Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-11
MISS NIGHTINGALE In THE CRIMEA.
WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Correspondence

and expressions of gratitude and SYM
pathy. she felt sure OF her position
More nurses kept coming from Engla q
and several other hospitals were estap-
lished on the Bosphorus. Then MISS MISS
organized at Balaklava and vicinity
the work L described yesterday; In
addition to hospitals. she established
a series Of reading tents and rec
reation huts for the diversion OF the
periodicals and newspapers. She set up
neat coffee houses as a.counter-attraction
to the liquor saloons: she started iecturs
courses, opened school rooms ana upon
her own responsibility founded bank.
where the soldiers could deposit their pay
and secure money orders for transmission
home. More than $35O.OOO passed through
her hands in this way before the end ct
the war.
After the evacuation by the British
troops. Florence Nightingale returned .
England Her last act in the Crinlea was
the dedication of a cross, twenty teet
high, upon the crest of a crag overlook
ing her hospital. The only INSCRIPTION was
these words.
Lord Have Mercy Upon U.s."
-
Upon her return 10 England. Miss
Nightingale received from Queen Victoria
Rich signed by Prince Albert.
r.e. accompanied by an au-
UAts' tograph letter; tie Sultan
of Turkey sent her diamond bracert,
valued at 100000. and she was over
whelmed with gifts, testimon ais ard
tributes Of every sort from municipalities.
corporations benevolent societies, relig-
ious associations and individuals. A fund
In cash amounting to about $4,000,
raised as a gift to her. was at her re-
quest devoted to the establishment of a
training school for nurses at st. Thomas
Hospital She was guest OF the queen
at Balmoral. she received the freedom OF
the city, from nearly every town Of i'm
portance in England, and was .nor.d in
every possible way by every class OF peo-
pie, from royalty to the Clubs OF work.
ing men and women.
She Is the only woman who ever re-
cefved the Order of Merit; she Is the only
woman who was ever made q member
of the Order of st. John OF Jerusalem
Queen Victoria bestowed upon her the
Red Cross: the city of London conferred
upon her the freedom of the city, an
honor enjoyed by only one other woman
the late Baroness Burdette Coutts. For
twenty years or more her birthday has
always been recognized by an autograph
letter of congratulations from the Queen
or the King OF England and by resolu-
tons of congratulations from numerous
organizations throughout the world.
-
She celebrated her ninetieth birthday
May Il last, and one Of the first acts of
King George v, who
Birthday came to the throne only
Celebrated. few days previously
gram Of congratulations.
After her return from the Crimea Miss
Nightingale was engaged for several
years. under the direction OF the secre-
tary of state for war. in reorganizing the
military hospital service OF Great Britain.
Her instructions and rules in regard to
army nursing. which il a large volume.
prepared at the request OF the war Of
fce. has been the basis OF reforms
throughout the world. II was of special
importance during the civil war in the
United States and the war between
France and Germany. which followed
shortly after and led 10 the founding OF
the Red Cross Society, now established
In every civilized country.
Miss Nightingale did not confine her
work 10 the military service. but directed
and assisted the organization of training
schools for nurses in all the principal
cities of Great Britain. and the establish
ment of district nursing associations for
outdoor relief among the poor. Her
theory has always been that hospitals
should be reserved for surgical cases and
infectious or contagious diseases; and
that. so far as possible. the INDECENT sick
should be treated in their own homes.
1t
She reorganized the infrmaries CONNECT
ed with warehouses; and aimshouses
throughout Great Britain.
Reforms and through her influence
rnJ acts of parliament were
oese~' passed making compulsory
the employment or trained nurses I'm these
institutions instead of women paupers TO
whose tender mercies the care of the sick
had always been committed.
During all this activity Miss Nightingale
found time to write a series OF books Of
instruction and many pamphlets and pa
pers concerning public health and the ef-
ficiency OF hospital administration. In
1853 she published a book on hospital con-
struction. In 1880 her Notes on Nurs-
ing" volume of five hundred pages, ran
up 10 an edition of one hundred thousand
copies. Other publications on similar sub
jects came from her pen with eXtraor-
binary frequency.
But at last her frail constitution broke
down under this labor and responsibility.
She became a helpless invalid, confined TO
her bed for more than twenty-five years
vet she continued to devote her entire
time 10 doing good woodwork after my
own heart. and, trust. Gods work. :
From her pillow she continued to direct
several institutions and movements in
which she was particularly interested. The
meetings of boards Of directors and trus-
tees OF dozen benevolent institutions
were held regularly in her bedroom, and
her judgment was regarded of the highest
value on all subjects relating to hospital
mana cement and benevolent work. Even
up 10 the last month OF her life she con-
tinued to receive reports and to give in
structions, TO write communications TO the
authorities and TO give advice
upon various subjects, and IL was not until
forty-eight hours before her death that
she was considered dangerously i'll.
There never was a more useful woman
than Florence Nightingale and never one
more honored and revered throughout the
world.