The bed clothes should never be drawn too tightly over a person in bed, or they may irritate the skin, especially at the knees and toes. Bed sores may be started in this way. Perhaps the commonest cause of bedsores is from wrinkles in the under sheets. If the spread is heavy it should not be used over a patient. Use a sheet instead to protect the blankets. Bathing Bathing is more important for the sick than for the well. It not only keeps the skin clean and in condition to do its work, but it is soothing to the nerves, makes the sick person rest better and is refreshing. If the room is the right temperature and the bath is carefully taken there is no danger of a sick person taking cold. On the other hand bathing helps to keep people in condition to _avoid_ taking colds. (See Red Cross Text Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick, page 156.) When a patient is very sick or helpless, the bath should be given by someone who is able to do it deftly and quickly, with the least exertion to the patient. Very often, however, a person in bed is quite able to bathe herself, with a little help, if the necessary things are brought to her. To Prepare For a Bath in Bed Have the room warm and free from draughts. A good temperature is 70 degrees. An old person or a baby may have it warmer. Bring into the room everything needed. This will include: An extra blanket to wrap around the sick person. Two or more bath towels. Two wash cloths--one for the face and another for the rest of the body. Soap--Ivory or castile are good. Pitcher of good hot water, and slop jar. Alcohol and toilet powder if you have it. Nail file and scissors. Comb and brush. Clean bed linen and nightgown. In cold weather these may be hung near the fire or radiator to warm. A basin of water of a temperature that the sick person finds comfortable. When everything is ready the Scout can help by loosening the bedclothes, arranging the extra blanket, removing the nightgown, and in holding the basin and towels, in changing the water or in any way that will make the bath easier for the sick person, perhaps washing the feet and back, being careful to keep all the rest of the body covered and warm, and in protecting the bed by bath towels spread under the part being washed. When doing this the wash cloth should not be so wet that it will drip and wet the bed. It should be held so that the corners do not touch against the bedclothes. There should not be too much soap used as it makes the skin feel sticky. Every part should be rinsed and dried thoroughly. Warm towels are a great help in this. When the bath is finished alcohol or witch hazel may be used to rub the parts where there is most pressure as the back, shoulder blades, hips, buttocks, elbows, knees and ankles. This not only gives comfort but it prevents bedsores.