As to what to notice—each illness has its specific symptoms, about which the doctor will make special inquiries, and he will also expect to hear what effect has followed the use of remedies; but in addition to these, there are general symptoms to be taken account of in all illness. Amongst those most frequently overlooked by the inexperienced nurse, are: _The appetite_, whether good, failing, fanciful, or voracious. _The skin_, whether moist or dry, hot or cold; and whether sensitive to touch. _Sleep_, its character and duration; whether quiet, disturbed, broken, or uninterrupted, and whether the same by day and night. _Posture_, whether the patient lies very flat, or likes to be raised, or prefers to keep on one side; in going to sleep, the easiest attitude will be chosen, and any marked change in this respect should be noticed. _Temper and spirits_, whether equable or variable, moody, cheerful, excitable, calm, depressed, or inclined to tears. _Countenance_, whether liable to changes of complexion or expression. When visitors are allowed, the effect upon the patient should be noted; and at any cost, in serious cases, those whose influence is depressing or exciting must not be admitted. A nurse should also, without being fussy, keep an eye to any fresh symptoms that may appear, and duly report them; but nothing is more worrying than to be constantly teased with such questions as: ‘Are you in pain?’ ‘Do you feel better now?’ ‘Will you let me look at your tongue?’ Those who have endured the martyrdom, know what it means, and know, too, how little information can be gleaned by such methods. Let a nurse be sympathising by all means, but let her sympathy show itself in caring for her patient’s wants, and in efforts to save him from worry as well as from pain. I remember a trained nurse who was deeply hurt at being told that a bell would be placed within her patient’s reach, in case he wanted anything at night. ‘Thank you, ma’am,’ was her reply; ‘my patient will not need to ring.’ Nor did he, thanks to his nurse’s constant care to anticipate his wants. A nurse thus watchful, will be quick to notice any change in her patient; but it is quite one thing to notice, and another to give a faithful report of what has been observed; and I would urge every inexperienced nurse to be very particular in jotting down at once all that strikes her attention. The simplest way of doing this is to keep a sort of diary of all that happens. Take a piece of writing-paper, keep one side for day and one for night, write the date at the top, crease it down the middle, and note on one half, all the patient takes and does, and on the other, anything you think demands notice. The following is a specimen of the sort of chart I mean. October 4.