And
it would be well if nurses would watch these (so called) "fancies"
closely.
I have seen, in fevers (and felt, when I was a fever patient myself) the
most acute suffering produced from the patient (in a hut) not being able
to see out of window, and the knots in the wood being the only view. I
shall never forget the rapture of fever patients over a bunch of
bright-coloured flowers. I remember (in my own case) a nosegay of wild
flowers being sent me, and from that moment recovery becoming more
rapid.
[Sidenote: This is no fancy.]
People say the effect is only on the mind. It is no such thing. The
effect is on the body, too. Little as we know about the way in which we
are affected by form, by colour, and light, we do know this, that they
have an actual physical effect.
Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to
patients are actual means of recovery.
But it must be _slow_ variety, e.g., if you shew a patient ten or
twelve engravings successively, ten-to-one that he does not become cold
and faint, or feverish, or even sick; but hang one up opposite him, one
on each successive day, or week, or month, and he will revel in the
variety.
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