Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-05

ldeal woman 10 rank al Inc mead OF the WAL s
angels Of mercy She is young and charm
ing, possessing unusual magnetism, vivac-
ity and gift Of language. Moreover she has
the blood OF patriots coursing in her veins.
being able to boast Of three revolutionary
ancestors. the best known of whom, perhaps,
was General John Bull. who defended Phila-
delphia during our struggle for liberty. She
has pursued special studies abroad at Cam
bridge. the University of Geneva and else
where on the continent.
Returning to this country she equipped
herself for the sciences and studied medicine
at Columbia and John Hopkins. She is the
daughter of Prof. Simon Newcomb, the great
astronomer. who has been more honored
abroad than any other of our American sci
entists. and is the wife of Prof. W. J. MCGEE.
the we'll known ethnologist and seoloEist.
She is one of the vice presidents general OF
the Daughters of the American Revolution,
having been previously elected surgeon gen
eral and librarian general OF that society.
AS soon as the present war was antici-
mated she conceived the idea OF the society
cooperating with the War and Navy de-
partments. and both Surgeon General Van
Reypen Of the navy and Surgeon General
Sternbers of the army Endorsed the project.
In consequence she received the appoint
ment which she now holds. being at the
head of the board of daughters having the
selection of the war nurses in charge. The
other women of the board are Miss Mary
Desha. Mrs. Frances 5. Nash and Mrs. Amos
G. Draper. Or. MCGEE is the director of the
board. and being the only member possessed
OF medical training. performs the respon-
sible duty Of selecting eligible nurses from
the hundreds Of applicants.
Already 1890 women have volunteered
their services as war nurses. their letters
being addressed to the president. the secre-
tary Of war, secretary of the navy and to
various other high officials. All of these ap-
plicutions, which are now pouring in at
the rate of about 100 a day. are turned over
by the departments to DR.. Niece, who re-
plies by mailing blanks TO be filled out and
returned to her.
Before they may be placed upon the list
Of eligibles women applicants must prove
that they have been graduated at reputable
training schools for nurses. They must be
between the ages Of 80 and 30, and it is
preferred that they had have practical ez-
perience and that they be without family
ties They must be strong and healthy in
order to cope with the unusual hardships OF
2 military hospital.
Only surgical nurses are being called for.
since women trained in the case of general
Diseases would have practically nothing TO
do in wards filed with men mangIed by shot
and shell. Although during the last war
Miss Dix, who performed the duties now
conferred upon Or. MCGEE, refused 10 ap-
point women who We're prepossessing in APP
pearance, no such regulation has been made
for this war, and our brave boys may hope
TO be inspired 10 strength by woman's come
illness as well as healed by her tender skill.
Great care is being taken, however. to Sc
lect only women OF the very highest moral
character, and TO insure This individual
members of the Daughters of the American
Revolution are cooperating in all of the
states. No one will he appointed an angel
of mercy" without the written Endorsement
of some daughter" Thus it will be seen
that women are managing the affair en-
tirely, and perhaps no other association OF
women could undertake such responsibilities
as the Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion. numbering % 900 memoirs, scattered
in all Of the states.
There is g great demand for women nurses
who have had yellow fever and who are i'm
mune from the disease, but SO far not q
single one has been found. Women of vari-
Gus nationalities are making applications
but only citizens of the United States are
accepted. Trained colored nurses have beer
placed on the eligible list to be called upon
when needed.
2 These war nurses will be uniformed il
white dresses, caps and aprons. Each viii
wear q badge in the form of a red cross o.
enamel, surrounded by a circle of blu,
? enamel. Upon the cross will be inscribed
2 Hospital Corps, and along the blue circle
Daughters of the American Revolution.
r Upon each apron win be neatly stencilet
the wheel insignia Of the Daughters of thG
American Revolution,
: No women nurses viii be sent to Cuba. II
= any are delegated TO field hospitals they viii