Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-20
TRAINED NURSES.
A Good Class Grad uatcd From the WASH
ington Training School.

INTERESTING EXERCISES AT xETzERorr MUSIC
HALL LAST MONT - ELOQUENT ADDRESSES
MADE UPON THE OBJECTS AND AIMS OF THE
INsTITUTIoN-L1sr OF THE GRADUATES.
A large crowd assembled at Metzerott Music
Hall last evening to witness the commence
ment exercises of the Washington Training
School for Nurses. This most worthy institu-
ton was incorporated by Congress in Deem
Der, ls77. Its particular object and business is
the education of skilled nurses suitable for the
needs of hospitals and capable of being in
trusted with the care Of the sick in their own
homes This commendabIe object is accom-
plished by a system of lectures and oral in
struction and recitation in the rudiments o!
| such branches of the sciences of medicine and
hygiene as may be sufficient for the purpose,
supplemented by two years course Of prac-
teal instruction in hospitals. The Office O,
nurse is nos looked upon as a skilled profession
that opens new and congenial field of labor
for women, and moreover is one that is well
re warded.
The Washington Training School for nurses
has now been in successful operation for six
teen years. and last night offered to the public
its eleventh class Of graduates a fine result
of its labors.
INTERESTING EXERCISES.
The exercises. while entirely practical. were
very interesting. The graduates wore their
working garb. and In this respect differed
essentially from the traditional sweet girl
graduates who wear their best clothes and
sweetest smile fer such occasions. These par
ticular graduates looked sweet enough, 1t is
true, but it was not especially on account Of
their raiment. They were all simply attired in
the regulation costume of their profession,
RlS~ IN NJ Ina frrrr laot, hi
muslin hemstitched aprons linen cuffs and
Swiss caps. They were also provided with the
necessary paraphernalia of their business in
small satchel suspended from their waist, con-
sisting of pair of scissors, pencil and tablet
and a pin ball. Most of them also carried
thermometers for use in determining their
patients Temperature,
Past graduates and students acted as ushers
and did efficient service in seating the audi
ence. The past graduates were distinguished
from the Others by the fact that their caps
were fastened by black bands. while the grad
yates and the undergraduates displayed white
bands. Otherwise their dress the same.
The stage was handsomely decorated with
plants and flowers and the floral offerings to
the graduates were banked at the edge of the
platform. The faculty of the school occupied
seats Oh one side of the stage and the gradu-
ates the other, while the officers of the evening
sat IN the center toward the rear.
In the absence of Commissioner Myron NJ
l.
presiding and introducing the speakers
devolved upon Mr.. Henry +. Blount, the vice
president, and he performed his duties in a
most acceptable manner. alr. Parker had
been called away from the city unexpectedly
and regretted his inability to be present His
part OF the program was. however, supplied by
other speakers.
PROF. PowELL's ADDRESS.
Prof W. B. Powell, superintendent OF the
sh.at trst T.,
address he referred to the tendency OF the
times toward education IN special branches,
and pointed out the necessity and ad, antages
OF such education. Trained nurses. he said,
were valuable assistants to the physician. and
he predicted that the time would come when it
would be found Necessary to train nurses for
special cases. just as i; is considered desira-
bic TO educate physicians In certain special
lines OF their professions.
Mr.. Bloult also made a short address
to the graduates, in which, after pre-
dieting that the present term of two years
would be increased to a three years course, he
enjoinea the future nurses to be true to their
profession and to then selves and never to en-
gage i'll a case where the disease was one in
which they had never had any experience.
DR. AcKER TALKS TO THE GRADUArEs
The address to the graduates ON the par. of
the faculty was made by DIR. George n Acker.
and gave them lots Of good. wholesome advice
for, their guidance in the future in the course Of
which he pointed out that as a clear cool head
was one OF the most important essentials to
the practice of their chosen profession they
must be sure to pay special attention to their
own health on the general principle that
sound mind can only exist in a healthy BODY
There exists yet, must confess" said he,
much prejudice against the trained nurse
among otherwise intelligent people. This is
due in part to inscriptions women. 1t will
be your duty to prove by your example that a
good trained nurse Is necessary in the sick
room and that time ana money are saved by
employing such a one. In having edu-
Gated You in those things necessary for a good
nurse to know, we are benefi:ing ourselves
and at the same time the community at large
We shall feel amply rewarded when we meet
you IN the sick room and have the benefit Of
your skill III the management of our patients
We shall then regard the instruc. ions we gave
you as bread cast upon the waters. And
now, ladies. and my colleagues bid YOU fare
well, trusting whatever part you are destined
to hill In the affairs OF life you will labor I'M
der a deep sense o. responsibility: that you will
always act in sincerity and truth and ever be
governed by a high feeling OF duty and moral
obligations"
FERMENTATION TO DIR. JOHNSON.
DR.. s. s. Adams then made a short address
highly complimentary to DR.. II. L. Z. johnson,
dean OF the faculty, and at its close presented
that gentleman on behalf of the graduating
classes Of 1892 and 1898 with handsome silver
pitcher and goblet. DR.. johnson accepted the
gift with thanks and expressed regret that other
engagements made it necessary for him to
sever his relations with the institution. The
liberal floral offerings were then distributed TO
the graduates and the members of the faculty,
after which the graduates held an informal re-
cepflon IN the basement and the occasion came
to an end. One Of the pleasantest features of
the program were the spirited musical selec-
lions by section OF the Marine Band
LIST OF THE GRADUATKs.
The following is a list Of the graduates:
Virginia Taylor. Maryland; Aphonsine LIE
Nome, Canada; Majorie Stuart, Scotland; Ida
May Cameron. Maryland; Caroline NJ Coggins.
Maryland; Gertrude Elenor knecht Pennsvl.
vania; Anniet N. Wheeling. District of Column
bia; Lou vca Jenette Wright. Pennsylvania:
Bertha A. Brown. New York; Mary Warrington
Cox, Virginia; Agnes Wallace. Scotland: Mamie
E. Greene, louisiana; Margaret b. Fields.
PENNSYLVANIA: Alice V. Vance. West Virginia;
Julia Ann Ruffin. Maryland; Jessie J. Mcleod,
Massachusetts,; Eda L. Richmond, Wisconsin:
Antoinetie Rice Gaddess, Pennsylvania
The ASSEMBLY STAR for two weeks. BEGIN
ming May Is, sent by mail to any address for