The Washington herald., 1909-05-29


sented q scene OF rare beauty last night
the occasion being the commencement ex-
ercises OF the training school for nurses
connected with the institution. Masseo
about the platform were huge bouquets
OF American Beauty roses tied with vari-
eoiored ribbons OF bright hues. which
were later presented 20 the graduates
Palms. ferns. and cut flowers strewn
abou; the chapel added TO the charm
Friends and relatives were there IN
I large numbers. and when the twelve
members OF the graduating class. dressed
in uniforms OF white. marched upon the
stage. they were greeted BY an outburst
Of applause only heard once a year in
the chapel.
Invocation Is Pronounced.
At the conclusion Of the invocation.
which was pronounced by the Rev. Dr..
John n Schick. who asked divine bless
ing upon those about to leave the IN
stitution, Miss Gertrude Elizabeth Davis.
OF Maryland. valedictorian OF the class.
addressed the gathering. Mss Davis
spoke optirnisticslly Of the future. pre-
dieting success IN life for the classmates
who had honored her.
''As you know. this Is a bright dav for
us-the end OF ours DAYS Of instruction"
she began. Tonight we receive our
diplomas, certificates Of our proficiency.
to enter upon that most useful Of sacred
callings. the care OF the sick. The work
We have chosen may not be envIed BIZ
many, FOR there Is no branch OF nursing
that demands greater ability and tact
than that which VIII faH % our lot Il
requires ali OF our attention. a genuine
interest. a love Tor work. and a tact that
can cope successfully with the most try
ing and complex situations. u Is a work
that requires the best IN ones powers
In institutions of this kind the best
medical skin IS demanded. for the ad-
vancement made in later years IN regard
70 the care and treatment Of the insane
makes Il plain that greater skin Is re-
CURED IN this branch than IN any other
department Of medicine. and consequently
the more intelligent cooperation OF the
nurse IS required.
'The Old-fashi0ned s1perstitions re-
Esrding the insane. The idea that insti-
tut!ons Of this kind are simply places
Of refuge for those confined therein, that
the inmates shouid be given custodial
care. that they are not suffering from a
disease. but rather from curse. or dis
grace: that they are subject 70 al forms
Of cruelty. IS fortunately but a faint mem
ory. We know that now, our patients
demand the highest medical skill The
science Of treatment IN mental diseases
has advanced. and we sre taught as
nurses that We are dealing with dis
eased mind. and that our patients are
treated upon this suppOsiti0n. In this
hospital which stands IN the from. rank
with institutions Of its kind We are
supplied with every appliance that can
possibly assist Us in restoring mentality.
During the past ten years our records
IN this hospital show a recovery rate
OF more than 80 per cent. This IS surely
an Indication Of great promise for the
future We have profted by the instruc-
ton that We have received We have
learned the Importance Of the careful
nursing OF our patients and # is ny
earnest wish that our course Of instruc-
ton nay serve the purpose for which
Il was intended. and that We may have
e keener insight into the duties and re-
sponsibllities Of a nurse
DR.. Hurd Speaks.
DR.. Henry N. Hurd. OF Johns Hopkins
Hospital. Baltimore. delivered the address
70 the class RE reviewed the history
Of nursing in this country for the past
thirty years. pointing out the advance
ment the profession had made since 1873.
In the absence Of Surgeon F. N. Gun
nell. L. s. y. president OF the board OF
visitors. Dr. Hurd made the presentation
Of diplomas. a feature OF which was the
applause that greeted each member as
the names were called. Benedictiou was
pronounced by the Rev. Hugh 7. Steven
son.
The graduating class was composed Of
the following members: Miss Matilda
Roeper Wocdburn. of Kentucky: Miss
Gertrude Elizabeth Davis. Of Maryland:
Miss Helen Wilson. OF Virginia: Robert
a. Jenkins. Of Maryland: Miss Daisy
Irene DGke Of Virginia; F. E. Emmons.
Of Virginia; Miss Hilda E. Holmes. OF
Virginia; Miss Lillian L AIcConche- Of
Virginia: Miss Margaret B. AIcKaIvey. Of
Maryland; Miss Mary 3. Smith. OF v-ir-
ginia; Miss Della Burrough Swami OF
and Miss Lillian Rawlings. OF
Maryland
IN the dining-room OF the institution.
decorated with national colors, the grad
uating class gave a ball. which lasted
until midnight Among those present at
exercises were the super /
intendent Of the school. DR.. William A. !
White, and senior members OF the rledi- |
cal staff. as follows: Dr. n J. Stack. I
H ". Miller. Or. Logic. Dr. Blackburn. /
DR.. Mary o Malley, DR.. Schwinn, ard /