Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-11-13

It is of the first importance that in any city
there should be a large corps of skilled nurs-
es whose services are always to be depended
upon. Portland has been singuarlv deficient
in this respect She has good nurses, but
not enough.
The directors of the Maine General Hospi-
tai, have made arrangements for giving, at the
Hospital. two wears training to women desirous
of becoming professional nurses, and persons
wishing to receive this course must apply to
the superintendent of the hospital. upon
whose approval they will be accepted as
pupils in the hospital. Candidates must be
over twentv-one, and under thirty-five years
of age. They must be of sound health, and
must present. on application, certificate
from some responsible person as to their good
character. After approval, applicants will be
received for one month on probation. Dur
ing this month they are boarded and
lodged at the expense of the hos
nital hut receive no compensation.
The superinte dent of the hospital and lady
superintendent of the nurses school will have
fniI mower to decide as TO the fitness of the
nurse for the work, and the proprlety of re-
tanning or dismissing them at the end of the
month of trial. The same authority can dis
charge them in case of misconduct or ineH
CHENEY. They will reside in the hospital and
serve for the first year as assistants IN the
wards of the hospital; the second year they
will be expected to perform any duty assigned
them by the lady superintendent, either to
act as nurses in the hospital, or to be sent to
private eases among the rich OF poor. Among
other Instructions is included the dressing of
blisters. burns, sores, and wounds the prep
aration and application of Concentrations,
poultices. aud minor dressing, the application
of leeches and subsequent treatment. the ad
ministration of enemas, the use OF female
catheter, the best method of lrlctiou TO the
body and extremities, the management OF
helpless patients; moving, changes, giving
baths in bed, preventing bed sores, and man
arinc position, bandaging, making bandages
aud rollers, and lining splints. and making
beds and changing sheets while the patient is
in bed.
The pupils are taught to prepare food, to-
pether with drinks and stimulants for the sick,
10 understand the art of ventilation without
chilling the patient both in private houses
and hospital wards, and all that pertains to
night, in distinction from day nursing They
are taught to make accurate observations of
the state of the secretiOns, expectoration,
pulse. skin. appetite, temperature of body,
intelligence (as delirium or stupor,) breath
ing, sleeping, condition of wounds, eruptions,
formation of matter. effect OF diet, stimu
lants, or medicines and to learn the manage
ment of couvalescents. The instruction will
be given mainly by the lady superintendent
of nurses. Lectures, recitations and demon
strations will also be given at stated periods.
Examinations will be given from time to
time.
The pupils will pass through the different
wards, serving and being taught, They will
be supplied with board and lodging, and will
be paid $40 per month the first year, the Sec
ond $14 per month for their clothing and per-
sonal expenses. This sum, with their educa-
tion Is considered full equivalent for their
services. When the full term Of two years
10 completed, the nnrse thus trained. after
passing final examination, will receive
diplomas, certifying to their knowledge of
nursing, their ability and good characser.-
Portland Press.