The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-27
A NOBLE CALLING
HOW TRAINED NURSES ARE TAUGHT
TO TEND THE SICK.
Course of Instruction In the Illinois Train
Ing Schooi-Carr Of Patients In the Big
Hospita!s-A Eaok in the Wards


Trained nurses have proved as much Of A
success in Chicago rs have the members Of
TINT dgnifed profession in other cities
rhe Illinois Training school supplies 10 a
large extent the corps u nurses that have
charge of the wares in both the county and
Presbyterian hospitals Acting On the belief
that the value Of the services of nurse is
in proportion TO their intelligence, capacity
and refinement, .hs applicants to this school
are subjected 70 a months trial, during which
they are carefully examined IN all the com
mon school branch IS of study. II their record
in every way is satisfactory they are invested
with the uniform and enter at once upon the
regular course Of instruction, consisting OF
study from text books, medical lectures and
practical work In either hospital.
After year in the school pupils arr ex-
pected to perform any service required.
whether it he in the hospitals or in private
house. Eighty young women are now IN
this training school and places could be pro-
yided for as many more If the supply were
only equal to tho demand The day Of the
conviyial Sairy Camp is no more, for people
are fast recognizing the fact that getting
well when one has been sick is as much a
matter OF good nursing as hard dosing. Even
more so in many cases. The majority OF APP
plicants who desire training for TINS new pro-
fession look forward to gaining a livelihood
thereby, and some hope from it life Of use
fulness among the sick poor The illinois
Training school is as cheerful as any private
home, aud the young women who receive a
training there leave when the course IS over
with great deal of reluctance.
The practical part OF the instruction IS
very thorough anu includes q knowledge OF
the management of helpless patients, making
beds, giving baths in bed, bandaging, the
dressing Of blisters, making poultlces, aud
preparing, cooking and serving delicGcies
for the sick They are taught how to venti-
late rooms properly, TO take observations for
the physician, care for rooms, and manage
convalescents They learn how to take and
record the state Of the pulse. temperature,
appetite, dclirium or stuDor, breathing.
sleep. condition Of wounds and effect Of
medicine, diet, stimulant, or narcotic. 4
superintendent has charge Of tue entire
corps and is responsible 10 the medical stan
for the proper performance Of duty. \ com
petent head nurse is IN each ward 20 look
after both the night and day nurses, and
with attending physicians gives Instructions
to the nOviccs at the bedside OF patients.
In addition to a knowledge Of nursing there
must bc tie quality Of housewives, for 10
each ward is attached dining room for con
yalescents, aud for the care Of that, with the
kitchen, store rooms, and linen closets, the
head nurse must account
A look IN at any OF the wards in the county
hospital will reveal two three, " more OF
these tender women clad in blue and white
striped dresses Of scersuckcr, each capped
with snowy wTtc muslin and wearing long
white aprons and cuffs. They are going
about from cot 20 cot ministering TO the
wants OF patients in the various stages OF
sickness and recovery. All is quite, orderly
and cheerful a physician enters and after
examining patient turns and speaks aword
or two to the nurse standing near Sine gives
no answer, but goes TO small room adjoin-
ing and returns IN a moment with baudases
and cotton, which she hands the doctor, still
without word. There seems 70 be some
thing approaching the military IN the disci-
plino observed throughout the whole estab-
lishment. On the opposite side OF tho ward
lies n woman hugging close 70 her tat
faced baby. 10 is not her own, but one Dor
rowed from the lying in ward upstairs All
the wan faced women turn their eyes toward
the laughing little thing as in a few mo-.
mcntsa nurse hears 10 from tLe great sunny
room. In the chiidren's ward arc the same
attendants, some carrying very SICK ones in
their arms and others amusing the little
ones that are able 20 sit up and hold toys or
books.
Tic patients that finger on the borderland
of death are cared for in small rooms that
contain but three beds each. Here the labors
Of the nurse must be unrcmitiing. although
little or no medicine is required Many Of
the poor men and women lyin- in these beds
arc past all hopes of recovery, and IL Is only
by the administration Of patient, skillful at
tention that the fitful fame Is Kept alive 4
few days longer In the well warmed halls
the convalesceuts and some Of the women are
assisting a nurse ~ fold linen for bandages.
Physicians are passing up and down IN eie-
vators, and friends come in to visit the pa
tents The Daughters Of the King are
scattering beautiful blossoms everywhere.
Upon the completion OF their labors II the
training school the nurses, furnished with
diplomas signed by the managers and the
examining board Of the hospitals and pro
yided with 500 in money, begin their several
careers. Some get positions as heads Of hos
pitals, Others respond 70 tho over increasing
demand from private houses, and some com
mcncc life work among the sick poor
Chicago Times.