Evening star., 1901-03-12
NURSING THE SICK POOR
RESULTS OF FIRST YEARS WORK
OF LOCAL CHARITY.
Reports Received at Meeting Held
Yesterday. .AfternOon-words
of CONNIE N datiOn.

iC III 81 meeting OIL the IDStTuC-
tive Visiting Nurse Society was held yes
terday afternoon at the home of the presi-
dent of the board of managers, Mrs. Henry
Cabot Lodge, 1765 Massachusetts avenue.
There was a large attendance of ladies
who are members of the organization,
which aims to provide trained nurses to
visit and nurse the poor in their homes,
and to instruct them in the care of the
sick The account of the first years work,
together with the statements made by
those who are in a position to know of the
beneficent results of this charity, held the
attention of those who filed the spacious
parlors, and aroused an enthusiasm which
it is believed will result in broadening the
scope of the society. DR.. Anne A. Wilson
presided.
One of the most interesting of the ad-
dresses made was that of DR.. W. c. Wood
ward. the health officer of the District
under whose observation, perhaps, more
than that of any other District official the
work of this society comes The Visiting
Nurse Society not only works in accord
with the Associated Charities but the
nurses who are in it's employ are primarily
under the direction of the visiting phySi-
clans of the poor. who are under the Off
cial control of the health officer Every
DAY Tour nurses report at the police pre-
clncts of their districts and receive orders
from the physicians to the poor. They also
take cases from other physicians as well
as from the regular visitors of the Asso-
clated Charities, the churches, philan-
throplc societies and individuals. In this
way the skill and care of trained nurses
are brought to the homes of people whose
means under such expert aid are entirely
out of the question. The funds of the So
clety, 1t was stated, admit of the employ
ment of but four nurses.
Dr. w oodWard, in the course of his re-
marks, spoke approvingly of the work of
the society, and said that in his judgment
mo %1.,,
that of supplying intelligent trained nurses
to the INDECENT sick in their own homes
He read letters from physicians commend
ing the efforts of the society,".
Rev. F. H. Barton. the rector of St.
Johns Church, Georgetown, also spoke in
commendation of the work of the organi-
zatlon lit came under his own observa-
ton. These testimonies to the practical
results gained We're highly appreciated.
Type of the Charity.
An extremely interesting glimpse of this
type of charity endeavor elsewhere was
given by Miss Wald. the head of the nurses
settlement in New York city, while Dr.
Worcester of Waltham, Mass, who is at
the head of a large training school for
district nurses in Boston, described what
had been done in that section. He said that
of all organizations of this kind established
In different parts of the country, there
was not one which had proved to be a fail
ure, thus indicating the need for effort in
this direction.
Miss Mary Hopkins. the secretary, read
the annual report, which gave an account
of what had been accomplished since the
society began operations, in February last
Then the first district nurse ever ON
ployed In this city began her work Ow-
ing to the contributions received the socie-
ty was able to place three additional
nurses in the field before the summer sea-
son began. In addition to personal minis
tration, it was stated, the homes visited
are benefited by advice and suggestions.
In this way preventive measures have been
adopted, and the care of babies and young
children has been improved.
Assistance Acknowledged.
The report makes acknowledgment OF
assistance received. Reference is made to
the liberalty of all local churches in guar
anteeing the yearly expenses of one nurse.
The superintendent of the society is given
an office, rent free by the Associated Char
tiles in it's building at S11 G street. The
relief society of ST. Johns Church, George
town, has supplied all the sick diet need
ed by the nurse in the Georgetown dis
trict Help has been received from the
Cooperative Sewing Society, the Friday
Morning Sewing Class, the Christ Child
Society the Sibley Deaconesses, the Fruit
and Flower Mission, the Friendly Visitors
Guild of ST. Marks and the Chapel of the
Good Shepherd. Acknowledgment is made
of the valuable service rendered by the po-
lice.
The report of the treasurer, Mrs. H. s.
3. Beale, shows that the total receipts for
the year amounted to 81, ,464. 90, which came
from subscriptions and donations. Of this
amount the sum of 81 ,SS0.27 was expended
for salaries and expenses of nurses and In
furnishing supplies for nurses.
The society is in charge of a board OF
managers, consisting of the president, Mrs.
Lodge; vice president, Miss Tuckerm IN;
treasurer, Mrs. H. B. Beale. 1921 K street;
secretary, Miss Mary Hopkins, 1926 Massa-
ard Mrs. Catlin. Mrs. Cowles, Mrs.
Hague and DIR. Anne A. Wilson.