Evening journal., 1904-01-27
CONFER ON METHODS
Of HELPING THE POOR
Interesting Talks Given on
Social Settlement Work
and District Nursing

An interesting conference on Social
Settlement work and visiting district
nurses was held in the New-Century
Club building yesterday afternoon and
| last night under the auspices of the
Philanthropy Committee of that club.
It was conducted by Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles +. Weller, of Washington.
Mrs. Weller talked principally about
| Settlement work. emphasizing the diff
ference between settlement and
mission. She told OF slum life and
particularly that of girls and boys and
OF their great need of help, which may
Abcst be given through Settlement work.
rShe pointed out how necessary it is
to live in the neighborhood where the
work is conducted in order TO learn
the people and win thsir confidence.
Mr. Weller talked about visiting
nurses and the work they are doing in
Washington. He says that each nurse
visits from six to eight families daily
and not only gives aid in caring for
the sick and wounded, but instructs
the family in hygiene and sanitation.
He is OF the opinion that many cases
OF consumption may be cured when
people are properly instructed regard
ing the care of the patient. The disease
is coming in for much attention from
the nurses. who gfFe the patients de-
tailed instructions
Mr.. Weller spoke at some length on
the training school to be started in Will
lmington by Miss Sumner. the visiting
nurse Of the Babies Hospital. He made
n tour OF a section of Wilmington yes
terday with Miss sumner and said he
found conditions none too good.
The work of the visiting nurse was
begun at the suggestion of the superin-
tendent of the Babies Hospital and
her salary was paid by n number of
the board of managers of that insti-
tuition. Miss Dockerty was the first
nurse so employed and she had her
room i'm the hospital building and made
her reports to the managers at their
, lmonthly meetings The Associated
Charities then offered the present nurse
: a home. but her salary is paid ny the
managers Of the Babies Hospital, who
: made it possible to begin the work
! here.
Bishop Coleman. who is much inter-
ested in the district visiting nurse mat
ter further discussed the work. lie
told of several cases which have como
under the notice Of Miss Sumner and
Wilmington has but one of these
nurses but thinks when the people
realize how much good may be ac-
! complished in this way, that they vii
not have 10 be asked for funds to as.
sist in enlarging aud broadening th'
work.
Gave Illustrated Lecture.
Mr.. Weller gave an illustrated lee
Z ture last night. his subject being How
/ the other half live i'm Washington, witt
its lessons for Wilmington" He show.
: ed many pictures OF the poorer por.
b tions of Washington. and buildings
e used for settlement work, kindergar
. tens. boys clubs and By the Associated
Charities. He remarked that he haC
visited severa! streets I'm Wilmington
during the day and found condition!
bad. He said that the conditions ex
listing in Washington could be applied
to Wilmington. and surprised his hear
ers by declaring that there were mor'
e deaths among children Of one year o
= less in Washington than there wcr'
y among the children OF the tenemcn
houses of New York.