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

leges such as she had left behind her in
the far Lake City; yet sweetly, graciously,
cheerfully, discreetly doing her great
work without complaint; nay. even de-
| lighting in overcoming difficulties incl
dent to struggling enterprise on
charity foundation, making merry
comment on her little make-shifts.
Such one as she, to fortune and fame
unknown, such one as your own loved
director, the honored manager of your
school, who, by education and culture, is
equipped for her work, who unites the
minstering influence of woman with the
business tact OF men, whose work, so we'll
established, is its own best praise, such,
say, may be an inspiration to you as well
as Florence Nightingale or Sister Dora.
"The Lady With the Lamp" shall long
| stand illumined in the corridors of time,
but many as noble there have been and
are whose light only shines before men in
some humble sphere OF duty. Many
nurses went with Florence Nightingale to
the Crimea. Many since have followed
where she grandly led. Doubt not, they
have their reward.
Your work here holds some peculiar
trials. II will be yours 10 overcome pref
udice. The professional nurse is by many
evil in herself, OF course, but the necessity
for employing such service is considered
| a reproach.
81 will nurse my own sick; aye, even TO
deaths door and ialter not" Such is the
| noble resolution OF almost any living
! woman. But il is not the resolution, al
ways, of prudence, nor OF wisdom. For
our sick we should do the best possible.
As we grow in culture, rs our physicians
| are able TO educate a community, the pro-
fessional nurse is becoming more and more
as necessary rs the educated physician. IL
will be yours TO help in this education OF
public opinion that schools like yours may
grow and multiply, that charity maylsS<
wise hold upon the work. and eventually
both rich and poor may share its benefits.
1t IS asked how can such nursing DO
considered superior to that where the in
terest OF love prompts. Let us take the
case OF n long and painful illness where
''the family" assume the care of the
patient Given the very best conditions,
the work OF amateurs cannot meet all de-
mands. The constant attention Of one
who, by education, by experience, by
special fitness is able TO assume its re-
sponsibllities should surely be preferred.
but cannot leave my best beloved TO
the tender mercies OF n stranger" That
is not the way to put II. You trust your
physician, even 80 you may trust your
nurse TO do what you cannot. Love I'M
nerves the hand and clouds the brain in its
intense mentalslrain. Love will not consent
to spare itself, will not take rest nor food.
Love is fearful and anxious, commune
Gates It's fears to the patient, hinders where
II should help, and at the critical moment
m
her case. is absorbed in IL, sees in il
stimulus for every assduity, knows the
necessity OF keeping in possession OF her
own powers, commands obedience TO a
physicians wishes, makes no expert
ments listens TO no "advice"-is, in
brief, the doctors" strong right hand to
execute, us well as his eyes and ears 10
observe. You realize, OF course, tina. you
will have trials; that the hill Difiicultystill
looms up before you. In the homes
where YOU are called TO duty all will not
go smoothly. Some will assert the right
OF kinship TO humor the dangerous within
OF patients discrdered fancy to his peril.
will forbid some painful treatment" will
disturb the quiet OF the sickroom ito cheer
him up" will not refrain from expressions
OF anxiety, betray sorrowful certainty,
cannot hide suspense. Then you must
control, advise, warn with the same tact
we use toward a maynard child, crossing,
yet symDalhizing, respecting their wishes,
plying their distress. strengthening their
weakness. yet always controlling. -
Yours are, indeed, grave responsibilities.
The nurse Is scarcely less important than
the physician. Often the nursing il all in
all. You feel this in tho silent midnight
watches, the shaded lamp, the hnshed
household, the tossing, fevercd form-a
life hanging upon your care.
How steady the hand that must measure
the potion. how accurate the observation
that must note each change, how
keen the judgment OF every growing
symptom, how alert the every sense
and faculty, how untiring the watchful.
ness, how assiduous the minisirations.
either giving or Withholding. what self
restraint, what seli-cOnstrainil Sleep ~
will and wakoiuincss at need, and this for
many weeks, perhaps, and after. an.
other case. Truly yours Is n life 10 win
respect Which Of us could sacrifice 80
much9 There will be at first some who
TAIL 30 recognize this, some who show YOU
the discouuesy II ignoble and undertfied
natures, RELOCATING 10 the plane OF mere
servitude, and failing 10 value that How
shall you bear thisp Calmly rs bccomcth
Him whom you should serve; our pattern
OF humanity
II truly devoted TO your work. your life
IS on 80 high a plane that such small
things are hardly noted. II you molly
strive your sense will render you proof TO
the assaults Of petty natures; your dignity
Is best sustained by ignoring sights real
or iancied, and rs an ardent believer In
the nobility OF human nature, | am sure
YOU will have little 10 bear from this
source. have spoken 10 you OF your
work In families, believing and hoping
this will he yours In The hospital, under
the direct guidance OF tho medical dirccLS.
ors, though the work is more oncrous, il s.
less difficult
And now, II remains for me only 20 sum.
Marie in a few brief words oi warning, OF
counsel and Of cheer. Warning, because
the onward road Ia not without lis dan
gers; counsel, because you will need
every help in your work; and cheer, be.
cause, nj each iuncturc, the heart sinks In
contemplation Of the magnitude OF our un.
deriakings.
fint warning he not disappointed II
those you serve fail 20 appreciate fully the
service given beyond the letter OF the
baud. II Is not thus reward comes, though
very precious when Il Is given. Not all
the "G. P's' remember 10 give thanks.
Were thore not tent BE not too sclfconh.
dent You know 10 much, he SURF YOU
know how little IL Is In face OF the
misty problems that occupy the greatest
OF your teachers Realize the soemniy