National Republican., 1883-10-23
TRAINED NURSES.
Opening Exercises Of the Washington SChoOi
Last Evening.
Addresses by II. Ross Perry, Drs. Fry and
johnson, and Prof Bell.

The opening exercises of the Washington
training school for nurses took place last even
ing in the lecture room of All Souls church
before largo audience of ladies and gentle
men. DIR, ], Tabor johnson presided and in
troduced Mr.. Il. Ross Perry, who spoke of
nurses. He paid glowing tribute to Florence
nightingale and other historical nurses, and
said that women nurses should honor thelr
vocation and its emblem, the white flag with
tho red cross. Nurses may expect TO soc many
painful things while mnistering to the SICK.
The thought will often come into your nina,
"If had been God would have made good
health catching instead of disease" Ihis IS
wrong, because disease is the result oil lust anu
intemperance 1t means that men cannon
live in filth and not suffer. sickness ana
pain are the consequences OF violated law ii
it were not for sickness the time might come
in the course of a few centuries when we
would be simply u race of healthy hogs. Inc
great men in history were not those who lived
in the enjoyment of health; they suffered
pain in many instances.
The women of this school are here with an
admitted right, and they must succeed. The
dawn is already here; may the day come
swiftly. / bid these women Godspeed
The presiding officer then announced that
the corps of nurses now under instructions
would be addressed by the six physicians OF
the school, who would deliver rs many Ice
lures during tne season. ne ul5O IcRiStiuiiS
announced the death of DIR. Ashford, tho
surgical lecturer, and stated that his place
would be- filled by DIR. J. S. Beale, and that
DIR. II. ID. Fry had been added to the stall,
DR.. Fry was then introduced and addressed
the audience. Ho said that the Washington
training school for nurses was inaugurated
in December 1867 1t is but one of series
in the United States, for the selection and
training of those women best adapted to the
vocation. The effort now bears fruit and is
successful in this city, as well as elsewhere.
The Washington school suffered great loss
in the death of DR.. Ashford, whose heart was
in the good work.
Trained nurses arc an invention of this
modern and progressive age. In Europe the
schools of nurses are almOst altogether in re-
ligious orders. 81 Grim, an war gave slim.
ulus to nurse training in hussia the Franco
German war in those countries and the civil
war in the United States. For many years
the valuable service of nurses was controlled
by supersttious orders and priests, but this
state of affairs has nearly disappeared before
the rapid advance of science and common
sense.
The lecturer then paid his respects to the
90 time nurse" She is yet OH the market
has many cranky notions and is quick to
resent any transgressions on her rights. Sho
applies great chunk OF fat pork externally
for one ailment, puts basin of cold water
under the bed to cure night sweats and
perigrinates about the house ditlusing the
nauseOus odors of kerosene oil and onions,
with which her clothing is saturated.
The doctor is compelled to contend with
her and her views. 1t is sometimes hard to
tell which requires the most watching, the
patient or the old time nurse. This state of
affairs does not exist with the trained nurse.
Training transforms mother or II sister into
in allcctionate aud experienced watcher at
the sick bedside, it is therefore necessary that
iIui I'm nc A
prOtractcd case of chronic disease, necessi-
ating continued nuIsing by members
of the household, is vam-
rre, which often sucks the life
h uod of the whole family. Good judgment.
C mmon sense, and the discipline of training
are the makeup of the modern nurse. She is
instructed how to report all symptoms to the
physician, how to observe, what to observe,
Low to think what TO think.
Over 1000 trained nurses have already
Len graduated in this country. Some Of
Them are OF the best families. Their ages
range from 20 to 40 years. The training en-
Traces theory as well as instruction by the
sick bed. A physician cannot do justice to a
patient stricken down by disease by the few
minutes of his visit. The trained nurse re-
ports the varying conditions and other neces
sury things to the doctor upon his arrival.
Nurses will meet with different receptions
in different houses. They should be uncom-
municative and firm. The antique nurse re-
tailed gossip about with as much relish as
she administered catnip tea or paregoric.
Another difficulty will be visitors to sec the
patient. As soon as it becomes known that
John is sick, all of his "sisters, his cousins and
his aunts" will call to see the poor fellow.
They will take especial delight in convcrsing
with John about coiiins, death, and other
gloomy subjects The nurses should quaran-
tine the sick room against visitors.
The movement to educate nurses in this
country met with opposition from physicians
at first but it has entirely disappeared now.
At charity hospital, New York, the mortality
decreased 60 per cent. in ten years, owing to
the employment of skilled nurses. There is
great demand for trained nurses in Washing
ton. Out of the 299 nurses who have graduated
here since 1873 very few have given up the
employment thus afforded them for other pur.
suits. He closed by asking that the support
of the citizens be extended to the home school
DIR. Johnson stated that the managers
would try and secure during the coming win.
ter 5000 contributing members at 81 each pei
year.
Prof Alexander Graham Bell closed the
exercises by describing his beneficial eXpe-
rience with a trained nurse from New York
during the illness Of his daughter.
The sixth annual announcement of the
school, issued last evening, shows the follow
ing officers: Dr. j. Taber Johnson presidents
Mrs. j. b. Ricketts,, first vice president; 5. v
Niles, second Hico PRESIDENT Mrs. L. l.. lul'
lock- third vice president; Mrs. J. G. Hitz
fourth vice president; DIR. +. Howard, fifth
vice president: Dr. VIM. Lee, recording secre,
tary; Mrs. J. C. IIitz, corresponding secretary
Mrs. ID. w. Prentiss treasurer; trustees, Mrs
J. b. Ricketts, DR.. VIM. Lee, DIR. D. w. Prem
tiss, Mrs. T. L. Tullock, DIR. j. NJ, Toner, DR.
p. j. Murphy, Mrs. Beldcn Noble, Samuel v
Miles, DR.. j. Il. Johnson A. S. Solomons, Mrs
A. J. Bentley, Mrs. d. w. Prentiss, DIR. ]. s.
Beale, DIR. Il. Howard Mrs. S, A. NJ Garfield
Mrs. A. Ross Ray, Mrs l.. L. Andrews, DR.. w
w. Johnston, Mrs. Montgomery Blair DR.. Ii
c. Yarrow, and Mrs. j. G. Hitz.
The lectures to be delivered during the
ensuing season are; physiology" Prof VIM
Lee, NJ, D.; Medical (hospital) Nursing" Dr.
p. j. Murphy; "Obstetrical Nursing" Prof
J. Taber johnson, Nj, D.; Hygiene and Med
cines" Prof. d. W. Prentiss, NJ. d.; Nursing
of Children" Prof. A. +. A. King, NJ. d,
Surgical Nursing" Prof J. S. Beale NJ. d.
ANATOMY" DIR. ii. d. Fry.
The graduates for 1883 were Louisa Beve
ridge, q, J. Cooper Harriet q. Evans, anC
Henrietta Turner.
A Case Not beyond Help.
Dr. NJ H. Hinsdale KenaWee, ILL., advise