National Republican., 1883-05-02
NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL
Annual Graduation Exercises at the COngrega-
tional Church Last Evening
Eloquent and Instructive Address by Dr.
Joseph Tnbcr johnson.

On the platform were seated Mrs. Jane G.
Hilz, Mrs. S. A. NJ. Garfield, DIR. ]. Tabor
johnson, the president of the board of trus-
tees; Judge Macarthur, Commissioners of Ed
ucation Eaton Rev. DR.. Rankin, Drs. Boale,
Lee, Murphy, Johnson Prentiss, King Ash
ford, Johnston, Toner, Yarrow, and others.
The training school for nurses was incorpo.
rated December Ia, 1877, and after struggling
with prejudice and conservatism has demon-
strated the necessity for its existence and the
wisdom that led to its establishment Last
night certificates were given its second class
of graduates The graduates themselves were
intelligent and pleasant looking ladies, tho
very opposite of the old idea Of nurses. They
were Louise Beveridge, Gcorganna j. Cooper,
Harriet c. Evans, and Henrietta Turner
Tho exercises commenced with organ volun-
tary and then prayer by Rev. DR.. Rankin,
after which DIR. j. Taber Johnson, the presi-
dent, delivered an address priorto the confer
ring of certificates of graduates. DIR. John
sons address was Just such q thoughtful and
suggestive paper as would be expected from
him, aud was substantially as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Following the
example of my distinguished predecessor, IL
becomes u part of my duty on this interest
ing occasion to make brief statement of the
history aud purposes Of the Washington
Training School Tor Nurses.
1t will be six years next December since
this training school was chartered and came
into the enjoyment of legal existence.
During these six years II course of forty
two lectures by seven well qualified physi-
clans has been given annually TO classes vary
ing in numbers from five to twenty-five.
From an examination of the circulars of the
various schools throughout the country it is
evident that our pupils receive "a moro COM
plete course of didaCtiU instruction than is
given in any similar school. We cannot, UNI
fortunately, claim superiority in hospital
training, but this defect we hope to remedy
in the future.
Many ladies, other than pupils, interested
in the subjects taught, have been welcome
visitors at our lecture room, and have fre-
nuently expressed themselves as greatly
pleased and instructed. After leading II para
petite existence for six years we have finally
come into the fruition of the hope expressed
by our former pres dent, DIR. Toner upon this
platform at our last commencement, and have
arrived at the dignity of u local habitation
and name, which we greatly enjoy, as
our Nurses Home" No. 1921 IL street. This
Home" which our trustees finally estab-
lished, through the generosity of kind frinds,
is house with history, and few
words in regard TO il are &c med appropriate
This house was built in the carly part of
the century by Count De Memo, minister from
France under Napoleon |. After the down
fall of the emperor IL was sold under deed
of trust by the Bank Of the United States to
Samuel Gouvcrneur, of New York, who was
son-in-law of President Monroe, and he lived
here until it passed into the possession of his
daughters husband, DIR. Saskell, of the
army. While owned by Mrs. Haskell it was
rented to several of the foreign ministers, and
for period Of ten years to Gen. Scott who
made his speech of acceptance after his
nomination for president from the balcony
over the front door. Since then it was occu-
pied by Baron Oilcnburg, and until within u
Ia hnC hpnn
social life.
This house has been known for many years
as the Chain building, but now the chains
may be said to be broken and its doors open
no more to the knock Of the foreign diplomat,
the officers of the army, or to social celcbri-
ties, unless they come seeking nurse to care
for their sick ones at home. The purpose OF
its trustees in establishing this school is
clearly stated in the programme of our exer-
cises, to which your attention is called. These
particular objects there mentioned have been
carried out with much satisfaction and sue
cess, SO far as they could be accomplished, by
lectures recitatiOns, and oral instruction i'll
the rudiments of such branches of medicine
and hygine as we have thought sufficient Tor
the purpose.
The fear has been expressed by some that
the instruction given by the lecture faculty
will embOlden our pupils TO throw of the
garb of the nurse after graduation, and as
sumo INC ICSDOllelDlllllbS VI INC UlyblCldII
and upon the theory that n little knowledge
Is dangerous thing become thereby curse
instead of blessing to the community. The
report of the commissioner Of education shows
that there are now about 300 graduates in
this country, and the annual report of the
schools gives no single instance i'll which this
fear has been realized, and they are nearly
all of them explicit in the statement that
such has not been the case. If our graduates
should do us some fear they may IL would
prove fatal blow to the entire system, and
would Justly destroy tho confidence and SYM
pathy Of the public.
Our pupils will testify that they have been
taught the most implicit obedience to
the medical attendant in all cases.
The responsibilities Of the entire charge
OF patients they have been taught never
TO assume under any circumstances,
though importuncd TO do SO by par
ties interested. They have had twelve lee
lures on each branch, while medical students
have hundred and fifty or more ON each
branch. Our pupils study u manual upon
nursing, while medical students are required
to have whole Libraries at their command
and then cannot exhaust the subject. Our pu-
pills are taught to be u constant aid to the
physician and an intelligent observer of the
progress of the case to keep a record of the
pulse, temperature, diet, remedies ordered
and their effect, and the value of certain safe
remedies for the relief Of certain emergencies
until the arrival Of the physician in charge
After showing the advantages to both pa
tents aud physicians Of having skilled and
trained nurses, he spoke Of the establishment
OF the nurses home" in this city, and said
Not only has this home been established, but
u nurses directory has been formed and lo-
Gated in the same building. Here any man
or woman may register who furnishes the su-
perintendent with satisfactory evidence from
two physicians and two patrons of the quali-
iicatons and general fitness for the work.
These accommodations are filed and shown
TO anyone requesting TO know more of any
nurse whom they may wish to engage. The
directory has classified the registered nurses
so that the matrOn can state in n moment
their age, color, sex, and special qualities ;
whether they will care for contagious diseases,
or in what class of cases they are most pro-
fcient; whether engaged or disengaged ;
terms, &c.
This branch Of our work has received the
official Endorsement of the medical society of
the district, and u committee of the society
CO-Operates with us in promoting its efficiency.
Much trouble in anXiOusly searching from
house TO house for q nurse, who, when found,
may turn out TO be an indifferent prize a
positively bad one, is thus saved to the
physician as we'll as the friends of the patient.
Those needing nurses have only TO go TO the
directory, state the kind Of nurse desired, and
for the small sum of 81 the address of one is
furnished who is properly recommended and
who is disengaged. For a small additional
sum she is found and sent in a few moments
TO the house by the directory.