New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-03-09
y OSgsIlteer Aides
Finding Work In
Hospital Clinic
They Aid Doctors by Learn
ing History of Patients AM
Helping Them in Man
Ways Nj e dicine Won

A meeting Of the volunteer aides \
the civilian hospital work Of the N,
tional League for Woman's servia
held last week at the Headquarters al
Madison Avenue. indicated. say men
bers Of the league, that, although IN.
emotional incentive for war work d
past, the practical need for permaner
civilian relief has been recognize
Accordingly, the league has adjus.e
Its hospital division to meet peso
conditions occurring daily in hos
pital clinics.
When the war and the epidenn
made so tremendous a demand upo
the services Of nurses that the suppl
became exhausted. the league TIRES
into the breach volunteer aides wiz
went into the hospitals and cared fc
the sick in whatever wav care We
needed. Although the stress Of th
war and epidemic has bec
lifted. The wars terrible toll d
wounded is stu straining the suppl
Of nurses. and the volunteer aide.
have continued 10 make I'D the defci.
cncY. The proceedings Of the meeting
held last week showed according n
Dr. Edgar s. White, that the deficiency
had not only been met, but the aide
has created q distinct place for her
self.
Some Things Discovered
Dr. White addressed the meeting Ct
the request of Miss N. H. Nelso,
who under Mrs. j. Curtin, the char
man OF the division, is helping in car.
rylng on the work, and he polnM
out exactly what q volunteer aids
means to a hospital clinic.
According to DR.. White the press o.
ether matters afforded q patient st Z
clnlc little chance Of being consld-
cred other than as a case" until tht
presence OF the volunteer aide gsvs
MN an opportunity 10 reveal the NOR
personal phase Of his needs.
For instance, DR.. White said, orr
patient whose trouble was quite cor
rectly diagnosed by busy physical
as proceeding from his stomach, sH
TO whom the physician recommends
poached eggs for breakfast. broth ~
luncheon, and breast Of chicken Ea
spinach for dinner, was discovered y
a sympathetic aide TO have had not
ing to eat for several days.
A similar instance. also cited y
Dr. White. was thai OF the worhig
girl threatened with tuberculosis, VT
vas told 10 take complete rest u
tai arrangements could be made
send her 10 country sanatora1e
where fresh air and sunshine mig'
restore her to health
Necessary Relief Found
But a complete rest" not beng e
tirelN consistent with the regy1
payment OF the rent. the girl woD-
have been compelled to drag throre
the weary weeks intervening betwee
the diagnosis and the sanatorium rs
not the volunteer aide learned NJ
story and. assisted by The Nauon'
League for Woman's service bega'
the work that brought tho necesssi'
relief.
These stories are learned by e
AIDES. DR.. White explained 10 in
meeting, while they are taking '''
"hlstories' OF the patients. The c@
tors, ne said, have hardly enough ~
to MAKE the necessary physical exs8
nations and prescribe the remedies
Dr. W hite testified TO the value
'hlS assistance. saying i filled n''
,hae the doctors are too busy 10 NIX
however essential they may hehe'e
TO be. lie aAded. however. that y.
volunteer aides who have been ss'