The age-herald., 1901-02-03

willingly accepts her dismissal, and the su- perintendent of the school is necessarily perfectly frank with all the young women who think they are born nurses. But where a woman is compelled to support herself, and determines to become a trained nurse, she is not deterred by her few weeks Of probation in training school, and if she possesses health and is intelligent and quick, she will be sure to succeed in her profession.
 T have always maintained that to be a good nurse one must be a good woman," continued Miss Macintosh "Of course one of the most important requisites is that Of health, for delicate, frail woman could not possibly withstand the physical strain. The requirements, too demand that the young woman be well educated. Indeed, the physicians emphasize that 1t is the wo- men of superior education and refinement who are best qualified for nursing, and 1t Is certain that education is indispensable for Q pupil"
 In speaking of the number of applications to the training school, Miss Macintosh said that the number received was sur prisingly large.
 It Is required that applicants must be between 21 and 35 years of age, and If ad- mitted they are expected to serve one month on probation. The training course requires two years, and at the end Of this period the members of the graduating class who pass satisfactorily their examinations are entitled to a diploma. The training in- cludes medical. surgical, obstetrical nurs- ing and massage, and the pupils nave the advantage of regular course or lectures and demonstrations.
 The Davis infirmary has special home for its women nurses. It adJoins the nos pital and is equipped with private sit ting room, where they may receive thelr friends when off duty.
 Besides this training school for nurses, which has been conducted with notable suc- cess for several years thereby emphasizing Birmingham's progress in opening magnin- cent advantages to those women who wish to become proficient in the art of nursing, so essentially womans mission, there Is an additional training school which has been opened at St. Vincent's Hospital.
 The plans of the Sisters of Charity who are in charge of St. Vincent's were an- nounced several months ago in these col umns This was before the magnificent hospital was opened, and the training school at St. Vincents seemed a plan some what immature.
 In my visit to the hospital a few days ago I could hardly believe that the train ing school was already being conducted with marked success for it seemed just the other day that Sister Chrysostom, s. s., had discussed the opening of the school when the hospital should be in readiness. While she was smiling at my surprise, and as if to demonstrate that others knew that
 
 young woman whose application had been accepted arrived that very moment at the hospital and was taken in charge by the good Sisters.
 The requirements necessary to enter the St. Vihcent's training school are practically the same as those of other hospitals. The young women are received on probation for a term of two months, during which time they are boarded and lodged at the ex- pense of the school. There is a three c, Of 1eptnrpc hniOQ given a week by the physicians and surgeons of the hospital.
 A Sister is in full charge of the work de- ciding as to the fitness of young woman and the proprety of retaining dismiss ing her.
 Sister Chrysostom who Is at the head of St. Vincents Hospital, is probably the bus fest woman in Birmingham. The entire management of that great hospital may be said to rest upon her. The executive abili- ty, the judgment the practical knowledge required in the management of an immense hospital cannot be overestimated, and there