The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-11-03
THE DISTRICT NURSE NEED.

ing fund which Will secure Tor
not later than January, a
district nurse, a visitor with a mes
sage of helpfulness in the homes of
sickness and infirmity and poverty,
but the club canot secure such nurse
for long on its present funds and only
by the cooperation of all men and wo-
men can the project be continued, as
it should be, indefinitely. Sickness is
the common foe of mankind, poverty
the misfortune that may seize upon
any of us at the least opportune mo-
ment, and it is therefore obligatory
upon every self-respecting individual,
to guard his own selfish interests by
to this fund which will
support a work which may prove of
great assistance to him at some flu
ture day.
AS the chill of the autumn air
strikes into the blood the district
nurse need becomes more apparent
for winter emphasizes the sufferings
OF the poor and the invalid and the
public conscience, easy-going and
thoughtless in summer, cuddles into
it's winter furs and feels a prick of
sympathy for the man or woman who
has insufficient food or clothing ur
warmth. Unfortunately, the prick Of
sympathy vanishes in most cases
without developing practical symp-
toms of generosity. Just what the
To-. oh inf
as presented by a member of the club:
The expenses are the salary of the
nurse, the cost of the diSpensary,
where she keeps hospital gauze, abb
sorbent< cotton, lint, etc. Often too
she is provided with baby outfits to
supply the need where sickness is
combined with poverty.
The nurse goes from house to house
all day, always in response to the call
of an authorized physician. She
brings relief to the patient and order
to the sick room. She instructs some
member of the family in all cases re-
curing bathing. bandaging and dress
ing. She sees that the physicians or
ders are enforced. She lightens the
responsibility of the anxious watcher
with the thought that she will come
again tomorrow
The following is a specimen of the
daily work of a nurse in town where
a visiting nurse association has eX-
listed eleven years:
Seven calls on patients of six diff
ferent physicians were made during
the day.
Work done-Emergency operation
of 21b hours Gave ether and made
patient comfortable after operation.
Full bath, hair combed, bed made,
temperature.
Bathed and dressed patient and
made comfortable FOR the day.
Full bath, hair combed bed made,
temperature. Call 2 hours.
Bath, massage and alcohol rub.
Dressing for burns. Bath and bed
made.
Obstetrical.
Burlington has two nurses who do
such work as the above. This year
1869 calls were made, 1857 free calls
and 612 paid calls, "a physicians EN-
ploying nurses. Although the report
of the nurses for short period is
not pleasant reading, it gives insight
into the need of the work and the
conditions existing here and there
which cannot be gained in any other
Of ha
A FIVE days old baby was sufferis
from opthalmia moratorium; or in
flammation of the eyes. Surroundings
we're indescribably filthy The nurse
carried the baby to a specialist for
treatment, looked after the mother,
teaching her how to care for her child
and after thirty-six visits had secur-
ed perfect eye-sight for the child.
Mrs. A. was suffering from cancer,
when the nurse was called to see her
in a dark damp basement, where she
found her in a filthy condition. She
gave her baths, provided clothing and
nourishment and conveyed her DO the
hospital, where she was cared for I'M
til her death.
The nurse called upon Mr.. b. and
found him i'll with pneumonia-tem-
perature 105 degrees, pulse and res
piration indicated a serious condition
He was in a dark filthy room, win
dow closed and covered with heavy
quilt bedding in a disgusting conii-
ton. and without sufficient noulish'
ment. No time could be lost. The
patient was given bath and rub nigh'
shirt and bedding were provided, win
dow opened and bed moved near II
and the room was swept and put III
order. Very soon the better air ah'
light had done their work and the pa
tient recovered.
Mrs C. with her new baby weigh
ing two and one-half pounds was WIS.,
tied by the nurse and found to be II
n destitute condition. The mother
had no night gown and there We're NJ
sheets on the bed. After providing
these necessities, and bringing cloth
ing for the FIVE other children, th'
mother improved, being attended daily
by the nurse until she was able 10 X
about the house.