The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-02-28
ABOUT VISITING NURSES.
SUPERINTENDENT PRESTON OF
 oRGANIZED CHARITIES

Delivers Address-Tells at Annual
 Meeting of the New Haven Visiting Nurses Association of the ExtraordI- nary OppOrtunity-It Lies in Being
 an Intermediary and IntrOductive
 Agency.
 Superintendent s. 0. Preston, of the Department of Charities and Correc- tions, delivered a very healthful ad- dress recently before the annual meet ing of the New Haven Visiting Nurses association. He said:
 As experience increases, workers with and for the needy and unfortunate are learning that to secure the reformation or even partial improvement, of any considerable number, the work must begin and continue in their homes.
 Churches schools and societies strive to elevate their special subjects, but when they return to the dirty depress- ing and degrading influence of many of our tenement house districts, much of the good imparted is neutralized, and, in the picturesque language of the h. dian teacher, there is return to the blanket"
 The classification of people as worthy or unworthy" does not help matters or lesssn responsibility, for, as matter of fact, the class termed fun worthy are in so many ways menace fn IA mi itxy+ oJ t0 the work of helping them up, we must watch out" lest they pull us down.
 Confinement in institutions (often ne- eessary) does not cure. and much of ither effort avails little. We have hopefully thought that "to reach the children" was to solve all problems, but we have been finding out that the bad home often offsets outside good in- f1uences and so modern effort is trying to better the home, that church, school and society may meet kindred re- sponse to their work there, and jointly secure more hopeful results.
 But those of you who have been try ing to do this know how hard it is to secure the measure of confidence that will warrant suggestion, or action in bringing about the desired end.
 Visitors from religious organizations meet keen denominational prejudice, indifference and open antagonism. Representatives of charities, ever though they bear gifts, find their sug- gestions ignored or rejected, and their motives suspected, while public off cials meet with a general resentment of inquiry, and spirit of deception is prevalent.
 But to the visiting nurse comes the extraordinary opportunity. Others will 1 doubtless speak of her ministration tc the sick and feeble, the educational and other phases of her special and inter- esting work, but from our standpoint much If "The value of the Visiting Nurse association to the charitable work of the city," lies in the possibili' l ty of it's being an intermediary and in | productive agency; possessing an inti. mate knowledge of the true situation practically impossible for others to at tain.
 Whatever may be the attitude of peo' | pie to others. the visiting nurse, coming with gentle ministration to quiet the roubled mind, to relieve the pain stricken body, and bring something of l order. cleanliness and cheer into wretched homes, is everywhere the welcome guest, and as such one whose suggestions for the betterment of con- ditions are most likely to be accepted | and acted upon, while her relation tc the other charities Is such as should in sure their later intelligent and ade- quate cooperation toward the uplifting | of the family or person.
 Under this proposition 1t is apparent that the nurse must be practical wise l efficient and always kind, and did tim' permit, we should take great pleasure in mentioning instances where these qualities have been exercised, and much valuable help has been rendered in connection with the work of the as sociation, whose agent is now address | ing you, and with our thanks, for WI tender our special appreciation of thest services, and our hope that your re l sources may be increased to the poin where further additions can be made [. your force, and thus enable you tc
 meet the certain growth of the worl under your able management.
 To enter foul homes, to carry com 1 fort and help to the afflicted, and tt oheerfully and fearlessly cope with dis ease and death under most discoura ging and unfavorable surroundings, i'
 the work, primarily, of your associa 1 tion, and it has been well done. The Visiting Nurse association is nov @ great help to the beneflcent work 0 the city, and it's future full of grand l ,Dar1i1,i7iLt,, ,D eNv r-AaJ