Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-09
LOOK AFTER THE SICK
WORK OF OLD DOMINION TRAINING
SCHOOL FOR NURSES.
GRADUATING EXERCISES YESTERDAY.
Miss Cabins Reads the Second An
nunl Report of the School ana Dr.
s,one. of Washington. Delivers the
AdGress-Other Exercises.

The second annual graduating exercises
of the Old Dominion Training Schooi
for Nurses took place in the chemistry
amnhitbeatre of the Medical College OF
virginia Yesterday afternoon. There
was a large number Of interested spec
tators present, including friends OF the
nurses members of the Ladies Auxiliary
BOARD of the Old Dominion Hospital, and
Drs. j. Il. McCaw, PRESIDENT oil the
Board Of Visitors; NJ. l.. James, Mar
shall. Tompkns, Teusler. Lee. cosby
Keel. Johnson, Levy. and Matthew'S
The exercises had been announced to
take place at O'clock but it was nearly
half an hour after that time when the
nurses of the hospital entered. Ihey
were followed by the superintendent of
the hospital and principal of the train
ing school. Miss Sadie Il. Cabins; DIR.
Tompkins dean of the college; Dr.
George Ben. Johnston Rev. DR.. Car
michael, DR.. j. 5. Stone. chosen orator
of the occasion, and Mrs. Shields. who
had consented TO deliver the badges.
The nurses occupied seats on the front
benches. while those who were to take
part in the exercises were seated upon
the rostrum.
The proceedings were opened with
prayer by Dr. Carmichael.
DR.. Tompkins announced the object OF
the meeting and said that while 1t
would give him infinite pleasure to speak
at length OF the good work being done
by the nurses training school, this
would be more clearly shown by the
superintendent Miss Sadie Il. Cabins,
whom he then introduced.
THE PRINCIPALS REPORT.
Miss Cabins then read the second an
nual report of the training school, ending
June s, 1891. as follows:
In May 1896. the Board of Managers
kindly authorized the appointment OF
clinic nurse, or assistant to the superin-
tendent of the hospital, until senior
pupils should become sufficiently eX-
perenccd 10 undertake the more re-
sponsible parts of hospital work. Miss
Emily Baechtel, of Johns Hopkins Hos
pital. accepted the position for six
months, or longer, if required. In No
vember. 1895. some executive experience
being considered essential 10 the COM
plete training OF our pupil nurses, three
senior pupils were appointed TO head
nurse duty. and Miss Baechtel's services
reluctantly dispensed with. In various
ways the plan has proven most admi-
rable one.
The present home for nurses was OBJ
tanned for our use in July. 1886. Though
1t has been exceedingly comfortable,
even more commodious quarters are de-
slrable, especially for the comfort of the
probation class which always of neces-
sity begins before the graduates leave
The health of the nurses has not been
so good as during the previous year. one
case of typhoid-fever was the only very
serious or protracted Illness.
The number of applications to the
school increases. For the past year
formal applications. SO; favorably con-
sidered. 60; probation appointments 10;
probationers accepted. S; present staff,
senior pupils 9; also, graduating class;
Junior pupils. II; superintendent of hos
pital and principal OF training school, J..
PRACTICAL. HOUSEKEEPING.
The American Association OF Superin-
tendents of Nurses, whose object is the
promotion of the interests and elevation
of the standard of the nursing profession
in its efforts to establish uniform cur
rcuum in the training schools, decided
10 include some practical knowledge OF
housekeeping, the ordering of supplies,
invalid cookery. and also neatness per
eonal and PROFESSIONAL, excellence In
ward work, and department OF the pupils
in addition TO the general requirement.
In theoretical work. This we have also
adopted.
The usual lectures and demonstra
tons have been given TO junior and
senior classes by the faculty OF the Medi-
cal College OF Virginia, and the regu-
lar class instruction by the principal OF
the training school The Nurses Night
ingale Club has enjoyed some excellent
l.kr ut nf ~
larger schools. who feel special interes
I'm southern nursing
In August, 1896. the pupil nurses or
duty in the Soldiers Home Hospital Of
Lee Camp Confederate Veterans were re
called. since the directors were unwill
ing to adopt measures by which the
nurses undergraduates would be re
lieved OF responsibilities and duties pro
perry belonging TO the surgeon in charge
The Board OF Directors expressed grea
regret at the withdrawal OF the nurses
and also the highest appreciation OF thei
faithful service and kindness while Oh
duty at the home. The nurses aban
doned their work reluctantly, feeling, al
they did, southern woman's interest ii
each and all Confederate veterans
The outside obstetric service has i'm
proved considerably since 1896. Eacl
case has been provided with one or NOR
nurses, daily visits from the nurse SO loni
as required. averaging seven to ten visit
for each patient. Most of the cases wer
supplied with clothing and many witt
suitable food and medicine.
DISTRICT NURSING A FEATURE.
Very much more has been accomplished
In district nursing, and l am pleased Z
believe II is gaining some ground II
popular favor. and may yet flourish. evel
in the South and Richmond. 1t Is
charity which will appeal more strongl.
10 the masses than any other. and 70
shis reason do more towards elevatinl
them.
Twenty-one weeks OF special nursing
have been given during the year abso
lutely free.
Desiring to aid class OF patients un
wiling TO accept the ministrations Of tn
district nurse. and yet unable 10 meet tn
charges for the service OF graduate o
pupil nurses. a system OF visiting nursing
was proposed In September last Thi
was promptly sanctioned. and earnest
aided by their Board OF Managers. bot;
personally and indirectly In this man
ncr the sick. both In private families an
in institutions unable to afford the ex
pense Of a resident nurse. have bee
most satisfactorily cared for, There |