The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-11
FIVE TRAINED NURSES.
The Graduating Exercises of the Flower Mis-
sion Training School Last Evening.

The graduating exercises of the Indianapolis
Flower Mission Trainings School for Nurses
were held at Plymouth Church last evening The
school was represented by a dozen nurses, five
of whom were the graduates. Miss Hunt, superin-
tendent of the school, sat with her pupils, the
latter wearing blue and white seersucker dresses
with plain skirts, white collars and cuffs, white
aprons and the tidiest mob caps, the uniform be-
ing exceedingly dainty.
After an organ recital by Professor Clarke, a
prayer was offered by Rev. E. A. Bradley. The
musical numbers on the programme consisted of
atrio, Winter Hath Not Blossom" by Mes
danes Leckner, lowering and Watson solo,
IA Bunch of Cowslips," by Mrs. Frank Lever
ing, and a quartet, ''Jack and Gill;" by Mes
danes lowering and Watson and Messrs Glover
and Fox, with Mrs John A Glover as accom-
PIANIST.
Miss Mary G. Rariden, the secretary of the
Mission, gave gracefully worded report of the
work There were few figures, while the report
was full of ideas, cleverly presented Since the
organization of the school ninety seven ,rsons
have applied as pupil nurses; twenty eight were
received on probation seven were not compe-
tent or did not like the work; one failed by
physical incapacity; three were declined after a
months probation; five graduated last night; two
were discharged, anc fifteen are now in school as
pupil nurses.
DR.. r. F. Hodges made brief address as to
the duties of nurses, the work the young ladies
had done and what was before them.
Mrs. r. r. Parker presented diplomas to the
graduates. Miss Margaret E. Iddings Miss Mary
r. Wheeler, Miss Caroline S. Bell, Miss E.
Willis and Miss Sarah Cook.
Rev. O. c. McCulloeh delivered the principal
address Of the evening He reviewed the begin
ming of the idea which developed into the pres
ent trainingschool for nurses after giving up the
original intention of establishing a cottage hos
ptal, and the final ENGRAVING of the system upon
the City Hospital. Two years have now elapsed
The hospital has been completed and is now
equal to any In its equipment During this time
the training school has had entire charge of the
nursing; it has provided superintendent. two
head nurses and has now fifteen pupil nurses. It
has had its dark days and its bright DAYS 1t
has been able to send out trained nurses in
number of homes. ut is, so far as know. he
said, ''the only selfsupportng school in the
country. The idea and value of the school is
four-fold: a. To educate a class of trained
nurses for the better care of the
City Hospital. (2l To provide trained
trained nurses among the poor of the city.
a. To open a new profession for women.
We have sought to substitute intelligent, skill
full medical nursing for the inexperienced and
unskillful nursing which formally obtained
These nurses are taught the theory of nursing
by study of books by lectures from physicians,
and by talks with the superintendent They put
these theories in practice at the bed side of the pa
tient. They are on duty day and night. and
bring thought and tact to this most difficult
work. There are at present eighteen on duty,
including the superintendent. A second object
is to furnish trained nurses for private service.
Professor Gross once said that myriads OF
human beings perish annually in the
a6 will Wiz nf
good nursing, and that in this
country there is needed a million of Florence
Niehtingales and half that number of John How
ards to aid physicians in their strife with dis
ease and death 1t is the intention to send out
nurses in their second year into families for pri
vate nursing. AS the school grows in numbers
year by year, there will be a growing number
both of graduates and pupil nurses, and their
distinctive value is their intelligence their skill,
thor quietness. their tact, their faithfulness