The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-23


OF the plague throughout Europe and
in the succeeding century, hundred
years later, when the plague again prevailed
on that continent, as wildly described
by George Eliot in "Romola," work In
which she recalls Savonorola, saint and
philosopher, working wonders by his ex-
ample and ministry in Florence. These
orders in the Catholic Church have noble
record of sublime devotion, and they have
long been regarded on the Continent as
essential TO the safe and satisfactory adj
ministration OF hospital work, except in
Lutheran Germany and Scandinavia, where
an order OF trained Deaconesses are en-
gagged in the same self.sacrifcing labors,
and in Russia, where nuns OF the Greek
Church are similarly engaged In England
and in this country the Episcopal Church
has sisterhoods devoted TO the sick and the
poor; but the Sisters OF Charity are best
known. They are everywhere, and in
many hospitals in this country have been
very conspicuous, those especially who
have labored in the Charity Hospital
Of New Orleans, where they have sur
vived many decimating epidemics OF
yellow fever They were not in any case
especially trained for their work, but there
Nth w uOuDl lIOui Nllt ltSlluOuN
piled by so many great physicians, that
practice led them in the direction OF
perfection, and they proved to be as alert
and intelligent as they were devoted, and
came, in some individual instances, 10
know almost as much about the treatment
OF disease as the doctors. The quality OF
intuitiveness that is gift with so many
women, no doubt helped them and en-
abled them TO help their patients by diyin-
ing their needs and anticipating their
wants. They were the first in the field Of
disease and death and they are there yet.
From stationary hospitals the sisters
went with armies to the field and thus set
the example that has since been followed
by the establishment OF Red Gross socie-
ties, with their corps OF trained nurses, in
every nation, all of which, in a congress
specially called for that purpose, have
recognized them as neutrals on the fold OF
battle, who must be protected in their
work Of succoring and nursing the sick
and wounded. This society was organized
at Geneva in 1868, and in the war Of 1866
II so proved its title to experience that in
1901 both the French and German Gov
ernments were glad 10 avail themselves OF
the services OF its members. In Turkey, II
ought TO be said, tho equivalent Of the
Red Cross is 10 be found in the Society Of
the Crescent. Thus the whole OF Europe
and America is marshaled under the ban
ner Of the Red Cross, an emblem sacred
with all nations. Leading up TO this order
comes the career Of Florence Nightingale,
who has survived TO an honored old age,
surrounded by the love and reverence OF
all the English-spoaking peoples. While
yet a mere child, she gave great deal OF
attention to tho hospitals OF Sheffield,
where she was born, her father be-
ing banker Of great wealth. Attracted
TO the work she underwent n course OF
training in Pastor Fliedners school OF
deaconesscs ut Eaiserworth, Germany, and
in 1851 took charge OF sanitarium Tor in.
| valid goyernesses. In 1854 she went 10 the
army in the Crimea rs superintendent OF a
corps OF ninety-two volunteer women nurses
and established model hospitals that were a
means in the saving OF Thousands OF livcS.
Justin Mccarthy, in his "llslory Of Our
Own Times" treating OF the shameful
condition OF the English hospitals during
the Crimean war, at Scutari and In the
Crimea, writes Of Miss Nightingale In
terms Of the highest eulogy, aud, telling
her story, says that "tho evils OF the
hospital disorganizalion were happily
made n means OF bringing about now
system OF attending 10 the sick and
wounded in war. Mr.. Sydney Her
bert, Mortified at the way In whisn
things were managed in Scutar and the
Crimca, applied to n distinguished won.
an, vino had long taken n deep interest
In hospital reform, 10 supcrintend person.
ally the nursing OF the soldiers-Miss
Florence Nighl!ngale-who had chosen
not 20 pass her liio in fashionable or Us.
thetic inactivity, and had from q very
long period turned her attention 10 SAM.
tary questions She had studied nursing
rs science and system, and had made
herself acquainted with the working oI
various Continental institutions, and about
the time when the war broke out she was
actually engaged In recognizing the Sick
Goycrnesses' Institution in Harley street
London. TO her Mr.. Sydney Herbert
turned. lie offered her, Il she would nj
tempt the task no proposed, plenary au
thority over all nurses and an unlimited
power OF drawing on the Government ioi
whatever she might think necessary TO the
success Of the undertaking. She accepted
the task, and accompanied bya few woiner
of her own rank and n staff OF trained
nurses reduced chaos 10 order" The cnt
was come Of the Mira Camp ant
Mrs, Phg type OF nurse. sgd
ney Herbert, In his letter TO Mis-
Nightingale, had said that her example, I
she accepted the task that he had pro
posed, would multiply the good 10 al
time" These words proved 10 have n,
exaggeration In them. We have noye
seen a war since In which women OF edu
cation and Of genuine devotion have no
given themselves 10 tho task OF carin.
for tho wounded. Tho Geneva Conyen
ton and the bearing OF the Red Cros
arc among the results OF Florcncl
Nightingales work In the Crimea
a. we're also tho organization OF South
orn Mothers" during our civil war
and the Northern Sanitary Commission.
In 1856 she returned 20 England, an,
though much broken in health By over
work and the unsanitary conditions d
which for some months she was subjected
realizing the necessity therefor from he
Crimean experience, she established tn
Nightingale Home for Training Nurses
and has ever since given time, talents an,
energies 10 that work, In which rs teacbe
aud writer she has become an authority
She has written many works on nursin
and hospital management, and has practi
cally originated new profession
Throughout Great Britain and Irelan,
there arc now great many trainin
schools for nurses for both men and womei
and associations exist for the supply Of In
valid help and trained nurses for medical
surgical and mental cases, and tho nurse
are becoming moro and more prohcien
and In all well conducted asylum
aud hospitals have taken tho place