The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-12
CARING FOR THE SICK POOR
The Annual Meeting of the Visit
ing Nurse Society.

Members of the Organization As
sembIcd Mt the Home of Mrs. Lodge
Work in District Commended by
DR. Northumberland Report.
The first annual meeting of the Instruc-
tive Visiting Nurse Society was held yes
terday afternoon at the home OF IT'S
President. Mrs Henry Cabot Lodge, on
Massachusetts Avenue. In addition to the
routine business, which was quickly as
posed OF. the large gathering was al
dressed by those who are particularly
we'll informed as to the work accom-
plished and contemplated. the ReN. r
H. Barton. rector of ST. John IS Church'
Georgetown, spoke Of the excellent WORK
which had been done and particularly
commended the services rendered 10 the
sick by the local nurse, Miss jefferson.
DR. w. & Woodward, the Health Officer
Of the District gave a short talk on the
worI, of the society He read a number
of letters from prominent physicians, who
had formerly opposed the work in hand,
brt who had been won over to the hearty
srIpport of the enterprise by the phenome-
nal results attained. Miss Wald, of the
University of New York, told Of what
had been accomplished by the society in
that city DR.. \. Worct ster. of Waltham.
Mass who is said to have done much for
district nursing, and who is the founder
Of a training school for district nurses in
Boston. spoke to the society in a most en-
couraginE manner, and said that with all
of the societies that had been formed in
this country and in all Of the cities and
towns in which the work had been under
taken there was Yet to be recorded
single failure where the work WAS once
commenced.
The rirst annual report of the society
was submitted 10y Miss Mary Hopkins, its
secretary. and was adopted. The report
is an interesting one. and, in part, is as
follows:
Similar societies have existed in other
places for many years. The idea origi-
mated in England, and was a part of the
system of trained nursing established in
1851 in Liverpool bv William Rathbone.
NJ P. The particular branch of the
work which had as its fundamental prin-
ciples the employment OF educated and
refined wcmen to care for and instruct
the sick poor in their homes, was put
into practical operation in Liverpool IN
1874 and has since spread over the United
Kingdom and Europe. The first employ
ment IN America of trained nurses in
the homes of the poor was 10y the
Womans Branch Of the City Mission in
New York in 1871. Fifteen years ago, the
Womans Education Association of Bos-
ton established and gave the name In
structive District Nursing Association u
the first nOu-sectarian society of the sort
in America. and about the same time
similar society was founded in Phila1el-
phia. The Chicago Association was or
Eanized in 1889. Boston, Philadelphia,
M n ha lar
district and visiting nurse associations
in America, but New York, Brooklyn,
Buffalo, Baltimore, Kansas City, and
Newport. r. l., carry on their work on
plans similar to these.
Last February the first district nurse
was employed in Washington. In six
weeks 1t was evident that services such
as she and other trained and devoted
women could give were not only welcome,
but pitifully necessary. An appeal was
made to the public in such form that the
managers were able to put three add
tional nurses In tie field before summer
with It's attendant illnesses, came on. OF
their services during the terrible heat of
the past season, which, being their first
was especially trying, too much cannot
be said. Consumption is very common
and the neglect of any one case is a
direct menace to the community. Intel
Hgent, patient instruction in the use OF
such preventive measures as can be
taken By any patient or relation has al
ready produced something like RESPONSE
0elRhDOrnOOuS
which heretofore have proved incorrigi-
BILE The care Of babies and young chill
dren has been improved under the teach
ing of the nurses and the results ought
to be shown in the greater vigor in the
children and efficiency on the part OF the
parents
ton are revealed and cared for and con-
hdential relations are established be-
tween families Of such people and the
helpful, energetic visitor. She is not a
dispenser Of money, therefore begging is
not IN order, and there Is no incentive to
descending. She has come to minister
with her own hands TO their suffering
bodies. and with the way thus won to
their hearts and gratitude she becomes
a privileged person and a power for good
in their midst. often the nurse sees what
is hidden from the doctor. and the use of
knowledge thus obtained may avert con-
ditions favorable TO the spread of dis
ease.
In closing its report the board of man
ayers expresses hope that the public
may continue its support of this most
worthy charity. 1t IS also the hope of the
managers that Whenever possible donors
may become annual subscribers for
either large or small amounts. for the
care of benevolent society being analo-
gous TO that Of any household. public or
private. however welcome gifts may be.
the annual income should be its measure
Of expenditure. Special training beyond
that Of a hospital nurse is required to fill
the places Of superintendent and nurse.
and such women are entitled to generous
and certain support The salaries paid
are low compared to the sums earned in
private nursing. but the nurses accept
them and work early and late for them.
II is the part of the managers who have
undertaken to supply such money TO
cure il beyond peradventure. and they be
lieve that the intelligent people Of Wash
tngtOn viii recognize their own obligation
10 assist such endeaVor. Articles are con-
stantly required for the loan closets and
nurses medical bag equipment. Such ar
ticles may be sent at any time to the Of
flee Of the superintendent, or will be call
ed for II the society is notified. Any
information relating TO the method of
work will be gladly given at any time by
the superintendent or by members Of the
board Of managers.
THE society viii administer any money
MhIch NAV be gIvem or heaueathed 10 II