The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1882-11-29
FOR THE LADIES.
New Profession for Women


The following is from Franklin
II. North's description of the Belle
vue training-school for nurses in
the Century: The stranger in New
York who may chance to visit
the east side of the city in the
neighborhood of Twenty-sixth street
will have his attention called to a long,
grayish, four-story prison-like struc-
ture, with a wing, situated in a block
which extends to the East river, and
inclosed by a high, %forbidding stone
wall. This is Bellevue hospital, the
| chief free public institution of the
kind in New York. For many years
it has been famous for the high medi-
cal and surgical skill of which it IS
the theatre, it's faculty embracing
many leading members of the profess
sion in the city. For many years to
come it is likely to be popularity asso-
ciated with another high development
of the curative arts-the results OF
the founding in 1873 of the Bellevue
training-school for nurses, and OF 4
new profession for women in Amer
lea. ***
TO find a person capable of taking
charge of such an institution proved =
difficult task. Miss Bowden, other
wise known as "Sister Helen. OF All
Saints" then of Baltimore, but for
merly of the well-known school at
University college, London, was finally
selected. Equal difficulty was ex-
perienced in procuring assistants Tor
her. Advertisements were inserted IN
the journals, and physicians were ap-
piled to but such was the scarcity OF
educated nurses in this country ut that
time, that, after a search of many
months, and after the most liberal
offers, only four were found who were
in any wise capable, n OF whom
proved inefficient. Later on, Sister
Helen, compelled to return to Eng
land, was succeeded by Miss Perkins,
of Norwich, Conn.,, under whose man
ayement the school has continued to
increase in numbers and usefulness.
At first but six pupils were obtained.
The scheme adopted--that developed
by Miss Nightingale-demanded in the
applicant a combination of requisites
the mere enumeration of which ap-
palled many who had been encouraged
to seek admission to the school. These
are: Good education, strong constltu-
ton, freedom from physical defects,
including those of sight and hearing,
and uneXceptionable references. The
course of training consists in dressing
wounds, applying lamentations, bath
ing and care of helpless patients,
making beds and managing positions.
Then follow the preparations and appll-
cation of bandages, making rollers and
Innings of splints. The nurse must also
learn how to prepare, cook and serve
| d~elicacies for the invalid. Instruction
| is given in the best practical methods
of supplying fresh air, and of warm
ing and %ventilating the sick room. In
order to remain through the two years
course and obtain a diploma, still more
is required, viz: Exemplary deport-
ment, patience industry and obedience.
| The first years experience was far
from satisfactory. Among seventy
three applicants, mailing from the vari-
Gus States. only Twenty-Five
were found that gave promise
of ability to fulfill the con-
ditions. Of these ten were dismissed
| for various causes before the eXpira-
ton of the first nine months. 10
serve medicine to the patients in the
wards of a great public hospital smacks
not a little of novelty and romance,
and goes far, at first, to compensate
for a hospitals unpleasant surround
incs and it's odor of disinfectants; but
a short period of mountaineering and
| night-watching is sufficient to dispe.
such illusions. Every year young
women whose abilities warranted their
| admittance at the commencement OF
the course have been permitted to de-
part before its completion, owing to an
evident distaste on their part for the
duties imposed upon them. But the
managers, though surprised at the
result of their first efforts, were not
discouraged. AS time went by the
number of applicants increased, and,
though the high standard first estab-
lished was not departed from, the
proportion of those capable of fulfill
ing the requirements multiplied.
Some applicants, who did not seem
especially adapted to the work, proved
most efficient, and on this topic the
managers say that, after their long ex-
perience, they have found that the
fitness of an applicant a be deter
mined only by absolute trial.
The nurses at the Bellevue school
may be divided into two classes: those
who study the art Of nursing with a
view to gaining a livelihood or sup
porting their families, and those who
look forward to a life of usefulness
among the poor sick. All are lodged
and boarded free Of charge during the
two years course, and are paid a small
sum monthly, while in the school, to
defray their actual necessary expenses;
and, in order to avoid all distinction
between rich and poor, every nurse is
expected to receive this pay.