The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-20

leading from the parade ground past the
be given a busting cloth and made to keep
off every speck of dust that may light in
the ward or room to which she may be as
signed for cleanliness in a sick room is
absolutely essential to the care OF pa
tient. Just what this kind of work may
have to do with the care OF patient is
something most girls find 1t very hard to
understand when they are first put at 1t.
Many of them rebel at the outset and
leave the hospital in high dudgeon, feeling
that it is against their dignity to per-
form such mental service, but those with
more strength of character quickly realize
the great Importance derived from the
knowledge of just such duties as would
appear to belong strictly to the servant
class.
If girl sticks it out, as of course,
large number of them do, she will in
course of time see every phase of hospital
life. She will in the course Of her train
ing have TO take care of all sorts and kinds
of diseases, some of which appear in their
most horrible form. She will have to as
sist in the most difficult surgical cases.
cases that try the nerves OF the strongest
man This is even in the case of the
probationers, about. which / have so far
written, for a girl is given every opportu-
nifty before going into the training school
proper TO decide for herself whether or
not she wishes to continue in the work
and, on the other hand, those in charge
of the school have an opportunity to learn
whether or not the girl is suited for the
vocation and whether il is probable that
she will make a good nurse for a poor
nurse is worse than no nurse at all.
Now then, having finished the proba-
iionary period, the real hard work of the
training school proper is taken up In
addition to the work that has been done
since entering the hospital studies have to
be taken up, for 1t is. of course, neces-
sary to have a technical as well as prac-
teal knowledge OF the subject Hard
study is required for this as we'll as any
other profession. This the girl should I'M
derstand at the outset.
Having entered the training school the
girl is made happy BY being allowed to
wear the uniform of the institution to
which she is attached. the much coveted
cap and gown with the imma culately white
apron with bib and stringers crossed over
the shoulders. Once she gets this on she
is a member OF the elect" so to speak,
and is at the same time the envy of those
of the ''probs." as they are Familiarity
known. who have not yet completed their
time of trial
In the course of study some authority on
trained nursing is taken up by the instruct
or and explained chapter by chapter. every
phase of the ground being gone over thor
oughly, every phase of attention to the
sick. surgical and emergency cases, Is
brought cut clearly. and the cases in hand
are used as illustrations. Whenever a
nurse is attending specially interesting
nac bQ ic MAJ IN in tn he RI
as she sees fit. and II she is in any way in
error she Is corrected by the n TIC or who
is usually graduate nurse These classes
are held three times a week. On the odd
days the girls are expected to prepare for
the next days quizzing.
In addition to these lessons. at least once
q week there is lecture on some import
ant case by the physician in charge at the
hospital, aud practical example is taken
from among the charity patients. These
lectures usually last about an hour. and are
for the most part very interesting.
Then comes a part OF the course that l..
to say the least, trying to the nerves OF
the strongest woman. She is introduced 20
the dissecting room. Whenever there is a
death and the physicians are unable to de-
termine the cause there is usually an au-
topsy performed. This the nurse has to
witness in order that her knowledge may
be furthered. This is a very hard ordeal
to undergo. and the first attempt usually
ends, or rather / should say begins, in a
fainting spell, and the girl has to be car
ried outside to revive. Sometimes she is
willing to return. but more than often she
has got quite enough for one day and takes
to her bed.
Plenty Of Hnrd Work.
/; may be seen. therefore. that there is
ut h,r n do Mt al xo
keep the mind busy. but the body as we'll.
1t is no bed Of roses that leads to this
noble calling. For noble it undoubtedly
is. in every sense Of the word.
How the girls live when not actually on
duty is, OF course, an interesting question.
OF course it is not all work. work! work,
There are pleasures The old adage Of all
work and no play applies to nursing as
well as to other vocaticns in lite. Espe
cially after being confined in the sick room
or ward one must have fresh air and exer-
else, and the habits must be as regular as
clock work. The question Of habits Is by
no means optional with the nurse. Ger
tain rules are laid down for the care of the
girls health as well as for the health Of
the patient neing nursed.
Generally speaking, the nurses are called
at o'clock in the morning. As rule
they sleep IN uOTHltOTleS. ilnHtuldlely al
ter dressing-and they must perform this
In hurry-all hands set to work
TO make up their beds and put the place
In shipshape. Everything must have a
place and everything must be in that place,
or there will be a lecture that is not
pleasant, to say the least. This being done.
and in a remarkably short time. the girls
go to breakfast. At Z O'Clock the day
nurses go on duty. and those who have
been on duty during the night come off
and. after eating breakfast. 20 to bed The
nurses going en- first read the report as TO
the condition Of the various patients which
is prepared by the night nurse. Then they
20 into the wards or special rooms and be-
ain their days labor by carrying out the
orders left by the physician in charge. At
some time during the morning the house
surgeon will come in and she will accom-
pany him in his visit to each patient, TAX
ing with her a notebook and pencil to take
such directions as he may have to give.
At noon dinner is served, and she is ex
pected to serve IT, taking such things to
the patient on a tray as are served out by
the nurse IL charge. After the Loon meal