 
 just even with the edge of the narrow strip of the cover. Tie 
 the whole very tightly around with a string to hold exactly in 
 place. With a five-cent awl and a hammer drive four holes right 
 through leather hinge, paper pages and second leather hinge, the 
 book having been first placed on a board which cannot be hurt 
 by the awl piercing it. These holes should be one inch from top 
 
114 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 and bottom and the inner two at equal distance from these and 
 from each other. When well bored take a tape needle threaded 
 with number i ribbon and, starting at the first hole, sew through 
 and bring up, leaving two inches of ribbon free end. Turn the 
 long ribbon over the top and back through the same hole, being 
 always careful to keep it flat and smooth. Then bind it tightly 
 around the back and up again through the same hole, leaving the 
 short end free. Now down to, and through, the next hole, around 
 the back, up and down through the same hole, down to the third 
 hole on the back, up, around the back, up through the same hole, 
 down and through the fourth hole, up and around the back and 
 down through the same hole, around the end, up and down 
 through the same hole, up and through the third hole, up and 
 through the second hole, up, and tie in a very tight knot, close 
 to the first hole, with the short end of the ribbon. Cut oflf the 
 ends, leaving perhaps a scant half inch, and with the awl punch 
 these down into the hole so that no knot can be seen. This com- 
 pletes the binding and makes a book which opens nicely and 
 has the advantage of allowing more leaves to be added simply 
 by unlacing and relacing. Instead of ribbon, double Turk's-head 
 knots of leather thong may be used if the covers be also of leather. 
 One such double knot is in each of the four holes. To tie these 
 proceed as follows: Take two thongs of strong leather five or 
 six inches long, lay them crosswise at right angles and hold by 
 the cross in the left thumb and forefinger. Now take end A 
 and fold across end B, fold end B across A and C, end C across 
 B and D, end D across C and through the loop of A. Draw all 
 four ends up to form Figure 48. Bring the four ends together 
 and pull them through the hole in the book, leaving the knot on 
 one side. Now tie a second Turk's-head, with the ends close 
 to the top cover and, after drawing up, cut off the ends as indi- 
 cated by the diagonal dotted lines. (Fig. 49.) A Baby Kodak 
 book made in this way is of light leather with a stork's head 
 tooled in each corner. If the book be for a scrapbook or card 
 album, it is well to cut narrow strips of paper and place between 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN 
 
 • I 
 
 115 
 
 fffi 
 
 m 
 
 rr 
 
 p 
 
 3: 
 
 A 
 
 Fig. 48 
 
 Fig. 49 
 
 the leaves to act as guards, binding through all. This sort of 
 binding admits of an almost endless variety of design and 
 material. 
 
ii6 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 French and Hollow-Back Binding. Paper-covered books, 
 magazines, music, etc., may be stitched for binding thus : Care- 
 fully separate the sections or signatures, to use a bookbinder's 
 term, and pile in exact order of paging. Any torn places or holes 
 should be repaired by pasting over them bits of thin paper, as 
 onion skin paper. The old paste or glue should be cleaned off. 
 Be sure that the pile is even on the edges. Cut from two to 
 four inch-wide tapes, according to the length of the back of the 
 book; an ordinary book needs two, while music would require 
 three or four. These tapes will be five or six inches long. Hold- 
 ing the pile very firmly, lay a tape across tightly and with a soft 
 pencil mark a strong line on either side of the tape on the back 
 of the sections, being sure that every one is marked. (See cut 
 on page 25.) The tape should lie about two to three inches from 
 the top and the same from the bottom. If a third tape is re- 
 quired, place it directly in the middle. Without using a tape, 
 mark three-fourths of an inch from the top and bottom for 
 another line of sewing. This done, open each section exactly 
 in the middle and pierce with a large needle straight through at 
 each point marked. Replace in pile in exact order. Now cut 
 and fold three plain sheets to form one more section on each side 
 of the book, six sheets in all, folded once through the center and 
 placed together one inside the other. Mark these to correspond 
 with the others and pierce. 
 
 In a large needle thread strong linen or silk in a very long 
 double thread without a knot. Taking up the first signature sew 
 from without in through the upper hole, then out next hole ; 
 lay the first tape over between the marks and sew down over 
 but never through this tape. Up and over next tape to bottom, 
 up through the last hole. Fold up this signature and take next ; 
 open, place beside first, sew down through first hole, holding it 
 very closely to the first signature, and up over tapes to top, where 
 it is firmly tied to the first ends of thread which have been left 
 two or three inches long. Repeat this process on third signature 
 to bottom, where, to connect them closely, the "kettle stitch" is 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN 117 
 
 made, which consists of a half -buttonhole stitch taken over the 
 preceding stitch between the signatures. This forms a little 
 chainlike band at top and bottom. When all the sections have 
 been sewed, fasten firmly, leaving an inch or so of thread which 
 is tucked in between the signatures. This is also done when 
 it is necessary to take a new thread while sewing. 
 
 Now glue the tapes firmly stretched to the outside leaf on 
 both sides. Fold back and cut this leaf off half width. It is 
 well now to wrap the book, leaving these half leaves out, in a 
 temporary paper wrapper or envelope, to prevent soiling as the 
 work goes on. Grasp the book very firmly in the left hand with 
 the back up, and brush over the entire back with flexible glue, 
 which should be vigorously rubbed in with the right forefinger, 
 the firm grasp of the left hand preventing it from running down 
 between the signatures. Over this is laid a strip of muslin or 
 cheese cloth wide enough to cover the back and extend two inches 
 on the side leaves. This is firmly glued down, the end leaves 
 turned up and the book allowed to dry thoroughly. When dry, 
 carefully measure and cut a piece of wrapping paper the exact 
 size of the back and glue it on. 
 
 The book is now ready for its covers. From light-weight 
 pasteboard or millboard cut four pieces one-quarter inch longer 
 than the book and just the same width. These are best cut with 
 a knife on a sheet of tin. Now paste the inside of the half 
 sheets and fasten firmly to the two boards, leaving a quarter inch 
 space between the back and the edge of the board to allow for 
 good opening. Brush over the whole outer surface, leaf, board 
 and all, and paste the other two boards so that the end sheet 
 comes between the two thin boards. Put under an even weight 
 until quite dry. If an ordinary letter press is available, use it 
 by all means, but if not, use very heavy books or anything which 
 makes even pressure. In binding very large books it will be 
 hard to find a way to press them. On one occasion a parlor 
 table was turned upside down on the floor and worked admirably. 
 
 There is a variety of backs. The French back is made by 
 
ii8 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 gluing the cover cloth directly to the back of the book. The 
 hollow back is a trifle more complicated. For this cut the cloth 
 half an inch larger than will easily wrap the book. Fold and 
 crease exactly down the middle of the back ; cut a strip of wrap- 
 ping paper exactly the length and width of the back of the book 
 and paste down on the cloth over the fold in the back, leaving 
 even space at top and bottom for turning down. Next fold four 
 or five thicknesses of newspaper to the same measure as the strip 
 of paper on the cloth and lay without pasting on top of this 
 strip. This is to protect from paste and to increase space, and 
 is temporary. Brush over the cloth thoroughly and evenly with 
 paste, hold the book with the back pressed firmly down against 
 the newspaper pad and bring the pasted cloth smoothly up to the 
 cover, first on one side, then the other. Rub out every wrinkle 
 and blister with a smooth-edged paper knife, rubbing from back 
 to front. Cut the corners to turn very neatly; if cut too close 
 to the board they will not cover, if too far from it they will look 
 bungling ; paste down front and back edges first. 
 
 Now set the book up on end. pull out the newspaper pad 
 and clip a quarter of an inch or so down into the little end sheet 
 which shows between the boards and the back on each side. 
 Paste the cloth and tuck the edge into these clipped places, which 
 allow of its being pasted firmly to the back and to the ends of 
 the covers. Repeat on the other end. Lay the book down, and 
 with the paper knife mark strongly the ridge between the edge 
 of the pasteboard and the back to form a groove on either side. 
 Carefully tie a large twine around this groove and over top and 
 bottom, having the knot always at the end and the top and bottom 
 edges of the book which come under the cord turned inward. In 
 this way it is put into the press, the cloth covers being well pro- 
 tected by a perfectly smooth piece of cotton cloth, since any 
 wrinkle or raveling will make its permanent mark on the book. 
 Two pieces of smooth pasteboard may be placed above and below. 
 If paper is used to protect a newly pasted surface It is apt to 
 stick in drying, but cloth peels off easily even though it should 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN 119 
 
 stick a trifle. Let the book stay in the press over night or until 
 thoroughly dry. 
 
 In the morning take out, remove cloth, take off twine and 
 open covers dear back. In this position spread the first loose 
 sheet with paste and paste down to line the cover. This leaves 
 two new fly leaves. Rub down with a paper knife and do not 
 allow the book to be closed at all until these are dry. This com- 
 pletes the book. The title, however, is a matter of some difficulty. 
 For a paper or cheaply covered book a label might be neatly 
 printed and used, but for a better book other means have been 
 devised. If bound in a leather which admits of tooling, the title 
 is easily done in this way. After the impression has been made 
 with a cold tool, the letters may be brushed over with thin muci- 
 lage or gum arable solution ; gold powder is then dusted on which 
 adheres only to the gummed letter and is, when dry, rubbed 
 down to a burnished surface with an agate. 
 
 Modifications of these bindings are always possible. A flexible 
 binding suggesting the "Roycroft" is easily done, the book being 
 sewed the same, but a soft ooze leather cover with silk lining 
 being here employed. Half leather bindings, back and corners 
 of leather and the rest of fine paper or cloth, are made practically 
 in the same way as the hollow back. Portfolios, letter cases, 
 magazine covers and many other booklike conveniences are 
 modeled on the same principles. 
 
 There is an interesting experiment to be worked out for book 
 or portfolio covers in coarse water color paper. This is first 
 washed over with a light, leather colored water color wash. To 
 apply this mix a fairly generous amount of the color in plenty 
 of water. Use a large brush and sweep quickly across the top 
 of the paper ; dip the brush again and make a second sweep, 
 picking up the drops which are running down from the first 
 application. In the same way go over the entire surface, never 
 brushing back and forth or in spots. When this is thoroughly 
 dry, draw whatever design or title is desired and color as taste 
 suggests. Now, with a piece of yellow beeswax, slightly warm, 
 
120 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 go over the whole surface. Last, rub this down well with the 
 bare thumb. This makes a surface so closely resembling pig- 
 skin as to deceive the very elect. 
 
 Block Printing. The study of textiles is worthy of a larger 
 place in private consideration than is commonly awarded. Weav- 
 ing, designing, coloring, printing, all these interests are involved 
 in a carpet or hanging. The hand-printed Java cottons are prized 
 highly. There is no reason why equal merit may not be bestowed 
 on fabrics printed in one's own home. Almost any one can learn 
 to make a good block. It is well to discriminate among woods 
 a little. To get the best results a wood of medium hardness 
 only and of comparatively fine grain will be chosen. Perhaps 
 the best is the sweet gum of the Southern states. This may be 
 obtained at the cabinet makers' or wherever Sloyd stock is kept. 
 It is, however, by no means necessary, and good blocks are made 
 from white wood, sycamore and many other woods. In ele- 
 mentary grades the children cut blocks on bottle corks, which, 
 of course, are easily cut but usually print unevenly, owing to the 
 irregular taking up of paint. A very good block may be cut 
 from a thick, even slice of raw sweet potato. This dries in time, 
 but if kept moist will work very well. Good blocks may be cut 
 on the ends of common spools, leaving the other end for a handle. 
 The design here must be chosen so that the hole in the center 
 comes in the space around the design. 
 
 To make a block one first decides upon the design, which is 
 traced upon thin paper and closely pasted to the surface of the 
 block. It is well to have the block only a trifle larger than 
 the design and to have the edges of uniform width, as it is an 
 aid in printing. With a pocketknife or, if obtainable, a Sloyd 
 knife, cut down all around the outline, allowing the paper to 
 remain on. Next to this the space between the fines is scooped 
 out, not requiring special smoothing, but taken out so as to leave 
 the design raised and clear of surrounding surface, the design 
 being left perfectly level. The wood surrounding the design on 
 the edges is also scooped out so that when the block i? pressed 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN 121 
 
 face down on any surface the design alone will touch. Avoid 
 choosing designs with very fine lines, especially those which run 
 across the grain. 
 
 The paper may now be soaked off. The object in leaving it 
 on during the cutting is twofold ; first, to apply the pattern and 
 second, because there is much less danger of splitting if cut 
 through paper. Wood engravers cut on the end of the grain, 
 but either this or the lengthwise surface may be used. There is 
 danger in sandpapering a block that the level surface may be 
 impaired ; if cut well there will be little need of this. 
 
 You have now a tool, a block which may be used indefinitely 
 in many combinations. This is the superiority which it bears to 
 a stencil pattern. To print, one first needs a perfectly level sur- 
 face, as a broad board. On this spread a half dozen thicknesses 
 of newspaper and cover with blotting paper, tacking securely. 
 On this stretch the fabric to be printed, linen, cotton, silk, etc. 
 The color may be oil, tube paint, dry color, Higgins' inks or even 
 water color. "Easy Dye" may also be used. Oil paint from the 
 tube is mixed with the same medium as that used in stenciling, 
 namely, turpentine with acetic acid and oil of wintergreen, one 
 ounce each of the last two, the remainder of one pint being tur- 
 pentine. Kerosene even may be used in place of turpentine with 
 very good results. Higgins' inks have been recommended for 
 very delicate fabrics, as chiffons, etc. Water color is least de- 
 sirable, requiring the mixing with mucilage and spreading on a 
 pad. It is always wise to mix enough color for the whole piece 
 of work at once, it being difficult to match the shades at different 
 mixings. 
 
 The colors being ready, the face of the design is now covered, 
 care being taken that the paint is not filled in between the lines 
 of the design. For this purpose make a pad of cotton wool in a 
 hard, smooth ball covering it with a piece of an old kid glove 
 and tying this around it very tightly so that it will make a 
 perfectly smooth padded surface. Apply the paint to this pad 
 and thence to the block ; mix the color quite thick, so that it 
 
122 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 may not run down into the block. Now apply the block to the 
 fabric straight downward without possible slide, and press firmly. 
 A block cannot be replaced, as a stencil may be, so that the first 
 imprint must be perfect. Much will depend upon the consistency 
 of the paint. This, however, must be learned by experience. 
 Always test on a sample bit of goods. It is possible to deepen 
 or strengthen the print by touching up with the brush, but this 
 is not strongly recommended. Practice will bring its rewards, 
 and beautiful effects may be obtained. Many good stencil de- 
 signs are equally applicable for block printing. Fine motifs 
 may be obtained from Mexican rugs, couch covers, etc. 
 
 Pyrography. In a somewhat limited sense the use of pyrog- 
 raphy will be worth encouraging. This is said cautiously, as 
 the market is so flooded with bad products ; but employed as a 
 delicate etching might be used, there is much to attract. 
 
 A Birthday Cake Board. This consists of a large, round 
 plaque having a double row of holes bored half through, each 
 hole being large enough to admit a cake candle. There is an 
 attractive border illustrating a Mother Goose story. This is very 
 lightly outlined by burning and colored with water color. The 
 central space is left for the cake, which, by this arrangement, 
 need not have its surface marred by sticking in candles. The 
 double row of holes provides for a long series of birthdays. 
 The inner row is close to the cake, the outer near to the extreme 
 edge, while the border fills the space between. The board should 
 be lightly shellacked to prevent grease spots. This board sells 
 for five dollars, but may be made for less than one. When the 
 cake is in place and the candles lighted the effect may be enhanced 
 by adding a few little white mice, made by pinching a rather 
 cheap marshmallow into this shape. Add white paper ears, 
 braided white silk tails, ink eyes and broomstraw whiskers. These 
 are left to dodge in between the candles and forage for the 
 crumbs. 
 
 One of the most impressive pieces of invalid work has come 
 in the form of some Miniature Fowls. Two brown Leghorns, 
 
MINIATURE FOWLS 
 
 Page J 22 
 
THE BUSINESS MAN 123 
 
 cock and hen, and "an old Dominique hen who has lost all her 
 chickens, poor thing!" represent this triumph over adversity by 
 a man laid low by serious accident. This man was a college 
 student who, while tobogganing, received great injury to one leg. 
 For seven or eight years he lay in bed in the hope of saving that 
 leg. During this time he refused to be unemployed and con- 
 ceived this original way of earning his money. He had living 
 fowls brought to his room, studied their every point and became 
 able to reproduce to wonderful perfection the very breeds before 
 him. The body of the fowl he whittled from wood; next the 
 legs were made from very fine wire and thread, boiled in yellow 
 glue and firmly inserted into the wooden body. The feathering 
 came next, and in this he reached consummate skill. No tiniest 
 shade of color or form was lost; the feathers were applied with 
 flour paste and put on in overlapping rows from tail to head. 
 The tiny bills and eyes are painted, the combs cut from red 
 flannel and adjusted with precisely the right wag. No feature 
 is lacking. These brought a good price; and, although the poor 
 leg had to go in the end, with new apparatus its indomitable 
 owner pushes with success a good business and is relieved of the 
 necessity of making miniature fowls; but all who study these 
 gems, not more than an inch or even less in length, will join 
 with the professor who, when he saw them, said, "Well, that 
 man would win under all circumstances." 
 
 It is worth while trying to keep man's work manly. Invalid- 
 ism does not make it necessary for its subject to become effemi- 
 nate in effort. Beauty must truly hold sway here as elsewhere, 
 but let there be strength and stability combined, and strive for 
 that appreciated by the healthy subject as well as by the invalid. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 WITH WANING POWERS 
 
 There is little room for doubt that the old man presents the 
 most difficult subject in our study. Just why an old man should 
 be more helpless in finding work adapted to his declining strength 
 than is a woman of the same age is not made plain to us, except 
 for the fact that the average man's work takes him away from 
 home, while the average woman's work, being in the home, is 
 aided by its suggestions. The man comes home to rest. Having 
 done this all his active life, the suggestions are still in that direc- 
 tion, and one's first duty may be to teach the old gentleman that 
 home is also a place for work. 
 
 The mistake is sometimes made by affectionate children of 
 saying to an aged parent: "Why, you do not need any money, 
 you are provided for in every way. Don't you have everything 
 you want?" When a person feels that he no longer needs any 
 money his self-respect is surely impaired. It may be little, but 
 that little he surely needs. One wise daughter realized this and 
 provided her bedridden and thoroughly cared for mother with 
 one hundred dollars in cash. This the old lady kept safely 
 between the mattresses and counted unfailingly every night and 
 morning, giving thanks that she was not without personal re- 
 sources. To the mind of a man much more than to that of a 
 woman this fact of being set off from the financial world is 
 repugnant. It is indeed pathetic to note how an old man prizes 
 a dollar or even less if earned since his forced retirement. This 
 retirement may, of course, be brought about by a great variety 
 of causes. Many times a valvular heart trouble, varying in 
 severity but never disappearing, forbids any but the gentler 
 forms of exercise. Arteriosclerosis, renal affections, with lame 
 backs and periods of acute pain, more or less extensive paralyses 
 
 124 
 
WITH WANING POWERS 125 
 
 and often just a sense of lessening strength. Perhaps the last 
 is worst of all, the consciousness of growing old. To really be 
 old is nothing ; to feci old makes the hand tremble, the eye dull, 
 the mouth droop. Now find something the old man can still do 
 and see how much pride may be stimulated for a small effort. 
 
 What would he like to do best of all? Go back to business, 
 of course. Very well, what was his business? If he has been 
 a carpenter he may be able to make some little thing which 
 involves the employment of a principle learned and used in early 
 activities. The thing he makes may be trivial, a little wooden 
 box, a towel rack, a knife tray. He will take such pride in a 
 neat joint ; the very feeling of the tools in his hands fosters 
 renewal of self-respect. Search diligently to find in all trades 
 that which may be carried over into old age. 
 
 Old men are often fond of Whittling. A group of veterans 
 used to meet daily around a little stove in a store. Their un- 
 varying occupation was whittling. When the next man came 
 in the one before him cut his stick in two and passed half of it 
 on to the latest comer. Little or nothing was said; their ambi- 
 tion seemed to be fulfilled in meeting together regularly and 
 whittling, although they did not make a single thing. Why not 
 turn this whittling tendency to account ? Several men have done 
 this by sawing a stick from an elm tree into blocks, leaving 
 the bark on. The center is scooped out and smoothed up and 
 rubbed down with sandpaper and the whole shellacked. These 
 make very convenient napkin rings for summer cottages and 
 camps. A short-breathed old man will not be able to saw, 
 although he may whittle. 
 
 The frames made by the Indians of heavy birch bark, punched 
 with holes around the edge through which raffia or grass is laced 
 over a bundle of sweet grass which forms the edge, make good 
 work for one with limited strength. There is, moreover, a very 
 good sale for these. 
 
 One delicate invalid took great comfort in Braiding Straw 
 for hats. The straw was obtained from the hat factories in 
 
126 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 Milford, Massachusetts. With a glass of water beside him 
 in which to moisten his fingers, he braided large quantities of 
 this useful product. This might easily be managed by a bed 
 patient. 
 
 A good deal may be made of man's well-nigh universal interest 
 in the newspapers. A poor wreck, a paralyzed professor, spent 
 many happy hours in making Scrapbooks on various subjects of 
 local historic interest for a public library. This may be worked 
 out along varying lines. Such a compiler becomes of true value 
 to the community. There should be good supervision that no 
 heterogeneous material be collected, but, held to definite subjects, 
 there is room for much valuable work. One old man who had 
 suffered amputation of the tongue as result of cancer was given 
 a quiet place in the top of a studio building, where with great 
 precision he mounted and filed photographs and prints illustrating 
 a series of lectures on the history of art. 
 
 In discussing the subject of occupation for men with one 
 enthusiastic professor, he remarked that the only thing which 
 was presented to him as a means of entertainment during slow 
 convalescence from typhoid fever was a bit of string which 
 chanced to hang within his reach. This seems like a truly meager 
 provision, but even this may have its possibilities. Multiply it by 
 two or three and the field widens greatly. The sailor's art of 
 Tying Knots is varied and valuable. It affords problems and 
 may be turned to good account on land or sea. A few years 
 ago, when a party visited the receiving ship at Charlestown Navy 
 Yard, an interesting collection was shown by the captain's cook, 
 who had in his chest a fine array of ornaments of black silk 
 and white cord made to decorate the costumes of both sexes. To 
 give directions for the tying of all these knots would be very 
 difficult. To one sufficiently interested the following books will 
 be a great help: "Knotting and Splicing," fifty cents, published 
 by Cassell and Company, New York, and " The Rigger's Guide or 
 Seaman's Assistant," by Charles Bushell, published by Griffin 
 and Company, Portsmouth, England. The directions for two 
 
WITH WANING POWERS 
 
 127 
 
 knots were admirably given in Harper's Bazaar for October, 
 1909. A kind sea captain of Ellsworth, Maine, has generously 
 supplied models to the classes of this school. 
 
 A patient in this institution brought a curious little frame on 
 which she made Cords for Eyeglasses and Watches. (Fig. 50.) 
 She said that an aunt who had lived in the Azores learned 
 the method from a sailor. A slip noose is first tied, leaving the 
 
 Fig. 50 
 
 end a little long; slip this over one side of the frame A and, 
 holding the knot in the center B, carry the thread around the 
 end C, turning the frame in the left hand. The left thumb and 
 finger should hold the thread at B all the time. Pull up the 
 lower thread of silk as you turn and slip it over the upper one 
 and over the end; then holding the cord firmly, draw the silk 
 thread very evenly and closely down to the cord. Continue this 
 process until long enough, winding the cord as made around 
 the lower end D. These frames are of light wood : if heavier, 
 a large cord could be made for lanyards, curtain pulls, etc. 
 
128 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 It is a cord having decided angles and is very handsome when 
 evenly made. 
 
 Many old men like to know how to make good stout Baskets. 
 They would not care to fuss with raffia, but a basket of splints 
 or twigs appeals to them. A most beautiful flower basket, which, 
 when filled with red roses, won the first prize at a North Shore 
 flower show, was made in melon shape from the natural brown 
 birch twigs, which were laid side by side and wired together 
 at intervals, gathered up at the ends closely and finished with a 
 handle over the top from end to end. An old French Acadian 
 makes baskets of all sizes from roots which he gathers, cleans 
 and scrapes ; the spokes are shaved from heavy splint and the 
 smaller baskets made on the melon pattern, bringing one strong 
 spoke around and joining in an oval, thus forming the mid-spoke 
 and handle all together. To this the side spokes are added and 
 the weaver of scraped roots intertwined. The largest of these 
 baskets is without a handle over the top, but has two openings 
 left at the sides to serve as such. It resembles closely the Scotch 
 ''creel." The illustration on the opposite page shows this basket 
 with its royal contents of Nova Scotia water lilies. One inter- 
 esting basket was made with spokes of reed and a weaver of 
 common blackberry vine. This was yellow and shining and pos- 
 sessed real charm. Another had seaweed used for the weaver 
 and, when dry, showed a beautiful deep purple tone. 
 
 There seems to be an instinct in old people for Mending. 
 Perhaps it springs from an unconscious sympathy. Their own 
 bodies are wearing out and they see in a disabled piece of furni- 
 ture, a broken dish, a battered metal cup or an old lamp some- 
 thing which stimulates effort towards its renewal. There are 
 many examples of old men who seem "possessed" to solder tin- 
 ware. They stump into the kitchen at unseemly hours and stick 
 a soldering iron into the fire just when it is most needed for 
 broiling. They appear in the living room when a cheerful fire 
 in the grate is inviting some caller to linger and. to the dismay 
 of the hostess, stir up ill-smelling fumes from soldering fluids. 
 
RAKE KNITTING 
 
 Paffe 48 
 
 AN OLD ATAniAN TiASKET 
 
 Pa_^c 13S 
 
WITH WANING POWERS 129 
 
 They stubbornly refuse to take a walk as ordered by the family 
 physician as an aid to digestion, and persist in soldering some 
 old lamp. But why oppose them? Why not make a place for 
 this? An old man's place is by the fire just as truly as is the 
 cat's. Given a chance much good may come of it. Kitchen ware 
 mended in the house makes for thrift. Agate ware may be 
 soldered as well as tin. One man took great pains to make a 
 nice tin dipper for the school exhibit. He put in a double bottom 
 and added a final touch in a stamped plate bearing his own 
 name and place of residence. 
 
 Occasionally an old man is found who likes to darn stockings. 
 Why not? This is only another form of weaving and much hand 
 weaving is done by old men. One rather eccentric old gentle- 
 man found his chief interest in darning socks and flying kites 
 of his own construction. In both arts he excelled, save that he 
 darned the socks before they were washed, possibly for economic 
 reasons. 
 
 Some old men like to make Rugs, braided or hooked in. If 
 able to weave on a hand loom the sphere widens greatly. Any 
 one can cut the rags and ball them up. There is a trick learned 
 from an old man in making a twisted stripe for weaving which 
 is worth remembering. Take two strips of contrasting colors 
 together; holding the end in the left thumb and forefinger wind 
 up around these and when all wound pull on both ends, i. e., the 
 ends in the left hand and those outside in the right. The result 
 will be a self-twisted stripe. 
 
 A German strung rug is made by putting a stout warp on a 
 frame which is of four strips of wood, the end strips being nailed 
 across the side strips so that they are higher as the frame lies 
 on a table. The size of an ordinary door mat is good. Across 
 the end strips drive wire nails close together, leaving an inch 
 standing up above the frame. The warp is stretched back and 
 forth from end to end. The filling may be of rags cut a finger 
 long and a finger wide. Lay such a strip over the first two warp 
 threads and tuck the ends under and pull up through the center. 
 
130 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 The next one is put over the inner thread of the first pair and 
 the third warp thread. Continue in this way until the warp is 
 filled and a strong, tufted rug results. The very best of these 
 rugs are made of coir yarn, which is made of cocoanut fiber, 
 and more fully described in the chapter, "Without Sight." 
 
 A group of men in fairly comfortable physical condition fell 
 into the habit of gathering by the fire in a hospital sitting room 
 and resting their feet on its best mahogany center table. The 
 suggestion was adopted of providing something for these feet to 
 do, and a foot-power jig saw was placed by the fire and the men 
 interested by the persistent efforts of the head nurse until they 
 fell to making Picture Puzzles. This they did all winter and 
 even into the warmer weather, when the jig saw was moved to 
 the piazza. At the rate that these puzzles sell, namely, a cent 
 a piece, a puzzle of one hundred pieces bringing one dollar, etc., 
 they must have made a very large sum. The whole institution 
 was provided and there were also some to send to other invalids 
 outside. 
 
 One soaring soul carried out his ambition to learn lace making 
 at eighty. He had married a woman many years younger than 
 himself and when she attempted this delicate work he followed, 
 nothing daunted, and soon produced a Battenberg bureau scarf 
 which claimed real admiration. Another old man learned to play 
 the fiddle at eighty. This may not seem an occupation, but it is 
 a thing which people want and will often pay for. 
 
 A very good suggestion for an old man's work is the making 
 of leather Moccasins. If one sends to Mr. William A. Hall, 
 119 Beach Street, Boston, Massachusetts, he can obtain these all 
 cut and stretched upon any size last. The leathers are of fine 
 quality and color and the work consists in piercing and lacing 
 the moccasins together with leather thongs. The price of the 
 whole will be something less than seventy-five cents. 
 
 The training of animals is often undertaken with joy and 
 pride by an old man. Its usefulness may be questioned, but it 
 may be placed alongside of the fiddle. An extreme example 
 
WITH WANING POWERS 131 
 
 o£ this is vouched for in the case of an old man whose infirmi- 
 ties were accompanied by great corpulence. He sat in an enor- 
 mous chair outside the back door in the summer evenings and 
 by a given signal summoned a select company of toads whom 
 he trained to do tricks which, if described, might jeopard the 
 sale of this volume on account of their seeming impossibility. 
 
 Strange to say, if left to their own devices, and able to walk 
 far enough, old men often seek old burying grounds and collect 
 epitaphs. The memories awakened are strangely significant. An 
 old man walked with his daughter in such a burial place in the 
 town of his birth, and noting a name on an old stone he ex- 
 claimed, "I knew that boy; he slept with me one night, and 
 before he went to bed he ate an apple!" By even such deeds 
 shall the aspirant to fame be remembered. 
 
 If only a few fragments of wits remain the old man can sell 
 postage stamps. The fact that he makes no money by no means 
 indicates that he receives no profit. He is a public servant and 
 he feels the little rub of the pennies as they slip into his hands 
 and a faint flicker stirs the old brain paths of finance. He is 
 again in business and his uncertain little life flame is worth 
 tending. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 IN WAITING TIME 
 
 There is perhaps no more trying period in the experience 
 of a household than the weeks which sometimes intervene between 
 the time of calculated and actual confinement. The time has 
 seemed quite long enough at best, and to have it vaguely extended 
 will have either a depressing or an irritating effect, according 
 to the temperament involved. During this time the nurse is 
 usually in the house, not by any means because she is wanted, 
 but because it is possible that even a worse calamity than that 
 of her presence might be visited upon the family in her absence. 
 In all this there is no personal grudge, but something very closely 
 allied to this is really felt when the question of money is con- 
 sidered. At first this is not so apparent ; the first twenty-one or 
 twenty-five dollars does not loom so large ; but as it goes on to 
 fifty, seventy-five, one hundred — a whole month gone and noth- 
 ing has happened ! The situation is getting desperate. The 
 husband appeals wildly to medical authority and medical authority 
 shakes its head and smiles. To send the nurse away now seems 
 absurd; to keep her at this rate ruinous. No one prays more 
 devoutly for a fortunate termination to this seemingly intermi- 
 nable period than does this same nurse. 
 
 It is the province of every nurse to relieve distressed condi- 
 tions wherever she may find them. Here is real distress ; not of 
 the sort which she was called to relieve, but none the less genuine. 
 Is she equal to the demand? What has her training given her 
 over against this need ? It has taught her that she must be cheer- 
 ful under all circumstances, so she smiles and waits, but her smile 
 and her waiting are alike maddening. It is not enough to say 
 that she is kept from earning her money in active nursing in 
 some other home ; she must in some way contrive to earn it right 
 
 132 
 

IN WAITING TIME 133 
 
 here. She must know how to treat depression, apprehension, 
 fatigue. If she can effectually handle these most subtle symp- 
 toms the husband will pay her and add his hearty thanks. 
 
 Depression is successfully treated many times by the stimu- 
 lation of a new, and preferably involuntary, interest. The vol- 
 untary attention of this woman has been intensely focused on 
 the expected event through long preceding months ; ready for 
 a culmination which is apparently absent. The attention becomes 
 fatigued; the subject cannot be dismissed, but is gone over and 
 over in wearying procession of thought. The mind, left to itself, 
 drops inevitably into the nine months' groove. The first require- 
 ment, then, in treating this case is a nezv object of attention. 
 A new occupation requires a new physical attitude as well as 
 mental. Let a tired body be presented with a piece of work 
 which calls for the exercise of new muscles, of new positions, 
 and overworked muscles rest involuntarily. There is usually a 
 sense of completed preparation which renders the time more 
 irksome. Let the new interest be directed towards a thing which 
 may well cover considerable time and so be itself the subject of 
 interruption. Let nothing in the way of work be despised pro- 
 vided these conditions be fulfilled. To add to an already satis- 
 factory layette is unwise from more than one point of view. 
 There is, however, one sort of extension of this idea which 
 possesses sufficient novelty to make it worth while to attempt a 
 trial. This is the making of toys, and is best, of course, in 
 a heretofore childless home. 
 
 Take, for instance, the Stuffed Cloth Animals. Mental 
 depression will retreat as this woman stuffs her first elephant. 
 It takes time and some physical strength to do this and is inevi- 
 tably funny and a good, wholesome piece of work. It may pos- 
 sibly be in line to say that any possible objection on the part of 
 unscientific minds as to the danger of "marking" an infant by 
 w^orking on such figures may be effectually dispelled by the strong 
 assurance that at this stage all development is far too complete 
 to admit of the remotest danger. This may be considered good, 
 
134 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 wholesome work : still, all things considered, the work which 
 opens the way to a distinctly new accomplishment will be best. 
 
 Perhaps no better thing than Bookbinding could be inaugu- 
 rated. The patient has never thought of this? So much the 
 better. The materials can be quickly assembled; the directions 
 given in the chapter on "The Business Man" hold good here. 
 Beautiful portfolios, picture frames, letter cases and blotters are 
 made in much the same way as are the covers of a book. Let 
 her bind up some of her old music or her magazines. Gather 
 up the loose kodak pictures, make an album and then color the 
 photographs ; the chances are that before all have been arranged 
 in the book it will have to be laid aside for a time until the later 
 sitting up calls it out again. 
 
 Has this patient ever learned to use Pastels ? It may be that 
 long ago she took a few lessons in oil painting. This involves 
 the use of certain odorous oils which are many times peculiarly 
 disagreeable to a pregnant woman ; pastels, on the contrary, are 
 much more manageable, and so truly charming! One may pur- 
 chase a little unpainted wooden box marked "France" for about 
 sixty cents. In this is found several rows of delicately tinted 
 crayons carefully laid in fine sawdust and covered with a cotton 
 wool blanket. They break almost with a touch, these precious 
 pastels, but never mind, every fragment may be used ; the little 
 fractured edge is just what will serve you best for your finest 
 lines. 
 
 A few more explicit directions may be a help. English 
 crayon paper is sold in many tints. This has one smooth side 
 and one slightly rough. This will work better than the paper 
 sold especially for pastels, which takes up a large amount of 
 color in its rather woolly surface. Common cartridge paper used 
 for wall hangings may be used as previously suggested. Cut 
 from any of these papers a piece, say six by eight inches, not 
 too large at the start ; fasten this to a piece of board or a square 
 of very heavy pasteboard, using four thumb tacks. 
 
 If you start by copying a choice foreign post card, for in- 
 
IN WAITING TIME 135 
 
 stance, there will need to be little drawing done. To be set to 
 "draw" a thing is apt to suggest a serious task, while rubbing 
 in color is play — magic play. With just a stroke or two with 
 neutral tinted crayon block in the most striking forms and let 
 that suffice for drawing. Then do a sky. If it is fair weather 
 rub over your sky space with the very palest yellow, then put 
 on sky blue in patches and streaks. Now, with your finger, rub 
 these tints into the paper — never mind the color on your hands, 
 have a clean rag handy to rub them off. In this way mottle 
 your summer sky. Clouds may be taken out by a little wipe 
 with cloth or a dry sponge, and their edges touched with delicate 
 mauve which is already prepared in pastels. The distance is next 
 put in. The principle here to be observed will be to stick to 
 gray tones, blue-grays, blue-greens and purples, remembering 
 always that the effect of distance is obtained in this way, inter- 
 vening space making always some haze or at least less clarity. 
 If your shore or house or anything in the middle distance seems 
 too near, gray it and thus send it back. It is easy to do this 
 in pastel where so many lovely grays are already prepared. In 
 using water colors one needs to remember that, given the three 
 primary colors, red, blue and yellow, the gray tone is produced 
 by the addition of the third primary to any two ; as, for example, 
 blue and yellow make green, and red being added grays the tone. 
 People will start at different points to make a picture. It was 
 a habit with Whistler to seize first upon the chief point of in- 
 terest whether near or far; then, after drawing this, he would 
 expand; but in this way he had always a true picture before 
 him, so that if arrested at any time in the painting it was still 
 a complete picture. Little by little the foreground will be devel- 
 oped. The affection felt by a woman for her first picture is a 
 very real thing. She never knew she could do it. In working 
 in pastels do not hesitate to paint much with the fingers. They 
 are one's best tools. These pictures are rich in color and should 
 almost always be framed or matted in gold. They will rub with 
 the slightest touch and must be jealously guarded until covered 
 
136 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 by glass. Pastel fixatif is a French preparation which is rather 
 expensive, but if used carefully saves the picture if not immedi- 
 ately glazed. A blower is purchased for a few cents and a very 
 fine spray sent from some distance over the whole surface of 
 the picture. This is thought by some artists to impair the delicacy 
 of texture, while others advocate a liberal application. It can be 
 obtained only at the best art stores. The ordinary charcoal 
 fixatif will not answer. The quickest and best way is to cover 
 with glass and use passe partouf binding until ready to frame. 
 
 But, some one will say, suppose this patient does not want 
 to do any of these things. Probably she does not. Depressed 
 people rarely want to do anything. Herein Hes the test of the 
 fine art of nursing: so to present a thing that a patient, tired 
 and often petulant, is involuntarily stimulated to follow as a wise 
 and well-equipped nurse may surely lead. 
 
 Find out if this woman knows how to knit a pair of mittens. 
 So many women knit fancy shawls but would be at a loss to knit 
 mittens. It is well worth the learning. Dressing a doll is not 
 bad work, but try to keep the element of novelty uppermost and 
 do not kill time. Time was never intended for slaughter. Teach 
 something in that waiting time which will prove a valuable 
 possession for all time. 
 
 There is one article in the exhibit of these classes which has 
 excited considerable interest and can be placed here, although 
 it is best for the most part to steer clear of special preparation. 
 This is a Baby's Cap made from a single handkerchief, uncut. 
 Select a fine hemstitched handkerchief with dainty embroidered 
 border, fold evenly through the center with edges together, then 
 fold from each corner to the center of handkerchief. (Fig. 51.) 
 This brings all the hemstitched edges together, A A. Now, hold- 
 ing the center corners B together and to the thickness immedi- 
 ately beneath them, let the lower thickness drop down as you pick 
 the upper ones up, and allow the cap to form by folding through 
 the crease in top. Turn back the two center corners like little 
 revers (Fig. 52), leaving the edge underneath C to go around 
 
IN WAITING TIME 
 
 137 
 
 the face. Tack the corners at the top and decorate with a tiny 
 rosette. Make a Uttle box plait in the back to fit in the neck 
 and put on ties of lawn from a second handkerchief, or ribbons. 
 A narrow lace is frilled around face, revers and neck. This fits 
 a very tiny baby and may be easily laundered. 
 
 It must be reiterated that few patients will take the initiative, 
 while they will usually follow a truly intelligent and enthusiastic 
 
 Fig. 51 
 
 leader. During this period you are caring for a mental case, 
 perhaps unconsciously ; few women are absolutely normal in their 
 thought and feeling while under this strain. When you fail it 
 will generally be found to result from lack of personal interest, 
 lack of intelligent appreciation or lack of training. You may 
 waken personal interest; intelligent appreciation comes by mak- 
 ing a thing the object of thought, and a lack of training may 
 be met by the improvement of every opportunity and the habit 
 of recording and classifying all the suggestions which constitute a 
 part of each day when viewed aright. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 WITHOUT SIGHT 
 
 The aim of this chapter will be to offer suggestions more 
 especially adapted to such cases of blindness as occur incidentally 
 during the course of acute disease, after operative treatment 
 upon the eyes or as the accompaniment of other physical dis- 
 turbance. For congenital cases or for those who have been 
 deprived of sight at an early age, schools for the blind have 
 formulated an educational system which is so finely developed 
 that little is left to suggest. All this, however, is practically 
 unknown to the nurse who is called to help a patient suddenly 
 precipitated into a darkness which cannot be described. This 
 may be in the general hospital, in the sanitarium,, in the asylum 
 or in any private home. At any moment a nurse may be sum- 
 moned to care for a patient in a dark room or one who, although 
 sitting in a flood of sunlight, knows only darkness. "There is 
 no blackness like it" were the words of one whose sight had 
 been suddenly destroyed. 
 
 What is the nurse's equipment for service in darkness? 
 Many years ago a wise superintendent said to her class, "Never 
 fail to grasp every opportunity for storing your memory with 
 examples of choice literature which may be used in a room where 
 darkness forbids reading." This has never been forgotten by at 
 least one member of that class. Sometimes the patient's hands 
 must be tied to prevent any slightest possible disturbance of an 
 eye dressing which would jeopard the success of an operation. 
 If, however, during this time the patient's thoughts be led out 
 into "fresh fields and pastures new" by the grace of a beautiful 
 poem, a story or a word picture, rich in colors which the sur- 
 rounding darkness fails to obscure, much of the weary way will 
 be traveled with good courage. Surely no nurse is truly quali- 
 
 138 
 
WITHOUT SIGHT 139 
 
 fied until she learns how to give to her patients in her own 
 words, or from her own memory, some part of the treasures 
 found in literature. 
 
 The first thing which such a patient will need to do will be 
 to get her bearings geographically. Try to recall the sensation 
 which you used to experience when playing Blindman's Buff 
 when, after being blindfolded, you were turned around three 
 times and then told to find your own way. Multiply this sensa- 
 tion a thousandfold and you will, perhaps, feebly approach the 
 bewilderment of one really deprived of sight. It is possible, 
 according to the actual testimony of patients, to be lost in one's 
 own bed. If the patient be brought into new surroundings this 
 sensation is, of course, increased. It may be a help to employ 
 some plastic substance, as plasticene or modelene or common clay 
 or even a box of clean sand. With this plastic substance make 
 a raised plan of the whole floor, suite or grounds. This will 
 be done roughly, but will give such a patient some connected 
 idea of her environment. Paper pulp, which has been fully de- 
 scribed in the chapter on contagious work, may well be used 
 for this purpose. As the patient's condition permits she may 
 be taken out to verify this plan. 
 
 Next to finding out where one is comes the practice in help- 
 ing one's self. If the common furnishings of a room were always 
 put in the same places this difficulty would be diminished, but 
 what of other places where all is differently arranged? The 
 tactile sense must be trained to take the place of vision. No 
 matter what the age of the patient may be, this is essentially 
 a new lesson. In this we deal with the very beginnings of a 
 study. Observe closely the hands of a person who has been 
 blind for a long period and you will notice that they seem to 
 hover over rather than to touch the objects beneath them. Accus- 
 tomed to using the hands for grasping, the first thing to be 
 taught is that in proportion to the lightness of touch the sense 
 of feeling will be developed. 
 
 An interesting method for training the tactile sense is used 
 
140 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 in the School for Feeble-minded Children at Waverley, Massa- 
 chusetts. A large, stout bag is partly filled with all sorts of 
 small objects. These vary in texture, form, hardness, smooth- 
 ness, etc. The child's hand is thrust into the bag, the draw- 
 string is pulled up around his arm and he is then required to 
 describe what he finds as the objects are picked up one by one. 
 These articles are in one confused heap and it will be readily 
 perceived that considerable discrimination will be needed to learn 
 them entirely without sight. It constitutes, however, a sort of 
 grab-bag game which is not without interest and which might 
 well be incorporated into the training of the blind patient. If 
 a tray filled with unfamiliar dishes is placed before a trained 
 blind person it will be noticed that instead of groping among 
 them she will barely touch their tops and locate every one. To 
 get the sense of relationship one needs to use more than the 
 finger tips ; the palmer surface will also be used. Merely to 
 allow the finger tips to run over a surface does not establish 
 the idea of a whole. 
 
 In prescribing occupation for these cases of sudden loss of 
 sight it is usually necessary to take into careful consideration 
 the physical condition which has produced the blindness, and 
 adapt the work to the degree of weakness and shock to the 
 nervous system. First of all let there be no haste in the teach- 
 ing. The patient has to find herself before she can find her 
 work, although, taken quietly, the work may help her to find 
 herself to a great measure. 
 
 In the beginning of any sense training, the element of size 
 is important. Whatever work is placed in the hands of such a 
 patient should be large enough to be free from fussy detail. Do 
 not at first set such a patient to stringing small beads or counting 
 small spaces. In all good teaching the first principle is to learn 
 what the pupil already possesses before adding new facts or 
 experiences. If the subject of this blindness be an adult she 
 will doubtless have learned many things and the rational effort 
 will be towards the preservation of this already acquired skill. 
 
WITHOUT SIGHT 141 
 
 One of the great deprivations will be in not being able to 
 attend to her own correspondence. The patient knows how to 
 write, but feels the lack of simple sight guidance. The best aid 
 here is a sheet of lightly corrugated cardboard giving uniform 
 lines and spaces, which is placed under the letter paper. Holding 
 a pencil in the right hand, the fingers of the left hand follow 
 the ridge and keep track of the spaces. Because of this action 
 of the left hand the pencil works better than the pen. It may, 
 however, be an indelible pencil. These pressed pasteboards may 
 be had free of cost by applying to the Massachusetts Commis- 
 sion for the Blind. Application may be made to Miss Lucy 
 Wright, 15 Ashburton Place, Boston. A blind person can learn 
 to use a common typewriter without much difficulty. Very old 
 men have learned this readily. This, of course, opens the way 
 for large correspondence and other forms of work. 
 
 Referring again to what the patient already knows, sewing 
 will probably come next, providing the patient be a woman or 
 young girl. If, however, it becomes a question of teaching a 
 child, it has been found wiser to teach Knitting before sewing. 
 At the Perkins Institution for the Blind in South Boston, Massa- 
 chusetts, this plan is followed : To teach knitting a large cord is 
 used. The pupil is first taught to make a coarse chain, using 
 his fingers alone without needles. Starting with a loop he pulls 
 a second through this and continues until able to make an evenly 
 spaced chain. These chains made of white cord serve as curtain 
 tiebacks, etc. Next a loop of cord is slipped over the child's 
 left thumb, the cord being held in the fingers of the right hand 
 and the large knitting needle with the right thumb and fore- 
 fingers. He is now directed to slip this one needle along his left 
 thumb and so under the loop, and is told that his left thumb 
 is his othej' needle. There is great advantage in this, as it is a 
 needle possessing feeling and by this he learns the process. As 
 the true needle slips under the loop the cord is passed around 
 it and the stitch knitted. After this has been learned, two needles 
 used together as one are substituted in place of the single needle. 
 
142 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 This is done to secure a more elastic edge than that given by 
 the use of one needle, but is used only for the first row, after 
 which the single needle is resumed. In this way the pupil learns 
 to cast on or knit on stitches as is desired. Later two needles 
 are used, as is customary. 
 
 In the case of an adult who knows how to knit the problem 
 is far simpler. Watching such a patient one notices that the 
 left thumb finds the upper stitch on the left needle and slips it 
 up slightly away from the others before taking it up by the 
 right-hand needle. There is scarcely any form of fancy knit- 
 ting but may be done by the blind. One elderly lady spends 
 her evenings in knitting dolls' sweaters without using her eyes 
 at all. She is not blind, but having had serious trouble with her 
 eyes in former years, has learned how to save them. One of 
 the very first articles knitted by the blind pupils is a bag made 
 of the heavy cord knitted in a strip, sewed up and hung by 
 one of the hand crocheted chains around the pupil's neck for the 
 purpose of holding his knitting. The knitting classes at Perkins 
 Institution are made up of boys as well as girls. Crocheting 
 is taught more exclusively to the girls. In connection with knit- 
 ting the rake-work previously described is well adapted to the 
 work of the blind. 
 
 Sewing. To teach sewing, carefully graded steps are fol- 
 lowed. Strips of leather are punched with round holes in lines ; 
 these are used in teaching running stitch, back stitch, overhand- 
 ing and other plain stitches. The needle used is the "Calyx 
 Needle," which is threaded by pressing the thread into a groove 
 in the top which opens and admits the thread to the eye of the 
 needle. Germantown wool was used for thread. The next step 
 was the substitution of coarse canvas for the leather. In this 
 the holes must be counted and the labor results in some definite 
 article when completed. Darning is taught by cutting out a 
 square in the canvas and requiring the pupil to weave in thread 
 to fill the space. This is done with great regularity. The work 
 from now on does not differ from that of any seamstress. All 
 
WITHOUT SIGHT 143 
 
 sorts of garments, household suppHes, etc., are made quite as 
 well as by seeing pupils. Ordinary sewing machines are oper- 
 ated without difficulty, no difference being made except that a 
 clever little needle threader is used which, however, is not made 
 for the blind alone. Before finishing the course the pupil learns 
 to draft a pattern and cut a dress for herself. 
 
 Leather Bags. Early in the sewing lessons good leather 
 bags may be made by cutting these from colored suede or finished 
 leathers, and punching the holes around the edges. These are 
 then laced together with a leather thong which runs at first 
 over the edge in plain overhand and is then reversed so as to 
 form a series of crosses. A plain running stitch is also added. 
 Many useful and handsome articles may be made from leather 
 in the same manner. Sometimes large beads are strung on the 
 thongs and give a suggestion of Indian work. The frames of 
 birch bark described in the chapter, "With Waning Powers," 
 are equally suited to this subject. 
 
 Weaving. The method employed in teaching a blind child 
 to weave is novel and interesting. In the Kindergarten for the 
 Blind in Jamaica Plain a game is played in which the children 
 stand in a row while one child weaves in and out between them ; 
 thus the children's own bodies are used to illustrate the warp 
 threads, while the one child is the weaver or filling thread. After 
 this a common chair is used. The uprights of the back are 
 used as the warp and the child weaves in and out with coarse 
 cord. From this they go to slat, tape and cloth weaving. A 
 rectangular frame is filled with strips of tape tacked on at two 
 sides, leaving the edges of the tapes close together. Wooden 
 slats of similar width are used as weavers in this example. 
 Weaving offers great opportunities to the blind and has been 
 well developed. 
 
 It is possible to obtain strips of stiff colored felt which are 
 left over from the manufacture of women's felt hats. These 
 may be cut into strips of uniform width and are then ready for 
 weaving. A rectangular frame is used, the warp strips being 
 
144 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 tacked on as described in the tape weaving. Simple in and out 
 weaving of these flat strips results in strong rugs of firm texture. 
 These can be cleaned with soap and water and a brush as they 
 lie on the floor. The edge has one row of flat machine stitching 
 to prevent fraying. 
 
 All the simple handmade looms described in the chapter on 
 "Restricted Positions" may be used in working with the blind, 
 Superior work is done by the women in the employ of the Massa- 
 chusetts Commission for the Blind in Cambridge. Portieres, 
 window hangings, sofa pillows and many smaller pieces are 
 woven in designs and colors which are truly beautiful. The 
 hand-woven rugs made by the men are sold in many cities. 
 They sell at the rate of three dollars and seventy-five cents per 
 square yard. The last two kinds of weaving can be done only 
 on large looms and are not so practical for the needs indicated 
 in this chapter. 
 
 Pretty bags are woven of two contrasting shades of dress 
 braid. These are made much as the raffia bags are woven which 
 are described on page 54. A piece of pasteboard of about nine 
 and one-half by five inches is covered on one side by a contin- 
 uous strip of braid. This runs lengthwise of the pasteboard 
 back and forth, and the edges just meet. At the ends the braid 
 is turned each time so as to form an even point through which 
 it is basted to the pasteboard. When wholly covered, double the 
 board so that the two ends come together and the fold is just 
 across the center. With the other color begin weaving over and 
 under right around the folded board once, close to the folded 
 edge. Cut off the braid each time on the same side, leaving a 
 half inch or so to join. Continue in this way weaving and cut- 
 ting until within one width of braid of the top. In this last space 
 weave a row of braid, leaving the ends longer for a draw string, 
 and again in the same space, but starting at the opposite side, 
 run a second row of braid for the second draw string. Now clip 
 the stitches holding the braid to the board and carefully draw 
 it out, leaving the bag. Turn in the cut ends and join with a 
 
WITHOUT SIGHT 145 
 
 neat overhand stitch. Tie the ends of the draw strings and ravel 
 for a Httle depth to form a tassel. It will be an additional 
 security if a line of featherstitch or other stitching be put in 
 just below the draw string. A lining adds to the attractiveness 
 of the bag. 
 
 Chair Caning. A good deal of emphasis is placed upon 
 this work for the blind. Many chairs are so made that the seat 
 may be taken out and fastened to a bench by hand screws or a 
 vise. It is then far less clumsy to manage. The cane is obtained 
 from the rattan factories and basket supply shops, also at school 
 supply places. After the old cane has been cleaned away the 
 start is made by bringing the cane up at one front corner and 
 across from front to back, repeating until the holes are full. A 
 few wooden pegs will be required to drive in to hold the cane 
 while drawing through the next holes. The second set of canes 
 run straight over the first but from side to side. The third 
 set run diagonally, going under the canes running from front 
 to back and over those which run from side to side. The fourth 
 row run straight from front to back over the others with no 
 weaving. The fifth run diagonally under two and over one. 
 The sixth run diagonally under those running from side to side 
 and over those running from back to front. To bind the edge 
 use larger cane, laying it flat over the holes around the edge 
 and bringing a smaller cane up through each hole and over 
 the wide cane, then down through the same hole again. This 
 completes the process. The boys at Perkins Institution do 
 the caning for a chair factory which ships the seats alone 
 to the institution for this work. 
 
 Rush Bottom Chairs. The rush bottoming of chairs is 
 particularly interesting. This is done with the common bulrush 
 or cat-tail leaves, which should be gathered before the twelfth of 
 August or before the heads turn brown. These flags are then 
 dried in the shade and are to be soaked for several hours before 
 using and kept wrapped in a damp cloth while in use. If neces- 
 sary to buy these, they may be obtained from Lang and Jacobs, 
 
146 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 24 India Square, Boston, Massachusetts. This is a cooperage 
 supply place and the flags are sold to pack between the staves 
 of barrels to make them tight. For this reason there is a good 
 deal of waste when purchased for chair work. 
 
 To teach rush bottoming, any small rectangular frame may 
 be used, but a chair is done in this way: A few of the hard 
 butts of the rush are tied to the inside of the chair frame to 
 make a little padding next to the frame. Twist the green rush 
 to a smooth, round cord, hold it over one corner of the frame, 
 bring it around the side and up through the center, over the 
 next side, then over the left-hand side of the frame close to 
 the corner, around and up through the center, then directly 
 across to the opposite lower right-hand corner, over and up 
 through the center, over the lower side and up through the 
 center. In this way follow around the frame, always bring- 
 ing the rush up through the center, over one side of the corner, 
 up and over the other side of the same corner before cross- 
 ing to the next. In this way fill the entire rectangle. If oblong 
 rather than square, the last rush will run from side to side, 
 omitting the other two sides until the space is filled. All the 
 time this is going on the flags are constantly twisted to form 
 an even rope. When necessary to splice, the thick end of the 
 new rush is stuck down between the lower ropes and then twisted 
 in with the first one. Should the cord be too large, a rush 
 may be dropped out in the same way by sticking it down between 
 the lower cords, and when the seat is finished all these ends 
 cut ofif short. This makes a very handsome and durable chair 
 seat. 
 
 Coir Yarn Rugs. Coir yarn is a stiflf, coarse yarn made 
 from cocoanut fiber and very useful in making outside door- 
 mats. It is imported from India and costs about five and one- 
 third cents per pound. It may be obtained from the Boston 
 Mat and Basket Company, 62 Fulton Street, Boston, Massachu- 
 setts : also of Darragh and Smail, 177 Water Street, New York 
 City ; but from the latter firm only in large quantity. 
 
WITHOUT SIGHT 147 
 
 To make these rugs a rectangular frame of common strip 
 wood or even an old window frame or other fairly heavy frame 
 will answer. The size should be that of the rug desired. Across 
 the two narrow ends drive wire nails at a distance of three- 
 eighths of an inch apart, driving in securely. On these the 
 warp is strung, keeping the yarn as taut as possible. It is quite 
 possible that a different rope or heavy cord would work better 
 for the warp, as the yarn is uneven and chafes somewhat. It 
 is used, however, at Waverley, and is the best which these 
 workers have yet found. Wind, after tying the first loop to the 
 first nail, straight up to opposite end around two nails, down 
 and around two lower nails and so back and forth until the 
 space is filled. Now cut short lengths of the yarn; about five 
 inches will answer. Many lengths may be cut at one time by 
 using a paper cutter such as is used to cut mounts for photo- 
 graphs. Put one short length yarn over two warp threads, bring 
 the two short ends down outside the warp threads and then up 
 between them in the center toward you. With the two short 
 ends held evenly together, pull up tightly so that the cut ends 
 stand up. In this way continue across, tying over each pair of 
 warp threads. Begin the next row by omitting the first warp 
 thread and tying over the second and third threads. This divides 
 the first pairs and leaves one unused thread at the end. The 
 third row is like the first. Alternate these until the whole space 
 is filled. Make a braid of the yarn and sew around the base of 
 the mat after taking from the frame. The braid is set up on its 
 edge and sewed on with a sail needle. This method of tying 
 or stringing is capable of much variation. The short strips 
 may be of cut rags, of wool or any finer material. The method 
 is identical with that used in making the fine Oriental rugs which 
 command such fabulous prices. From coir yarn is also made 
 the sort of zigzag pattern rope rugs often seen. These are 
 made of the braid and sewed with a sail needle. 
 
 Baskets. The coarser baskets are well suited to the work 
 of the blind patient, as those of reed or reed and raffia combined. 
 
148 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 One charming basket was melon shaped and made by joining 
 two oval hoops of heavy reed at right angles. One hoop thus 
 formed the handle and the midrib of the bottom and the other 
 the top of the basket. They were joined by winding around the 
 crossed reeds so that the raffia used to wind formed a square 
 on the outside at the junction of basket and handle. This wind- 
 ing was continued until the square was an inch and one-half 
 in diameter. Four other reeds were then cut of the right length 
 to spring in on either side of the midrib at regular intervals, 
 being held by the ends against the woven squares. A weaver 
 was then used of common, uncolored raffia braid. This was first 
 wound round and round the handle and then woven in and out 
 across the basket. All this might be done by one without sight. 
 
 Netting is fairly well adapted to non-seeing patients. A 
 netting needle, a mesh stick and macrame cord will be required. 
 Hammocks, net bags for laundry, shopping bags, etc., are made 
 quite easily. Good directions for this may be found in the 
 Manual Arts books for elementary schools. The book, "Occu- 
 pations for Little Fingers," by the Misses Sage and Cooley, 
 gives good directions for netting. 
 
 Beadwork can be done with great accuracy and success by 
 the blind. The little Apache looms can be bought, but a great 
 variety of strung necklaces need nothing but needle and thread 
 for stringing the beads. Colors are managed by keeping the 
 beads in different boxes. 
 
 Braiding. Many materials may be improved and rendered 
 more useful by being braided. From the old-fashioned rag rug 
 to fine straw for hats, raffia for baskets, rush for the larger 
 baskets and furniture, rope for rugs, tape for belts, this principle 
 will apply. This has the advantage of suiting almost all domestic 
 environment. 
 
 In one schoolroom for blind children one end was occupied 
 with cases of stuffed animals of many sorts. The stuffing of 
 cloth animals might well be done, provided they were cut out 
 by a seeing worker. 
 
WITHOUT SIGHT 149 
 
 Stitching up books according to the rules given in the chapter 
 on "The Business Man" seems to come within the range of 
 these patients. 
 
 A large order business in the making and making over of 
 hair mattresses is carried on by blind operatives. While this 
 is out of the range of the private invalid, its principles might 
 easily be applied in the making of comforters or pufifs for beds. 
 The device used to insure evenness in the tufting of mattresses 
 by the blind is a wooden frame the top of which is divided into 
 square openings. The mattress lies on this frame. One tuft 
 goes in the center of each square hole. A frame across which 
 strips of stout tape were fastened so as to divide it into squares 
 could be used in tacking the puffs. 
 
 In many instances professional work can still be followed. 
 We have blind teachers, piano tuners, musicians and masseuses. 
 One who has learned the Braille characters can make a great 
 variety of books of fine selections for the blind. Raised books 
 are always expensive, but these can be easily and cheaply made. 
 
 The recently blind are apt to dwell upon the loss of color 
 which they experience, but who having seen a rose can ever 
 forget its pink? Who having looked into deep summer sky can 
 ever escape from the spell of its blue? Color has become a 
 thing of the mind rather than the eye, and a word may quicken 
 it anew, for it has in it a true immortality. 
 
 Should the great misfortune of loss of sight overtake a man 
 or woman of active and ambitious life, the occupation suggested 
 should, if possible, be in some way connected with their chosen 
 work, otherwise it may seem so pitiably small as to be actually 
 repugnant. This has been inimitably set forth by one who said 
 that after her loss of sight all her friends had set her down to 
 braiding rag rugs, and the picture of herself in some "Home" 
 garbed in a crushed strawberry forty-nine cent cotton wrapper 
 making a rag rug was inexpressibly distasteful to her. There 
 is, however, a fairly good variety of lesser talents which may be 
 developed, only let them stand as lesser talents and do not pre- 
 
150 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 sume to replace a full, active life work with a rag rug or any 
 activity other than the best of which the patient is or may be 
 capable. 
 
 An acknowledgment is due to the following institutions for their great 
 courtesy in explaining methods of work and their mutual interest in the subject 
 of this chapter : 
 
 The School for Feeble-minded Children at Waverley, The Perkins Institution 
 for the Blind at South Boston and Jamaica Plain, The Massachusetts Commission 
 for the Education of the Blind at Cambridge. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 THE CLOUDED MIND 
 BY E. STANLEY ABBOT, M.D.^ 
 
 The term occupation is here used in its broad sense of any 
 purposeful, orderly activity of mind or body. Neither can be 
 used alone, though sometimes one will greatly predominate over 
 the other. In polishing a floor the body chiefly is active ; in 
 reading, the mind ; but neither exclusively. The activities may 
 be directed to work, whether constructive (as in any of the 
 handicrafts) or destructive (as in making certain alterations 
 and repairs), or to mere pastimes for pleasure and enjoyment 
 (such as games of all sorts), or to physical culture (such as 
 various gymnastic exercises and some dances), or to various 
 combinations of these objects. 
 
 In this sense the occupation of persons with mental deficiency 
 or perversion, whether developmental or acquired, presents its 
 own peculiar difficulties, which, though due chiefly to the mental 
 condition of the patient, are also partly due to certain physical 
 limitations. One has to deal with persons who have a lower 
 grade of intelligence, as in the feeble-minded ; or whose interest 
 is difficult to arouse and sustain, as among certain demented 
 patients ; or whose mental processes are slow, or who get very 
 
 1 To the Secretary of the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy, which 
 has given for the last three years to nurses and attendants a course on Occupa- 
 tions for the Insane, and to Drs. Walter E. Femald, William Mabon, R. H. 
 Hatchings, Henry A. Cotton, George A. Zeller, Frank P. Norbury, C. H. Ander- 
 son, O. C. Willhite, and Fred W. Terflinger, I am indebted for data and sug- 
 gestions of many kinds, and I wish to express here my appreciation of their 
 kindness. But to Dr. Mary L. Neff, whose paper on "Occupations for the 
 Insane," read before the American Society of Superintendents of Training 
 Schools in New York in May, 1910, was a valuable contribution to the subject, 
 and of which she gave me free use before its publication, I am especially 
 indebted. 
 
 «5i 
 
152 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 easily fatigued, or to whom even such slight tasks as buttoning 
 a coat or putting on shoes seem very difficult, or whose tenden- 
 cies to suicide set narrow limits to possible occupations, as among 
 the depressed. Some of the problems which the nurse must 
 strive to solve will tax her ingenuity, tact and patience to the 
 utmost. 
 
 No one questions the benefit and value to the patient of 
 occupation. What Dr. Fernald says of the feeble-minded — 
 "a busy boy is a good boy" — is equally applicable to persons 
 of all ages and both sexes, provided the "business" can be well 
 adapted to the individual. The problem is to fit the occupation 
 to the patient's capacities and needs — to find what he can best 
 and most profitably take up; to find adequate motives; to stim- 
 ulate interest, and to keep it sustained. It is easier of solution 
 the more nearly normal the patient ; it is hardest when one has 
 to deal with patients who have lost either temporarily or per- 
 manently the power of continuous application or attention, or the 
 capacity to be interested. In the limits of one chapter only 
 the main principles, precautions and suggestions necessary for 
 the occupation of some of the great groups of the insane can 
 be outlined; their application to the particular person must be 
 left to the judgment, skill and tact of the nurse. It must be 
 remembered that at best there is a large percentage of patients 
 who cannot be occupied at all, but with effort, persistence, in- 
 genuity, patience, moderate expenditure of money and much 
 of time this percentage can be greatly reduced. 
 
 Those whose minds are clouded comprise not only the insane, 
 properly so called, but also the feeble-minded of all grades and 
 the epileptic. There is a growing tendency to bring the criminal 
 also into this group, but these will not be considered here. The 
 other two groups will be taken up briefly, and then the insane 
 proper at somewhat greater length. 
 
 The Feeble-Minded. These are children, in development 
 if not in years. Their age, so far as occupation is concerned, is 
 measured, not by the calendar, but by their interests, intelligence 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 153 
 
 and capacity as compared with the various grades of normal 
 children. They are all characterized by slowness to learn, re- 
 quiring many repetitions of the same lesson before it is learned ; 
 by shortness and uncertainty of memory, requiring more fre- 
 quent reviews and practice ; by lessened persistence and power 
 of application or sustained attention, requiring shorter lessons 
 and more frequent changes of occupation; by diminished judg- 
 ment and defective power to draw conclusions or to reason a 
 thing out, requiring simpler and more explicit directions, and 
 object teaching rather than didactic instruction; by less capacity 
 to be interested except spontaneously, requiring special effort to 
 stimulate interest, as by rewards, competitions, appeals to simple, 
 elemental desires ; by greater vanity, requiring praise and com- 
 mendation; by a tendency to slipshod, careless zvork, requiring 
 long-continued, patient drilling; by a tendency, especially among 
 the less highly developed, to monotonous mechanical repetition 
 of acts, which can sometimes be utilized in sawing wood, turn- 
 ing a grindstone, polishing floors, ironing and other simple to- 
 and-fro occupations ; and physically by more or less imperfect 
 development, with poor muscular coordination, requiring physical 
 drill, training and oversight. 
 
 Besides ordinary games, both indoor and outdoor, such as 
 any normal child or youth would enjoy, the feeble-minded can 
 with benefit take up more formal occupations under instruction. 
 These vary from such very simple things as stringing spools or 
 large beads, sorting blocks of two or three colors, picking up 
 bits of torn paper, etc., to more complex activities, such as lace 
 making, weaving, basketry, carpentry and Sloyd work, and any 
 of the simple handicrafts. Even very defective persons may 
 sometimes become fairly efficient helpers in domestic occupations 
 and the trades, such as kitchen, dining room and bedroom work, 
 nursery work, washing, ironing, sewing; or carpentry, plumbing, 
 painting, boot and shoe repairing, mattress making, broom mak- 
 ing, furniture repairing, etc. The farm and garden, with their 
 varied needs, furnish work adapted to quite wide variations of 
 
154 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 intelligence. All work, however, must be under guidance and 
 direction. 
 
 The feeble-minded do better in classes than in purely indi- 
 vidual work, though even in classes each individual needs much 
 careful oversight. Not only on this account is a school for the 
 backward, deficient or feeble-minded better than a private tutor 
 in the home, but also because the institution, with its many activi- 
 ties, can furnish greater variety of occupation of about the same 
 degree of complexity than the home can be made to supply. 
 And it is a great advantage to have as large a variety as pos- 
 sible of such occupations, in order that a change may be made 
 from one to another before interest lags or the work grows 
 monotonous.^ 
 
 The Epileptic. Many of these are somewhat backward 
 mentally, and all are liable to sudden convulsions or periods of 
 unconsciousness, coming usually without warning. After the 
 attack the patient is often sleepy or irritable for a longer or 
 shorter period (from ten or fifteen minutes to several hours). 
 
 Epileptics can take up any occupation that others of their 
 own age or mental development can, except that they should not 
 work on high places or where they cannot be observed by some 
 one who can help them instantly if they fall into machinery, 
 water, etc. It is better if they do not use sharp-pointed or 
 sharp-cutting instruments, lest they injure themselves or others 
 during or following the seizure. There is also danger, always 
 possible though not very often occurring, that after the convul- 
 sion or seizure the patient may make a violent, unexpected and 
 unprovoked attack on some other person. 
 
 The mode of onset and the character of successive seizures 
 are very apt to be about the same in any one patient, though 
 quite different in different patients, so that occupations highly 
 inadvisable for one might be allowable to another. Any occu- 
 
 1 The annual reports of the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded, at 
 Waverley, for the years 1908 and 1909 contain very informing descriptions of the 
 methods in use there. A visit to the school itself will well repay the time and 
 trouble spent. 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 155 
 
 pation, whether work or play, not contraindicated by these limi- 
 tations is suitable for the epileptic, except that too great emotional 
 excitement, as in a closely contested game, may precipitate an 
 epileptic seizure. 
 
 The Insane. There are so many forms of mental disease, 
 and so many manifestations of each form, that in a chapter of 
 this extent only the crudest generalizations can be used for 
 grouping cases. In all patients there is an abeyance of some 
 of the mental powers or activities, even though at first sight it 
 may not appear so (as in the case of mildly excited patients who 
 often superficially seem to have heightened powers) ; and in many 
 patients there is a permanent loss of mental activity in one field 
 or another. Here they will be grouped roughly into those whose 
 most obvious characteristic is (i) depression of spirits — sad- 
 ness, despondency, gloominess, discouragement; or (2) excessive 
 activity, perhaps with good spirits, perhaps only irritability — 
 even to violence and destructiveness ; and (3) dementia — a per- 
 manent loss of some of the power to adapt one's self to the 
 conditions of life. 
 
 Before taking up the occupations best suited to, or most 
 feasible for, each of these groups, certain elements of the prob- 
 lem, applicable to all the groups, will first be considered. Some 
 of these concern the individual, others his circumstances and 
 surroundings. 
 
 In health, persons have their vocations and their avocations. 
 It is natural that we should seek among the latter — among those 
 occupations which fill the leisure moments, the pastimes which 
 spontaneously interest — for hints as to what the patient may 
 take up when the mind is clouded. These avocations will be 
 modified or determined by some of the same elements. 
 
 One of these elements is sex. In health, when not actually 
 engaged at their vocations, men, when in the house, loaf, lounge 
 about, smoke, read the daily paper, while women keep their 
 hands busy at knitting, crocheting, embroidery ; men go out to the 
 club, theater or other place of entertainment, such as ball games, 
 
156 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 billiard and pool rooms, or even the bar, while women tend more 
 to sit and sew or read, or go to the neighbor's and play cards, 
 drink tea and chat. When men do occupy themselves with work, 
 it is more apt to be with tools — hammer, chisel, saw, rule, spade, 
 hoe or axe, while women are more apt to take up lighter, more 
 aesthetic and decorative tasks. These differences hold to a large 
 extent when the mind is clouded. They are indicated in Chapters 
 XII and XIII. 
 
 Another element is age. Young persons like more active 
 pursuits than the middle-aged or elderly. Youth plays tennis, 
 baseball, basket ball ; runs, skips and dances, while middle age 
 walks, plays golf or games of cards, checkers and chess, and 
 old age sits and smokes, knits, chats and dozes. 
 
 The degree of intelligence, amount of education, the natural 
 interests and the occupation when well are still other elements, 
 and will have their influence in helping devise occupations, or 
 setting limitations to them. The professor or the clergyman 
 will differ in these respects from the carpenter, the day laborer 
 or the office clerk. 
 
 There are environmental elements, as well as the personal 
 ones just mentioned, which will partly determine the occupations 
 of mental patients. Among these are the size of the patient's 
 income. Materials or facilities easily obtainable by the patient 
 of large means, such as automobiles, yachts or even lathes or 
 woodworking implements or rug or carpet weaving looms, would 
 be out of the question for the person of moderate means, 
 and quite impossible for the poor in their own homes. Besides, 
 the size of the income often sets standards for normal occu- 
 pations in many other ways as well. 
 
 Different activities are open to the patient who is in the 
 country, where farming and gardening operations are going on, 
 from those available in the city, where occupations outside the 
 house must be more artificial and are less in variety and number, 
 and less well adapted to the mentally beclouded. For they make 
 more demands on the mental and less on the physical energies, 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 157 
 
 whereas it is usually most helpful to rest the former and exercise 
 the latter. 
 
 Large institutions like the state hospitals, with a daily average 
 population ranging from one to five thousand patients, have 
 certain advantages which the smaller ones lack. Among so large 
 a number a larger or smaller group of patients can be got to- 
 gether whose interests and capacities are enough alike to form 
 classes, in which all learn to do the same thing, such as leather 
 work, at the same time. In the smaller hospitals, if enough 
 patients cannot be got together for class work in the same occu- 
 pation, group work, in which several patients work at different 
 things simultaneously in the same room, is possible. The advan- 
 tages of class or group work lie in the stimulation of interest 
 (one of the difficult problems to solve) through imitation of 
 others or seeing others work; companionship with others in one 
 common aim, as in the sewing room ; cooperation with others in 
 the making of one finished product, as in dressing dolls ; com- 
 petition and rivalry with others, to see who shall make the most, 
 or the best, or the most artistic thing; and conference or dis- 
 cussion with others, serving to bring out new ideas. 
 
 Another advantage of the large institution is that there is 
 a large variety and considerable amount of work useful and 
 necessary to its maintenance and running, in much of which the 
 patients can take part. And again, the installation of special 
 apparatus, like looms, is more economical, and beneficial to more 
 persons, in the large than in the small hospital. On the other 
 hand, it is often possible to give much more time and individual 
 effort to a single patient in a small hospital or sanitarium, and 
 certainly it is in the home. The small private hospital is not 
 much different from the patient's own home, in the facilities 
 usually afforded by special apparatus. 
 
 So much for the patient and his environment. Another large 
 element in the problem of occupation is to find a sufficient 
 motive. It is easier to find something that the patient can do 
 than to find something he zvill do. One needs to be resourceful, 
 
158 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 with a large variety of appeals, for it goes without saying that 
 even in health what appeals to one person will not to another. 
 The difference is even more marked among the insane. Appeals 
 may be made through praise, competition, rewards; to the sense 
 of the beautiful or of the useful ; through affection for relatives, 
 home needs, gifts to friends, or more diffuse altruism, as help- 
 ing other patients, making preparations for special entertain- 
 ments, such as Christmas gifts and decorations, work for chil- 
 dren, especially orphans, or for cripples, the blind, the poor 
 and needy; or for persons in specially isolated or exposed posi- 
 tions, such as lighthouse and lightship keepers ; or for sailors' 
 missions, Dr. Grenfell's, and other foreign and home missions, 
 prisoners, invalids, other patients ; or through imitation, or by 
 seeing others work. 
 
 As examples, many patients became interested in making 
 clothes for a near-by orphan asylum — the interest was enhanced 
 by the children visiting the wards afterwards wearing the things 
 that had been made. One elderly woman, nearly eighty, with 
 cataract of both eyes so that she could no longer read, knitted 
 helmet toques for the men stationed on a lightship not far from 
 her home town. Another woman, in bed a large part of the 
 time, over seventy years of age, makes many scrapbooks for 
 missions. Some men mend broken golf sticks, make frames 
 for pictures to hang in their rooms or in the ward, cut picture 
 puzzles for themselves or others to put together. These are but 
 a few of the many things that can be done for others. The 
 most lasting incentive is usually an altruistic one, and hence 
 "the personal note should be used repeatedly,"^ that is, the 
 patient asked to do this particular thing for this particular 
 person. But other motives may be sought in the patient's daily 
 work when well, or among the things he does for recreation and 
 pleasure. 
 
 As for the occupation itself, if one is trying to interest the 
 patient in constructive work, it should be if possible "interest- 
 
 1 Unpublished paper of Dr. Mary L. Neff. 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 159 
 
 ing, more or less familiar, easily clone, soon finished and of 
 obvious use," ^ and "the product should have color and form to 
 give aesthetic value, and should not require very fine muscular 
 coordination"^ in the making, especially for those who are just 
 beginning to be occupied with work. 
 
 In trying to occupy patients, "the most desirable plan is to 
 have occupation an integral part of the daily life," ' and hence 
 *'a regular schedule of occupations which accounts properly for 
 every hour of the patient's time"^ is advisable. The occupa- 
 tions should be varied, not too long a time devoted to any one, 
 and work should be interrupted by pastimes, for recreation, 
 relaxation and variety. Above all, "the signs of fatigue should 
 be looked for with great care," ^ especially among depressed 
 patients. These may be the ordinary symptoms of wandering 
 attention, feeling of fatigue, headache, flushing of face, feeling 
 of confusion, carelessness or diminished accuracy of work; or 
 other less readily recognized ones, as greater speed, quick, nervous 
 movements in doing the work, restlessness, impatience, hilarity, 
 talkativeness, less good judgment about the work, greater care- 
 lessness and even a tendency to keep at it till it is finished. 
 
 Having considered these general elements of the problem, 
 we come now to the special occupation of the first group of 
 patients. 
 
 I. The Depressed. A patient with depression is to be 
 considered, first of all, as possibly or actually suicidal — a point 
 never to be forgotten or let out of the mind of the nurse for 
 an instant, though her understanding of the fact is to be as 
 skillfully and tactfully hidden as the necessity for watching the 
 patient will allow. Hence sharp-pointed or sharp-edged instru- 
 ments, such as steel knitting or crochet needles, embroidery or 
 other sharp-pointed scissors, penknives, sometimes even needles 
 and pins, steel nail cleaners, to say nothing of wood carving and 
 other cutting tools, must either be kept away from these patients, 
 or the patient kept under close and unremitting observation 
 
 1 Dr. Neff, loc. cit. 
 
i6o INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 during work, and the instruments all counted and put away 
 under lock and key as soon as the patient has finished with them 
 for the time being. Large wooden or celluloid knitting or crochet 
 needles and blunt-ended scissors may be used more safely. 
 
 Most depressed patients are easily fatigued, mentally espe- 
 cially, but also physically, even though they say they cannot 
 feel tired, wish they could, and are constantly walking rest- 
 lessly up and down, apparently never tired. Hence the more 
 restless ones should be tried only with coarse work, easily done, 
 and not kept too long at it. It sometimes makes a difference 
 to the patient whether the work is light or heavy in weight, and 
 what is light to the nurse may seem to be heavy for the patient. 
 The nurse should never make the mistake of measuring the 
 difficult or fatiguing qualities of the work to the patient by 
 what is difficult or fatiguing to herself or to the average well 
 person. A sort of nervous haste, in which the patient does faster 
 work and doesn't complain of being tired, is one index of over- 
 tire. Work should be done leisurely and with relaxation. Tell 
 your patient: "Don't work in a hurry. Take all the time you 
 want. Don't feel as though you must do a certain amount in 
 a given time. You have all the time there is for doing it. Don't 
 make a task of it. Don't drive yourself." 
 
 As depressed patients are emerging from such depths of 
 depression or agitation that they cannot be occupied, a beginning 
 can be made by the nurse dressing a doll for a child, or doing 
 some rather easy embroidery for a friend or relative, or making 
 an apron for herself, that may catch and hold the patient's atten- 
 tion and interest for a short time. It may start the patient to 
 helping a little by holding the work, winding yarn, suggesting 
 a pattern, basting or the like — all simple, easy things requiring 
 little thought or holding of the attention or careful coordination. 
 Pictures in a magazine, like the London Illustrated News, can 
 be looked at for a few moments and commented on. Simple 
 one-pack games of solitaire in which no combinations or calcu- 
 lations have to be made can be tried ; then come coarse crochet- 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND i6i 
 
 ing or knitting with large needles, work that does not try the eyes 
 or require much planning. The easier forms of reed and raffia 
 basket work, with plain weave and design and one or two colors 
 in bands, may next or at this time be tried. Soon the patient 
 can try water color painting, at first copying simple things, then 
 from nature. 
 
 As the patient becomes capable of longer continued attention 
 and occupation, increasingly complicated and finer work and 
 games may be taken up, for which the previous chapters give 
 many useful suggestions. One point that the nurse should never 
 forget is that splendid physical appearance — good color, firm 
 flesh, normal or above normal weight, good appetite — is quite 
 compatible with great mental and physical fatigability. Planning 
 work, deciding on colors or patterns, or work in classes where 
 there are many persons may be very difficult for a patient who 
 may look the picture of health. Grave injustice is sometimes 
 done to such patients, with delay of recovery, by the nurse or 
 friend not recognizing this fact. 
 
 With many, thinking is difficult and actions are slow; so 
 directions must be clear and plain, simple, slowly given and 
 sometimes often repeated, and the patient must not be hurried 
 or put in competition with others who can work faster. Indi- 
 vidual work is better, as they get easily discouraged, though they 
 may look on at class work and be encouraged, though not urged, 
 to try some simple thing. 
 
 Occupations for the more depressed men are more difficult 
 to devise, because men when idle turn less to hand work than 
 women normally — they smoke, read, talk, but loaf. Domestic 
 and altruistic constructive work is less their habitual occupation. 
 Pastimes rather than constructive work have to be relied on. On 
 emerging from the deeper depressions they may take up polish- 
 ing a floor, dusting a wall, shoveling snow or tossing a baseball, 
 football or medicine ball, or looking on while others play games. 
 Then comes participation in games : pool is an excellent starter, 
 but the balls and cue must be on the table, inviting the patient — 
 
i62 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 checkers and backgammon are among the early games, with per- 
 haps simple games of solitaire. Men are less easily troubled by 
 the confusion of many around them, so class work in gymnasium 
 exercises can often be taken up rather early. Glancing at the 
 daily papers can be encouraged rather early also. For younger 
 men, batting and catching ball, quoits, later billiards, golf, tennis 
 and bowling. For elderly men, walks, drives, reading, cards — 
 euchre, whist, bridge — and for all, the newspaper, illustrated 
 magazines, books. For both men and women, drives and trolley 
 rides should be first in the less frequented and populous districts, 
 to keep them out of bustle, stir and noise. Their minds are 
 tired, and they should not be expected or urged to do much 
 with them. 
 
 2. The Excited. Patients of this class belong either to a 
 usually recoverable group, or to a group that dements and be- 
 longs partly or wholly in the next class. Reserving the next 
 section for the quiet dements, I will speak of the disturbed cases 
 of the dementing group together with the recoverable excited 
 cases. 
 
 The recoverable cases usually show some differences from 
 the others, in that they are freer and more varied in their activity 
 and are more distractible. They have great "pressure of activ- 
 ity" and cannot keep still long. Rough, crude work requiring 
 expenditure of considerable energy, and in which the result is 
 soon apparent, is the best for them. They are incapable of fine 
 or finicky work, but can take up such work as quarrying,^ road 
 building, clearing ground of timber, doing concrete work. A 
 state hospital in Missouri has "transformed the men's violent 
 ward ... to the most quiet ward in the hospital" ^ by such work, 
 and the superintendent regrets that he cannot supply similar 
 occupation for the women's violent ward. Dr. Cotton (New 
 Jersey State Hospital, Trenton, New Jersey) writes privately 
 that since 1907 ninety patients have been taken from restraint, 
 
 1 Rep. Direct, of Poor of Chester Co., Embreeville, Pa., 1908, p. 13. 
 
 2 Rep. State Hosp. No. 3, Nevada, Mo., 1907-08, p. 16. 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 163 
 
 and sixty of these, who were "considered destructive and violent, 
 are today doing very good work on the wards," such as "sew- 
 ing, mending, embroidery, helping in the dining rooms, assisting 
 other patients to dress," etc. Farm and garden work, clearing 
 and keeping up of grounds, building of recreation and industrial 
 buildings, and outdoor games, such as pitching baseball, kicking 
 football, throwing medicine ball, and in general occupations with 
 a good deal of bodily activity and comparatively little head work, 
 can be indulged in by even pretty excited and excitable patients. 
 
 Even patients who are constantly tearing clothing and have 
 to be kept in seclusion because they will not keep any clothing 
 on can have their destructive tendencies turned toward tear- 
 ing up newspapers, illustrated magazines and old rags that are 
 otherwise useless ; and sometimes they will play for a time with 
 a rag doll. The graphophone will entertain or amuse them often, 
 and keep them from destructive activity. Like the feeble-minded, 
 their attention soon lags, and no one thing should be tried for 
 long at a time. 
 
 Some, the milder cases, are very fertile in designs for mis- 
 chief, and the task of diverting their activities into harmless 
 channels and diminishing their activity are the chief problems. 
 They seem supernaturally keen at first glance, but their judgment 
 is diminished, both as to the fitness of things and as to the 
 relations of mine and thine, especially thine. They are usually 
 incapable of fine work, such as fine embroidery, and their efiforts 
 at decoration are often crude and lurid. Nevertheless it is better 
 that they should paint water colors on paper even if they splash 
 themselves, their clothes and the table covers with paint in their 
 efforts to make portraits or landscapes, or that they should cro- 
 chet, knit or embroider useless and impossible things with the 
 most outrageous color combinations, with the idea that they are 
 doing something useful or beautiful, than to exercise their inde- 
 fatigable energies on destructive mischief, or grow irritable for 
 lack of occupation. 
 
 3. The Demented. These are the patients that make up 
 
1 64 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 the larger part of the population of our hospitals for the 
 insane, and among whom is found a large percentage of unoccu- 
 pied persons. They have permanently lost more or less of their 
 capacity to adapt themselves normally to the ordinary condi- 
 tions of life, either as the result of gradually failing powers, 
 as in senile and paralytic patients, or by reason of delusions 
 whereby in some respects they quite misunderstand their en- 
 vironment, or by reason of an apparent apathy and indifference 
 or both. 
 
 Those whose mental powers are failing are also usually fail- 
 ing more or less in physical strength or endurance, so their 
 tasks must be light and not long continued at a time. For a 
 while some of them may be occupied with such things as they 
 learned in their younger days, as knitting or crocheting, but 
 their memory for recent things is poor and their power to take 
 in and retain new ideas is diminished, so they cannot be taught 
 new things. Chapters XI and XIII give excellent suggestions 
 for occupations that may be tried for a time, but it is to be 
 expected that the time will come when no efficient or sensible 
 work can be done, though the hands may still fumble with 
 crochet or knitting needles. 
 
 By far the larger portion of this group, however, is made 
 up of patients who have had a more or less acute attack of 
 mental trouble in the years before thirty or thirty-five, and are 
 left permanently damaged, usually with little or no initiative, 
 and niany of whom sit all day in silent, idle rows on the wards, 
 gazing for hours at the floor or walls, only getting up to go to 
 meals, to bed or for a short walk. Spontaneously they do noth- 
 ing, and they often seem incapable of being interested in any- 
 thing. Some walk monotonously back and forth, but seem 
 utterly indifferent to those about them, and are as idle as those 
 who sit. The problem is to arouse and sustain their interest. 
 
 It is these patients, forming a numerically large class, that 
 special eflForts have recently been made to occupy or re-educate. 
 In a personal letter Dr. Hutchings writes, "The presence of a 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 165 
 
 profound degree of deterioration, even of long standing, . . . 
 does not in my judgment preclude the possibility of considerable 
 improvement." To show what may be accomplished by per- 
 sistent, intelligent, painstaking and sympathetic effort, two cases 
 will be cited. 
 
 A man of twenty-seven, in Sauk County Asylum in 
 Wisconsin, insane four years, who usually sat quietly in one 
 position with eyes closed, taking no interest in his surround- 
 ings, never making any effort to move about or associate with 
 others, never answering questions addressed to him, at times 
 irritable, at times laughing to himself, sometimes tearing his 
 clothes and attacking those near him and very neglectful of 
 his personal appearance, was taught to do pierced brass work 
 and make raffia baskets, with marked improvement in appearance 
 and behavior.^ 
 
 A woman of twenty-three, in St. Lawrence State Hospital, 
 New York, insane for three and one-half years, who, after 
 some months of destructiveness, grew dull, stupid, untidy and 
 careless in habits, drooled constantly, did not speak or look 
 about her and rarely moved unless required to do so, and 
 whose hands were stiff, blue and cold, first had for three days 
 passive movements of fingers and arms, and was then given 
 a pair of scissors and urged to cut a picture out of a paper. 
 Several days were required before she could do this without 
 having her hands held and guided. At the end of two weeks 
 she could string beads and catch a bean bag. A week later 
 she was modeling in clay. At the end of a month from the 
 beginning she had ceased to drool, sat up straighter, liked to 
 be dressed better, talked voluntarily, worked on raffia baskets 
 and had begun to draw. Later she had become quite industri- 
 ous and had learned to sing. She had become interested in 
 her progress.- 
 
 It is true these are exceptional cases, but they occur often 
 
 1 Reported in prospectus of the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy. 
 ^ Annual Report, St. Lawrence State Hospital, N. Y., for 1909, p. 30. 
 
i66 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 enough to make effort well worth trying even in the most 
 unpromising cases. Of the previously unoccupied and appar- 
 ently unoccupiable group, about 400 out of an average hospi- 
 tal population of about 2,200 at Peoria, Illinois,^ 200 to 225 
 out of an average population of about 5,000 at Manhattan 
 State Hospital, New York,^ 60 out of 90 women previously in 
 restraint night and day at Trenton, New Jersey,^ about 100 out 
 of an average population of about 3,500 at Dunning, Illinois,* 
 about twenty per cent of those previously unoccupied at Menard, 
 Illinois,'^ about 50 out of an average population of 950 at 
 Logansport, Indiana," have been occupied, the numbers depend- 
 ing partly on the number of teachers, partly on the things 
 taught and partly on the persistence of effort of medical and 
 nursing staff. 
 
 Occupations for these patients include not only work of 
 many kinds, but also recreations or play. For example, at the 
 Manhattan State Hospital, New York, folk dancing is taught and 
 learned by more or less demented patients, with much increase 
 of enjoyment, to themselves and those who look on. Drills, 
 marches and contradances, simple athletic games, like bean bags 
 and medicine ball, even very demented patients can be taught. 
 Such recreations may well be sandwiched in between more sed- 
 entary pursuits, such as sewing, weaving, basket making, cane 
 seating, broom making, etc. 
 
 To teach a large proportion of patients of this kind often 
 requires a great deal of time and patient, sympathetic work de- 
 voted to one individual patient. In a hospital, special instructors 
 in different branches of occupation are sometimes employed, such 
 as kindergarten, Sloyd, singing, dancing and general handicraft 
 teachers. But it is the nurse on the ward where the patients 
 
 1 Dr. George A. Zeller, personal letter. 
 
 2 Dr. William Mabon, personal letter. 
 
 8 Dr. Henry A. Cotton, personal letter. 
 
 4 Dr. O. C. Willhite, personal letter. Cok C. Int., II. 
 
 ^Dr. C. H. Anderson, personal letter. 
 
 ®Dr. F. W. Terflinger, personal letter. 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 167 
 
 live who has the best opportunity to interest them. The more 
 she knows of various handicrafts and the more resourceful she 
 is, the more of the demented patients can be occupied. She is 
 the one who sees most of them, and perhaps knows their per- 
 sonahties best, and she is in daily, hourly contact with them. 
 She therefore has the best chance to find what special thing can 
 make an appeal to the individual patient. She should, however, 
 get the previous sanction of the physician to any given plan she 
 may have, on account of special dangers and precautions that 
 may have to be considered. 
 
 In the hope that it may prove suggestive to those who may 
 have the care of demented patients, either in hospital or private 
 practice, a list is added of occupations, both work and play, 
 which have actually been taken up and pursued by patients pre- 
 viously thought to be incapable of being occupied. It is not 
 complete, but contains several examples of different types of 
 occupation for both men and women, outside of the routine 
 domestic, farm and garden work of the hospital. Although the 
 occupations are grouped under those for men and those for 
 women, there are many which can be taken up by either. Some 
 require no apparatus, some a little inexpensive apparatus ; for 
 some considerable outlay is needed. Some require the coopera- 
 tion of several persons, others not. It would take many chapters 
 to describe these occupations and their application to individual 
 patients, so that will not be attempted here, but must be left to 
 the ingenuity of the nurse or caretaker. 
 
 HANDICRAFTS 
 
 Men 
 
 Drawing : pen and ink, pencil, crayon ; copying sketches ; 
 illuminating. 
 
 Punched brass work. 
 
 Printing. 
 
 Bookbinding ; making albums. 
 
i68 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 Sloyd; carpentry; cabinet making; wood carving (making 
 pen trays, paper knives, paper weights, blotter pads, whist count- 
 ers, cribbage boards, picture frames, card, glove and handker- 
 chief boxes, bookracks, wall brackets and cabinets, footstools, 
 plant stands, bellows) ; furniture repairing. 
 
 Cane seating chairs, brush and broom making; coir mat 
 making; mattress and pillow making. 
 
 Breaking stone; road building, ditching, grading; making 
 cement blocks ; clearing wild land. 
 
 Women 
 
 Water color and oil painting; china painting; stencil work; 
 drawing. 
 
 Beadwork, chains, purses, bags. 
 
 Cutting out and pasting pictures. 
 
 Passe-partouting. 
 
 Clay modeling ; leather work ; hammered brass work. 
 
 Reed and raffia, and other forms of basketry. 
 
 Hand and machine sewing ; embroidery of various kinds ; 
 Mexican drawn work ; crocheting ; knitting ; tatting ; quilting ; 
 lace making. 
 
 Weaving cloth, rugs, carpets ; tearing, sewing and coloring 
 carpet rags ; making hammocks ; netting. 
 
 Making mattresses, pillows, mats. 
 
 Making bandages. 
 
 GAMES AND EXERCISES 
 
 Men 
 
 Cards : solitaire, single and double pack ; whist, bridge, euchre, 
 poker, etc. ; checkers, chess, backgammon, parchesi, dominoes. 
 Billiards, pool, bowling. 
 Quoits, shuffle board. 
 
THE CLOUDED MIND 169 
 
 Tennis, golf, baseball, hand ball, basket ball. 
 
 Skating, coasting, snowshoeing, skiing, curling, kite flying. 
 
 Women 
 
 Piano and other musical instruments ; singing. 
 
 Bean bags, ping-pong, medicine ball, battledore and shuttle 
 cock, ring toss, croquet, bagatelle. 
 
 Picture puzzles. 
 
 Swing. 
 
 Calisthenics with and without apparatus ; marching drills ; 
 square, contra and round dances ; folk dances. 
 
CONCLUSION 
 
 In all the varieties of invalidism suggested in the preceding 
 chapters, the holding of the mind to a normal pursuit is favor- 
 able to improvement or even recovery. Being convinced of this 
 fact, the physician may prescribe occupation in a somewhat 
 general sense, indicating only by larger classification, as indeed 
 he might prescribe in the diet more protein and less carbohy- 
 drate ; the decision as to whether it shall mean a dropped egg 
 or a bit of beefsteak, less potato or less toasted bread, falls more 
 naturally to the province of the nurse. 
 
 Certain activities act as sedatives to some subjects. Knitting 
 has been so classified by some invalids, and may therefore stand 
 as a remedy for over-irritability. Many forms of depression 
 are dissipated to a degree by the sense of satisfaction experi- 
 enced in a piece of completed work or the consciousness of newly 
 acquired skill. Many strong emotions fatigue, but mirth is a 
 safety valve and does not exhaust, and no end of merriment 
 may result from the early blunders of an invalid student. One 
 old man was induced to try to stuff birds. He got as far as 
 one bluejay, which presented a most distorted and melancholy 
 appearance. Despite all this the old man never failed to point 
 with genuine pleasure at the bird and, rubbing his hands, would 
 exclaim, "Well, well, if there isn't my thundering old bluejay!" 
 
 Very young children often construct a thing which seems to 
 lack both shape and meaning to an older mind. The child names 
 this thing some fanciful but, to him, significant name and plays 
 with it for a long time. One child kept such a toy consisting 
 simply of a roll of bits of chamois skin found in his mother's 
 workbasket. This he named "The Disagreeable," and played 
 with it for months. 
 
 No nurse is a good nurse who does not take good care of 
 
 170 
 
CONCLUSION 171 
 
 her patients' thoughts, and, in order to do this, she will need 
 the assistance of substantial material. For a considerable period 
 of time training schools for nurses have taught rigorously the 
 care of the body. Not too well has this been learned, but far 
 too exclusively. The complaint of the general public in regard 
 to trained nurses is not so much of a lack of knowledge of bath- 
 ing, feeding, administering drugs and dressing wounds, but of 
 the dearth of companionable qualities and mutual interests. A 
 great multitude of invalids are clean, fed, dosed, dressed and 
 miserable. These things all degenerate into mere routine duties 
 while the real patient waits for true aid. 
 
 All victims of disease, either acute or chronic, suffer from 
 a sense of a loss of time. They feel that they have been inter- 
 rupted in their work. Even the child, whose work is play, feels 
 this. Some accept this philosophically, others chafe constantly, 
 still others are deeply depressed, while a fourth and, perhaps, 
 most pitiable class seem to take a certain pride in their disability. 
 All these mental attitudes aggravate existing conditions and 
 retard recovery. The physician is conscious that his treatment 
 is not fully effective because of the pulling down by various 
 worries. Even the philosophic mind may result in too full an 
 acceptance of conditions, and thus prove a veritable drag weight. 
 
 The problem of the nurse consists in minimizing these periods 
 of complete disability and unproductiveness. She has to prove 
 by actual test that a patient may be rendered physically unable to 
 pursue one line of work and, by that very condition, may be 
 placed in a position to develop his powers in another and here- 
 tofore undiscovered field. If a nurse can prove to the patient 
 who chafes against his limitations that there is really a broad 
 highway of usefulness opening before him of which he knew 
 not, the mental friction is diminished and satisfaction steals 
 in, while the whole physical organism prepares to respond by 
 improved conditions. 
 
 In this connection the eiiFect upon the nurse herself must not 
 be overlooked. She too will forget the tiresome routine if new 
 
172 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 ideas and methods are being worked out, but these must be 
 mutually shared. Let the nurse assume the role of dictator 
 and all grace is lost. She is then no companion but a task 
 mistress. If, however, the proposition comes in the form of a 
 gracious invitation to join her in a new interest, even though 
 she may at first be compelled to carry the larger part of the 
 work, as it goes on the patient's interest increases, and it soon 
 becomes more and more his own. Take, for example, an irri- 
 table little child, unwilling to make any advance in happiness. 
 Let the nurse, without discussion, sit down where the child's 
 eyes must perforce fall upon her, and begin to fashion some 
 trifle which a child loves. The patient passes from opposition to 
 half interest, from this to inquiry, from inquiry to actual par- 
 ticipation, and is thus surprised into happiness. The child's cry 
 is often, "What can I do?" The answer consists in doing 
 something with him rather than for him. 
 
 Realization of resources, initiation, participation — as an aid 
 to the acquirement of these potent factors in the treatment of 
 abnormal conditions the suggestions of this book are offered. 
 Again and again will we find individual invalids who seem to 
 defeat all attempts towards the establishment of normal interests, 
 but the fault will usually be found to lie within ourselves. The 
 great Goliath was slain by five smooth stones from the brook, 
 but little David knew how to use them ; should the giant Despair 
 sit grimly down within our sick-room, his stay will be necessarily 
 shortened provided we have learned how to use our stones. 
 
LIST OF OCCUPATIONS 
 
 Afghan, Rake-work, 48 
 Animals, Cloth, 50, 133 
 
 Cut Paper, 24 
 
 Fruit and Vegetable, 46, 77 
 Apple-seed Mousetraps, 41 
 
 Baby's Handkerchief Cap, 136 
 Bags, Bean, 82 
 
 Braid, 144 
 
 Leather, 143 
 
 Raffia, 54 
 Basketry, 91, 128, 147 
 Baskets, May, 41, 43 
 
 Raffia, 92 
 
 Strong, 128 
 Beads, Sealing Wax, 64 
 Beadwork, 91, 148 
 Bed-Desk, 48 
 Bed Puffs, 149 
 Belts, Tape, 61 
 Birch-bark Frames, 125 
 Bird, Flying, 35 
 Birthday Cake Board, 122 
 Blackberries, 90 
 Black Cat Balls, 56 
 Black Dinah Emeries, 86 
 Block Printing, 120 
 Blue Prints, 79 
 Bookbinding, 24, H2 
 Books, Scrap, 56 
 
 Story, 24 
 Buckles, Sealing Wax, 63 
 
 Cake Board, Birthday, 122 
 Calendar Quilt, 97 
 Candle Penwiper, 56 
 Cards, Dinner, 69 
 Chair Caning, 145 
 Chair, Grandmother's, 99 
 Charcoal Drawing, 70 
 Charlotte Russe Cases, 57 
 Chatelaine Pinballs, 82 
 Chinese Junk, 31 
 Christmas Stockings, 60 
 Cloth Animals, 50, 133 
 Clothespin Dolls, 45 
 Coloring Photographs, 68 
 Cook Stove, Paper Box, 45 
 Cork and Pin Furniture, 46 
 Cottages, Paper Box, 44 
 
 Cozy, Egg, loi 
 Crocheted Dolls, 52 
 Cross-stitch Embroidery, 72 
 Cupboard, Paper-box, 45 
 Cut Out Pictures, 59 
 
 Designing Toilets, 71 
 Desk, Bed, 48 
 Dinner Cards, 69 
 Dishes, Eggshell, 45 
 
 Leather, 45 
 Dolls, Clothespin, 45 
 
 Crocheted, 52 
 
 Nature, 45 
 
 Nut, 52 
 
 Rag, 52, 103 
 
 String, 45 
 Dory, 27, 28 
 Drawing, 74 
 Dyeing, 66 
 
 Egg Cozy, loi 
 
 Eggshell Dishes, 45 
 Embroidery, Cross-stitch, 72 
 Emery, Black Dinah, 86 
 
 Heart-shaped, 86 
 Envelope Sachets, 70 
 Eyeglass Cords, 127 
 
 Fans, Turkey Feather, 107 
 Fish Pinball, 87 
 Flowers, Ribbon, 88 
 Flying Bird, 35 
 Frames, Picture, 57, 125 
 Frieze, Cut Paper, 24, 59, 134 
 Frog, Japanese, 38 
 Fruit and Vegetable Animals, 46, 77 
 Furnishing, House, 26 
 Furniture, Cork and Pin, 46 
 Paper-box, 44 
 
 Gardening, no 
 Go-cart, 44 
 Gondola, 30 
 Grandmother's Chair, 99 
 
 Hammock, Doll's, 55 
 Heart-shaped Emery, 86 
 Holders, 100 
 House Furnishing, 26 
 
 173 
 
174 
 
 INVALID OCCUPATION 
 
 House Planning, 109 
 Houses, Paper, 23 
 
 Paper Box, 44 
 Hug-me-tight Jackets, 49 
 
 Illuminating, 69 
 Indian, Wishbone, 80 
 
 Jacket, Hug-me-tight, 49 
 Jack-o-Lantern, 80 
 Japanese Frog, 38 
 Junk, Chinese, 31 
 
 Kites, 80 
 
 Knitting, 96, 136, 141 
 
 Rake, 48, 71 
 Knots, 115, 126 
 
 Lamb's-wool Cushions, 83 
 Lanterns, Paper, 41 
 Leather Dishes, 45 
 Leather Tooling, 71 
 
 McGinty, 100 
 Masks, Paper-bag, 64 
 Match Boxes, 88 
 Mats, Table, 66 
 May Baskets, 41 
 Mending, 128 
 Metal Work, 62 
 Miniature Fowls, 122 
 Moccasins, 130 
 Modeling, 139 
 Mousetraps, Apple-seed, 41 
 
 Nantucket Sink, 32 
 Nature Dolls, 45 
 Needlebooks, Roll-up, 105 
 
 Shaker Bonnet, 84 
 Needlecase, Shamrock, 85 
 Netting, 148 
 Nut Dolls, 52 
 
 Painting, Charcoal, 70 
 
 Pastel, 70, 134 
 
 Water Color, 70 
 Paper-bag Masks, 64 
 
 Box Furniture, 44 
 
 Cut Animals, 24 
 
 Cut Frieze, 24, 59, 134 
 
 Folding, 27 
 
 Houses, 23 
 
 Lanterns, 41 
 Papier-Mache, 60 
 Patchwork, 97 
 Peas, Sweet, 89 
 
 Penwipers, Black Cat Balls, 56 
 
 Candle, 56 
 
 Flag, 106 
 
 Turtle, 57 
 Photograph Coloring, 68 
 Picture Frames, 57, 125 
 
 Puzzles, 130 
 
 Stories, 24 
 Pictures, Cut Out, 59 
 Pinballs, Chatelaine, 82 
 
 Fish, 87 
 Pincushions, Lamb's-wool, 83 
 
 Roller Bandage, 83 
 Pins, Sealing Wax, 63 
 Flans, House, 109 
 Printing Block, 120 
 Prints, Blue, 79 
 Puffs, Bed, 149 
 Pyrography, 122 
 
 Quilt, Calendar, 97 
 
 Raffia Bags, 54 
 
 Baskets, 91, 128, 147 
 Rag Dolls, 54, 103 
 Rake Knitting, 48, 71 
 Ribbon Flowers, 88 
 Roller Bandage Cushions, 83 
 Roll-up Needlebooks, 105 
 Roses, Ribbon, 89 
 Rugs, 106, 129, 146 
 Rush Bottoming, 145 
 
 Sachets, Envelope, 70 
 Sailboat, 29 
 Santa Claus, 79 
 Scrapbooks, 56 
 Sealing Wax, Beads, 64 
 
 Buckles, 63 
 
 Hatpins, 63 
 Sewing, 142 
 
 Shaker Bonnet Needlebook, 84 
 Shamrock Needlecase, 85 
 Signs, Street Car, 77 
 Sink, Nantucket, 32 
 Spatterflies, 78 
 Stencil, 65, 77 
 Stockings, Christmas, 60 
 Stories, Picture, 24 
 Stove, 45 
 
 Straw Braiding, 126 
 Street Car Signs, 77 
 String Doll, 45 
 Sweet Peas, Ribbon, 89 
 
 Table Mats, 66 
 Tape Belts, 61 
 
INVALID OCCUPATION 175 
 
 Toilets, Designing, 71 Watch Cords, 127 
 
 Tooling, Leather, 71 Water Color Painting, 70 
 
 Turkey Feather Fans, 107 Wax, Sealing, 63 
 
 Turtle Penwiper, 57 Weaving, 53, 74, 143 
 
 Whittling, 125 
 
 Vegetable Animals, 46, 77 Wishbone Indian, 80 
 
 Violets, Ribbon, 88 Writing for the Blind, 141 
 
 The various addresses of supply places have been given in the text to 
 facilitate the vrork of individual students. Doubtless many others of equal 
 standing will be found in all large cities. 
 
Ip. 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 BERKELEY 
 
 Return to desk from which borrowed. 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 MAY27 1961 
 
 MAY 1 3 1961 
 OCT 10 1968 
 
 OCT 1 19G8 18 
 
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 rjP 
 
 LD 21-100w-7,'52(A2528sl6)476 
 
 i 
 
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