Evening star., 1920-03-28

Millions of soldiers and civilian
sick in hospitals call blessed the name
of Florence Nightingale. whose infiu-
sick, and who was born in Florence,
Italy. 100 years ago the 18th Of May
next. Her centenary will be cele-
brated by the Red Cross and by nurs-
ing associations in most parts of the
world. This English gentlewoman.
brilliantly educated, tenderIy reared.
but possessing powerful political af-
filiations, an Unsuitable capacity for
organization and a heart overflowing
with human sympathy, was able to
give to nursing the impetus which
has established it among the fore
most professions for women.
During her youth Florence Night.
gayety and wide acquaintanceshsip
which are a feature of the life OF the
country aristocracy of England.
These diversions, however, never sat
isfied her; nor did extensive travel.
And her longing for service crystal
Salisbury Hospital.
Had she announced a plan to enter
domestic service she could not nave
Mortified her family more. To>.be
| hospital nurse" seventy years ago
| was an unheard-of desire. Such per-
sons were usually coarse and; igno-
rant elderly women, without rudl-
mentary knowledge Of cleanliness.
Happfest Months OF Life.
Adverse influence was too strong.
and she gave up this plan. but SIX
years later prevailed on her FANNY
| to permit her to enter the School OF
| Deaconesses at Kaiserwerth, Ger
\ OH ha nlace in Europe
/ where women could be trained with,
/ out arousing criticism. She described
her three months of training there as
the happiest of her life. After FUR
| ther experience gained WIN the Sls.
ters of Charity in Paris she became
superintendent of Harley Street HOS
pitaI. London, and found herself fair
| Iy launched on her chosen work.
Then came the Crimean war. with
| the landing of 25.o0o Br1tisn tioops
| pie: the first battles, and the reports
of the subsequent collapse OF the
| medical hospitals before the infux
| Of sick and wounded. ENGLAND was
higher and higher against lack OF
preparedness which allowed brave
men to die unnecessarily by hun.
dreds.- Miss Nightingale's letter OF
! offer Of service In this emergency
crossed one from her friend and ad.
mirer. Sidney Herbert, secretary at
war, asking her to take the post OF
superintendent of a newly organized
| nursing establishment in the general
military hospital in Turkey. A week
later, with twenty-eight nurses, a
| few friends and a large slice OF ner
| own private funds, she sailed Tor the
| near east amid a storm OF popular
Ten Gays after the battle of Bala-
klava, and the very day before the
| bloody struggle of Inkerman, the Ut
| tie expedition landed at Scutari just
| at the time the 400 troopers wound
ed in the charge Of the Light Brigade
reached the base hospital. Wounded
men. after meager flrst-aid treatment
| at the front, had to be sent by boat
across the Black sea, wartime voy.
| age of two or three weeks. No ex-
perience gained In London hospitals
prepared these nurses for what they
| were to f1nd.
Confusion and Misery Reigned.
WANT neslsot. sna confusion Msn. 1na nos
misery SaS.ssaa. sssst. wsss wes. "o Of
canvas; beer bottles held the can-
dies, There was not proper vsntia.
tion: there were no basins. soap, tow.
els, brooms. mops. trays. plates. scis.
sors, slippers nor table utensils. xee
many Of these things had been sent.
hurled under ammunition. sailed past
to be unioaded at Crimean ports. or
were sidetracked at Turkish custom.
houses.
cleanliness and comfort. due to FLOR
ence Mghtinsale's genius for admin:
listration, hard work. generosity ana ana
powerfui political influence. From
her private RESOURCES ahe issusd 900
| shirfa She set up a diet kltohon