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The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto
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and conscientious in the performance of their " There is a time in every man's education
duties, have g-iven little thought to the develop- when he must take himself for better or worse
ment of nursing- as a whole, for the benefit and as his portion that though the wide universe
;
service of the public. They have taken little is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn
trouble to inform themselves on matters which can come to him but through his toil bestowed
intimately concern its welfare and efficiency, on that plot of ground which is given him to
and they have not studied its history and litera- .
tUl. The power which resides in him is new
ture. For instance, how many of those who in nature, and none but he knows what that is
read these words have read, from cover to which he can do, nor does he know until he
cover, the four volumes of "A History of has tried."
Nursing-," by Professor M. Adelaide Nutting-, Our sincere wish for all our readers is that
R.N., and Miss L. L. Dock, R.N. ? Yet no the New Year may bring them happiness and
nurse who has not, can be well informed as to success, especially the happiness which comes
the various phases of the development of from the development of hitherto untested
nursing- as a profession, or its present position powers and talents.
in the various countries of the world. " We will not anticipate the past so much,
The watchword, then, for the year upon which —
young j>eople our retrospection wUl be all to
we are now entering should, for every nurse, be the future."
; ,
nxxxeim /--^^ 3,
^9-
of
5Lbe Bctttsb 3ournal
seen covered with thin
surans the patch is first
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. destroyed, so only broken
hair, which is soon
and twisted hair is left.
APPEARANCE OF THE SKINLUPUS.
IN
Shave the whole head or a large
(a)
DESCRIBE THE
DESCKiuc ! RiNQWORM, (d) TrZLent.
patch and apply carbolic
and
^""^oW^rI ?H^ESE DISEASES TRBATEDV area round the
mercury and vaseline
the prize this sulphur ointment a a or
Wehave pleasure in awarding Road, paint the patch with Tr
Walford, Maldon a a twice daily, or
we^ to MiL E. O. treatment or zinc or
lodi. If available, X-ray
Colchester. will probably be ordered
i^per ionization
and burn loose hairs. The
patien
any apparent
Eczema may appear without
(a)
Pull out
brush, towel etc but
Too free action of must never use any cap,
caul or may be due to (i) necessitat- latter frequently, and
place
glands or any occupation his own; wash the
Sfsweat must be renewed daily,
the skin, as laundry a paper lining, which
ng constant moisture of car
work; (ii)
soap, or irritants a
irritating in the former. , , ,
bacilli.
.,..
eouty, diabetic or
rheumatic patients. common on the face.
Lupus vulgaris,
burns, irritates and becomes red. TlTere are two forms: (i)
The skin before the
which b-st and dis
which usually appears
Nume'r^us vesicles' appear stittens yellow nodule J^9^^''^a
resembling
watery fluid; this, when dry, starts as a soft
charp-e a
into white Other nodules form, join
the dothirg, or if
unabsorbed,
sSlesTh^e vesicles, running
dries
together, form a ^gether Z
niece of apple jellv.
burst; this
W
Wder Protect the patient
and cold; if a
c:tton wool to prevent
child,
him
tie
^-m
his hands in
^atc^g^
salt or higmy
ointment.
injected.
life,
The patient
in
sleep a.
should
well-yentilated
lead
room,
an outdoor
and have
avoiding a plentiful fatty diet.
Give a light diet,
Keep the bowels acting
freely. HONOURABLE MENTION.
SSoned fLl.
Iron and arsenic are
often ordered. The following competitors'f^^'^^.^'^l^'^^^^
the Miss Jane Elliot,
''""^ypsoriasis is a hereditary disuse
,
mention :-Miss May Long,
and Miss Kate Lewis.
QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
sometimes associated to check
:p^C anJ auJum^ It is
It starts with raised
What measures would you adopt
iTth "^out or rheumatism. hemorrhage from (a) the lungs
with dry s^!-ry wh^te O^^f^^P^^^^^Jj
7ed patches covered forearm; (c) a ruptured
chiefly on the (b) a deep cut in the
Icales These patches appear varicose vein?
backs of the forearms but
!?w; knees and whole of the body^
t^brd cases may affect the
^"?rea?m.nf. Give hot baths, usmg a gcK>d NINETEEN MILLIONS FOR THE
the scales then tar
or chrysa- RED CROSS.
soap, to remove
;
.
(tinea
will be
(c) Ringworm is
tonsurans).
treated.
the nine months of training given under this _;^ioo per annum, rising ;^io yearly to a maxi-
scheme is just one quarter of the minimum de- mum of ;^i40, with the usual war bonus.
manded for qualification of a nurse. We
hope We do not consider this salary sufficient for
the nursing societies will press upon the Com- a Matron at an infirmary containing 600 beds,
missioners the need for developing this scheme especially with the decrease in the value of
until we have a service of fully trained nurses money. Many mechanics make double the
in our prisons, not of wardresses with " a little amount.
knowledge." We are glad to note, however, that the
Guardians are going to lessen the very exces-
sive hours of work now in force for the nurses,
We heartily endorse this expression of
opinion, and have no doubt that as soon as
upon the suggestion of Dr. Davies, the Medical
Superintendent, who proposed that the present
safe and efficient nursing standards have been
defined by the General Nursing Councils, that
hours of day nurses should be reduced from ';^y
per week to 50^^ hours, with one day's rest in
the Home Secretary will avail himself of the
seven, half-day on Sunday and two hours daily
services of Registered Nurses to care for the
off duty on other days and the night nurses'
sick in prisons. Only we must not imagine ;
that genera] hospital training alone will suffice hours reduced from SoJ to 69 hours and one
for this very special work. We night off duty given each week. In order to
look forward
in addition to a course of very si>ecial instruc-
carry ouit these proposals an additional staff of
ten nurses will, have to be employed.
tion being available for those nurses who desire
to qualify themselves for service amongst a
class of patients who require peculiarly intui- Miss Sybil Drummond, of 69, Grosvenor
tiveand sympathetic care upon the part of their Street, W. , bequeathed ;iCioo each to Nurse
attendants and nurses. Very picked women Dunglinson, of Folkestone, Nurse Woosey,
possessed of psychic force must be- encouraged and Sister Parke, of Beaumont Street, W.
to labour in this environment —
the average,
wholesome, high-spirited animal is not enough.
SOCIETY FOR THE
Captaiin St. John, Hon. Secretary of the Penal STATE REGISTRATION OF NURSES.
Reform League, in a paper read before the
Women's Institute, quotes from a report of the
Medical Superintendent of the Chicago House of We hope there will be a great muster of
— —
Correction a model of its kind^ as follows :
members
Society,
at the general meeting of the above
to be held on January 8th, at 11,
" The proper care of prisoners, and the remedy-
Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W., at
ing of bodily defects through such treatment as
modem surgery and medicine can give will 4 p.m.
decrease the prison population. There is not Don't forget that the only object of the
a day that we do not receive unfortunates who Society was to obtain an Act of Parliament for
are compelled to beg or steal because of their the Registration of Nurses, and that this great
inability' to earn a living on account of some object has been attained.
physicaJ infirmity, which is readily cured by
proper surgical or medical treatment.
The Chicago House of Correction to-day is ARMY NURSING NOTES.
looked upon by the police department, the judges,
and part of the public, as a city emergency hos-
pital and sanatorium for all the alcoholics, drug VICTORY MEDAL RIBAND.
habitu6s, epileptics, chronic incurables, cripples, Preliminary Issue to be Made.
blind and helpless beggars, cranks, perverts, and An Army Council Instruction just issued states
general mental and moral defectives who require that a preliminary issue of the Victory Medal
special medical and surgical care.
-
Among the Riband will now be made officially to those entitled
cases which have been sent to us as alcoholics, to the medal. The riband will be issued to
we have found unfortunates suffering from skull personnel still serving by commanding officers and
fractures, syphilis, softening of the brain, delirium heads of departments. Demobilised members of
of pneumonia, brain tumours, acute dementia, the nursing services should make individual
and other forms of insanity." application as follows :
—
Members of Q.A.I.M.N.S. To the Secretary,
The Kingston-on-Thames War Office (A.M.D.4), Cornwall House, Stamford
Guardians
have Street, E.C. i, giving particulars of service.
decided that the salary of the Matron to be
appointed for the Infirmary is to commence at
—
T.F. Nursing Members. To the Secretary, War
Office (T.V.4), 80, Pall Mall, S.W. i.
— — ;
Miss Sarah Brown, Queen Alexandra's Imperial formerly issued by the Local Government Board.
Military Nursing Service Reserve. The Memo, advises that Nursing Associations
Miss Una Lee, Queen Alexandra's Imperial should have plans ready in advance and Local
Military Nursing Service Reserve. Authorities are advised to take action along the
following lines
The Royal Red Cross
:
(First Class).
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing The appointment of a small emergency com-
1.
Service Reserve. —
^Miss Lavinia Badger, Miss Ina
mittee [e.g., three members of the Public Health
Committee) to whom, with the Medical Ofl&cer of
Humfrey, Miss Louise Remnant, and Miss Kate Health, should be delegated full powers to act and
Underwood. incur necessary expenditure.
Territorial Force Nursing Service. —Miss Pauline 2. Medical practitioners and any voluntary health
Barnard and Miss Isabel Eveleigh. workers in the district to be consulted through their
respective local organisations and their co-operation
The Royal Red Cross (Second Class). invited in determining the practical methods to be
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing adopted.
Service. —
Miss Joan Wells. 3. A scheme as regards the provision of nursing and
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing other assistance to families stricken with influenza to
Service Reserve. —
Miss lily Baldwin, Miss Mildred be formulated, such scheme to be carried out under the
direction of the Medical Officer of Health.
Beale, Miss Elizabeth Betts, Miss Charlotte Black,
4. Division of the town or district for this purpose
Miss Beatrice Brice, Miss Eileen Byrne, Miss
into areas, to each of which one or more trained nurses
Kathleen Cambridge, Miss Norah Connolly, Miss are allotted for domiciliary nursing, the nurses to act
Mary Farmer, Miss Helen Fisher, Miss Margaret in regard to individual patients solely under the direc-
Griffith, Miss Beatrice Hall, Miss Elizabeth Lee, tion of the medical practitioner in charge of the case.
5. Women to be enlisted as
Miss Agnes Lithgow, Miss Christian Valentine, " home helps " to assist
Miss Sara Wadsworth, Miss Jessie Wamock- with cooking, care of children, and ordinary domestic
Walker, Miss Mary Welch, and Miss Audrey work. Inquiries to be made to ascertain where such
W ellington. assistance is most urgently needed.
Territorial Force Nursing Service. Miss Alice — 6. Utilisation to the best advantage of health
visitors and other members of the stafi of the authority
Bunch, Miss Effie White, and Miss Nona White.
Civil Nursing Service. —
^Miss Helen Walters.
and of institutions under the control of the council
improvisation of temporary creches and of special
British Red Cross Society. —
Miss Dorothy Sweet kitchens in which food and invaUd diet can be prepaxed.
and Miss Joan Van de Weyer. 7. Allocation to influenza patients of one or more
St. John's Ambulance Brigade. Miss Kate — wards in the isolation hospital or in some other avail-
Bradford and Miss Grace Broadhead. able and suitable emergency hospital.
Voluntary Aid Detachment. — Letitia, Mrs. Breese, 8. Issue of notices and leaflets to the public.
9. Prevention or mitigation of overcrowding, and
Miss Margaret Miss Kathleen Grimbly,
Gale,
securing adequate ventilation in pubUc buildings or
Harriet, Mrs. Llewellyn, Kate, Mrs. Talbot, and
conveyances under the control of the council.
Miss Una Ward. ID. School closure may be specially useful in rural
Final Honours List. Royal Red Cross and smaller urban districts.
(First Class).
Canadian Army Medical Corps. ^Miss A. G. — The Public Health Committee of the London
Hogarth, A.R.R.C, Acting Matron, i6th Canadian County Council have authorised the pa3rment,
General Hosp., Orpington, Kent Miss B. A. ; subject to the approval of the Minister of Health
Merriman, A.R.R.C, Nursing Sister, Assist. of a grant of ^500 to the National Council for
Matron, Canadian Red Cross Officers' Hosp., Combating Venereal Diseases, for lectures to trade
North Audley Street Miss E. W. Odell, A.R.R.C,
; and other large firms, school teachers, working
Nursing Sister. women mothers, social workers, etc. addresses,
;
New Zealand Army Nursing Service. ^Miss S. — conferences, meetings, the distribution of free
L. Clark, Sister; Miss A. C
Ingles, A.R.R.C, literature, and the exliibition of posters in con-
Sister. nection with the treatment and diagnosis of
The Military Medal. venereal diseases. The expenditure wUl rank
'
Nursing on the declaration of the Royal Asstnt to wish to have some share in giving to her Asso-
it
ciation, as it is to commemorate the passage of a
the Nurses' Registration Bills.
reform which the R.B.N. A. Members have helped
so very much to bring about. The subscriptions
A NEW YEAR'S GREETING. need not be large, but if everyone will give a little
We wish all Members of the Association and of we shall have no difficulty in getting the sum re-
the Societies affiliated to it a year of much pros- quired to get the banner and to cover the expenses
perity. Such a greeting seems to-day to mean so connected with the scheme of the nurses. They
much more than in the past, for the Acts for State desire us to state that all the subscriptions towards
Registration give to the nurses immense power, it should be forwarded to Miss Grace Anderson,
and we hope that each in her own place will use M. R.B.N. A., c/o the Secretary, Royal British
her opportunity to make the year 1920 the first in Nurses' Association, 10, Orchard Street, Portman
a long period of prosperity for the profession and Square, W. i.
its Members.
ENGAGEMENT.
COMMEMORATION BANNER. We learn with pleasure of the engagement of
A few of the younger Members of the R.B.N. A. Miss Jean Morris to Mr. C. S. Murray, son of the
late Lieut.-Colonel C. S. Murray, of the Seventy-
have formed themselves into a small Committee
and are arranging to commemorate the passage of second Highlanders. The marriage is to take place
the Acts for State Registration by providing their
on 4th February from the home of the bride, " Mel-
Association with a Banner. The details of its de- bourne," Gorsebrook Road, Wolverhampton. Miss
sign have not yet been fully considered, but the Morris is one of the most popular Sisters at the
Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham. She has
suggestion at present is that a large reproduction
of the beautiful badge of the Association should
always taken a great interest in all that concerns
be the principal feature. The badge lends itself to her profession, and we are glad to learn that she
such a purpose very well indeed. The crown in the intends to continue her membership of the Associa-
centre will be worked mostly in gold, and the
tion. Her fellow members unite in wishing her
national emblems of the four countries, between the and Mr. Murray every happiness.
arms of the cross, will be embroidered in their
natural colours. The colours of the cross itself THE R.R.C.
will depend of course on the colour chosen for
The inequality andunfairnessinrecommendations
the banner. Below the badge the motto of the for the R.R.C. have long caused dissatisfaction in
Corporation will be embroidered in crimson on a nursing circles, and the Poor Law Officers' Journal,
scroll of cloth of gold. The banner will be in the following paragraph shows how social
mounted with fringe cord and tassels, and the pole influence and pressure can be brought to bear
and cross-bar will have brass ^leurs de-lis at their in this connection. It reports :
ends. The nurses propose to have the Banner "Mr. W. C. Ridgwell, who presided over the
made at the Royal School of Art Needlework, and, last meeting of the West Ham Guardians, said he
January 3, 1920 ^be ©Htisb Soumal of IRursmo.
was sure the Board would join him in congratu- The Secretary's Reply.
lating the Matron and Sisters at the Infirmary Dear Miss Cattell, Miss Liddiatt, Miss Nash,
who had gained decorations for war service. —
and Fellow Members, Your gift has come as a
The Matron had the Royal Red Cross, and she had' great surprise to me, for, when last summer I
very generously said that it was given to the played the part of Sherlock Holmes and drew
institution and not to her personally. Thi«? correct deductions on observing a number of let-
showed a very fine spirit. Eight nurses had ters, addressed in familiar handwritings, passing
gained the medal of the second class, and he through the office, and also certain conclaves in
thought much credit was due to Sir Arthur which I had not part, I imagined that my Scottish
Stanley, who took the matter up. Mr. Ward, a persistence and capacity for argument would, and
member of the Board, too, had been hammering subsequently had, prevailed upon you to discard
away at the Ministry and the local Members of your very kind and very generous scheme. Please
Parliament, trying to get the services of these believe me when I say that the position I took in
ladies recognised." regard to this was not due to any lack of apprecia-
tion of your kindness nor, in any sense, to ingrati-
QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL. tude. On the contrary you can never know how
Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Marylebone Road, deeply I have valued your kind thought and your
N.W., the largest Maternity Hospital in England, obvious reluctance to give way to my scruples.
is in very great need of help at the present time. Those scruples were, however, very real ones, for
During the past five years, owing to the great no one knows better than I what the struggle of
increase in prices, the income has been insufficient the past few years has cost the Association and
to meet the expenditure and a debt of ^/^i 0,000 the nurses. It has been no easy thing for them
has accumulated. The applications for admission to fight their battle for the right onr their earnings,
of patients have increased considerably 2,000; against those who have held unlimited control over
poor women were admitted to the wards last large sums of money, in pushing forward their
year and over 2,000 have been attended and unjust claims for preferential treatment from the
nursed in their own homes. State. Moreover, I know full well how generously
The extension and improvements about to be and wholeheartedly the R.B.N.A. nurses respond
commenced when war broke out are urgently to any appeal, whether it may reach them on behalf
needed, quite /50,ooo will be required. of their Profession, their Association, or one or
The Committee earnestly appeal for generous other of their Benevolent Schemes. Again, as I
support to enable them to cope with the ever- told you in the summer, we have been such
" good
increasing demands on the help of the hospital. comrades " in the struggle of the last few years;
everyone has done her part in her own place, and
CORRESPONDENCE. it really made me feel ashamed that I should be
To the Secretary R.B.N. A. singled out in any way for recognition. Besides,
Dear Miss Macdoxald, —We are enclosing a there are others who have done so very much more
small cheque which a few of your friends and than I.
well-wishers have collected as a little gift for you, I think I shall have the bicycle, because I always
and we would like you to buy a watch or a bicycle get such utter and unmixed pleasure out of a
with it. As you will remember, some of the wheel, and so the R.B.N.A. Nurses will always be
nurses started a plan last summer to give you a in my thoughts in my happiest hours and with me,;
present, but you found it out. and persuaded us at those times, will be the memory of the days
to drop it. It was, as you will remember, with when we fought together through these last long
'
the greatest reluctance that we did give way, heavy months of the battle for a just Registration
and those nurses who had already subscribed Act for the nurses. I thank you all for your gift
refused to have their money back. If you had only and for the love and kindness and friendship that
allowed us to go on we know the amount would make it such a pleasure at all times to work
have been fourfold, however it comes with all our among you and for you.
expressions of gratitude and esteem for you and With every good wish and again heartfelt
vanished with the Session. Major Barnett never Matron, St. George's Hospital, Malta and Matron
;
withdrew his Bill realising the vicissitudes of of St. Ignatius Hospital and of Valetta Hospital,
politics, but he gave whole-hearted support to the Malta.
Government measure, promoted, as promised, SUPERINTENDENT NURSE.
by the Minister of Health, and had the satisfaction Edmonton Union.—Miss Jane Gowen has been
and pleasure of seeing the principles incorporated appointed Superintendent Nurse. She was trained
at Stockport Infirmary and has been Superintendent
in his Bill receive the support of Parliament and
Nurse at Stepney and head nurse at Biggleswade
pass into law; a highly satisfactory conclusion Union Infirmaries.
to the Nurses' Registration controversy, and one
which should inspire the whole nursing profession ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
with a determination to make the very best use
Manchester, Child Welfare Centre. Miss Jessie —
Emsley has been appointed Assistant Superintendent.
of the Nursing Acts in a spirit of harmony and She received her training at the Liverpool Royal
goodwill. Infirmary, and has since been Sister at the East
Suffolk Hospital, Ipswich, at the Beckett Hospital,
THE COLLEGE OPPOSES TRADE Barnsley, and at the Stanley Hospital, Liverpool.
UNIONISM FOR NURSES. Miss Emsley has also seen service in France with the
St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital, and with
At a members of the College
social gathering of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
of Nursing, Ltd., recently held at Leeds, Miss Reserve at Plymouth. She is a certified midwife.
Cowlin, the Organising Secretary, attacked trade
SISTER.
unionism as a means of nursing organisation,
and the following resolution was passed, and it
Taunton and Somerset Hospital, Taunton. Miss —
Elizabeth Rogers, R.R.C., whose appointment as
was resolved to send it to the Minister of Health :
Sister at the Taunton and Somerset Hospital we
"That in the opinion of the meeting a pro- reported last week, was trained at the Royal Infirmary,
fessional union of nurses registered under the Chester, not as stated at the General Infirmary,
Trades Union Act is not an ideal unit of organisa- Worcester, in which institution she held the position
tion, and that the Ministry of Health be urged to of Sister.
do all in their power to improve the salaries and HEALTH VISITOR.
conditions of trained nurses, th^t with the co-
—
Monmouthshire Education Committee. The following
trained nurses have been appointed Health Visitors :
operation of the Ministry voluntary professional Miss O. B. Bishop, Miss G. P. Kennedy, and Miss E. M.
organisation may prove to be the best medium Owen, trained at King Edward VII. Hospital, Cardiff ;
for obtaining a high standard of nursing service." Miss C. Davies and Miss M. M. Gale, trained at the
It would have been- interesting to have seen Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Mon.
Dr. Addison's expressive face when he read
this ingenuous communication It is a great
QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S MILITARY NURSING
!
SERVICE FOR INDIA.
pity the College advocates know so little of
The following promotions have been made :—
politics, and behave in
Why kick against the pricks ?
so childish a manner. Lady Supt. to be Chief Lady Supt. Miss H. A. —
M. Rait, R.R.C. (Sept. i8th, 19 17).
Trade unionism has the power of the Law Sen. Nursing Sisters to be Lady Supts.' -Miss —
behind it, and if individual nurses elect to use H. J. Reynolds (Sept. i8th, 1917) Miss A. M.
;
that power, what right has the College to send Harris, R.R.C. (Jan. 10) Miss M. E. Harvey (March
;
from the charitable public by the heart-rending (Jan. loth); Miss L. A. White, A.R.R.C. (Feb. 17th) ;
and pauperising appeals of the Nation's Fund Miss W. M. Aldridge, A.R.R.C. (March 30th).
for Nurses for poor, down-trodden, over-worked The following ladies have been appointed Nursing
and sick nurses, and for academic schemes, is Sisters :—Miss E. M. McPherson (Nov. 15th, 19 18) ;
not used in support of this political propaganda Miss E. F. Grove (Feb. 27th).
The following lady nurses have been permitted to
!
amongst others to this so-called National Fund, Reid (July 17th). Nursing Sisters.—Miss E. Lawson
and it would be the irony of Fate to take their Brown (Sept. ist, 19 18) Miss V. R. Tyler Cove (Oct.
;
money for any such purpose. ist, 19 18 j;Miss C. H. Shaw (Jan. i6th) Miss D. A. ;
— "
Porter (May 1st) ; Miss L. Locke (June ist) ; Miss L. BOOK OF THE WEEK.
AUman (Oct. 15th).
The following ladies have been permitted to retire
from the service :-^Lady Supt. Miss C. L. Cusins
"THE HISTORY OF THE SCOTTISH
(March ist, 19 18) Lady Supt. Miss C. F. Hill (Jan.
;
WOMEN'S HOSPITAL."*
loth) Sen. Nursing Sister Miss E. Sykes (Feb. 7th).
; Stranger and more deeply interesting than any
fiction is this record of the wonderful work- of
' strong and purposeful women from the first
OUR SISTERS OVERSEAS. months of the war until its close.
As soon as the King's Assent was given to our The import of the book needs no explanation,
Nursing Acts, a cable was sent to Miss Lavinia as the work of the Scottish Women's Unit is of
L. Dock, Hon. Secretary of the International world-wide knowledge. It is dedicated to the
Council of Nurses, at Fayetteville, U.S.A., to memory of Dr. Elsie Maud Inglis, " living now
which she cabled a reply rejoicing with us. No under wider skies than ours, the record of work
woman in the world has taken a deeper and more done by the women she helped to organise and
sympathetic interest in the struggle for legal lead."
status for her sex, and for her colleagues, than given almost entirely in the
The story told is
the brilliant part authoress of History of "A did the work.
words of the women who
Nursing." The nurses throughout the world " With the exception of the first four months
owe her much, and she is held in the warmest the Scottish women worked for the Serbian nation
affection and admiration by all who come into during the whole war with them they grappled ;
personal relations with her. with the dread typhus and overcame it. They
accompanied them in the great Retreat, they
The American Journal of Nursing has been followed them fighting through the Moglena
compelled, owing to the increased cost of pro- ISTountains they strained to keep up with their
;
duction, to raise its price to two dollars, fifty victorious armies over crest after crest in the
—
cents for twelve issues about tenpence a copy breathless rush to PrUep." The story of the long,
it is very well worth it. peaceful summer between the storms of the
The Journal announces handsome donations typhus epidemic and the invasion by the enemy
from American nurses and their friends for the is told in Dr. Inglis' ovm words, and shows how
Memorial Fund for the Nightingale School at the practical side of the work was carried out
Bordeaux,' in honour of all nurses who have given without regard to personal comfort or convenience
their lives in active war service. She is speaking of taking over a Serbian hospital
at Lazarovatz. " Getting the courtyard in order
As soon as The British Journal of Nursing has been most exciting work. The cesspool they
reached Bordeaux containing the glad news admit has not been emptied for four years. I
of the King's Assent to the Nursing Acts, the think it is more like ten. We have been at it for
following message flew over the wires
^'
Tr^s five mortal weeks.
:
sinceres congratulations. Hamilton et Mignot." " I watched them (the Austrian prisoners) at
work for about ten minutes, and then I descended
on them. I stood over them for about two hours,
A LOSS TO NURSING IN ITALY. and I don't think these Austrians can" have worked
The death of Princess Doria at Rome is a very so hard since they came to Serbia !
severe blow to the evolution of trained nursing in Or again when fifty extra sick were unex-
Italy. The Princess, who was a sister of the pectedly coming down the line. " We went and
Duke of Newcastle, was married to an Italian turned out a gast house, people who had been
Prince, and has long taken a most sympathetic sitting there in the gast house helping to clear out
personal interest in the Scuola Convitto Regina the tables and chairs. We swept the whole place
Elena at Rome, at which Italian nurses are to the light of storm lanterns, got on some boiling
trained on English methods, under the superin- water in the little kitchen place, and then down
tendence of Miss Dorothy Snell. Owing to on us came the patients, bed and bedding tog^her.
numerous reasons, the work is difi&cult, but is There was no question of bathing. We just tore
now very successful but the death of one of its off their uniforms and their heavy muddy boots."
;
most intelligent and devoted supporters is an With the pictures of Dr. IngUs before us we can
irreparable loss, and 'we offer our sincere sympathy imagine her tackling these practical problems with
to our Italian colleagues. equal zest as in her own highly technical work.
Miss Snell, who was enjoying a short holiday in The story of the Great Retreat and its tragic
England, and through whom we keep in touch experiences is told by Mr. Smith and illustrated
" Alas
with nursing in Italy, writes Princess
Doria is dead t and I am going back to Italy at
:
with wonderful drawings by his pencil. After
!
cause she had at heart is doubly sacred now burning everywhere and the scene amidst the
the dear Princess has left us, and more than ever
it is a matter of honour to do all she would
* By Eva Shaw McLaren. Hodder & Stoughton,
have wished." London.
— —
snow was unforgettable. A party of peasants his last fight and ' laid himf down with a will.'
invited us to their roaring and we shared what
fire, Maijiy and many a mother has longed to make this
supper we had with them. We sat round the pilgrimage to France many would gladly go' on
;
camp fire and though roasted in front and frozen foot if only they might reach their sacred spot.
behind, we managed to get a few hours' sleep. For those who cannot go, I will try to tell how it
We took the road at dawn. It was snowing hard fared with me."
and perishingly cold. We were now far into' the This much-loved son " went out to France a
Pass, and there could be no turning back." The subaltern of twenty-five with six years' service
Albanian peasants helped with the horses. " One in one of our best infantry regiments. Before he
would take the pony's head and the other the tail, was twenty-eight he was Lieutenant-Colonel,
and all three would then slide and slither down the D.S.O. and M.C." He was mortally wounded on
icy descent in the cleverest fashion. Our only May 27th, 1918, and fourteen months elapsed
thoughts were of food, and our talk was of food, before his mother was able to visit his grave. The
and to recall any delicacy would bring our hearts information she gives as to the) details of her
to our mouths." Seven weeks of this terrible journey would be valuable to other relatives
flight before the party arrived at Brindisi. making the same sad pilgrimage. At length she
We must conclude
this notice with an extract writes :
from the chapter entitled " Our Chief," in which " There beside his trench, facing the miles of
Elsie Inglis is compared with^ Florence Nightingale. open country, alone with God and with the birds
" To both the service of man was part of their and flowers and butterflies all about his bed
creed, which gave richness to their ser\ace of God. there lay our only son, the joy of our life, the pride
" Both believed in the absolute duty of of our hearts, but, oh never prouder, never
!
'
following the gleam that shone on their path in
'
prouder, beloved, than now. The mothers of
. . .
life whatever might be the apparent obstacles. those who lie in Kingly Graves have no call to
DifiSculties to them were only so many stones to be weep. But for our sons, what happiness had
stepped pleasantly over if possible, or otherwise there been to-day in England ?
sternly cast aside. " Now, when the moon shines into my room, I
" It
was with girt loin and lamp lit that August, can picture just how quietly it shines above the
191 4, found Elsie Inglis. For three years her little wooden cross and ivory Christ.
great nature was to be privileged to do a work " The cornflowers will fade, the piteous trenches
exacting its full powers, demanding the uttermost crumble gradually away, but that wide and starry
of her strength even to the last breath of her sky, that majesty of silent peace will still be there.
gallant spirit as it winged its way to the higher In the morning and the evening I shall see it, in
sphere." the rain and in the sunshine, but I will never wish
an inspiring record, and one which
It is indeed it different.
should make
British women glow with pride. " If the souls of our glorious dead are sleeping
The illustrations are profuse and of great for awhile, where better could they sleep ? If only
interest, and include portraits of the brilliant their gallant bodies lie under the flowers, then
medical women who served the Unit. The their spirits have long since answered to the Roll
panoramic view of the Hospital in Salonica is a Call of Paradise. Rank after rank the regiments
and gives the reader some idea of
fine illustration have mustered in the Courts of God, for once more
the immense scope of work planned and organised the cry of the Crucified has gone forth to the sons
by these women. of men Are ye able to drink of the cup that I
:
'
Though we have commented chiefly on the shall drink of ? And they have said unto Him
'
:
"
portion of the book dealing with Serbia, our '
We are able.'
readers are aware that the Scottish women estab-
lished hospitals in Calais, Royaumont, Salonica,
Corsica, Troyes, Vranja, Russia, Ostrovo and OUTSIDE THE GATES,
Sallanches. Such an immense undertaking,
carried out triumphantly to its conclusion, is a
lasting witness to the wit and wisdom of women. The passage into law of the Sex Disqualification
H. H. (Removal) Act has made it necessary for the Lord
Chancellor to reach a decision as to what (if any)
immediate steps should be taken by him in
A KINGLY GRAVE IN FRANCE. view of the new statutory qualification enabling
women to be placed upon the Commission of the
Peace.
Under the title " A Kingly Grave in France," The Lord Chancellor has therefore formed a
Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co., 39, Paternoster committee, consisting of Lady Crewe, Lady
Row, London, have published an interesting Londonderry, Mrs. Lloyd George, Miss Haldane, •
booklet by the author of " Especially " and " The Miss Tuckwel], Mrs. Humphry Ward, and Mrs.
Cup of War." Let us explain the reason for it in Sidney Webb, to advise him respecting the appoint-
the author's own words. ment of women magistrates.
" At last I have had my have seen
wish. I The members of the C^ommittee will at once be
with my own eyes the spot where our son fough placed upon the Commission of the Peace.
January 3, 1920 (^^e tBrtttph "^oiimal of iRureino
(s:
A Reliable
Dispensing
Service.
P
* vlUrtll
|."L ^
•
The Drugs
The
branch are zJways
at every
extent of our business and
fresh.
our system of regular wee^y supply ensures that nothing
gets stale on our shelves. Medical men will recognise that
the quality of freshness is secondary only to that of purity.
Boots
555
= Chemists
RRANCBSS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
SIR JESSE BOOT. umvtKSHjrsra ^**^ °"'«* STATION ST..
KUnAKins Dir«ct6r.
"W nWT^ «> , l-Ttt
'
NOTTINGHAM.
! ! — .
But many Yuletides came and sped honourable coign of vantage been privileged to
Tho' still to Hope we clung witness the Prorogation of Parliament by Royal
Good Nicholas jiast past us fled.
;
—
Commission a most beautiful and imposing
And shunned the foot of any bed ceremony, I hope it may be many a long day
Where our poor stockings hung !
before this fine symbolism in our Parliamentary
Custom lives on like Persian laws ! procedure is disregarded.
A month of years all told It was with silent satisfaction I noted the
We wondered still if Santa Claus glistening " bauble " (the mace) borne before the
Beside our doors would ever pause Lord Chancellor, when accompanied by the four
Or pass them as of old ? Royal Commissioners, wearing their gorgeous
When Plope was nearly out of sight scarlet ermine trimmed robes, they entered the
And Patience stood at bay. House and seated themselves upon a bench before
We reached the point, so short of light. the uncovered Throne.
The gruesome, blackest hour of night
Close to the dawn of day
Then the interesting pageant began. The Lord
Chancellor, young, handsome and dignified, directed
When, lo to one who vigil kept
!
the Yeoman Usher, Captain Sir T. D. Butler,
The Birthday watch to share.
—
Silent to waken none who slept
to summon the " faithful Commons " to the Bar
A sudden vision forward stepped of the House of Lords to hear the Royal Commis-
And Santa Claus was there I sion read. The feat of walking backwards for
He took each stocking from the whole length of the House, bowing three times
its post
And filled it to the brim to the Throne, was faultlessly performed by this
;
'Twas Father Noel's kindly boast. representative of Black Rod, and we waited in
He'd brought us all we wanted most, silence until, in response to the summons, the
Who'd watched so long for him. Speaker attended by the Sergeant-at-Arms,
* * *
together with Mr. Bonar Law and other members
•
" Howlooked he ere he vanished. of the House of Commons (amongst them I^ady
And did you hear his voice?" Astor) appeared at the Bar.
" A veil was wrapped about his head,
But 'twas no old man's voice which said
When the Lord Chancellor addressed those
Daughter of Mine, Rejoice.' "
' present as " My Lords and Members of the House
C. B. M. of Commons," instead of in the form used for
December 2 ^th, 19 19. centuries as " My Lords and Gentlemen of the
House of Commons," we realised a significant
alteration in the phraseology, made to include
COMINQ EVENTS. women as Members of Parliament.
January —
Irish Nurses' Association Meeting,
^rd. The Royal Commission was then read and the
34, Stephen's Green, Dublin.
St. 8 p.m. Royal Assent given to forty-five Bills, one Clerk
—
January Sih. Society for the State Registration at the table reading the name of the BiU, the
of Trained Nurses. General Meeting of Members, other exclaiming " Le Roy le Veult," both then
U, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. turning and bowing vidth the utniost ceremony
4 p.m. to the Throne.
The Nurses' Registration (Scotland) Bill, "Le Just now my heart is full of memories of thd
Roy le —
Veult " ^Tlae Nurses' Registration (Ireland) simple, happy, self-made little Christmases spent
Bill. "Le Roy le Veult." with my dear soldiers, and how they helped to
All the niirses present appeared absolutely arrange and plan little things, a5 much as they
motionless yet deeply moved. were bodily able, to brighten their surroundings,
It was an experience in suppressed emotion and thus enable them to dispel for the moment
I shall never forget. the thoughts of the sad and revolting scenes
When again I realised my surroundings, the already taking place within close reach of our
Lord Chancellor was reading the King's Speech little unfortified quarters. /
excellent scheme —
the Panel of Emergency Dis- (2) a one-time medical student, as Health Minister,
among men and that these dreadful times may January loth. —
^What nursing treatment and
right themselves and see an end to all these hapless managment are required for a case of infantile
conflicts and uprisings. wasting ?
5be British Journal of IRursing Supplentcnt. January 3, 1920
14
The
ENGLISH MIDWIVES IN THREE The " good old woman " called in was so agitated
CENTURIES* and perturbed that she swooned, and had to be
Abridged. carried out of the royal chamber. The French
" sage-femmc " chosen by the queen's mgther had
By M. Olive Haydon. been captured en route by a privateer there is a ;
Superintendent of Paget House Midwifery Training record of ;^ioo given to one Alice Dennis for her
School. services on this occasion.
" Thelives of the Queens of England," by Agnes During the Civil Wars a petition was presented
Strickland, in six volumes, gives many picturesque to Parliament by midwives. They made " just
details of the doings, manners, costumes and say- complaint " of the loss of their living that the war
ings of queens-consort, queens-regnant and queens- entailed. They stated they " were formerly well
dowager. It is chiefly from these books and from paid and highly respected in the parishes for their
Aveling's " English Mid wives " that one can gather great skil and midnight industry." The Chamber-
information about midwives in English history. lens, re-inventors of the forceps, would not have
Margaret Cobbe —A Friend in Need. agreed as to the great " skil." They agitated for
improvements iA the practice of midwifery, and
The first royal midwife mentioned in the old
one of them tried to provide for the instruction of
records is Margaret Cobbe, who attended Queen
midwives, " the uncontrolled femal arbiters of
Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV, at the
life and death."
birth of Edward, the elder of the little princes
murdered in the Tower. He was born in a strong, The First Text-Books of Midwifery.
gloomy building called the Sanctuary, at a short In 1665 Hugh Chamberlen published a book on
distance from Westminster Palace, to -which his midwifery for the instruction of midwives and in ;
and Lady Scrofe as sanctuary women. She was of ye women, not knowing how other wise to live,
destitute of every necessity for her confinement, for the getting of a shilling or two to sustain their
but the Abbot of Westminster " sent various necessities, become midwives, their
ignorant
conveniences " from the Abbey close by, and travailing women suffer His own
tortures."
" Mother Cobbe, a well-disposed midwife, daughter was a midwife, and a quaint story is
charitably assisted the distressed queen in the told of how she diagnosed a breech presentation,
hour of maternal peril and acted as nurse to the but longed to have it confirmed. Her father,
little prince," the much-hoped-for heir. When dressed in women's clothes, was smuggled into the
the rebellion was over Edward IV bestowed darkened room, but he maintained, after an
princely rewards on the " humble friends " who examination, which the patient imagined was
had aided his Elizabeth, as he calls her, in that made by his daughter, that the head presented.
fearful crisis. He pensioned Margaret Cobbe He was evidently less experienced than she,
with /12 per annum. for the course of events proved him wrong.
When Midwives Were Well Paid. The first book by an English midwife, Mrs. Jane
Sharp, appeared in the seventeenth century. She
In the privy-purse expenses of Elizabeth of
^vrote much common sense on cleanliness, fitting
York, wife of Henry VII, is found an entry of ;^io
surroundings, temperance and occupation for the
paid to Alice Massey, the queen's midwife, for the
expectant mother.
exercise of her office.
She was difficult to please in her choice of a One other midwife's name has come down to
midwife. She conferrred first with a Prench
—
us Elizabeth Cellier, who was arraigned for high
treason, and put in the pillory for libel. She laid
nurse, but dismissed her with a gratuity of 6s. 8d.
the queen's niece then recommended a Mistress
;
a plan whereby all the midwives in London were to
Harcourt, but she likewise was dismissed with the be united in one college before James II, but it
fell through.
same sum. Perhaps her final choice was none
too wise, for she developed serious symptoms on Three Centuries Passed —Another Under
the seventh day after her confinement, and died Weigh.
on the ninth. After the sixteenth century, the monopol}'^ of the
A Dramatic Incident. practice of midwifery by untrained women ceased.
At the birth of the first born of Henrietta Maria We can look forward to yet better things in the
and Charles 1, a dramatic incident took place. twentieth century perhaps Elizabeth Cellier's
;
Labour set in prematurely while the queen was at idea of a college of midwifery may be realised ;
Greenwich, with neither physician nor midwife to be that as it may, better and longer education
attend her. will doubtless be insisted upon for those who
foUow what is so quaintly called " the midnight
*From "Maternity and Child Welfare." industry."
— "
THE
Crusaders lived in bygone days, and the pro- judice or custom must be removed if they im-
posal to observe the first Sunday in the New pede the attainment of justice or freedom.
" 8. That sacrifice and service are demanded
Year as Crusaders' Day in churches and
chapels of the country received the warm ap- from all citizens, but that the higher the posi-
proval of the Prime Minister, who urges the tion and the greater the wealth, the larger the
members of the League "to go forth as men measure of sacrifice and service demanded.
9. That the privilege to generate joy is not
* *
a« follows :
On Sunday last the Lord Mayor of London
attended in state the afternoon service at St.
The Ten Points of the League. Paul's Cathedral, when the sermon was
" That love and not hate is the funda-
I. preached by Archdeacon Holmes, and other
mental truth on which hangs the well-being of well-known clergy and ministers also preached
the world, and that reliance on brute-force is during the day on the ideals of the League.
incompatible with the highest social good. Its ideals are admirable, and it is proposed
" 2. That human nature, under whatever to carry them out through the medium of three
garb, is at heart sound and good. National Councils, educational, reconstructicmal
"3. That all men and women can be encour- and The political Coiuicil, which con-
political.
aged to pursue unselfish ends, and that it is sists of young Members of Parliament, will
a finer thing to love one's feUowmen and to promote the ideals of the League through legis-
seek to bring beauty and happiness in human lative channels. We shall watch with much
lives than to love one's possessions or to harness interest the development of the League, which,
one's sympathies. if it fulfils the hopes of its promoters, may be-
" 4. That extravagance, sloth, waste and come a great force for good.
i6 abe Brttieb 3ournal of IRuretnc January lo, 1920
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. of the elbow and flexing the forearm over the
arm and keeping it firm by means of a bandage.
WHAT MEASURES WOULD YOU ADOPT TO CHECK This is rather uncomfortable for the patient,
HiCMORRHAQE FROM (a) THE LUNGS (H/EMOPTYSIS) therefore he should never be left alone or he
(b) A DEEP CUT IN THE FOREARM, (c) A RUPTURED
may become restless and displace the pad,
VARICOSE VEIN ?
which would cause the bleeding to recommence.
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this If the bleeding be from a vein, pressure
week to Miss Rose Ellen S. Cox, The Bung-a- should be applied at a point farthest from the
low, Park Road, Monton, near Manchester. heart. Also directly over the wound by means
PRIZE PAPER. of a graduated corrrpress. This is made by
In cases of severe haernorrhage a nurse
all cutting several pieces of lint in graduated sizes,
should send at once for medical assistance, in the first one being cut just the size of the
the meantime using what means she has at wound, each layer slightly larger than the
hand to check the bleedings others. The compress should be soaked in
(a) HcBtnoptysis, or haemorrhage from the some antiseptic and firmly bandaged on to the
lungs, is recognis^., by its bright red and wound. When the bleeding has ceased the
frothy appearance, and it is usually coughed wound should be dressed and the limb slung
up in mouthfuls. from the elbow.
—
Treatment. Lay the patient in a recumbent (c) A ruptured varicose vein. — In the case
position, with the head and shoulders slightly of haemorrhage from a varicose vein the
raised and the head turned to one side, loosen limb should be elevated and pressure ap-
all clothing about the chest, open the window plied both above and below the wound,
and door to allow a <;urrent of air through the as in varicose veins the valves become dis-
room. If ice is procurable, place an ice-bag tended and allow the blood to flow backwards.
(covered with a piece of flannel) on the chest All constrictions, such as garters, should be
and give the patient small pieces of ice to suck. removed. When the bleeding has been con-
If ice is not available, cloths wrung out of cold trolled, a compress should be applied to the
water may be applied to the chest and changed wound, and the limb bandaged from its ex-
frequently. Small sips of vinegar and water tremity upwards. It must be kept in an ele-
may be given, or the patient may be allowed to vated position for some days.
suck a lump of sugar on which a few drops of In all cases of haemorrhage the patient must
turpentine have been sprinkled. He must be be kept very quiet, and all exciting influences
kept very quiet and not allowed to talk or exert removed from his presence. After severe haem-
himself in any way. No alcoholic stimulants orrhages salines per rectum or subcutaneously
must be given, but if faintness comes on apply may be ordered by the doctor. If the shock is
smelling salts to the nostrils, and hot bottles very severe the nurse may give a rectal saline
(wrapped in flannel) to the extremities. A little before the doctor arrives, should there be any
cold strong coffee may be given if the shock delay in procuring medical assistance.
is very severe. For a few days after the attack HONOURABLE MENTION.
the patient must be kept on fluid nourishment, The following competitors receive honour-
which should not be hot, only warm. able mention : —
Her Royal Highness Princess
(b) Deep cut in the Forearm. —Haemorrhag^e Arthur of Connaught, Duchess of Fife, Miss
from a deep cut in the forearm may E. O. W^alford, Miss J. Peele, Miss P. Thom-
be arterial or venous, and will be dis- son, Miss B. James.
tinguished by its colour, arterial blood being Her Royal Hig-hness, Princess Arthur of
bright scarlet and coming in spurts correspond- Connaught, writes concerning the care of a
ing to the heart -beat. Venous blood is recog- patient sufl'ering from haemoptysis :
—
" Get
nised by its purplish colour and its steady con- the patient to bed in a semi-recumbent position.
tinuous flow. If the nurse has been told from which lung the
If the bleeding be from an artery the wound haemorrhage is likely to come, she should place
should be covered with a piece of clean lint the patient on his side with that lung under-
and digital pressure applied to the Brachial most, to prevent, as far as possible, the flooding
Artery, pressing firmly downwards and back- with blood of the tubes of the other lung, and,
wards against the humerus, in the middle of in a case of injury, to allow the uninjured lung
the arm, after first elevating and extending the to work freely."
limb. If this does not arrest the bleeding, QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
compression by forcible flexion must be used. What nursing treatment and management
This is done by placing a hard pad in the bend are required for a case of infantile wasting?
January lo, 1920 ^be British 3ournal of flursinG.
infrequently called. The Association would be Corporation, asking them to refrain from put-
sf)ecially grateful if flowers could be sent to ting the proposal into operation.
such old women, who greatly appreciated them.
In proposing- votes -of thanks, Archdeacon Colonel Goodall, Medical Officer at the
Gresford Jones spoke for the new poor, in Mental Hospital, has made the statement that
whom he included clergymen, doctors, nurses, two thousand cases of mental disorder among-
and other professional people. He was sur- troops have been treated at the institution by
prised to find that ;^943 covered the whole trained certificated sisters and staff nurses and
salary list for the twenty nurses of the institu- probationers, with men to help. " No one,"
tion. They must not forget their nurses in he said, " with experience of the presence, ex-
their work of mercv and self-sacrifice. ample, and influence of trained female nurses,
and all that they stand for with reg-ard to
As a result of an extraordinary meeting of humanity, refinement, and devotion, would
Camberwell Board of Guardians, held last wish to replace women by male nurses."
week, Mr. Edmonds (chairman), presiding, As a result of their experience during the
the nursing staffs at Constance Road and war, the committee had, with the consent of
Gordon Road institutions, as well as at the the Board of Control, staffed all the male
Infirmary, received additions to their salaries wards, except acute and epileptic, with female
according- to the proposed scale —a welcome nurses. The statement that the women
male wards had an injurious moral and disci-
in the
Christmas present.
plinary effect on patients. Dr. Goodall dis-
missed as g^rotesquely untrue.
A sensational statement concerning the " It is also grossly unjust," he added, " to
women nurses at the Mental Hospital, Whit-
a most refined class of women, and would be
church, was made recently at a meeting of
strong-ly resented. The sensational stories
the Cardiff Trades and Labour Council.
probably emanated from three or four malcon-
The secretary (Mr. J. E. Edmunds) reported
tentmen at the hospital."
.upon complaints which had been received from
With this medical opinion we ag^ree, but who
the Llandaff and Barry Division of the Labour
placed inexperienced V.A.D.s in wards where
Party as to a proposal to introduce women
ver\- special experience is required?'
nurses into the mental hospital now that the
institution is reverting- to civil use. There was
ample evidence, said Mr. Edmunds, that the
presence of women nurses in male lunatic
HONOURS FOR NURSES.
wards had an injurious effect upon the inrhates, The King has conferred decorations as follows :
both from the standpoint of discipline and of Bar to the Royal Red Cross.
morals. The attendants stated that during- the Miss Elizabeth Dowse, Queen Alexandra's
war, Avhen young- V.A.D. nurses new to their Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve.
work, were in the wards, incidents had occurred The Royal Red Cross and Bar.
which had made the male attendants feel
•
Miss Katharine Skinner, Queen Alexandra's
ashamed of their sex in the presence of such Imperial Military Nursing Service.
young girls. Male attendants maintained that The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
it was unreasonable to expect w omen nurses to
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
undergo such an ordeal. During the war, —
Service. ^Miss Gertrude Aitchison, Miss Gwendo-
added Mr. Edmunds, there was mutiny among line Hughes, Miss M. Ram, and Miss Cecilia Stevens.
the male patients of the institution, and it was Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
only by the arrival of male attendants that the Service Reserve. — ^Miss Florence Harley.
women nurses were saved from serious harm. Territorial Force\Nursing Service. —Miss Wini-
Two of them, indeed, had to remain in bed in fred Attenborough.
consequence of the injuries they received. The The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
Llandaff and Barry Labour Party felt that the Queen A lexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Ser-
public should be informed of the facts, so that vice Reserve.— ^Miss Agnes A'Hem, Miss Margaret
the relatives of male patients and the relatives Anderson, Miss Mary Andrew, Miss Edith Aylett,
of the nurses should be able to express their Miss Lucy Bravm, Miss Alice Fletcher, Miss
opinions before the sug-gestion became an es- Florence Hyndman, Miss Penelope Roberts, and
Miss Annetta Sinclair.
tablished fact.
A resolution was unanimously carried, to be
Territorial Force Nursing Service. —Miss Portia
Batley, Miss Marion Crosbie, Miss Mildred Ed-
sent to the Home Secretary and the Mental wards, Miss Maude Emberson, Miss Florence
Hospital \'isitino- Committee of the Cardiff Henrv, and Miss Isabella Stratton.
20 JLbc Britleb 3ournal of "Wurgina. January lo, 1920
Next week we hope to be able to report that the Private and Visiting Nursing ; (6) Government
Nurses' Registration Bill is a fait accompli in Services, Military, Naval and Prisons.
Victoria. It has aroused much discussion in In writing of nurses we, of course, include the
the Legislative Assembly. We
also hope that Matrons as such, and it will be seen that sixteen
the movement for a Federal Nurses' Union— nurses are not at all too many to provide for
which ceased with the war—has been revived, expert knowledge of nursing in all its branches on
so that our Australian Sisters may enter the the (General Nursing Council.
International Council of Nurses, when next it This First Council is to frame the Rules, and
meets. Miss Gretta Lyons, the progressive remain in office for not less than two years nor
President of the Royal Victoria Trained Nurses' exceeding three.
Association, is a warm advocate of international The new Council, so far as the nurses are
federation. concerned, are to be elected by all tlie nurses
January lo, 1920 Zbe British 3ournal of 'Wurgina. 31
on the Eegister, according to a prescribed knowledge and experience of the nursing of the
scheme, and are to hold ofl&ce for five years. sick, may be registered.
What the prescribed scheme of election for the Let us take the General Register as an example.
direct representatives of the nurses is to be Failing the firm liand of the law, every hospital
will be defined in the Rules, and it is not improb- and institution has hitherto been a law unto itself,
able that the scheme suggested in the Central and thousands of nurses, good, bad and indifferent,
—
Committee's Bill may be adopted that is, that without let or hindrance, have been let loose on
each class, composing the General Register, and the the public. Thousands of these women are
various Supplementary Registers, will form elec- indifferently trained by no fault of their own.
torates for their own direct representation, so that Thousands of them have, since training, gained
the principle suggested in the Schedule for the much experience, and done useful work in various
guidance of the Minister in making appointments branches of nursing. If a hard and fast rule were
"
on the First Council shall be adhered to, and laid down that no nurse who did not hold a three
" persons having experience in the various forms years' certificate of training was to be regis-
of nursing " will have seats secured for the class of tered, great injustice would be done. Thus
nurse to be registered. Thus general and special Queen's Nurses, who in the past were only trained
nurses would elect their own representatives. for one or two years, but who now are highly
This system would provide for the continuance of valuable district nurses, would be excluded. The
expert opinion on the General Nursing Council. nurses who, at St. Thomas's Hospital, were only
Any member of the Council is eligible for given one year's training and a gratuity of two
re-appointment or re-election. pounds, instead of the present certificate after
a comprehensive four years' course, would be
The Register. excluded. The nurses trained at the London
The Register of Nurses for the Sick is to be Hospital for two years, and then compelled to do
formed and kept by the Council and is to consist private nursing, would be excluded. The well-
of various parts. educated women who entered hospitals as Paying
{a) A
General part, which is to contain the Pupils at Guy's, Middlesex and many other
names of those nurses trained or engaged in the institutions, who after a year's special training,
general nursing of the sick. engaged in various branches of nursing, many
A
Supplementary part of Male Nurses. becoming Sisters and Superintendents, would be
(&)
excluded. Delicate nurses, who broke down in
(f) A
Supplementary part of nurses trained in
one place but gained further experience under less
the nursing and care of persons suffering from
arduous circumstances and are doing useful work,
mental diseases.
would be excluded. We might cite many other
(d) A Supplementary part containing the names
instances. These are the nurses who have a right
of nurses trained in the nursing of sick children.
to be registered during the term of grace, and it
ie) Any other prescribed part. would be a great act of injustice to exclude them.
Registrationists have always advocated a But it will be the duty of the Council to get to
General Register, and Male and Mental Supple- work in real earnest, to define future curricula of
mentary Registers, but have not approved any training, so that nurses may soon begin to qualify
extension of special registers. for the State Examination, and thus be guaranteed
But the new Profession of Niirsing is faced with to the public as thoroughly efficient and highly
certain existing conditions which must be duly skilled nurses worthy of their confidence as
taken into consideration before Nursing can be " Registered Nurses." But Rome was not built
organised on lines mutuall)'^ beneficial to the in a day, and we consider that ten years' arduous
nurses and the public, and we must not forget and devoted work will be necessary upon the part
the lamentable attitude of the manager? of Training of the Council before a real improvement in the
Schools and others in opposing all reform by State quality of the registered nurses will be decidedly
aid for thirty years, nor the apathy and lack of apparent. The Male and Mental nurses will be
public spirit exhibited by succeeding genera- improved along the same lines.
tions of nurses during that time. Had hospital Then come Supplementary Registers of
managers and certificated nurses responded to Specialists such as Children's and Fever Nurses.
a sense of public and professional duty thirty We have never approved of Specialism in Nursing
years ago, the Profession of Nursing would by now which is not founded on general nursing knowledge
be a highly-skilled, well-disciplined, and well- any more than of medical specialism. The Act,
remunerated body as it is, abuses have multi-
; however, provides for a special register of nurses
plied, and although the Acts lay sound foundations trained in the nursing of sick children. The
upon which to build, the whole superstructure of managers of the Children's Hospitals organised
professional organisation must be built up. and without consulting their nurses pressed for
Present conditions cannot be ignored they must this section —
fearing they would not get proba-
—
;
be carefully considered and improved by degrees. tioners otherwise ^aud the Children's Hospital
First, then, the Acts provide for a two years' term nurses made no effort to counteract this agitation.
of grace, during which time women of good We think the Children's Hospital managers were
charax^ter, under conditions which appear to the mistaken in their policy, as reciprocal training
Council to be satisfactory and have adequate must come in the near future if special hospitals
;
the Scientific Press, Ltd., of the Nursing Mirror Paddington .Vliss Mary B. A. Reed to Skelmersdale
; ;
and Midwives' Journal, and the Hospital, against Mrs. Rose A. Rutter to Yeovil Miss Mary McLean
;
Sir Henry Burdett, the acknowledged editor of both Smith to Clacton-on-Sea Miss Harriet E. Stinchcombe
;
publications, and against the Printers, Spottis- to Chard Miss Alice Vernon to Ashton-under-Lyne
; ;
woode, Ballantyne & Co., Ltd. The case will no Miss EHzabeth N. Watson to Bootle.
doubt be of extraordinary interest to members
of the nursing profession, but as it is now sub PRIZES FOR FEVER NURSE5.
judice, nothing further can be said on the matter. The Heath and Carr Bequests have been
THE NURSE5' CO-OPERATION. divided at the City Hospital, Newcastle, amongst
the nurses taking the first four places in the
An unsigned leaflet, issued from 35, Langham
examinations set by the Fever Nurses' Association
Street, the Howard de Walden Home of the as follows :—
nurses on the Nurses' Co-operation, insidiously
attempts to influence them how to vote in the
First. —
Nurse M. E. Lightbown, received £6
from the Heath Bequest Fund, the certificate of
forthcoming election for the nurses' representatives
the Fever Nurses' Association, and the Stableforth
on the Committee. To this, seven of the nurses'
Gold Medal, as the best nurse in her year.
representatives at present on the Committee,
have replied in a well reasoned letter but aa it
Second. —
Nurse A. Hutcheon, received £4
;
from the Heath Bequest Fund, the certificate of
deals with questions now sub judice in "Mac-
the Fever Nurses' Association, and the Stableforth
Callum versus the Scientific Press, Ltd.," we
Silver Medal.
regret we cannot publish it in full.
Third. —
Nurse L. Wilkinson, received ^3 from
the Carr Bequest Fund, and the certificate of the
Fever Nurses' Association.
THE STORE CUPBOARD. Fourth. —
Nurse J. Smith, received £1 los.
Faliere'sPhosphatine, which is supplied by from Carr Bequest Fund, and certificate of the
Mertens, 64, Hoi born Viaduct E.C., is a delicate Fever Nurses' Association.
and delicious preparation wMch, associated with The following nurses receive the certificate
milk, is invaluable for children as it assists the of the Fever Nurses' Association ^Nurse Wood,
:
—
formation of bone, as well as for invalids and the Nurse Harle, Nurse Sewell, Nurse Lee, and Nurse
aged. Young.
—
imagined than a plentiful supply of books and At present the demand on Maison de Sante
magazines for the use of patients, especially the graduates in the devastated district is so great,
convalescents, and we must all make an effort that there was not one to spare for the children's
to further this good work. ward.
" The American Committee for Devastated
France " has shown its appreciation of these
COMING EVENTS, nurses by deciding to enrol them for their work,
January Sth. — Society for the State Registration and as there is only one trained nurse in each
of Trained Nurses. General Meeting of Members. group of ladies working at reconstruction, this
II, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, W, is a pretty high compliment. Each nurse has an
4 p.m. automobile with a chauffeuse and looks after
—
January 12 th. Screen Play, " End of the several villages (7 or 8) she takes scales to weigh
;
Road." Polytechnic Cinema, Regent Street. the babies, examines children to see if they need
January 2 3rc^.—Thanksgiving Service on the to be taken to the doctor, and gives advice on
Passing of the Nursing Acts, for Nurses and their sanitary matters. Most useful and interesting
Friends,at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar work. " Ten times as many nurses are required
Square, W.
7.15 p.m. than we can supply," adds Dr. Hamilton.
—
January iqth. The Matrons' Council. Winter We just long to hear that £io,ooo has been
Meeting. 431, Oxford Street, W. gathered up in the States, and the good work
— — — ,
begun at Bagatelle. Its possibilities are illimit- to take money from nurses for voluntary regis-
able. We always imagine Mile. Bose, who left this tration. Much better advise them to save their
lovely estate for the use of the poor of Bordeaux, guineas for State Registration.
is quietly awaiting somewhere in the Domatne
de Bagatelle, to insist that her intentions are
carried out, as tliey surely will be.
WINTER SALES.
At Messrs. G. Cozens & Co., Ltd.,
THE IRISH MATRONS' ASSOCIATION. Edgware Rd., and Seymour St., Marble Arch,
London, IV.2.
The quarterly meeting of the Irish Matrons'
Association was held on January 3rd, T920, at With the advent New Year the winter
of the
sales are beginning, and wise people will pay
34, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. The principal
early visits, if they wish to profit by the exceptional
business was the election of office bearers for 1920,
which resulted as follows :
bargains which are offered by some high-class firms.
At Messrs. G. Cozens & Co., Ltd., throughout
President: Miss Michie, Q.V'.J. Nursing Inst.
the house there are great reductions and many
Treasurer Miss Thornton, R.R.C., Sir Patrick
:
bargains in all departments. Patterns of those in
Dun's Hospital.
the silk department, and in dress and coat materials
Hon. Secretary :Miss Carson Rae, 34, St. will be sent on demand, post free. There are also
Stephen's Green.
many underskirts, varying in price from 2s. ujd.
to 2 IS. If money is sent with order, and the
THE IRISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION. goods supplied are not satisfactory, the money
mil be returned. Coats, furs, blouses, and many
The Irish Nurses' Association held their monthly other attractive things all share in the general
meeting at 34, Stephen's Green, Dublin, on the reduction.
3rd inst.. Miss Reeves, R.R.C. (President) in the
chair.
At Messrs. Gaylek- & Pope's,
The President reported the result
of an interview H2 to iiy, High Street, Marylebone, London, W.\.
with the chairman of the Council of the Ministry The Annual Winter Sale of Messrs. Gayler &
of Health for Ireland, which was considered Pope, 1x2-117, High Street, Marylebone, London,
satisfactory. —
W.I, is always an event in and far beyond
the Nursing Homes area in the West End. Here
are to be found bargains in all departments during
IRISH NURSING BOARD. the Sale which this year begins on January 9th.
It is not improbable that the first Register of White Merino combinations with high necks and
Nurses (June, 1919), compiled by the Irish Nursing short sleeves, at 7s., are in these days a bargain
Board (approved by the Royal College of Surgeons not to be overlooked but there are only three
;
of Ireland), will be its last, as now a Statutory dozen of these, so those who wish to secure them
Nursing Council is to be authorised by Parliament, must be early in the field. Irish embroidered
under the Nurses Registration (Ireland) Act, nainsook chemises at 3s. iid, tweed costumes
it will naturally be the aim of every well-trained at 49s. iid., and serge and tweed skirts at los.
Irish nurse to place her name upon it. each, should soon be cleared out, and wise house-
—
The Irish Nurses' Association ^the pioneer wives will make a point of visiting the department
—
Nurses' Society in Ireland has been very alert where household linens, blankets and down quilts
are being offered much under to-day's prices.
in the interest of Irish Nurses, especially since it
was recognized that Ireland was to have its own Travellers' samples of ladies plain black stockings
Registration Act, and we have no doubt that some (mostly J. and R. Morley's), at 2s. 3d. a pair are
of the clear-sighted and able women who have for bargains indeed. Don't forget the date, January
so long given devoted service to nursing reforms 9th, and be there on time.
in Ireland will be selected to form the General
Nursing Council under the Act. With their wide BRITISH FIRST-AID TO AUSTRALIA.
experience, their services should be invaluable*
The successful flight of Captain Ross-Smith and
his crew on the Vickers-Vimy aeroplane emphasises
what can be achieved by courage, skill and fore-
RESIGNATION.?! sight. In such a stupendous enterprise nothing
Miss H. E. Reed, Ivanhoe, Dublin, has resigned dare be left to chance, and, amongst other things
the position of Hon. Secretary to the Irish Board, to be provided against, are minor accidents and
College of Nursing, Ltd. and at a recent meeting illnesses which would incapacitate members of the
her resignation was received with very great crew if treatment were i^ot available. As a pre-
regret, and the gratitude of the Board was directed caution against such mishaps Captain Ross-Smith
to be conveyed to Miss Rieed for the invaluable carried a " Tabloid " First-aid outfit of Burroughs
services she had rendered. Wellcome k Co., of which he reports :
We note that the Board is still " registering " " It is a complete medical outfit for emergencies,
Nurses. Now the Nurses Registration Acts are but so compact that it takes up no material space
passed, it is time all nurses' organisations ceased on the machine."
January lo. 1920 (The 'British ^oumal of Tlursino.
:a
A Reliable
Dispensing
Service.
PUUl iL
* Lil
^
•
The Drugs
The
branch are always
at every
extent of our business and
fresh.
our system of regular weekly supply ensures that nothing
gets stale on our shelves. Medical men will recognise that
the quality of freshness is secondary only to that of purity.
Boots
555
= Chemists
BRANCHES THROUfiHOUT THE COUNTRY.
JESSE BOOT.
Mflt laaHaafM.^ n
t^^rmK^ o-ia ^•** <><''*• ' •NATION ST..
MMttioc Dlrertor MOTTINGHAM.
— —
to bed to-day."
•
Birds and Jim were left alone, and Birds (Robin's edge of Jaye's pyjama jacket out of the way, and
very obvious nickname) began imdressing. the whole of his body was exposed, strong and
" I think I shall start being an atheist," he supple and charged with the potentiality of its
said. " How am I to start. But it's true that manhood. Soon he would be a truncated thing,
we all do what everybody else does. Are you an object of pity."
going to breakfast with me to-morrow, or I with Mr. Benson has not quite grasped the etiquette
you ? I forget whose turn it is." of the operating room we imagine, nor yet the
" Yours. And we can't think, at least, I can't. he allows the
requisite skill of the anaesthetist, as
If I sat down to think I shouldn't know what to patient to come round while he has half a dozen
think about." forceps clinging like leeches to his severed veins
He started whistling away to his own room. and arteries, " and Lady Grote listened to a
But these light-hearted boys were among those mumble of obscene things."
who showed what stufE heroes are made of. The rending of the decent veil which formerly
For, of course, the war has to come into the was drawn between the professional environment
story. It seems impossible for any story to get and the curious public, appears in the eyes of the
on without it in these days. novelist of the past few years, to be essential to
Lady Grote, Robin's mother, was right when make Society butterflies find their souls. Robin's
she remarked, " You never know about Robin " ; death on the field of glory, however, is his
and she was not unduly surprised when he arrived mother's redemption, and results in reconciliation
to her dinner party in an aeroplane which descended with her husband.
on the lawn in the middle of that function. Below " Through the estrangements, the unfaithful-
his leather coat was a thick woollen jersey, and ness, and all the sequel of marriage, that liad so
Robin, in the midst of tiaras and satins, ate his soon been void of honour and love, there shone
belated dinner with as little sense of embarrass- as through rent mists the gold of a gathered
ment as he would have felt if he had been picking harvest. Robin was dead, and she knew now
a cold duck with Damon." that it was his unconscious inspiration entirely that
Lady Grote, still young and fascinating, sailed had caused her to devote herself to the hospital.
rather near the wind at times as regards her " It was here that she had said good-bye to
reputation. him, wishing him good luck with his honour,'
'
Naturally enough, the boy was utterly ignorant and here that he had said that he and she had
concerning the sum of what the world gabbled never loved each other so much as to-day. Gaze
or whispered about her, and had he been told it as she might at that door, never would Robin
he would have believed not a single syllable. be outlined against it as he left her without
But the war intervened, and the German turning his head. Something dearly loved his —
musician, Kuhlman, after writing a particularly laughing eyes, his mouth, the body of him that
brutal letter to Lady Grote who had favoured him was born of her body, were somewhere buried
to the brink of indiscretion, returned to his own in France.
country to add his quota of information gleaned " Some day, perhaps, she would know how the
from his indiscreet admirers. supreme moment came, but it was no vital part
Lady Grote Avas frankly bored with war work, of him that was concerned in that. That was
but Lord Grote's proposal that they should equip secondary with something else that grew out of
By E. F. Benson. (London : Hutchinson & Co.) the blackness and glowed before her." jj jj
— — —
But can't we have a " Victory Number " with a who on the hedge on the registration question
sat
during the gallant fight, but don't think I admire
resume of the whole campaign, and photos of all
myself for it, quite the reverse. Perhaps it is
those who have helped us so much ?
Yours not too late to help to make the Act a success."
sincerely,
(Far from it, if the Act is to be a success, every
f E. Pauline Shekleton.
weU-trained nurse must help to make it so. Ed.)
Hotel Bristol, Cannes.
Early Bird.' —" Where am I to apply for regis-
IS IT A SPLENDID OPPORTUNITY? tration ? want to be one of the first on the list.
I
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. It seems like a dream that State Registration has
—
Dear Madam, J send you the following come at last. I can hardly believe it a guinea
seems a very small fee for such a privilege."
;
The
LONDON FEDERATION OF INFANT As regards the need for co-ordination, there
was, as they said, no central guiding authority in
WELFARE CENTRES. London with power to deal with it. That was
A deputation from the London Federation of the centre of all their difficulties. If there had
Infant Welfare Centres, 92, Fleet Street, E.C.4, been such a body, it would have been a great
was recently received by the Minister of Health advantage At the present stage, he was anxious
when the results of a preliminary survey of not to prejudice the future by setting up any
Centres in London were discusst_. fresh temporary or emergency arrangements
Sir Henry Harris, M.P., who introduced the but he was considering in detail proposals for the
deputation, said that London had special problems improvement of the health services of the country
of its own. He urged that the voluntary centres generally. That was why he seized upon Sir
should be encouraged to continue their work as Henry Harris' phrase " the absence of any guiding
part of properly co-ordinated borough schemes. authority." He hoped that, before long, it would
Mrs. Waley Joseph said that there were be possible to introduce measures for securing a
three ways in which the municipalities had given properly directed and co-ordinated health admin-
help to voluntary centres :
—
(i) by taking over
—
istration. He would seek to make the best use
of voluntary health agencies and give them
the Centres (2) by giving help in kind
;. allowing
the use of premises or (3) by repaying the
; sufficient freedom in their pioneer work. In
centres for work done. The third way was various directions, they had broken fresh ground.
likely to be the most successful the second often
; It would be a great pity to lose that valuable
leading to friction. assistance, and they might be quite sure that
The fear of losing the personal touch had been he should not do so.
expressed by the mothers, the workers and the
midwives. The success of the centres depended
upon the confidence which the mother reposed
in those that carry on the work. She thought EXTRA SUGAR FOR ARTIFICIALLY
that if the centres could receive adequate assist- FED CHILDREN.
ance in the way of grants, the work could be
developed in many ways, and the centres would
The Ministry of Health have arranged with the
sugar distribution branch of the Ministry of Food
be enabled to employ a sufficient number of
that, with certain modifications, the extra supply
highly skilled health visitors.
of sugar authorised for artificially fed children
Dr. H. H. Mills considered that the Health
Visitor should visit as her chief function, and pay
who are regular attendants at Child Welfare
Centres shall be continued. To be ehgible for this
special attention to the mothers who do not come
extra ration a certificate must be produced from
to consultations.
the medical officer or superintendent of the centre
Dr. Addison replying to various points raised
declaring that the child is between 6 and 18
said that he recognised, as indicated in the past,
the essential nature and great value of the work
months of age, that it needs an additional supply
of the voluntary centres.
and is not attending an institution where such a
supply might be obtained.
As regards the specific questions which Sir
Henry Harris asked, he believed that the centres
now got their grants directly, and so long as the
present organisations of the local health agencies THE CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD FOR
continued, he did not intend to interfere with the
practice.
IRELAND.
Another question put forward must be carefully The Midwives Act for Ireland will now shortly
scrutinised. It was suggested that, when the come into full effect, and, after February 7th, 1920,
borough councils submitted proposals to the — when the term of grace expires for midwives to
Ministry, before it took any action in the matter, claim admission to the Midwives Roll on the
it should consult the voluntary and other agencies ground of holding certificates from recognised
interested. He hesitated to commit himself to maternity hospitals, or of having been in bona-fide
any promise on that point. But in the controlling —
practice on the passing of the Act all candidates
and directing of child welfare centres, it would for enrolment will be required to pass the exami-
be in everybody's interests to keep in as friendly nation of the Central Midwives Board for Ireland.
touch as possible. He did not propose to place At a recent meeting of the Board arrangements
any obstacle in the way of direct communication. were discussed for examinations to be held in
With regard to Mrs. Waley Joseph's point, he Dublin, Belfast, and Cork in June next. Thus the
would see what could be done in the matter of three Acts will come into line, as in England and
advancing the payment of grants whether ; Wales, and Scotland, admission to the RoUs is
something could be arranged in the way of making already dependent on passing a one-portal exami-
payments on account. nation under each of these authorities.
THE
their profession that it will be a much more tral position in Trafalgar Square, where all
efficient instrument than ever before, for the omnibus rouites converge, close to Charing
service of the sick and suffering-, and, throug-h Cross Station. The service will be one in which
preventive nursing, for raising the whole every nurse can join, and we hope those off
standard of the national health. duty will do their titmost to be present on this
For that high aspiration has been the driving ,
very memorable occasion.
force behind the work for the State Registration United thanksgiving is not a very common
of Trained Nurses these many years not the — practice and yet " it is a comely fashion to be
;
mere enrolling on a Register of a list of names. glad," and for the members of a profession to
The power behind the Register is that vested rejoice together over matters which affect them,
by Parliament in the Governing Body of the not only personally, but collectively. As a pro-
Nursing Profession, whereby it can define the fession we have a history of our own, a duty
standards, and maintain the honour of the pro- of our own, an allegiance of our own, and only
fession. This, fundamentally, is -what State we ourselves know how intimately and vitally
Registration implies, and there is cause for we are affected by the recent legislation, and
rejoicing that the Minister of Health — in con- what profound cause we have for thanksgiving.
stituting a Council composed practically of Let us meet together and acknowledge it, and
two^thirds nurses —has placed the efficiency and with hearts atune to the greatness and joy ful-
honour of the nursing profession in its own ness of the occasion say our "grace to God."
keeping. It remains for nurses to appreciate,
this in itself adds to the difficulty of successful being injected into each nostril. Some physi-
management. As may be readily imagined, cians recommend the prophylactic use of the
the tendency to complications in the enfeebled H.O.F. ointment (2 percent.) night and morn-
state of the infant is great, and the chief cause ing. Should there be an ulcerative condition
of death is very often broncho-pneumonia. of the mouth, it -is advisable to paint it with
The most characteristic symptom of the Argyrol once or twice, then continue with
disease is a lack of tolerance to food. The in- Glycerine cured.
till
tolerance assumes varying forms, but is mostly Fresh air of course, essential to the cure
is,
directed against fats. The loss of weight of this as of every other disease.
varies, but continues on the downward grade. If the nurse be a trained masseuse, so much
The infant presents the picture of a famine the better, as these wasting children are much
child, is restless and irritable, and indeed may improved by a course of general massage. It
cry for hours at a stretch. The temperature gives tone to the wasted muscles, and helps
and pulse vary, but towards the end the pulse the powers of absorption to a wonderful extent.
may become very slow, and the breathing of HONOURABLE MENTION.
the Cheyne-Stokes type. Occasionally the The following competitors receive honour-
power to suck and the appetite remain un-
altered, but the fall in weight continues never-
able mention —
Miss Dorothy F. Sheppard,
:
'*
There is no hope for the child." THE EDITH CAVELL MONUMENT.
At the beginning condition very bad indeed.
Pulse 152, Respiration 44. On admission into The attention of those nurses who take part
hospital the patient was unconscious. After in the Thanksgiving Service at St. Martin's-in-
operation, given mixture of Cal. Chloride and the-Fields on Friday, 23rd inst., will naturally
Digitalis. Dressed twice daily, when a dis- be attracted 6y the Edith Cavell monument on
charge of blood and bile was noticed. Normal the North-East cqrner of the Square, at the
saline was given per rectum for many davs, junction of Charing Cross Road and St. Mar-
and the patient put on- small quantities of milk tin's Lane, with which good progress is being
and barley water, which gradually were in- made.
creased. Admitted 25.7.19. On the 6.8.19 P"s On Tuesday there was an interesting func-
accompanying the discharge, which varied in tion, when Viscount Burnham placed in a cavitv
quantity from day to dav. On the 20.8.19 ^ of the structure a leaden box containing docu-
deep incision was made in the former wound ments relating to Edith Cavell's life. The
and a drainage tube inserted. On the 2.9.19 casket, on the front of which is the moulded
temperature rose to 103.6, pulse 124, and head of a lion, was the gift of the WorsTiipfuI
respiration 36. Drainage tube removed and Company of Carpenters, and, in addition to
packed with iodoform gauze. Pus still from copies of The Daily Telegraph describing the
wound. 5.9.19 drainage tube again inserted. history of the memorial, the heroism of Edith
12.9. 19 patient developed dysentery which was Cavell, and the manner in which she met her
treated with Inj. Emetine. After some davs death, there are, says that paper, the signatures
the drainage tube was removed and the wound of the King and Queen on vellum bearing the
looked a healthy one and the sinus gradually Royal Arms, and documents with the signatures
healed. The dysenterv also yielded to treat- of the King and Queen of Belgium. The box
ment and the boy was discharged cured on the also contains a complete list of the subscribers.
32 Che British 3ournal of IRureinQ. January 17, 1920
to be given free training in other occupations Edinburgh will soon be opened. Mrs. David
by the Ministry of Labour. Wallace has been appointed Secretary of the
About i,ooo nurses are receiving pensions Appeal Committee. We wish it the success
because of disablement in the war. Only one attained by a similar institution in Glasgow.
or two have lost limbs, but others are suffering
from malaria, tuberculosis contracted through We hope when " Registration " does not
exposure, and heart trouble, the result of over- require so much of our space to have something
strain. There are many with nervous troubles to say on Private Nursing. From information
also. at our disposal there is a crying need for
The training will be offered according to further home comforts for private nurses in
their previous experience. The courses ar- London. At the present cost of administration
ranged by the Training Section include Dis- :
it is a very difficult question to solve, but the
pensing, X-ray work, medical electricity, public fact remains that if highly trained and refined
health and infant welfare, institutional house- private nurses are to be available, who are not
keeping, embroidery. The nurses will be re- a sweated class, in London, more home life
quired to have a certificate from the medical between cases must be provided. What can be
offices of the Ministry of Pensions that they are worse than that overstrained and hopeless
fit to follow the occupation chosen. No train- women should enter private houses to cope with
ing will be given for any work in which there stress and diflficulties? Well-managed Nurses'
is not a reasonable chance of employment. Residential Clubs are a very real need, and we
Only pensioned nurses will be accepted. The hope the R.B.N. A. will succeed in its earnest
maximum time for training will be twelve endeavour to organize one. If nurses were
months. willing to help themselves it would be a good
Disabled nurses should apply to the Control- beginning.
ler, Women's Training Branch, Ministry of
Labour, St. Ermin's Hotel, Westminster, We note that in several districts a fund is to
S.W.I. Letters should be marked " Disabled be opened for the establishment of a Nursing
Nurses." Service as a War Memorial —
" on broad and
comprehensive lines."
The Church Army has inaugurated " The The Committee of the Stretford Division of
Guild for the Shell-Shocked," for the further- the British Red Cross Society have offered the
ance of the Society's work for ex-Service sum of ;^6,ooo for this purpose. It is hoped
suffering men. Such cases require the most by the nursing service to make it possible for
expert and patient treatment, and deserve all every resident, in the event of sickness in the
the tender care available. household, to have the help of qualified nurses.
To those in needy circumstances it is desired
A Concert and Variety Entertainment is be- that the service shall be free or subject to a
ing held on the 12th of February, in the Hall nonTinal charge only.
of the Northern Polytechnic, in aid of the Care must be taken that these Red Cross
Nurses' Home appeal of the Great Northern schemes do not undermine the economic
Hospital Progress Fund. In these days it is stability of trained nurses in private and dis-
almost impossible to maintain a satisfactory trict vi^ork in the locality, and that sufficient
nursing staff at any hospital unless a comfort- salaries are offered and maintained for those
able residence is attached for the nurses. More- employed. All over the country at the present
over, the Nurses' Home is the Nurses' School, time in rural districts the village nurses'
and facilities in these progressive times must services are often claimed by well-to-do people.
;
who merely pay a small subscription to the of Commons, " it being the only Association
central fund, and gfet their nursing, such as it of mental nurses which could possibly be repre-
is, for comparatively nothing. sented in connection with the new Bill." The
two candidates adopted were Mrs. Chapman, :
A warning sounded by Miss Lavinia Dock M.P.A., Hon. Treasurer, who has held
in a letter to hospital superintendents, printed Matrons' posts in several mental hospitals
in theNational Hospital Record, so far back as and Mr. Harry Howes, M.P.A., Inspector,
January 15th, 1909, can be well heeded at the Metropolitan Mental Hospital, Tooting Bee.
present time. She says : We areglad that the Association was on the
" The plea for laxity in preliminary educational alert as to the interests of mental nurses in
standards, low entrance requirements for hospital connection with the State Register, but we
training schools, and even for shorter terms of wish that it had supported the Central Com-
training, is often made with great skill of argu-
mittee for the State Registration of Nurses in
ment, and can be so presented as to sound
its work, both by sending delegates to share
extremely plausible especially when present diffi-
;
any serious work shou'd be shortened, but better impKjrtant sphere of work, and, no doubt there
filled. will be many applicants. Full particulars are
" The present is urgent, but those in places of given our advertisement columns, from which
in
responsibility and authority have not the moral it be seen that candidates must be between
will
right to ignore the future." the ages of 30 and 40, and must have had at
least three years' training in a large general
As we have already announced, it was de- hospital, and experience in hospital administra-
cided to wind up the Asylum Workers' Asso- tion. Two former Matrons of this hospital were
ciation at the end of last year, the grounds Miss Mildred Heather-Bigg, R.R.C., late
being that " for business people to carry on in Matron of Charing Cross Hospital, and Miss
face of warning of impending financial collapse M. S. Riddell, R.R.C., now Principal Matron,
would be the height of folly," and that "the Q.A.I. M.N.S.
necessity for the further existence of the Asso-
ciation would seem to have disappeared, to
As will be seen from our advertisement
judge by the pvoor support which it has been
columns, the Birmingham General Hospital
receiving at the hands of mental hospital
has recently revised its scale of salaries for the
workers." The Ward Sisters now receive
Nursing Staff.
;£6o, rising by £s a year to £75. The Proba-
It has further been decided " that the Con- tioners receive £iS, £22 and £28, and Staff
valescent Fund of the A.W.A. be handed over Nurses £^0. Corresponding increases have
to the Medico-Psychological Association, with been granted in the higher nursing posts.
the request that applications for grants from
old members of the A.W.A. receive special The Southwark Guardians have decided to
consideration." increase the war bonus to Probationer Nurses
from ;^5 to ;^i5 per annum as from the ist
A special meeting of the Central Executive December, 1919, such increase to apply to ex-
Committee of the A.W.A., at which Dr. isting Probationers, as well as to Probationers
Shuttleworth recently presided, decided that appointed subsequently to that date, the salary
the Association should ask for recognition on to remain as at present, viz., ;^20 for the first
behalf of mental nurses in connection with the year, £.22 for the second year, and ;^26 for the
Nurses Registration Bill then before the House third year.
;;
Nursing Sister, No. Xf^, Canadian Gen. Hosp., tim.e, it might be necessary to transpose the
Shorncliffe Miss N. L. Harper, Nursing Sister,
; items on the agenda and to take the Votes of
1 6th Canadian Gen. Hosp., Orpington Miss ; Thanks first, so that the Minister might be thanked
A. C. MacDougall, Nursing Sister, Canadian Red in person, and the meeting have the great pleasure
Cross Officers' Hosp., North Audley Street of listening to his response.
Miss L. M. McConachie, Nursing Sister, i6th. The Chairman then called on the Hon. Secretary
Canadian Gen. Hosp., Orpington Mi-ss M. H. ; (Miss M. Breay) to present a short Statement on
Murray, Nursing Sister, H.M.A.T. Araguaya ; the progress made since their meeting in July.
Miss E. A. Page, Nursing Sister, H.M.A.T. Ara-
guaya Miss E. J.. Patterson, Sister in Charge
STATEMENT BY HON. SECRETARY.
;
Canadian Red Cross Officers' Hospital, North When we last met, at our Annual Meeting in
Audley Street Miss H. H. Rice, Nursing Sister,
; July, the Annual Report then presented stated
Canadian Red Cross Officers' Hosp., North Audley (i) That the Nurses' Registration Bill, introduced
Street Miss M. E. Sunley, Nursing Sister,
; into the House of Commons by Major Barnett, had
Canadian Red Cross Officers' Hosp., North Audley been obstructed on the lieport Stage by the
Street Miss E. A. Thorn, Nursing Sister, H.M.A.T.
;
representatives of The College of Nursing, Ltd. ;
Miss E. G. Hay, Sister Miss S. E. Morley, Sister of the Executive Committee of the Central
;
;
Miss A. B. Smith, Sister ; Miss V. M. Trott, Sister. Committee for the State Registration of Nurses,
and with representatives of the College of Nursing,
Newfoundland. Miss M. Mahoney, V.A.D., — Ltd. The result of these conferences was that,
Nurse, Newfoundland Nursing Service, Mil. when introducing the Bill, Dr. Addison announced
Infectious Hosp., St. John's, Newfoundland ;
that it was an agreed Bill.
Miss D. Sterling, V.A.D., Nurse, Newfoundland Itreceived the same warm welcome in the
Nursing Service, Mil. Infectious Hosp., St. John's,
House of Commons as Major Barnett's Bill had
Newfoundland. done.
—
West Africa. Mrs. E. L. Chevallier, Nurse, The great difference between the Government
Tower Hill Hosp., Sierra Leone Mrs. E. M. ;
Bill and those which preceded it, was that the
'Faunce, Nurse, Tower Hill Hosp., Sierra Leone. Minister of Health for England and Wales, not
having jurisdiction over Health matters in Scotland
An Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and and Ireland, introduced a Bill for the Registration
Ireland has been inaugurated. of Nurses limited to England and Wales, and
January ij, 1920 Zbc Brltieb Journal of 'Wuremg, 35
initiated similar legislation for Scotland and is the finest thing in the Act —
that is professional
Ireland. enfranchisement. (Hear, hear.) It is the very
These three measures which were almost essence of the Act without it, the whole Act
;
identical, passed through Parliament with a few would have been worth nothing. It might,
verbal alterations, and received the Roval Assent indeed, have been, in time, a danger rather than
in the House of Lords on December 23rd, the a benefit to the profession. Then we have also
last day of the Session, before Parliament was other vital principles incorporated in this Act.
prorogued. We are to be given the opportunity of making
REPORT ON THE PASSING OF THE NURSES ourselves highly efficient. You know we have
never had that before all the efiiciency we have
REGISTRATION ACTS BY THE PRESIDENT. .
;
Nursing, and worthy of the title of Registered ' allhave an opportunity of expressing an opinion
Nurse,' worthy of the confidence not only of their upon this though whether, if you do, we shall
;
colleagues, but worthy of the confidence of the ever come to any sort of conclusion as to what
* public. That is a very hopeful beginning, and the uniform is to be, remains to be seen.
I only wish that the Minister of Health had been (Laughter.) Anyway, we are to have a uniform,
here so that he could have heard that short like soldiers of the King, for we are soldiers of
record of what we set out to do and how we have the people. I hope the uniform will be one
done it. We
were the first Society to promote a of distinction, and also that we shall have a
Bill for the Registration of Nurses. We were badge.
founded in 1902, and in 1904 we promoted our " Of course, the Act is not perfect. You know
Bill.' I have here a little bundle of Bills the House of Commons, the Mother of Parlia- '
which have been introduced session after session ments,' does not always put forth perfect legis-
for fourteen years. And I am very thankful to be lation. There is such a thing as expediency.
able to report to you that when I take up the Act We are an expedient people vs'e do very well —
promoted by the Government, I find it incor-
porates nearly every section and fundamental
—
upon it and we do not like too professional and
too strict legislation we are a freedom-loving
;
principle which we incorporated in our Bill all that people. There is one feature the Act which m
time ago. (Applause.) The Government Act I know you all feel apprehensive about that is ;
—
ing Body the General Nursing Council. That was to the Minister of Health in the following
a counsel of perfection to which I wish we had Resolution :
feel that our own particular nominations are the interest in Nurses' Registration was the same as
nothing could possibly be better, and
best, that before,' he was unable to continue to back our
that if we do not get them on the Council the Bill
Council cannot do its work And, perhaps, there
I
" To the history of Nurses' Registration in the
may be some truth in that claim, because, after past Session I need not here refer, further than to
all, the people who have had the foresight to remind you that when through our peculiar
promote this movement, many years ago, and have Parliamentary procedure a few dissentients were
worked at it and taken trouble in furthering it, able to obstruct the passage of the Central Com-
•who have studied it at home and abroad, have mittee's Bill —
a private Member's Bill Dr. —
qualified to administer the Act. We feel that they Addison came forward and gave us a pledge in the
are safe people to trust with carrying this legisla- House of Commons that he would introduce, as
tion into practice. But I feel convinced that the a Government Measure, a Bill for the State Regis-
representatives fron; the Central Committee, if tration of Nurses. How faithfully and expedi-
-they find themselves on a Council with others tiously he has kept that pledge we all know.
whom they do not think as wise as themselves, (Applause.) Here is the Act to which the King's
will sedulously avoid emphasising their convictions Assent was given on December 2.3rd last. When
on that subject. (Laughter.) We are indeed presenting the Bill on behalf of the Government
happy in meeting together to-day to acclaim the in the House of Lords, Lord Sandhurst said :
Nurses, the one aim and object of this Society." certainly have thought that such a result would
(Loud applause.) have been well-nigh impossible, but I did not count
THE ARRIVAL OF THE MINISTER OF on the magician-like qualities of the Minister of
Health.'
HEALTH. " of us who have worked unceasingly for
Those
Dr. Addison, Mijiister of Health, then entered so years to attain the great reforms which
many
the hall, accompanied by Sir Robert Morant, the Nursing Acts are calculated to effect, have
K.C.B., and was accorded a very enthusiastic hardly yet realised the wonderful transformation
reception. He was welcomed by the Chairman which the waive of Dr. Addison's wand will bring
and took his seat on her right hand on the plat- to pass.
form. " This much we may long after
predict —that
VOTE OF THANKS TO THE RIGHT HON. more popular legislation has had
day, the its
people through the ministrations of registered Bedford Fenwick what a long night of trouble
nursing practitioners, who are thoroughly educated, and sorrow you have passed tlirough, and I am
trained, tested and skilled for their resjjpnsible afraid that If you had not been like the importunate
duties, and who are remunerated and held in the widow in the Scriptures, you might still have been
respect they deserve in the body politic. waiting for the State Registration of Nurses.
" Long may the magician at the Ministry of
' '
There were a few successes, gained at long intervals,
Health retain office, and his power in connection but those successes, after all, amounted to very
with the Nursing Act, which we all know will be little so long as the Bill was a Private Member's
administered by him in a just and liberal spirit." Bill, because it is about as easy for a Private
(Loud and prolonged Applause.) Member's Bill to get through the House of Com-
The Chairman then called on Miss Isabel mons as it is for a camel to pass through the
Macdonald, Roj'al British Nurses' Association, as eye of a needle. We had the splendid efforts of
a representative nurse, to second the Resolution. Lord Ampthill in the House of Lords, which got
MISS ISABEL MACDONALD SECONDS THE the Bill through in 1908, and those of Major
RESOLUTION. Chappie, who got a ten-minute reading of the
Miss Isabel Macdonald in responding said ;— Central Committee's Bill in 1914. Then we had
" Madam Chair, Dr. Addison, ladies and gentle- our own. Bill read a second time and it was only
;
men, I have great pleasure in seconding the when Dr. Addison came on the scene and brought
resolution just proposed from the Chair, and in a Government Measure, that we succeeded,
in expressing the pleasure it gives to us that the and we claim that substantially the best features
Minister of Health should have spared some of his of our Bill are in Dr. Addison's Act (Applause.)
exceedingly precious time in order to be here —
And we wish the Act for it is now no longer a
this afternoon. You nurses have briefed me well Bill— every success, and I associate myself with
as regards your views in connection with the everything which has been said by Mrs. Bedford
Nurses' Registration Act, there is scarcely a clause Fenwick and by Miss Macdonald about the Minister
in it that one or other among you has not selected of Health. We hope he will be long spared in
for special criticism, favourable or otherwise. On office to administer the Act which has now been
one point however, you have all been unanimous placed on the Statute Book. I have great pleasure
when you have come to me to ask questions, in supporting this resolution conferring a vote of
and to discuss the Act, and that is vour apprecia- thanks.
tion of the ability and goodness of Dr. Addison in
having had a^i Act for the State Registration of LIEUT.-COL. GOODALL, M.D., SUPPORTS AS
Trained Nurses placed on the Statute Book at last. A MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVE.
(Loud Applause). I know you have anxieties The Chairman : In the past, unless we had
regarding certain points, you have made that very had the support of the medical profession, focussed
plain to me as regards what you are pleased to
through the British Medical Association, we,
term " the nominated Council," but I am going to perhaps, even now should not have had a BUI
say to you at this public meeting, just wliat I have
—
^id to you personally " You must (rusi your
through Parliament. (Hear, hear.) I, therefore,
call upon Col. Goodall to say a few words from the
Minister." Look back over the last few months medical point of view, in connection with this
of the history of the State Registration movement. great triumph which we are now celebrating.
Remember that to-day we are met to celebrate
the redemption, in an incredibly short time, of a Lieut. -CoL. Goodall Madam, Dr. Addison,
:
• -pledge that was given you, examine your Act, ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to be able
and remember that Dr. Addison has handed to you to say a few words on behalf of the medical profes-
the reward of all your striving and all your sacrifice,
sion in support of this vote of thanks to the
and I feel sure that you will be encouraged to Minister of Health. As you have said, without
have full confidence that this Council which is to the medical profession I doubt whether the Bill
shape your lives and shape the destinies of your would have arrived at the stage which it has now
profession viall be justly constituted. reached. The medical profession and the nursing
In the name of those present here, and also. profession are bound up together the nursing
;
Dr. Addison, in the name of the nurse members profession supports the medical profession the ;
of the oldest organisation of nurses, the Royal one could not get on without the other. No one
British Nurses' Association, I have the honour to knows that more than you do. Sir,' and it is the
Oifer you sincere thanks for your gift to the fact that you belong to the medical profession
profession of nursing." which has led you to expedite this Measure. I
will not interpose any longer between you and
MAJOR BARNETT, M.P., SUPPORTS THE the Minister, except to say how thankful we are
RESOLUTION, that this Bill has become an Act. I am sure
Major Barnett, M.P. Mrs. Bedford Fenwick,
:
that if it had not been so, these controversies,
Dr. Addison, ladies a*nd gentlemen, it is a great which have been going on for so many years, would
pleasure to me to be here this afternoon, and to still have continued, because I am certain this
congratulate you and your Society on your success Society would not have laid down the cudgels,
in this great movement, which has been going on and I am afraid there has been a good deal of
for so many years. We
have heard from Mrs. strong opposition to it becoming law. I have
——
mucn pleasure in supporting this vote of thanks That was the difficulty, and my colleagues saw to
to you, Sir. it that it was removed, and, given that assurance,
The Chairman :It is not necessary for me to it had an easy passage through the House. And
read this resoluton to you again. Having heard I would like to pay a tribute to the wide vision and
it, and also the speeches which have been made statesmanship of those in the different parties
in support of it, I ask you to pass this Vote of with whom we negotiated. Although it is excep-
Thanks to the Minister of Health by acclamation. tional to mention civil servants, I only want to
Amidst loud and prolonged applause the chair- tell you, ladies, lest in any way you might think
man oflered the Vote of Thanks to Dr. Addison. that I did it, that the major part of the depart-
mental work I saddled on the shoulders of Sir
THE REPLY OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH. Robert Morant. (Applause.) Well, now, this is
The Rt. Hon. Dr. Addison, M.P. (Minister of an essential Bill, because you have all recognised
Health) : Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, Miss Macdonald, —that is why you struggled for it that the —
Major Barnett, Dr. Goodall, and ladies, I thank you nursing profession hitherto in this country has
very much indeed for your vote of thanks. It is not played the part that it might play in our
very unusual. (Laughter.) As a matter of fact, it health services. And, so far as I am concerned,
is the first vote of thanks I have ever had in my so long as I am at the Ministry of Health and I —
life. (Loud applause.) The last thing a Minister
expects is thanks. Criticism is our daily bread
hope that will be quite a long time (Applause)
I intend to push forward the measures necessary
—
:
at all events, we have to thrive on it as well as for making an improved Nursing Service in the
we can, for that is all we get. (Laughter.) There- country. (Applause.) And I want to say at
fore, I regard this occasion, Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, once, both to nurses and to those who are respon-
not only on its own merits, but from the peculiar sible for their training and for their payment,
personal experience which it presents, as unique. that I regard it as essential that the Nursing
I would, however, respectfully congratulate you Profession shall be a properly paid profession.
and this Society on a good finish, so far as the (Applause.) That is essential if we are to get a
Act ier concerned, to their long, persistent, patient sufficient number of good, well-trained recruits.
and difficult labours. (Hear, hear.) I know that, We need a great increase in our nursing facilities
in season and out of season, Mrs. Bedford Fenwick throughout the whole country, and greatly in our
pressed this upon us when I was a private Member, rural areas, and a proper development of our health
and I was lost in admiration of her pertinacity. services is impossible without it. It is for this
(Laughter and applause.) But without pertinacity reason I regarded it as a duty, as soon as possible,
in Parliament, as a rule, little is achieved. It has to get a Nurses Registration Act on the Statute
been a very long struggle, and when we look back Book. And this, ladies, although the foundation
upon it, I myself wonder what it has been all of the labours in this particular regard, is only the
about, because the thing has seemed so obvious first step we want more trained nurses, we want
— —
;
(Applause) it has seemed to me all along an them more freely available in our country districts,
essential, if we were going to secure the Nursing and widely throughout the country, in our various
Profession upon a properly organised basis upon services. And with respect to their qualifications
which it could develop, so as to fill, in a proper and other matters, it will be for the Council that'
and adequate manner, the measure of service will be set up to get to work upon important
which the community might expect to receive preliminary matters without delay. As your
from it. This is one of those Acts, small in itself, Chairman has told you, you have been good
which attracts, necessarily, very little public enough, in the Act, to trust your fortunes to a
attention, but it is one of those small but funda- great extent, to the Minister of Health to deal
mental Acts out of which great results, in time, fairly in setting up and we will
this first Council,
must come.^ And it is, no doubt, with a full do our best to be fair. But the
(Applause.)
recognition of that fact that your patience and first essential of the Council which I am about
pertinacity have been exerted. As Mrs. Bedford to set up, in my opinion, is this —that it shall
Fenwick has mentioned, we managed to get it an understand its business. (Applause.) Therefore,
agreed Bill, but I should like to say, quite frankly, I do not propose to make it particularly an
that that result would not have been achieved —
ornamental Council (laughter) it will require —
had it not been in the first place, for the leadership to be a working Council, well constituted, and with
and help of Major Barnett and some othej Mem- a good and generous representation of people
bers —(Applause) — and that of Members of the who have themselves been " through the mill."
Other House who were associated with a Bill of a (Loud applause.) Well, I believe I am right in
different kind on the same subject. It is largely saying that letters have been prepared and I —
to the help of these gentlemen that the rapid —
think they have gone out to various bodies
progress of the Bill was secured, because it was of course, yourselves —
asking for suggestions in
an understanding, both in your Council and with respect of the membership of the Council which
others, that the Government would- give facilities we are about to set up. And, as I explained
for the Bill if we could get one that was sub- before, as the responsibility is mine, I must
stantially agreed. Therefore we had, in the first exercise it, if I can, without fear or favour. (Hear,
place, to secure one, so that I could say to the hear.) Therefore, we shall endeavour to secure
Cabinet that it was a substantially agreed Bill. the kind of Council that I have indicated, and.
—
of course, to attach the greatest possible weight Dr. Addison then withdrew, the audience rising
to the opinions of organizations like this and and cheering him heartily.
others that are qualified to give advice. But I The Chairman We have listened to a most
:
am not prepared to say that I shall accept every inspiring address, and I am sure we are all
— —
nomination (laughter) nor am I prepared to delighted to have had the Minister of Health with
say I will not go outside those nominated if it us on this great occasion. We are still considering
seems to be required, because, of course, owing votes of thanks. If it is unique for the Minister
to the lack of consultation between the different to receive one, it is not an unique experience for
parties, it may well be that some class of experience nurses to express their gratitude. I therefore call
has not been included. But we will do our best, upon Councillor Kent to propose a vote of thanks
ladies ; we will get it going quickly, and when it to Major Barnett, M.P.
is set up every effort of mine will be devoted to
seeing that its business is conducted in a manner VOTE OF THANKS TO MAJOR BARNETT, M.P.
which I am sure will be satisfaccory to the profes- Councillor Beatrice Kent Madam Chair :
sion it has to represent. But, finally and always, and Fellow Nurses, I beg to propose :
this Council and its success, and the success of all That the members of the Society for the State Regis-
proposals that we make with regard to the Nursing tration of Trained Nurses desire to convey to Major
Profession must depend upon an active and an R. W. Barnett, M.P., their warm appreciation of the
instructed public opinion in that profession itself. services which fie has rendered to the Nursing Profession,
in generously placing at its disposal the place won by
(Applause.) Therefore, whatever you may do in
him in the ballot in February last, and for bringing
the future, I hope that you will not abandon the
in the Nurses' Registration Bill.
experience which you must have gained, the The members desire to place on record their opinion
allegiance which you must have gathered around that it was this generous action upon the part of Major
you, because I believe it is essential for the benefit Barnett which brought Nurses' Registration into the
of the Nursing Profession, as it is of every other, sphere of practical politics, and has resulted in placing
that you should gradually arrive at some arrange- the Nursing Acts upon the Statute Book of these Realms.
ment which will provide for you an instructed I suppose I have been chosen to perform this
body who will be well informed of your require- very pleasant duty of proposing a vote of thanks
ments, and who can be turned to for advice and to Major Barnett because I happen to live in his
suggestion if necessary. For, speaking of the constituency, and I happen, also, to have the
fellow profession of medicine, I do not hesitate pleasure of his acquaintance. I would like to
to say that it has been a serious disability to the thank him, first, for his kindness in coming here
medical profession in times past, and even now, this afternoon, because, although Parliament is not
that, somehow or another, we have not managed sitting, I believe Major Barnett is always a very
to evolve a body which the whole mass of the bus}'^ man ; secondly, and chiefly, I wish to thank
profession or substantially the whole, will regard him, in my name and yours, for his great services
as their trusted representatives, competent to in helping us in the last stages of our great cam-
—
speak for them. Because let us make no mistake paign, the last act, and the most important, in our
—
.
about it the time h^s come when learned profes- long-drawn-out drama. We
know perfectly well
sions, competent to minister to the needs of the how hard Major Barnett worked on our behalf
people, will have to enter into partnership, or when he was in charge of the Private Member's
co-operation, with the State in ministering to
those needs in an organised and properly directed
Bill— (Hear, hear) —
and how persistently and
consistently he safeguarded our interests. And
^ manner, with the view of securing that they are we very well know, too, it was no fault of his that
properly met. (Hear, hear.) And I think that that particular Bill was not on the Statute Book.
the experiences of the war, and the growing But perhaps we do not all know quite so well
education of our people have taught us that we
can achieve great things with regard to health
though we can pretty well guess that he has —
worked behind the scenes very hard during the
and the prevention of disease if we take properly passage of the Minister's Bill through the House
directed and weU-organised steps for doing so. the Minister has admitted it, so I can endorse it.
And therefore, whether they be charged with It was my pleasure and privilege to be in the
the responsibility of seeing this work done or not, House of Lords and witness that great historic
it is a duty which the community will cast upon ceremonial of the Prorogation of Parliament,
any Government to improve our health services associated with the Royal Assent being given to
of all kinds from now onwards. And it is on that those 43 Bills, three of which interested us very
account, and because of the various considerations much. I also witnessed the preliminary cere-
that I have mentioned, that 1 welcome the passage monial when Black Rod, the Gentleman Usher,
of this Act, and the setting up of this Council. proceeding with the Mace and a small escort
And J do thank you, ladies, most deeply for your from the House of Lords to the House of
hearty reception and generous thanks and I
; Commons, summoned them for the Royal pro-
shall ever remember this occasion, as I' said at cession, and their recession afterwards. And I
the beginning, as unique in my political history. seem to hear still the echo of those words, Hats '
'
own case, and [ might say I salute Major Barnett country. I thank Councillor Kent very much for
and, metaphorically, I take off my hat to him. all the kind things she said about me. I do not
(Applause) —
and assure him, in my own name and deserve half of them, and I thank you, ladies, for
yours, that he will henceforth be remembered as the kind way in which you have received them.
the nurses' very good friend. (Applause.) (Loud applause.)
Miss Hulme :I have very great pleasure in I desire in this connection to record the very
seconding the vote of thanks to Major Barnett for great service in this matter of a colleague. Sir
his kind services. I feel sure the nurses will agree Samuel Scott, the Member for Marylebone, who
with me when I say he will go down to posterity was in charge of the Nurses Registration Bill
with the title " Defender of the Nurses' Charter before I was fortunate enough to get a place in the
and Gallant Champion of their Rights and ballot. He gave me the very kindest assistance
Liberties." in carrying the Bill through Committee, and I
The vote was carried by acclamation. should be sorry for you ladies to think I failed to
recognise and acknowledge those fine services.
MAJOR BARNETT, M.P., RETURNS THANKS (Applause.)
Major Barnfti, M.P. : Mrs. Bedford Fenwick,
Councillor Beatrice Kent, ladies and gentlemen, I THANKS TO ABSENT FRIENDS.
really have already contributed my share this The Chairman I now call upon Miss Heather
:
afternoon, and I am being thanked when the Bigg to propose an inclusive vote of thanks to
thanks ought to have gone to another quarter. I several of our most helpful friends Lord Ampthill,
:
hope we have not come to the end of the votes of who is Chairman Committee for the
of the Central
thanks, for the real thanks ought to go to your State Registration of Nurses, and has been our
Chairman, who has so splendidly fought the battle consistent friend for many years and got our Bill
of nurses' registration through good report and through the House of Lords in 1908, and who did
evil report, not only for the last 17 3'^ears, but for a great deal last Session to enlighten noble
—
13 years before that if she is old enough to have Lords on the fallacies of a rival proposition. We
carried it on so long. (Laughter.) This matter also wish to thank Lord Sandhurst, who presented
has proceeded in stages. When, in 1908, we were the Bill in the House of Lords for the Government
successful in getting the Bill through the House of last Session. And do not let us forget our very
Lords, it was a great step, that one of the Houses kind and good friend Dr. Chappie. He had no
of Parliament approved the Bill. But the House luck in the ballot, but he was very pertinacious,
of Commons is a more difficult proposition it is
: and a very good friend to us for the four years he
more difficult to get a Bill through there, I think, had charge of our Bill. We desire also to place
and it was so even in those days. Although that on record our gratitude to Major Sir Samuel
Bill was read under the Ten-minutes' Rule, just Scott, M.P. I am sorry we do not seem to be able
before the war, it was only the First Reading, and to name many women who have come forward to
I think it was a very great advance when, on help us. I am a strong woman's woman, but I am
March 26th last, we got our Bill read a second bound to say that those who are not professional
time in the House of Commons, because the House women have with very few exceptions, stood aside
of Commons does assert itself, even against markedly with regard to this great reform. The
other branches of the Legislature. I think the support we have had from the medical profession,
criticism to which our Bill was subjected in the we know very well, has come from the men. But
—
House of Commons which directly represents the there is one name I must mention that of Mrs. —
—
people is another evidence of the zeal, sometimes Ogilvie Gordon, the President of the National
the mistaken zeal, which representatives of the Council of Women of Great Britain and Ireland,
people insist on showing. I regard it as a great who has shown a very intelligent interest in this
honour and privilege to have been associated with nursing question. I think we owe her a sincere
this great reform. I had all the luck of the vote of thanks. She is an exceedingly brilliant
ballot : I do not think it was anything very much woman, and her support was of great value to us.
to my credit that, having promised our President, Then there is the British Medical Association
and Councillor Beatrice Kent, that if I were (Hear, hear) —
^which has greatly assisted us. I
successful in the ballot I would put down the call upon Miss Heather Bigg to propose the vote
Nurses Registration Bill, I carried out my of thanks.
promise. All I can pretend to have done is simply Miss M. Heather Bigg proposed and Miss E. B
to have kept my promise, to have thus been a KiNGSFORD seconded the votes of thanks to Lord
humble instrument of bringing about this reform. Arftpthill,Lord Sandhurst, Major Chappie, Major
It was long overdue. The effort has been con- Sir Samuel Scott, Mrs. Ogilvie Gordon, and the
tinued seventeen years, and if it had not been for British Medical Association, which were agreed to
the splendid courage of Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, with applause.
some of you must still have been feeling that
" hope deferred which maketh the heart sick." VOTE OF THANKS TO THE CHAIRMAN
You have now got your Act, and I think it is a AND THE HON. SECRETARY:
good one, and I know Dr. Addison intends to make A very warm vote of thanks to the Chairman,
it a success. The Nursing Profession is now which, she said in her reply, must include Miss
established on a firm basis for all time in this M. Breay, without whose help the work credited
January 17, 1920 Jl[)c IBntisb Soumal ot "fflureinQ. 41
to her could not liave been accomplished, was IRISH NURSES TO CELEBRATE
passed with three cheers, and the audience here
sang with right good will, " For She's a jolly good STATE RE<jISTRATI0N.
fellow." Miss Huxley has issued invitations to a Dinner
at the Bonne Bouche, 51, Dawson Street, Dublin,
THE FUTURE OF THE SOCIETY. to celebrate the passing of the Nurses' Registration
The Chairman then said :
—
It may be con-
(Ireland) Act, on Tuesday, January 27th. We feel
sidered that as the Act is passed there is nothing sure this will be a delightful occasion, and deeply
more for this Society to do. But I assure you our regret we are unable to accept the invitation to
work is only just beginning, and the Minister attend, which we have had the honour to receive.
himself hinted that to you. When the Council All good wishes for the huge success Irish wit and
has been appointed a stupendous piece of work gaiety are sure to command.
for the benefit of the community must be organised
and carried out. We have realised the importance
during these years of acquainting ourselves with LEGAL MATTERS.
politics, and because nurses have been brought
into a registered profession is a reason why they EX-V.A.D. PLEADS GUILTY TO CHARGE
should realise their political responsibilities more OF THEFT.
in the future than they have done in the past. I A strange story was told at the Marylebone
am not at all inclined to regard the work of our Police Court recently, when Monica Bowie, the
Society as finished, and I propose that we refer the wife of a Lieutenant in the R.A.F., was charged
matter to our Executive Committee to consider with the theft of ;^6o, to which she pleaded guilty. >
what should be the future activities, if any, of this Her solicitor stated that she left school in Canada
Society, and to report to our next annual meeting. at the age of 17 "to become a V. A. D. nurse, "and
This was agreed. while serving in France was wounded in the head
and arm. Her husband, who was called as a
THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE. witness, said he met his wife on the hospital ship
Miss Breay announced the Thanksgiving, Delta which was torpedoed, and married her last
Service for the Nursing Acts at St. Martin 's-in-the- November. They were to have sailed for South
Fields, on January 23rd, at 7.15 p.m. Africa that afternoon. The magistrate remanded
The meeting then terminated, the audience the accused to have the state of her mind reported
greeting their officers and one another in a spirit on, saying that without positive medical evidence
of cordial good fellowship, which augurs well for he should regard the plea of ill-health which
the future solidarity of the Nursing Profession. had been put forward with some scepticism. If
her statement is true, why was a school girl
of 17 permitted to come from Canada to Europe
as a V.A.D. and employed as described ?
COLLEGE OF NURSING, LIMITED. Nothing could be more unsuitable.
We are glad to note that the College of V,A,D. NURSE BOUND OVER.
Nursing, Ltd., is celebrating the passing of the
At Willesden last week, Thelma Clarkson, a
Nursing Act, and that Sir Arthur Stanley, V.A.D. nurse, was bound over on a charge of
•
Treasurer- of St. Thomas's Hospital, and obtaining money by false pretences. In two
Chairman of the College, wiU, together with cases, it was stated, she took men to hospital,
the Council, be At Home at the Royal Auto- persuading them that owing to the state of their
mobile Club, W., on Thursday, 15th January. health an operation was necessary. In the first
Lord Sandhurst and Dr. Addison, Minister of case she obtained a fee from the man's wife after
Health, will sp>eak. giving a graphic description of an operation that
never took place, and in the second case she
It is very satisfactory, that as the College
drew the man's wages after taking him to hospital.
Council and its Register were not incorporated
in the Act —thus giving it precedence over the
THE STORE CUPBOARD.
pioneer Nurses' Organisations, and making it
the Governing Body of the Nursing Profession, When you order Bovril for the store cupboard,
—
as provided in the College Bill the College is please remember to order bottles, not cubes,
as it is not obtainable in the latter form.
prepared to accept and welcome the Govern-
Then, stock a bottle of Nujol (Anglo-American
ment Measure.
Oil Co., Ltd., 36, St. Anne's Gate, S.W. i) which
The College will now realise where it stands,
prevents constipation by acting mechanically.
and what its future activities can be, and it And, lastly, do not forget to keep always by
should without delay concentrate its energies in
you some " Shell " Brand Floor Polish (Archd.
promoting schemes of practical nursing educa- H. Hamilton & Co., Possilpark, Glasgow), the
tion in support of the various curricula to be first polish on the market, and still holding its
The Infirmary, —
Kingston-on-Thames. ^Miss Anna
and that used of poor quality. The express trains
stop at most stations, the ordinary ones in between
Sinclair has been appointed Matron. She was trained
at the Western infirmary, Glasgow, and the Brighton
as well that and the price of the ticket seem the
;
Hospital for Women, and has been Sister in Charge only difference.
at the Fort George Garrison Infirmary, Matron at the We started for Cracow from Zawiercie, at
Sanatorium, Peebles, Matron of the Great Barr Hos- 7.30, one glorious Sunday morning. It was the
pital, and, during the war. Matron of hospitals at Feast of the Anniversary of the Virgin Mary.
Weybridge, Exeter, and Kilmarnock. Already crowds of gaily dressed peasants were
en route for Czestochowa, the Lourdes of Poland.
SISTER.
North Lonsdale Hospital,Barrow-in-Furness.—Miss
We were told that, in peace time, the pilgrimage
Constance Passmore has been appointed Sister. She
was made on foot considering the congested
;
Eccleston Hall Sanatorium, St. Helens.— Miss Pebecca gotten sight fully packed compartments, so full
Lineham has been appointed Sister. She was trained that the doors hung open, whilst people of all
at the Peasley Cross Sanatorium, St. Helens, and the ages rode on the roof of the carriages or on the
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, and since com- footboards, hanging on to any available projec-
pleting her training, has worked on its private staff. tion As the train moved slowly out, it reminded
!
SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOL NURSE. one of a gum fly paper which had justified its
existence.
Notts. Education Committee.- —Miss Mary Shaw has
After three hours'
been appointed Superintendent School Nurse. She wait, our train a.Trived,
was trained at the West Derby Union Infirmary, and having first-class tickets we managed to get
Liverpool, and has been Health Visitor and School seats. A few stations down the line a young
Nurse under the Lincoln County Council. commissioner of police joined us, and immedi°
ately a notice reserving the carriage was posted
on the window. This habit has its advantages,
if you are in the carriage before the notable
PRESENTATION. arrives, but its disadvantages will be obvious
later. The country south became more wooded
The resignation of Miss Annie Smith, Matron and undulating and eventually, after three and
of the Kingston Infirmary, is widely regretted by a-half hours of intense heat, we sighted the towers
all sections of the Infirmary Staff and, before
;
of Cracow.
leaving the institution, she was the recipient of We had been warned that hotel accommodation
many gifts, testifying to the affection and esteem was well nigh impossible, but nothing daunted we
in which she is held, as well as of numerous letters sallied forth prepared to tip well. V/e could
from former nurses, and from patients who have afford to, as we received 150 Polish marks for
been cared for in the institution. Past and £1, and 38 Pohsh kroner (they still count in
present members of the Infirmary staff presented Austrian values) go to the 20 marks.
cutlery, and silver and other table requisites ;
Hotel after hotel turned us down, and the other
the domestic staff a cruet stand, the workers in the two began considering where we might have to
laundry a handsome Wedgwood biscuit box, and spend the night. I held that such doubts jeopar-
the " male staff " a cake basket. We
much dised our chances and refused to consider the
regret to learn that Miss Smith's resignation is proposition eventually, we struck an hotel
;
caused by ill-health, and hope that the rest and where the Jew " portier " suggested the possi-
care in a nursing home which she is at present bility of one room in a few hours. I immediately
receiving, will speedily result in its re-establish- clinched, though the fact that the party con-
ment. Miss Smith has done excellent work sisted of two ladies and a medical man, might
during her term of office at the Kingston Infirmary, have deterred me. "W hile we waited for the refusal
and the reputation of the Nursing School stands of the room, we lunched in the restaurant and
high. She was also President of the Nurses' noticed numerous Allied officers. Presently, a
League, in which she took a keen interest. genial British general came over to our table-
;
—
He was returning from Silesia one of the Enquiry Bread was more plentiful and cheaper than at
—
Commission and assured us the " portier " had Zawiercie, but, of course, the harvest was then
their rooms to let, as they had decided to push being utilised, and the conditions at Zawiercie
on. We descended on this son of Shylock and improved, though the supply depended gieatly on
demanded a room, quoting our source of informa- the railway.
tion. Can you ever catch a Jew ? He assured us We made our way early to the Wawel, as we had
in broken English that the room had only been heard rumours of a procession, also we had the
reserved so that the general might wash his inside Palace to visit. The latter we regarded more as a
—
!
realized that the Warsaw ones were all com- The churches in Cracow are very numerous, all
mandeered. The Austrians were much more more or less, externally at least, claim attention
lenient and liberal-minded than the Germans, if only because of colouring. Several, such as the
though the latter tried not to alienate Polish " Kii-che des heiligen Stanislau," have miraculous
good will. They are hated nevertheless;. The stories attached to them.
largest bell was cast by Siegmund after the Towards five o'clock we wandered into th«
victorious end of his wars, out of 300 weapons, Marien Kirche again, just in time to see a most
and we were told vias drawn to the cathedral by interesting religious procession. Interesting to us
300 oxen. from the point that almost all the processionists
The evening sun was striking the Tatry range were women and children. We were surprised to
of the Carpathians eighty miles south as we see them given such an important position in a
stepped on to the terrace high above the Vistula, Roman Catholic Church ceremony.
we watched the lowering snow clad peaks catch —
Cracow was full of gaily-dressed peasants men
the slanting rays, light up, glisten, and gradually and women. Corals betoken the social grade of
fade into cloudland. the peasant. The highest social distinction is
Next morning we were abroad as Aveearly, notified by wearing rows of tooth corals next ;
wished to see the shops before they closed for the come cut corals, and finally round corals. The
feast day. Things generally were cheaper and custom is for the eldest daughter to receive her
more abundant than in Warsaw. I saw a nice fur mother's corals with an extra row on her wedding
coat 380 m., which was not a long price tojpay. day, therefore the number of rows as well as the
—
quality of corals is the social high water mark. OUTSIDE THE GATES,
Many peasants have parted with their corals
during the war, and replaced them in some cases
by gaily-coloured but cheaper beads.
With the signing of the protocol at Paris on
Saturday last, the Treaty of Versailles came into
Despite the warning of the Portier our hotel
exclusive of meals, came to only los.
force, and peace between the Allies and Germany
bill,
—
English money the rate of exchange was, of
is restored.
Passing of the Nursing Acts, for Nurses and their That they alone are free indeed
Friends, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Who bind themselves to serve the nation.
Square, W. 7.15 p.m. Owen Seaman.
January 2qth. —The Matrons' Council. Winter
Meeting, 2, Portland Place, W. By kind invita- The best reward for work well done is to have
tion of Mrs. Walter Spencer. 3 p.m. Tea 4.30 p.m. more given you to do.
— . —
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Many women who will now register, have not
expended sixpence on behalf of State Registra-
tion."
all
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
Mrs. Linf^ard {nie Kelly) Wiborg, Finland. —
" Congratulations on State Registration."
distinctly understood that we do not any way m —
American Nurse. " In politics, you are develop-
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
by our correspondents. ing the newest forms and best adapted to the
modern age. I firmly believe myself that alliance
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. with Labour is not only logical and abstractly
—
Miss Emily Janes. " The B.J.N, has been
sound, but that it is going to come very fast.
If I am not mistaken, the new Belgian Nurses'
always of great interest, and often of service to me. Association is very much on these lines."
I am now a
•
retired person, but my interest in
' '
they realised it more, for the younger ones will these accounts were available. The Fund is a
reap the benefit, and yet they seem indifferent, War Charity, and there is not the slightest excuse
just taking what comes along, regardless of who for privacy concerning its financial affairs. Ed.]
did the spade work also that they axe raised
; Co-operation Nurse. —
" I enclose papers, the
from the group of unskilled labourers, to a pro- suggestion to deprive us of our residential Club in
fession with recognition." Langham Street is very disturbing. I always
Member of College.
—" A friend brought me to imagined myself a Member of the Co-op., but find
it was the first time I am no such thing. Can nothing be done to give
the meeting last Thursday ;
I understood the Nurses' Registration question. us some security of tenure ? " [We hope to find
It was a most inspiring gathering. space to deal with your controversy next week.]
Trades Unionist Nurse. " I attended the —
State Registration meeting on January 8th. NOTICE.
J went in a spirit of disquiet, but left the hall The Editor will next week discuss the making of
very greatly comforted in my mind. Those of Rules and the Duties and Powers of the General
us who have done nothing in the past to better Nursing Council, set up in the Nurses' Registration
things as the State Registrationists have done, Act. She regrets space is not available in this
have little right to complain of our present bad issue.
conditions, rather we deserve them. We must
all do our part in the future, and by way of
beginning I enclose my subscription for the OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS.
B. J. N. QUESTIONS.
(A very practical beginning, and one we hope —
January ijth. ^An anastomosis has to be made
will be widely followed by many other nurses between the stomach and jejunum. How would
who realise the value of our independent pro- you prepare the patient for four days before the
fessional voice in the Press. Ed.) operation ? •
—
Miss Susan Slrahan. " If my congratulations January -z^th. —^What do you know of anthrax,
come late, they are none the less sincere; my and of the methods with this disease ?
of infection
sister and I are gratified to see the reward of what What are the nursing points to be observed in
is practically a life's work on behalf of the nursing caring for a case ?
Nurses' Defence Union. ... I fail to see why Send news to it.
the fee for Registration should be less than £2 2s Patronise our advertisers.
— — — —
THe Midw^ife.
A SUGGESTED SCALE FOR FEEDING ditions: —
I. It must be practicable. 2. It must
be easily understood by doctors, nurses, mothers,
INFANTS ON DRIED MILK. or any person having charge of the baby. 3. The
Dr. Vynne Borland, M.B., Ch.B., B.Sc, calculated amount of feed must produce a satis-
Glasgow, D.P.H.Lond., Assistant Medical Officer factory gain in weight per week. 4. The stools
of Health, Willesden Urban District Council, con- must remain normal. For the number of level
tributes to the Lancet a very interesting article on teaspoonfuls of dried milk to be given in 24 hours
the above subject. He writes : the formula is as follows :
tions for feeding on the covering label. This with the County Nursing Association which has
matter becomes more important under the present trained them."
difficult conditions when, owing to the decreased
The qualification for piidwives is defined under
value of money, a large number of nursing mothers the Midwives Act, that for nurses will shortly be
go out to work in order to lessen their financial defined under the Nursing Acts, but it is safe to
troubles, and consequently their babies are no
say that a year's training will not enable girls to
longer breast fed. At the same time, owing to qualify both as nurses and midwives. It is much
the scarcity of fresh cows' milk, the demand for more likely that the time of midwifery training
specially-prepared milks has very materially will be raised to one year.
increased, and many local authorities have adopted
" dried milks " as the most convenient form of dis-
tribution in connection with a welfare clinic, either INCREASED COST OF LIVING.
at a cost price, or free in necessitous cases. 1n view of the increased cost of living, the fee for
board payable by nurses who are admitted for four
" A Plan for Feeding Babies in Accordance months to military families' hospitals for training
WITH their Weight. as midwives will be increased from to guineas to
" Taking these facts into consideration, it is
/I5- . .
Wales, and who will represent the interests of abolished, the Rural District Councils, the
trained nurses in the House of Commons. County Councils, or a larger area of adminis-
The report of an address given by Sir Robert tration were desirable. Many f)eople, he said, .
Morant, K.C.B., to the Public Health and considered that a much larger area of adminis-
Insurance Committee of the National Council tration was needed if we were to get rid of
of Women (not expressing his own views, or what they regard as the overmastering power
those of the Ministry, but trying to show what of local vested interests.
some of the diflficulti^s are that need to be Again, he pointed out that would obviously
it
Paf>er, is therefore of much interest. hospitals as the responsible body for making
Sir Robert pointed out that the formation ot provision for the whole needs of an area. Who "
Board of Education with regard to the Health specifically been made responsible by Parlia-
sider was the nature of the legislation for local medical provision for an area and the whole ;
bodies which would have to follow upon this question teemed with such administrative diffi-
culties that health workers all over the country
union in Whitehall, and the way in which it
would affect the existing local authorities. At should devote their minds to trying to think
present there was no one local body whose duty out a practical solution of some of these
problems.
it was to look after the health of the inhabitants
48 Zbe 16inti0b 3ournal ox IRureinc January 24, 1920
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. these simple means the patient may realise that
all that is possible to be done is being done
for the success of the operation, and to keep
AN ANASTOMOSIS HAS TO] BE MADE BETWEEN
THE STOMACH AND JEJUNUM [HOW ;WOULD YOU his thoughts in a cheerful and hopeful channel.
PREPARE THE PATIENT FOR FOUR DAYS BEFORE The day before the operation the patient
HE OPERATION?
I
should have the operation area shaved, and
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this then have a hot bath (providing he is in a fit
week to Miss Lilian F. Hayward, 9, Upper state). Different surgeons difi^er in their
Wimpole Street, London, W. i. methods of skin preparation, so it is M^ise, if
PAPER. possible, to ascertain the surgeon's wishes with
PRIZB
regard to this matter.
As the operation of making an anastomosis
between the stomach and jejunum, or gastro- The usual method is to wash the operation
called, is one of the most area and surrounding parts well with soap and
jejunostomy, as it is
water, and then to paint with iodine paint, leave
severe of abdominal operations, it is of the
to dry, and in about two hours' time to paint
utmost importance that a preparation of at
again, and to cover with a sterilised dressing,
least four days should be carried out before the
and bandage firmly it is a precaution to apply
actual day of operation. ;
calomel should be given two days before the should be warmly but loosely clothed, and a
operation, and on the day preceding operation hvpodermic injection of morphia ^ gr. and
a dose of castor oil may be given if this is not
;
atropine ^^^ gr. is usually given half an hour
suflficient to secure a complete emptying of the before the operation.
lower bowel, enemata should be given, and at As was mentioned before, it is most neces-
any rate, about three hours before the opera- sary that the nurse should exert all her mental
tion, a plain soap-and-watcr enema should be powers to keep the patient in a hopeful state
given. of mind with regard to the operation, for there
During these days of preparation the patient is no doubt of the great effect the mihd has over
should be kept on fluids, and, for about fifty the body, and in this and all operations a nurse
hours before operation, on nothing but sterilised should bear in mind that her conscientious pre-
milk and tea. Especial care should be taken paration is of vital importance, and that " well
with the teeth they should ^be cleansed two or
; begun is half done."
three times a day with carbolic tooth powder,
and frequent mouthwashes given any stumps
HONOURABLE MENTION.
;
asepsis of the mouth and teeth— do as much as Miss P. Thomson points out that the reason
possible to keep the whole of the alimentary why, after an operation of this kind, the patient
tract as sterile as possible. is propped up in a sitting position, either by
The patient may be induced to take deep pillows, or by a special bed frame, is because
breaths, as this may help to minimise the possi- in this position the stomach naturally empties
bilities of chest trouble after the anaesthetic. itself through the new opening into the bowel.
It is also a good thing to suggest to the patient
that he or she tries to sleep in an upright posi- QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
tion, as most surgeons have their abdominal What do you know of anthrax, and of the
cases nursed in the Fowler position, and the methods of infection with this disease? What
unusual position may prove most irksome are the nursing points to be observed in caring
unless the patient is more or less used to it. By for such a case?
January 24, 1920 ^bc Biltl^b 3ournal of TRiireiUG. 49
THB NURSES' THANKS GIVING SERVICE. doubtless a cross made of wood, which gave
the name of Charing Cross long before Crun-
Much interest is being taken in the Thanks- dale erected the cross of Caen stone by order
giving Service for the passing of the Nurses' of King Edward I, in honour of Eleanor, his
Registration Acts, which is being held, by the Queen, who accompanied the King to the Holy
kindness of the Rev. H. R. L. Sheppard, at Land, and when he was wounded by a poisoned
St. Martin 's-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, arrow, sucked the poison out of the wound,
London, W.C., on Friday, January 23rd, at with the result that the King recovered. The
7.15 p.m., and on such an occasion there is body of Queen Eleanor was brought from Lin-
sure to be a good congregation of nurses and colnshire to Westminster Abbey for burial, and
their friends. The hymns selected are all those at each stopping-place King Edward had a
in which the congregation can join, and the cross erected. The crosses were consecrated,
canticles will be sung to well-known chants, so and bore the inscription " Orate pro anima."
that the service '^•ill be thoroughly congrega-
tional. Major Barnett, M.P., deeply regrets that,
By the kindness of Mr. John McMastcr, owing to a previous engagement, he is unable
Churchwarden of St. Martin's, which is a Royal to be present at the Thanksgiving Service, and
Parish, we are able to publish the accompany- has most generously sent Mrs. Bedford Fen-
ing picture of the church from his book, " St. wick a cheque for ^5 5s., to be added to the
Martin's-in-the-Fields." It is interesting to offertory. As we announced last week, any
learn that the Church was sometimes called St. surplus from the offertory after expenses are
Martin-nigh-the-iCross at the village of Char- paid is to be given to the Trained Nurses'
ing, and Mr. McMaster tells us that there was Annuitv Fund.
.
land and Wales. At a special meeting of the tion, Tulse Hill, ;;^5oo; the Head Nurse of the
General Council of the Royal British Nurses' Sir Henry Tate Memorial Home, Tulse Hill,
Association, held on the 15th inst., the letter and the other nurses there, ;^ioo each her ;
from the Minister was read, and action taken. executors, for the doctors, nurses, and attend-
The Central Committee for the -State Regis- ants at her last illness, ;!^500. The Grand
tration of Nurses met on Saturday, 17th inst., Priory of the Order of the Hospital of St. John
to receive the nominations from the constituent of Jerusalem also receives ;^i,ooo.
—
Nurses' Societies the Matrons' Council, the
Society for the State Registration of Trained Lieut.-Col. Goodall, R.A.M.C, Officer in
Nurses, the Fever Nurses' Association, and the Charge of the Cardiff City Mental Hospital,
National Union of Trained Nurses. It was will have the sympathy of medical practitioners
agreed that the lists of names submitted should, and nurses in his determination to place,
with the qualifications of the nominees, be for- where necessary, trained and certificated female
warded to the Minister of Health as soon as mental nurses to care for male mental patients,
possible. and we hope ignorant opposition to this
It is very necessary that those accepting humane departure may not influence his Com-
nomination should realise that if selected to mittee to revert to the now obsolete system of
serve on the General Nursing Council, much depriving male patients of such skilled care.
time will be required if they are to perform Lieut.-Col. Goodall informs us that the state-
their respyonsible duties efficiently, and this will ment made at a meeting of the Cardiff Trades
be required of them both by the Minister of and Labour Council that during the war, when
" young V.A.D. nurses, new to their work,
Health and the Nursing Profession.
were in the wards, incidents had occurred
which had made the male attendants feel
NURSES REGISTRATION (SCOTLAND) ashamed of their sex in the presence of such
ACT, 1919, yoling girls," is entirely without foundation,
The
Scottish Board of Health are taking steps and that no V.A.D. 's have been employed at
towards the constitution of the General Nursing the Cardiff City Mental Hospital from begin-
Council for Scotland, established by the Nurses ning to end of military occupation.
Registration (Scotland) Act, 191 9. On the first We are pleased to know this, and hope, as
constitution of the Council thirteen of the fifteen soon as the rules for the Supplementary
persons composing the Council are to be appointed
Register of Mental Nurses under the Nursing
by the Scottish Board of Health. Four are to be
Acts are defined, a great impetus will be given
appointed after consultation with persons and
bodies having special knowledge and experience of to well-educated young women, not girls, to
training schools for nurses, of the work of matrons apply for training in mental hospitals, and
of hospitals, of general and special nursing services, qualify themselves to nurse mental patients.
and of general and special medical practice, and We believe a great number of these suffering
nine of the persons to be appointed by the Board people might be cured by trained nursing skill.
of Health must be, or must have been at some time, From very widespread evidence we learn much
nurses actually engaged in rendering services in yet remains to be done, especially in large
direct connection with the nursing of the sick.
private asylums, to better the standard of care
The Board are anxious that the new Council
should be of a thoroughly representative character, and nursing bestowed on paying patients.
and they would welcome suggestions for member-
ship of the Council, but all recommendations should We are glad to observe that ten years was
be accompanied by a statement of the special added to the actual service of Miss Annie
qualifications and experience of the persons Smith, the retiring Matron of the Kingston
suggested for membership. Infirmary, bv the Guardians, for the purpose
— — — — —
Hughes, S./Nurse ;
Mothers' Clubs, and a good beginning has been Miss S. B. Randall, S./Nurse Miss B.
; Roth, ;
babies to a tea and social evening. The hall Nurse Miss L. M. Rait, Nurse Miss C.
;
parative newcomers to Ramsgate, and who are Mrs. J. Horton, T./Hon. Lt. C.
;
Russell, Mrs. ;
•. glad to meet other mothers as new friends. D. ; Sharpe, T./Hon. Lt. A. Siddall, T./Hon. ;
Later an entertainment was given which had Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military
been arranged by Mr. W. Palmer. Mothers Nursing Service.
and babies were presented with wee mascot Casswell. Sister (A./Matron) Miss M. R.,
gollywogs. Much to the disappointment of all A.R.R.C, attd. i/3rd (S. Mid.) Fd. Amb., R.A.M.C.
present. Nurse Ashby was unable to attend (T.F.).
owing to an accident which she sustained the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military
previous day. Nursing Service Reserve.
A large of Royal Red Crosses have
number Anderson, S./Nurse Miss G., 79th Gen. Hosp. ;
been awarded, mostly" to V.A.D.'s. Miss Freeman, Sister Miss R., 79th Gen. Hosp.
Monk, Matron of the London Hospital, is pro- Territorial Force Nursing Service.
moted from A.R.R.C, to R.R.C. We hope to Vernon, Sister Miss M., 38th Staty. Hosp. ;
find space for the list in a future issue. Willens, Asst. Matron Miss J., 79th Gen. Hosp.
—
As members of my Association are aware, a whether you will do this for me ? If so, 1 will
scheme was inaug-urated by the Royal British then send you a collecting card, which is being
Nurses' Association some time ago to found a printed for the purpose.
I shall be very grateful also, if you will do all
Nurses' Club, but, owing to the fact that the
destinies of the nurses were being settled in
you can to interest nurses and others whom you
know, in the scheme.
the Houses of Parliament, I knew that my Faithfully yours,
Council had to concentrate their energies very Helena,
closely upon matters connected with legislation,
Princess Christian,
and I considered that, although I had this
Princess of Great Britain and Ireland.
scheme for establishing a Club in connection
with my Association so much at heart, I ought My wish is that this Club, which we are
not to press the matter at a time when my founding in connection with the Royal British
Council were so engrossed with questions vital Nurses* Association, should be available for all
to the whole future of the Profession of Nurs- Nurses, and I shall be very glad, therefore, to
ing. Late in November last, however, I asked hear from Members of my affiliated Societies
a few of my friends to join and help us in found- and other nurses who are prepared to help me
ings a Club such as you wished to have. These with the scheme. Will they write to me at
ladies have been m.ost kind, but, knowing- what 78, Pall Mall, S. W. i ?
I of my own nurses, I felt that they would
do I am most anxious that this Club should be
prefer to take the first steps themselves towards one which the nurses can regard as their own
getting the money required for the inception of —
house as indeed a Home of their own. We
the Club. I therefore sent to each Member of suggest that it should be named " The Nurses'
the Corporation the following letter : Own Club." I think it is very important that
you should all help me to build up its Member-
LETTER PROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL
BRITISH NUR5ES ASSOCIATION TO NURSE ship at once, and those who are helping me
MEMBERS.
• agree that the nurses who join first should have
Schomberg House, some special privileges. They further suggest
78, Pall Mall, S.W.I. that, although the Club will be available for all
December, 1919. trained Nurses, some nurses may be so placed
—
Dear Madam, It has been brought to my that they do not require or cannot make use of
notice how very urgent is the need for a large all the privileges afforded by the Club, and that
Central Club for Nurses, and I am very anxious therefore such nurses should be allowed to join
that they should have this, because it would be as Associates, who will not participate in the
useful to them in so very many different ways. benefits of the Club to the full extent that
I wish to give you all the help I can to form
Members do. I _shall be glad if nurses who
such a club, but T feel that the nurses themselves
wish to join, whether as Members or Asso-
would prefer to start the fund required for the
ciates, will fill in the coupon on pag^e vi and
inception of the Club. Further, if they will do
this, it will help me very much by enabling me forward it to the address I have given above.
to say to my friends, that the nurses themselves I hope you will all take a really active interest
have done what they could towards getting in your Club from the beginning we wish to
;
the necessary funds to start the Club. have it founded and carried on in a thoroug-hly
I am therefore writing to ask, whether you business-like way, and I have not the slightest
.
doubt that you will all see to it that it is made We regret that we were unable to acknowledge
self-supporting-, once it is established, espe- some of the work which was sent to us in the
cially as we intend that it will be planned and autumn as addresses were not forwarded with it.
Particularly we should have wished to thank the
managed in such a way
as to be of the g^reatest
donor of some lovely sketches in water colours.
possible advantage to you.
The Council propose that the nurses be asked to
organise a similar sale next autumn, and we give
this early intimation that it will take place, in order
that they may have the more time to do wo/k and
to interest their friends.
We have also pleasure in announcing that the
President of the Royal British first Princess Christian annuity has been granted
A SHOCK TO THE NURSING WORLD. French soldiers, with whom were many Colonials
'
(Senegalese and Arabs), nearly all grands blesses
'
at the East Sussex Hospital, St. Leonards. After contrivance was our watchword. Everything
the inquest Miss
Shore's body was
taken to Christ
Church, St. Leonards,
where a requiem
service was held,
attended by manv
nurses. The funeral
took place on Tues-
day, at St. Saviour's,
Ealing, amidst every
testimony of rever-
ence and affection.
During the war Miss
Shore served in 191
for a year with the
French Red Cross,
and from 191 5 in
Queen Alexandra's
Imperial Nursing
Service Reserve,
being demobilised in
1 91 9. At 24 General
Hospital, Etaples,
she exhibited great
courage during air
raids, and was
awarded the R.R.C.
A Nursing Sister
writes : SISTER SHORE, R.R.C. (right).
"As one who With patient just decorated with Medaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre.
had known Sister
Florence Nightingale Shore as a fellow-worker in had to be made to " do," and pressed into the
France in 191 4, during some of those first never- service. No duty came amiss to any of us.
to-be-forgotten months of the war, the news of Nor when convoys of wounded arrived could
the tragedy which ended in her death last Friday, anyone be off duty, sometimes either day or
came to me with additional shock and horror. night. Indeed, ordinary off duty time, brief at
." We were together in a Military Hospital the best, was in those days more honoured in the
attached to. the Xth French Corps d'Armee on breach than the observance by many of us,
the Somme. The Hospital was in a comman- especially those entrusted with most responsibility,
deered Hotel, and had as clearing station a and amongst those none was more entirely
"chateau close to Arras. We were a Red Cross self -forgetting than Sister Shore. She lived for
unit of British doctors and nurses. Some of us her patients, whose grateful affection was her
had been nursing our British wounded from the well earned and best reward, and we all felt deep
Battle of the Aisne during September and October, admiration for her devotion and high sense of
and being then sent to the Somme, were joined duty, and her consistent goodness of character.
by other nurses, amongst whom was Sister Shore. " An admirable and most capable nurse she
"
Here, in November, 1914, our patients, with the had worked previous to the war as a " Queen's
exception of a few British, were for the most part Jubilee Nurse. She was very proud of her
—
very difficult work of setting up the new Council. Miss LiUan V. Young. She was trained at the
Miss Sparshott, Matron of the Royal Infirmary, Hampstead General Hospital, Haverstock Hill, and has
Manchester, seconded, as a provincial Matron and worked at the North Eastern Fever Hospital.
Miss Emma J. Marsh, trained at the St. Marylebone
as a convert to State Registration. Infirmary, andhashad military nursing, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.
Dr. Addison, in the course of his reply, said and private nursing experience.
that it was the intention of the present Ministry Miss Francis G. Hobbs, trained at St. Giles' Infirmary,
of Health to lose no time in extending and improv- Camberwell, and has been ward sister and night
ing facilities for the work of nurses, not only to superintendent at Hackney Infirmary, and Sister
assist those in necessity through illness, but to Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.
guide and instruct the people in how to keep well. Miss Bertha Downs, trained at the North Ormesby
Hospital, Middlesbrough, has been on the staff of
It was the preventive services that they must
the 3rd London General Hospital IT. F.N. S., and a
develop, and though this would cost a considerable
temporary School Nurse, London County Council.
amount, it was one of the great national economies
that they should devote money in improving the QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE INSTITUTE
fundamental services which went to prevent sick- FOR NURSES.
ness and disability. Transfers and Appointments.
The Minister emphasised the opinion that nurses Miss Janet A. Macleod is appointed to Shropshire
should be properly paid. N.F. as Assistant Superintendent. Miss Mabel A.
In regard to the first register, it was bound Battye to Adlington. Miss Florence E. Bellman to
to contain the names of a large number of nurses Highcliffe..
Miss Annie Goodison to Heath and
Williamthorpe. Miss Beatrice J. Naidon to Willen-
who had practised their profession for a long time, hall. Miss Annie Mannion to Market Rasen. Miss
but might not have had the opportunities required Mary Powell to Gillingham. .Miss Edith Richardson
in the latest curriculum for training. to Fulham. Miss Esther Snowdon to Carlisle. Miss
In conclusion, Dr. Addison urged upon the Florence N. Underhill to Guildford.
—
Co-operation is wound up, the surplus funds and QUEEN MARY'5 H0STEL5 FOR NURSES.
assets may not be distributed amongst the nurses,
The following paragraph has been officially
but may be " handed over to some other institu-
communicated to this Journal for publication
tion having similar objects " to be selected by
:
1^
-m
A Reliable
Dispensing
Service.
P villi 111
^
|.L ^
•
The Drugs
The
branch are always
at every
extent of our business and
fresh.
our system of regular weekly supply ensures that nothing
gets stale on our shelves. Medical men will recognise that
the quality of freshness is secondary only to that of purity.
Boots
555 BRANCHES
= Chemists
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
SIR JESSE BOOT. mmti^svn "**<' Office STATION ST..
ManUinc Director.
KW
tuok fWTWfflffl :
NOTTINGHAM.
:b
—
Our return journey was interesting and bordered station, the ticket collector appeared.; we ex-
on the melodramatic. We were travelling by an plained, and he muttered about reporting it when
" Express," and at the end had left ourselves we arrived, so we felt all was well ;
but arrived
rather short of time, so short that after discussion at Zawiercie things assumed a different character !
Avith the booking clerk on the advisability of The train collector notified we had travelled
—
travelling ist or 2nd class as the former necessi- beyond station marked on our tickets, and the
tated a change at the border of old Russian —
station master was on the alert as we discovered
—
Poland I hastily glanced at the tickets, and afterwards he would require to have refunded the
seeing a " 2 " thought they were all right, and —
money. A fellow traveller came to our aid, and
ran for the train, little thinking there was another I stated my case through him in German to the
town on the same line with a similar naihe to Polish officials as it was 2 a.m., I said we would
;
the Courier, we two sisters planted ourselves in To cut a long story short and save a man's reason
the nearest corner This added fresh fuel to the
! — the station master by this time made a good
Courier's ire, and the other men sided with him second to the courier —1 suggested giving him
certainly if they could not remain we should not. 10 marks to pay the difference between the two
So they vollied at us in all languages, and proved stations and which we would recover when the
to me the folly of our old proverb " that woman mistake was cleared. No he shrieked he wished
!
German " that women could not stand in a beyond reason we acceeded to his request to
crowded corridor while one man, even if he were return to the station and make our declaration
an Emperor, occupied a whole carriage." For before the police. While they wrote out the
obvious reasons I was temporally bereft of all deposition I got our German-speaking friend to
comprehension of the French language the fun — ask the booking clerk casually the fare from
was fast and furious, and at one time I thought Cracow ; to my surprise he named a sum much
I would be lifted bodily and flung on the heads less than I had paid. After further examination
of the passengers in the corridor who watched — of passport, I again showed them our special
the conflict with interest. The courier's hair papers from the Public Health Ministry in Warsaw
was on end, he danced about like a marionette, and immediately the police stopped writing, and
one minute throwing himself half out of the the station master who had waved the papers
'
window, while he called wildly for station master aside before, begged us, cap in hand, to go*and
or guard, the next returning to his wordy assault. think no more of it but it was late, we had been
;
My companion's part was blank astonishment, unneccessarily kept out of bed, so I said no and !
coupled with ignorance of all languages except much to their surprise and annoyance, counter-
English we sat tight, dreading every minute
; claimed for excess fare charged. At this moment
that our Kahki-clad medical officer would interfere we were startled by a loud chuckle, and looking
and draw the storm on himself in which case
; round we saw an old engine driver in fits of
I foresaw we might require to retreat to save the laughter " Go on Fraulein he cried, have your
;
uniform from insult, because technically we were own back, they should never have put you to all
in the wrong. At last seeing our determination, this inconvneience I kept 'up the farce and
!
a soldier edged his tired wife on to the seat opposite made them sign the .counter-clairn. Finally we
us, then a sister of mercy got in, and so the carriage got home and to bed, much amused at the ending
filled up while the courier, red-eyed and breathless, to an enjoyable and remarkably cheap holiday !
— — —
but as they are also instructive, perhaps you will shall then, as professional nurses, need our Asso-
find a corner in your paper to record the impres- ciation for social purposes more than ever. Can
sions of a very ordinary person who is not deeply you get it realised by the younger nurses that
versed in these matters. nothing worth having is to be had without some
The first thing that struck one in both places —
personal sacrifice and financial support. If every
was the audience. In Chandos Street it was alive, i^egistered Nurse would join the Association and
interested and full of vitality, and there could be subscribe one guinea annually for the upkeep of
no doubt but that it was almost entirely com- high professional ideals and, incidentally, per-
posed of nurses. In the fine ball-room of the sonal benefit, as the members of the British
Automobile Club, the audience was most chaste Medical Association do— and to include the B.J.N.
fur coats, pearl necklaces, gold-handled um- - -we should prove our solidarity and grow in grace
brellas were the order of the —
day but very little and influence. I gather from the report of the
enthusiasm was displayed. A good many V.A.D.s, College meeting, at the Automobile Club, that
a sprinkling of ladies in khaki, and seemingly the its Chairman proposes to launch another cadging
cream of society, had turned out to hear the campaign on our behalf through the Daily Tele-
Minister of Health and the other gentlemen who —
graph this time from the Tommies !' It is
'
—
Dear Editor, May I write a protest against —
January 2^th. What do you know of anthrax,
the exorbitant prices being charged for seats for and of the methods of infection with this disease ?
the film play, " The End of the Road," at the What are the nursing points to be observed in
evening performances ? caring for a case ?
As a Public Health Nurse, surely one should see January ^ist. —Describe the Psychic Tempera-
this film at a figure within one's income ? Three- ment and its place in Progressive Evolution.
— —
The
"HELPED TO THRIVE AND once a day to train it to digest cow's milk, even
STRENGTHENED TO LIVE." if it is thri'vyng on breast milk.
No greater plea could be put forward for financial
support for the St. Marylebone Babies' Nursing
ABOUT WATER.
Home, 90, Marlborough Place, St. John's Wood, Mr. Eustace Miles in his book, " Self-Health as
than the details published in the programme of a a Habit," published by J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd.,"*
concert recently held on its behalf at the Hamp- has much to say about the use of water, which
stead Conservatoire, when Lady Wyndham (Miss expectant mothers would do well to note, for, as
Mary Moore^ charmed her audience with her we all know, a danger during the period of profound
short stories, and Miss Gertrude Peppercorn gave changes which precedes the birth of a child is that
great pleasure with her pianoforte solos. the toxins in the blood shall not be freely elimi-
Here is the record of the Home in brief : nated. Speaking generally, Mr. Eustace Miles
" Hardly a baby admitted to the Home but says :
a baby admitted to the Home, but after a few a sense of bulk, and satisfies hunger to some
weeks is helped to thrive, and strengthened to extent. For many people it would be far better
live." Those who want to help the good work to fill up with water than with the vast quantities
can do so by sending their subscriptions and of unnecessary foods that they take, particularly
donations to the Hon. Secretary, Lady New, foods of the starchy and sugary type, foods that
55, Avenue Road, N.W.8, or the Treasurer, W. tend eventually to a very serious form of acidosis."
Darwon, Esq., 82, Clarence Gate Gardens, N.W.i, Water helps the peristaltic action of the digestive
or the Matron at the Home, by whom they will and eliminative organs. It also, as Pawlov has
be gratefully received. proved, arouses not only the saliva, but also the
gastric juice.
ANTE-NATAL CLINIC. It conveys oxygen into the system.
The Great Northern Central Hospital has It serves to convey food not only into the
inaugurated an Ante-Natal Clinic which will be system, but also through the system.
held weekly at the Out-Patients Department, It is water that helps to distribute the food, as
on Thursdays. An additional Session of the the canal system used to and should still help to
Gynaecological Department will also be held on distribute food and other commodities through
Thursday mornings, as well as on Monday after- our country.
noons, as hitherto. Above all, water eliminates toxins and waste
These Ante-Natal Clinics are of great value, matter and thus purifies the system. Ihe waste
and should save a large amount, of preventible matter goes out through the breath, the skin, the
suffering, and also help to raise the general kidneys, and the bowels. Without water the vast
standard of national health by giving wise advice amounts of poisonous stuff would be retained
to expectant mothers, who are, as a rule, only within the body. The Japanese use hot water
too anxious to follow it, if they have confidence freely, not only externally, but also internally.
in their advisers. The patient endurance by It is very astonishing that when the water
many women, in the past, of suffering, and lowered intake is doubled, the urine still carries out not
vitality, which they should never have had to much less waste matter in proportion. The
endure is one of the tragedies of the want of specific gravity is not so very much lower. The
knowledge, which every woman should have the lesson is obvious. The water must be carrying
opportunity of acquiring. out a great deal of poison.
liability Company, fearing that its income will Navy and the Army were made on their behalf?
be insufficient to pay its way, should appeal to The sense of indignation on the part of the
the charitably inclined to supply the deficit. In nurses is exactly the same, and we cannot
the course of its inglorious career the question believe that these ladies will permit this outrage
of financial does not appear to have
stability on their professional prestige without a protest
engaged the attention of the College Council, to the Army Council, to which they have now
or of its i6,ooo members. If they cannot set the right of apf)eal.
their own house in order, there appears no It appears the irony of fate that Lord
reason why men of business acumen, or of Burnham, for many years one of the most per-
goodwill, should do so for them. sistent blockers of Nurses' Registration in the
Moreover, we consider that the Matrons on House of Commons, should now advance the
the College Council, and the heads of the Mili- Pecksniffian plea of the privileges conferred
tary Nursing Services, specifically mentioned upon the Nursing Profession by the Nursing
in the Daily Telegraph appeal, have most Acts, as a reason why the public should help to
cruelly betrayed the* trust reposed in them by organise nurses through shilling doles.
permitting and supporting this appeal, which Onesignificant fact is brought out in the
cuts at the economic independence of a self- articlepromoting the "Daily Telegraph Shil-
respecting profession, and which is launched ling Fund for our Nurses" the Daily Telegraph
:
in a manner which its members both detest and states that the College of Nursing, Ltd., has
resent. so far met expenses " from the fees of the
its
The Matrons should have been the first to nurses for registration, and with the help . . .
protect the economic status of the nurses, of ladies who secured the Star and Garter,
instead of permitting- attempts to depreciate it. Richmond," College members, who have been
This disingenuous App>eal for the College assured that the guineas paid by them to the
—
Company made to every soldier, every sailor, College of Nursing, Ltd., will insure their being
everyone who served his country in an auxiliary placed on the State Register " automatically,
force, as in the women's uniformed services without further fee," and that they have been
is based on the work of nurses for wounded invested for this purpose, await a statement
sailors and soldiers. Nurses considered it an from the Council of the College on their position.
62 Hbe Brittab 3ournal of IRurelnc January 31, 1920
Internal.— Caused by inhalation or swallow- in size, and eventually a bleb filled with pus
appears on the summit.
ing of dust laden with spores; when they have
been inhaled ithis takes the form of pneumonia QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
with haemorrhages, the pleural saos fill with Describe the Psychic Temperament and its
serum and the lungs collapse when swallowed,
; place in Progressive Evolution.
"
the degrading " Shilling Fund for Nurses," pital stall, so that it may be very heavily laden
which he has launched upon the public without with articles for sale. No matter what is sent,
consulting the nurses themselves. Presumably plain or fancy articles, paintings, dolls, toys,
Lord Burnham imagines that the cadging in fact, any and everything, will be most ac-
policy of the College of Nursing Company can —
ceptable doubly so if all are plainly marked
be thrust upon the Nursing Profession at large, with the prices at which they are to be sold and
without protest. He will find that he is mis- sent direct to the Hospital. ;£i8,ooo is ven
taken. urgently needed to complete the fund.
Ehiring a recent visit to Birmingham, Sir The Matron and Nurses of the Western In-
Arthur Stanley, speaking as the guest of the firmary, Glasgow, held a very successful sale
Rotary Club on the reasons why voluntary of work recently in aid of the Nurses' Memorial
effort should conltinue in peace time, to King Edward VII, Chamberlain Road,
among other things :
— said,
" There was the ques- Edinburgh, the proceeds of which amounted to
tion of nurses. At present many villages en- fully ;£420. A similar effort was made by the
joyed the services of fully-trained nurses whose Matron and Nurses of the Glasgow Royal In-
time was mainly employed in doing small jobs, firmary, the receipts in this instance, amounting
such as binding up cuts, &c., which anybody to £^0, being allocated for the purpose of pro-
could do. He suggested that the great and viding coal for the home.
w^ell-organised system of the V.A.D.'s should
be used to carry out this service. The ordinary
Lady Arnott, D.B.E., presided, on January'
V.A.D. nurse could do nine-tenths of the work
28th, at the formal opening of the newly estab-
at present done by fuUy-trainedi nurses in the
lished Nurses' Club, 54, Fitzwilliam Square,
villages. In the market towns or larger villages
Dublin.
these latter women should be installed to co-
operate with and direct the work of the V.A.D. 's
in the surrounding districts. Speaking in support of the Indian Nurses'
Hostel Fund, by permission of Lady Minto at
We wondier how this programme appeals to 95, Lancaster Gate, Lady Carmichael said that
the thoroughly trained district nurses who are when she first went to Bengal in 191 2 she
members of the College of Nursing, Ltd., of visited all the hospitals of the Presidency, and
whicH Sir Arthur Stanley is chairman. Also, found that there were no nurses except in Cal-
• the villagers who enjoy trained nursiing skill cutta. Even at Dacca, where there was a
when sick may also have a word to say on the medical school, both men and women passed
question. out from their medical training without know-
This suggestion of depriving the Profession ing what nursing meant. Matrons were put
of Nursing of one of its most interesffcing into four hospitals, but it was impossible to fill
branches of work, also touches intimately them with English nurses owing to the cost of
nursing economics, and it is just here that a bringing them out. They started a scheme by
Nurses' Trade Union needs to step in and ask which Indian nurses were trained in certain
the reason why? The question would be es- hospitals in Calcutta under English nurses.
pecially i>ertinent, as V.A.D.'s proved a very The difficulty was that the Indian girls them-
costly luxury during the war, especially on selves did not care for nursing as a profession.
foreign service, where the cream of the work There were strong social prejudices against it.
.
(as in Italy) was allotted to these untrained Beginning with country-born Anglo-Indian
women. If rural district nursing is to be girls, a certain amount of training was given,
handed over to occupy the spare time of young but they had still to raise the profession so that
women of social position, God help the poor ! high-caste girls or widows would take it up.
After a good deal of trouble, five high-caste
The Matron of St. Mary's Hospital for young women entered Dufferin Hospital for
Women and Children, Plaistow, is most anxious training. It was hoped to start a hostel for
—— — ;
Indian nurses, for which funds were urgently HONOURS FOR NURSES.
required. x
The Ecole Beige d'lnfirmi^res Diplom6es at WAR SERVICES BY LAND AND SEA.
Brussels, now known as the Ecole Edith CaveJl ADDITIONS TO LISTS OF MENTIONS.
—
'-
and speaks with great enthusiasm of Miss Miss M. R. Park, Nurse Miss C.
;
been selling their surplus to the hospital when M. C, R.R.C. Renwick, S./Nurse, Miss E. R.
;
operations of blood transfusion had to be per- Rockett, Sister Miss D. E. Turner, Matron ;
formed. Formerly the rate for a pint of blood, Miss I. M., R.R.C. Withers, Matron Miss A. H.,
;
which is normally the amount necessary to save A. R.R.C. Wormald, S./Nurse Miss E.
;
Matron and Comdt., Aberartro Aux. Hosp., Llanbedr ; evening, January 23rd, a large congregation,
Mrs. F. H. Stephens, A.R.R.C, Matron, Aux. Hosp. chiefly of nurses, assembled at St. Martin's,
for Ofificers, Chichester Terrace, Brighton
Miss G. A. ; though one noticed with pleasure Mr. J. McMaster,
B. Stevens, A.R.R.C, Matron, Overton Aux. Hosp., churchwarden at St. Martin's, Mr. E. J. Domville,
Frodsham Mrs. K. H. E. Talbot, A.R.R.C, Nurse and
;
M.R.C.S., of the British Medical Association, and
Commdt., V.A. Hosp., Middleton St. George, Co. Mr. Montague Price, D.L., Chairman of the Trained
Durham. Nurses' Annuity Fund, representing the Com-
Royal Red Cross, Second Class. mittee of the Fund, and Mrs. Price, amongst those
Miss M. E. Ainley, V.A.D., The Plains and Brooks- present. Major Barnett, M.P., and Lieut. -Colonel
bank Aux. Hosp., EUand, Yorks Miss G. L. Aldous, ;
Goodall, Hon. Medical Secretary of the Central
Sister-in-Charge, Sutherland Hosp., Reading Miss ;
C Ambrose, Matron, Longford Hall, Stretford, Man- Committee for the State Registration of Trained
chester Miss E. Armitage, Matron, County Hosp.,
;
Nurses, who were prevented by important engage-
Huntingdon Miss E. Armitage, V.A.D. Nurse, Red
;
ments from being present, both sent cheques for the
Cross Aux. Hosp., Beeston Miss F. Ash, Matron, ; offertory.
Kensington and Fulham Gen. Hosp. Miss R. E. ;
THE RECOGNITION BY THE STATE OF
Bazley, V.A.D. Nurse, E. Lanes Pensions Hosp., near NURSING AS A PROFESSION.
Crumpsall, Manchester Miss E. R. Beamish, Matron,
Cavendish Bridge Aux. Hosp., Shardlow
;
Mrs. M. T. ;
The Rev. A. H. R. Robinson, M.A., Mus.B.,
Bere, Matron, Ashcombe House, Weston-super-Mare ;
who conducted the service, began by giving those
Miss J. Blower, Matron, The Deanery Aux. Hosp. present a warm welcome in the name of the Vicar,
Manchester Mrs. I. M. Booth, Asst. Commdt., i6th
;
and said that Mr. Sheppard had hoped to preach
North'd V.A. Hosp., Ashington Miss A. M. Boutwood, ; himself, but was prevented by indisposition. He
Sister, Old Hastings House Aux. Hosp. Miss D. Boyd, ; announced the intention of the service as that of
V.A.D. Nurse, Allerton Aux. Hosp., Sutton Coldfield ; thanksgiving for the passing of the Nurses' Regis-
Miss M. A. Brindley, Sister, St. John's Hosp. for
Pensioners, Shrewsbury Mrs. M. F. Burridge, Sister, ;
—
tration Acts the recognition by the State of
Nursing as a Profession.
Slough V.A.D. Hosp., Langley, Bucks Miss E. ;
Buszard, V.A.D. Nurse, Aux. Mil. Wards, Gen. Hosp., THE BLESSING OF THE BISHOPOF LONDON.
Northampton Miss F. E. Butt, V.A.D. Nurse,
;
Mr. Robinson further announced that a message
Exmouth Aux. Hosp., Exmouth Miss M. Campbell, ;
had that morning been received from the Bishop of
V.A.D. Nurse, Caenshill, Weybridge Miss I. Carson, ;
THE GENERAL NURSING COUNCIL. ruin to any woman to be removed from it. The
utmost care will,therefore, be necessary in (i)
verifying thfe applicant (2) verifying professional
;
to committees of any powers of the Council. for enrolment on the State Register in the first
Clause 3 (2) rules under this section shaJl contain —
year which is not improbable 1,000 —
must
provisions : be registered per week The clerical labour will
!
(a) requiring as a condition of the admission also be enormous, and a highly skilled contingent
of any person to the register that the person shall of clerks will be necessary, some of whom should
have undergone the prescribed training, and shall also be trained nurses with a sound knowledge of
possess the prescribed experience in the nursing training school routine, and hospital matters,
of the sick and
;
so that they can distinguish professional creden-
(6) That the prescribed training shall be carried tials without loss of time.
out either in an institution approved by the Nurses desirous of qualifying for these posts
Council in that behalf or in the service of the should add clerical skill to that of nursing, and
Admiralty, the Army Council, or the Air Council such work should be well paid, and would be
and eminently suitable for hospital office Sisters and
(c)enabling persons who, within a period of others who have retired from institution life.
two years apply to come onto the register . . .
The Registration Department would need to
under conditions which appear to the Council be highly organised as an expert unit, as would
satisfactory. other departments supervised by the Council.
Before the Rules can be put into force they
must be prescribed by the Council, and it is this Examinations.
most important matter which will require very (c) After regulating the conditions of admission
careful consideration and intimate knowledge, not to the Register the Council is empowered to regu-
only of general hospital training, but of the work late the conduct of examinations which may be
—
carried on in special hospitals in Fever, Mental, prescribed after the term of grace, as a condition
—
Military and JSfaval Hospitals and it is well that
the Acts provide for consultation between the
of admission to the Register.
This will be a matter of the very utmost import-
three Nursing Councils, and also that even when ance, and we all know that for years trained
defined they must be approved by the Minister nurses have strongly advocated a uniform exami-
of Health and laid before each House of Parlia- nation, following on the system now prescribed for
ment for not less than twenty-one days before midwives. But the uniform examination for
they can be put into operation. Nurses is by no means the easy matter it is as it
affects midwifery.
Duties and Powers of the Council. To begin with, the Act provides for four
In connection with the above rules, it will be
seen that, as soon as the General Nursing Council
Registers; classified as follows
Male, (3) Mental, (4) Children
:
—
(i) General, (2)
so it goes without
;
is appointed, its work will be enormous, and it saying that four different standards of examina-
would be well that those prepared to accept office tions will be necessary. We may take it, how-
should realise this. It is not too much to say that ever, that for admission to the General Register
the personnel of the Council will make for success every nurse will be required to pass the same
or otherwise in interpreting the Act : examination, on certain dates, in defined localities.
This is, of course, the only method of encouraging
Registration. a uniform standard of training and a just system
(a) The qualifications, knowledge and personality of registration.
of the Registrar are of the first importance in the There will have to be defined examinations to
formation, maintenance and printing of the test the efficiency of male nurses, exclusive of
Register. sections of nursing which they do not practice
During the two years term of grace in England also of male and female mental nurses, and of
and Wales, it is probable that 50,000 niurses nurses trained only in the care of sick children.
will register, and the responsibility of com- These State Examinations will give an
piling a State Register must be borne in mind. enormous impetus to thorough instruction and
Once plax:ed on the Register, it means professional training in the Training Schools, and will have
68 Zbe BHttab 3ournal of IRuraing. January 31, 1920
a marked effect upon the status of the schools, POOR LAW GUARDIANS AND THE
and arouse keen and commendable rivalry amongst
them. Wetake it that Practical Nursing will, GENERAL NURSING COUNCIL*
from the outset, be determinedly encouraged, and
At a meeting- of the Council of the Associa-
that the Practical Nursing Examination,conducted,
of course, by highly skilled Nurse Examiners, will
tion of Poor Law Unions, held at the Con-
take a very leading place in the Pass Lists. Theory naugfht Rooms on the 15th inst. , a deputation
we must have. No good system of nursing can was appointed consisting' of the President, •
be evolved which is not based on sound theoretical Alderman F. J. Beavan, the Rev. P. S. G.
principles, but everything should be done that Propert, Mr. Munro (Vice-President), Mr. A.
can be done through examination, to test and Chapman (Hon. Treasurer), and the Secretary,
reward practical knowledge, and manual dexterity, to wait upon the Minister of Health to press
in our Registered Nurses to be. The comfort, if upon him the claims of the Association as re-
not the recovery, of the patient depends upon it.
presenting- the heads of training schools, to be
In the past, when everything was done by rule
represented on the General Council constituted
of thumb, the face, the build, and the hands of
candidates for training were realised as assets.
under the Nurses' Reg^istration Act, 1919.
We know a Matron who never selected a woman As constituted, the General Nursing Council
for training who did not look like a nurse ! under the Act does not provide for any exten-
Of late years, when the supply of first-rate sive representation of lay employers of nurses,
candidates has not equalled the demand of our and as functions are educational and judicial
its
training schools, the best has often had to be made this is The practical heads of the Poor
right.
of second-rate material. We are now all looking Law Infirmary Training- Schools are the trained
forward to the splendid future, when the new Matrons, and no doubt this class of nurse will
Profession of Nursing will^attract women of refined
be represented on the Council as she should be.
antecedents, good education and reliable character.
In the near future, what are now termed Poor
It is not too much to say that the General Nursing
Councils to be set up under the Nursing Acts -will Law Infirmaries will become more and more
have, to a very great extent, the future of Nursing hospitals for the sick, and training schools for
in their hands. As they sow wisely and tend medical and nursing practitioners, and they
their saplings, so will grow the tree, so will they should thus be controlled by the Ministry of
bloom and bear fruit. Never will any body of Health.
men and women have finer scope tor national There is no why a Union of Poor
valid reason
service than those comprising the First Councils who can know very little of
Law Guardians,
under the Acts, and whoever they may be, they
nursing- education, and'who have no right of
should command all the sympathy and help
jurisdiction over the Nursing Profession as a
possible from the nurses in the United Kingdom,
whose very devoted representatives and friends it whole, should have representation on the
should be their first aim to be. Governing Body of the Nursing- Profession.
E G F
Such claims are "no longer tenable.
{To be continued.)
proposed nominations were the three ladies who dwelling houses. A better home was desired but
represented nurses on that Executive, and the scarcely hoped for. In 191 3, when the Young
Committee would do their best. He moved Men's Christian Association and Young Women's
the adoption. Christian Association opened a joint drive for
Mr. Antcliffe seconded, and after a short dis- funds, the latter organisation offered, in return
cussion it was resolved that the report of the Sub- for support by the training schools, to devote a
Committee be adopted. certain part of the funds obtained to the erection
As this Association includes every grade male of a nurses' club house. There was much obj ection
and female of Poor-Law workers, it can hardly from within the ranks of the nursing profession.
claim a right to representation on the Governing It was prophesied that so many women would
Body of the Nursing Profession any more than never choose to live under one roof ; that the
on the General Medical Council. club could never be made self-supporting ; that
it would be tainted with charity, and therefore
objectionable to the self-sustaining and self-
respecting professional women.
A HOPEFUL STATEMENT. The drive, however, was carried to a successful
FEVER NURSES AND REGISTRATION completion, and $400,000 (^80,000) of the
IN SCOTLAND. $4,000,000 obtained was devoted to the erection
of the club house at 132, East Forty-fifth Street.
On behalf of nurses in Edinburgh and district,
The building, which was opened July ist, 1916,
Mr. William Graham, M.P. for Central Edinburgh, contains rooms for 250 resident members, who
has been in communication with the Secretary must be actively engaged in their profession
for Scotland, with reference to certain points
they enjoy all the- privacy and independence
in the operation of the Scottish* Nurses Registra-
and much of the service that they would have in
tion Bill.
a good hotel, while at the same time they have a
Mr. Munro writes that it has been assumed in home-like, congenial atmosphere. Other privileges
some quarters that the Board's examination of are at the service of resident and non-resident
fever-trained nurses is to be continued indefinitely,
members. Among these are private and public
but that is not the case. The Board are contem-
dining-rooms, cafeteria, tea rooms, library, com-
plating the issue at an early date of a circular
mittee and reception rooms. A spacious and
regarding the position of nurses at present quali-
attractively furnished assembly room is at the
fying for these examinations, and definitely
service of outside groups, such as training schools,
putting a term to the period during which they
for social gatherings on payment of a small fee
may obtain the qualification referred to. The to cover expenses. There is a charming little
specific mention of the Board of Health's certifi-
rest room, with dressing rooms opening off from
cates in Section 3 (2) of the Scottish Nurses
it, where an out-of-town member, coming ihto
Registration Act refers only to the first register,
town to attend a dinner or the theatre, may slip
and is considered necessary for safeguarding the into a kimona and rest for a while on the couch
position of nurses examined and certified by the
before making her toUet for the evening. Non-
Board. resident members have the privilege of twenty-
eight days' stay at the club as transient guests.
Nlirses' Own Club," by Her Royal Highness a member of the club on payment of one dollar
Princess Christian, which appeared in our last initiation fee and one dollar yearly dues. The
issue, in the Supplement of the Royal British charge for rooms is, to residents, $15.50 to $19
Nurses' Association, has aroused a great deal a month for single bedrooms, and $13 and $14
a month to each occupant of a double room.
of interest, and the scheme to receive
is likely
These charges are to be increased by a dollar a
much support from members of the Nursing month next year. Transients pay $1 a day or
Profession, especially from those resident in $7 a week.
"
London. In this connection it is valuable to It seems almost incredible that such accom-
know what has been done in other countries, modation can be offered in a central location in
and the article we reprint from The Modern New York City at such a price on a self-sustaining
Hospital will, we feel sure, be read with great basis. Yet the income of the club has been
sufficient not only to meet aU current expenses
interest by those nurses who are anxious to
but also to provide for a small depreciation fund.
further a Nurses' Club in London of their own.
This, however, is possible only because the club
CENTRAL CLUB FOR NURSES. has no rent or taxes t(> pay. The ownership of
The beautiful home of the Central Club for the building is vested in the Young Women's
Nurses, New York City, is the outcome of a dream Christian Association, and it is therefore not
which at first threatened to be a nightmare. In subject to taxation. The club pays to the asso-
1910 the club opened on Thirty-fourth Street in ciation 4 per cent, of its gross receipts, but this
a club house improvised out of two converted is much less than rent would be.
— —
The membership of the club has increased nearly paying 17s.4d. This is very serious for the
300 per cent, in three years. In 1916 there were hospitals, the exchequers of which are already
500 members now there are 1,900, and nearly
; depleted to vanishing point.
every state in the Union is represented. During Also private nurses working on the co-operative
the war, the club kept open house for all nurses —
7^ per cent, system a percentage arranged before
passing through New York on their way to either the Employers' Liability Act, or the National
embark for duty on the other side, and many of —
Insurance Act were in force must look forward
these nurses, on their return, have shown their grati- to paying an increased percentage, or remaining
tude and desire to be connected with the organi- —
out of insurance as they are permitted to do
sation that had stood as a " big sister " to them as their earnings at £-^ 3s. a week with board,
during the past season of tribulation. The club lodging and washing are assessed at £2^0 per
is managed by a committee of thirty women, of annum.
whom fifteen are professional and fifteen non- We have always encouraged nurses to insure,
professional. The non-professional members are feeling the State would, by degrees, raise the
selected by the Young Women's Christian Asso- sick benefit from time to time. This is now to
ciation. Each of the large New York hospitals be done, the sick benefit to be 12s. instead of
is represented among the professional members. 7s. 6d. a week, and by-and-by it will be more.
The New York State Board of Nurse Examiners But private nurses must realise that as the cost
(Registration Board) and the central registry of of insurance, clerical work, rent, rates, taxes,
the New York County Registered Nurses' Asso- stamps, printing, light, heat, and labour have
ciation have their offices in the building. increased enormously the old rate of 7 J percentage
Nothing approaching the home has ever been cannot keep up a first-class private nursing co-
given to the nursing profession. It has been an operation in London, and insure the staff under
almost priceless boon to many nurses who without both Acts. It 'cannot be done. The coming
it would be compelled to live in dreary, uncongenial insurance rate is the last straw.
uncomfortable surroundings. " The club seems
too good to be true," is the verdict of one and
another who have experienced the hardships of A 5AD FATALITY.
life in other surroundings. To its non-resident With the head practically severed, the dead
members it is, at need, a " haven of rest." The body of a young nurse, Miss Alice Lilian Warner,
club has furnished a model, also, for similar under- aged 24, employed at Lancashire County Asylum,
takings in other communities. Whittingham, has been found in the County
Council branch railway track near Brabiner Lane
Bridge, Preston.
m
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE. * <*
A Reliable
Dispensing
Service.
P^Ul LIl
*
"L ,
•
The Drugs
The
branch are always
at every
extent of our business and
fresh.
our system of regular weekly supply ensures that nothing
gets stale on our shelves. Medical men will recognise that
the quality of freshness is secondary only to that of purity.
Boots
555
= Chemists
BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
•IR JESSE BOOT. wairtatxssrsrf9.
rvt nwrviso na
"••^ OHict: :
STATION ST..
ManMkic Director.
.
NOTTINGHAM.
a
—
had experience of military nursing. points of originality and one must perforce be .
Cottage Hospital, Bexley Heath.—Miss Beatrice attracted to Miss Emily in her toy shop. At
Alcock, A.R.R.C., has been appointed Matron. She closing time it was a labour of love for her to put
was trained at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital the dolls to bed, to lock the glass doors safely on
and has since been night superintendent at the Royal puffy rabbits, woolly dogs, and round-eyed cats,
Hospital, Richmond, Surrey, sister at the Kendray to close the drawers on the tea-sets and Lilliputian
Hospital, Barnsley, at the Royal Infirmary, Penzance,
kitchens, and to shut into boxes the tin soldiers.
sister and deputy matron at Stroud General Hospital,
and sister-in-charge, Park Lodge Nursing Home, But she took the great white plush elephant home
Brockley. Miss Alcock served with the T.F.N.S. with her. There had always been a white elephant
during the war, and was acting matron of the Manoel in Miss Emily's window. Painfully, she had seen
Hospital, Malta. her supply dwindle. For this last of his herd, she
Ruthin Hospital.—Miss Irene L. Jones has been had a feeling far in excess of his value, such as a
appointed Matron. She was trained at the Bootle collector might have for a rare coin, or a bit of
Borough Hospital, where she was also Sister and pottery of pre-historic period. He had been
Matron's Assistant. After holding other posts, she made in Germany.
was successively Matron of the Leaf Hospital, East- She had not the heart to sell him. " I may
bourne, the Liverpool Skin Hospital, and the Cottage
never get another. And there are none made
Hospital, Mold.
like him in America."
County Borough Maternity Hospital, Swansea.—
Miss Elizabeth Crompton has been appointed Matron. Pretty Jean was devoted to Miss Emily and
She was trained at the Royal Infirmary, Manchester, was generally to be found with her in the shop
and has been Sister-in-Charge of the maternity block though she lived with her father in a more fashion-
and labour ward of the Willesden Municipal Hospital. able quarter of the town. She was his only child,
Booth Hall Infirmary, Blackley, near Manchester.— and he was a nerve specialist of repute.
Miss Ethel Ashton has been appointed Matron. She Jean would have dearly loved that Miss Emily
was trained at Crumpsall Infirmary and has been First should find a place in her father's household,
Assistant Superintendent of Nurses at that Institution. but Hilda Merritt had lived there for some years.
SUPERINTENDENT NIGHT NURSE. She was a trained nurse, who, having begun life
—
Hackney Union Infirmary. Miss Annie Robinson as the doctor's oflfice-girl, had, gradually after
has been appointed Superintendent Night Nurse, his wife's death, assumed the management of his
She was trained at North Bierley Infirmary, where household. She was handsome in a red-cheeked,
she was promoted to be Sister. She has also been blonde fashion.
Night Sister at the Municipal Maternity Hospital, Hilda is really a cleverly-drawn character and
Rochdale, and Charge Nurse (Sister) at Hackney In-
firmary. " ' .
* By Temple Bailey. Skeffington & Co.
January 31, 1920 (The Britieb 3oiirnaI of IRursin^. 7i
a very unpleasant one. She has a certain influence seizure —the postponement of their honeymoon.
over the doctor of which he was aware, but did It was so different from what one might expect.
all
not disHke. He humorously described himself as They dined in the great room, where Derry's
having two personalities when with her a sort— ancestors gazed down on them.
" I can't believe that the lovely, lovely lady at
of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ; but his love for
his little daughter delayed tlie making of Hilda's the other end of the table is my wife," Derrj' told
position the permanent one that she desired. She Emily.
was a good housekeeper, and saw the doctor's Jean smiled at him over a perfect thicket of
needs were satisfied.' orchids.
Jean's remark that " food on such a night as " Shall always have to sit so far away from
I
this seems superfluous," was met by her father's you, Derry " she asked in a very small voice.
?
smiling remark :
" Hilda knows better, don't ".My dearest, no," and he came and shamelessly
"
you, Hilda ? drank out of the little coftee cup that her lips had
" She was bringing in the tray. There was a touched before the eyes of romantic and sym-
copper chafing dish and a percolator. She wore pathetic Miss Emily.
her nurse's outfit of white linen. She looked well H. H.
in it, and she was apt to put it on after dinner
when she was in charge of the office."
Hilda smiled at him. " You see, I have lived LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
longer than Jean. She'll learn."
But Hilda shortly after found bigger game than
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
Dr. McKenzie. At his request she went to nurse
all subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
General Drake, the multi- millionaire, whose son
distinctly understood that we do not in any way
Derrick gave rise to the title of the book.
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
The old General was addicted to drink, and it
by our correspondents.
was to save him from himself that Derrick, obeying
the entreaty of his dead mother, hung back from
joining up, and earned the unmerited title of
THE DiaNIFIED WAY.
coward. To the The British Journal of Nursing.
Editor of
The introduction of a trained nurse to look after —
Dear Madam, The Nation's Fund would do
his old master was not in itself displeasing to the well to imitate the dignified way which the
old servant, Bronson, but he ventured the remark " Trained Nurses' Annuity Fund " manages its
to Derry, benevolent appeals.
" I am not sure I like the nurse, sir." It never hurts the nurses' feelings by street
" Why not ? " appeals or by running shops for them, and its
" She's not exactly a lady, and she"s not exactly annuitants are treated with the greatest courtesy
a nurse." in every detail.
" I see. But she's rather pretty, Bronson." Believe me,
" Pretty is as pretty .does, " sententiously. A Grateful Annuitant.
It was certainly not pretty of Hilda to satisfy
the old man's craving for spirits, and to try on his
dead wife's jewels at night, when she had been
entrusted with the key of the safe. KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
" As she passed through the hall she stepped Red Cross Nurse : "I note that typhus
Scottish
for a moment at the head of the stairs. The fever raging throughout a great part of Poland
is
painted lady smiled at her, the pictured lady who and Western Russia, and that there is plague in
was loved by the old man in the shadowed room. Moscow. What is being done by the Nursing
Hilda was not a thief, but she had it in her mind Section of the International Red Cross Society ?
as she stood there in the cold dawn of that Thanks- If nothing, why ? Where is the splendid humani-
giving morning to steal from the painted lady tarian spirit which animated the world in 191 4,
things mere precious than a pearl collar or an when the National Nursing organisations were to
ermine cloak or the diamonds in a crown^" be found helping the helpless on every front ? We
Her greed, however, defeated its ends, and the —
want another Elsie Inglis but such fine spirits
old General was saved by what he saw through are rare."
the crack in the door, she standing before his wife's
mirror, wearing his wife's jewels, wrapped in the
— —
cloak his wife had worn ^triumphant beautiful !" OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS.
It is a sorry picture of a trained nurse. " He
wanted someone with him who cared." — QUESTIONS.
Handsome Derry and pretty Jean's love idyll —
January ^ist. Describe the Psychic Tempera-
reaches a happy conclusoin, and Derry, in spite of ment and its place in Progressive Evolution.
his new and dear tie, realises that he must justify • —
February yth. ^What should a Nurse know
his manhood and join his comrades at the front. about Venereal Diseases ?
Their wedding day was one of great domestic February 14^.—What conclusions might be
events. —
Hilda's downfall the old man's fatal drawn from a patient's posture in bed ?
—
The Midwife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. Certification of Scottish and Irisfi
Midwives.
The Monthly meeting of the Central Midwives
Board was held at i, Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, The applications of seventeen Scottish and
Irish midwives to be certified under Section 10 of
Thursday, January 22nd, Sir Francis Champneys
presiding. the Midwives Act were granted conditonally
Letters were received from Dr. Stookes,
upon the payment by each one of the fee of one
addressed to the Chairman of the Board, Dr. guinea.
Fothergill and Dr. Fletcher Shaw with reference PENAL CASES.
to the Resolution of the Board at its last meeting A meeting of the Central Midwives
special
that the teaching of responsible authorities must Board was held at i, Queen Anne's Gate Buildings,
be accepted by examiners, and the draft of a letter Westminster, on Thursday, January 22nd, at
which the Chairman proposed to send to Dr. 10.30 a.m.
Stookes was approved. Sir Francis Champneys moved, and it was
agreed " That the Resolution of the Board at
A letter was received from the Chairman of :
THE
(a) Healthy and regular habits, and avoid- Advice to Persons Nursing Influenza.
ance of fatigue, chill, alcoholic excess, crowded The patient should, if possible, occupy a
(a)
meetings and hot rooms, and unnecessary separate bedroom, or a bed screened off from
travelling. the rest of the room. This rule should be
(b) Good ventilation in working and sleeping observed until the temperature is normal
rooms. (h) the patient should be kept warm ;
(c) all
(c) Warm clothing. curtains and other articles which prevent a free
(d) Gargling from a tumbler of warm water, circulation of the air about the patient's bed
to which has been added enough permanganate should, as far as possible, be removed ;
{d) in-
of potash to give the liquid a pink colour. halation of the patient's breath be should
Vaccination. avoided ;
(e) a handkerchief or other screen
A vaccine against influenza has been prepared should be held before the mouth, and the head
by the Ministry of Health, and is available for should be turned aside while the patient is
general use. It is issued to Medical Officers
coughing or sneezing (/) the hands should be
;
of Health for distribution, free of charge, washed at once after contact with the patient.
among Medical Practitioners within their dis- Forewarned is forearmed, and nurses can
tricts, and any person who wishes to be vac-
render useful service by spreading knowledge
cinated should apply to .his private medical in regard to the precautions advisable.
;
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. treasures of art beyond all price. Yet this same
psychic quality, when not balanced with the
DESCRIBE THE PSYCHIC Tf-MPERAMENT AND ITS intellect, has also given to the world many
PLACE IN PROGRESSIVE EVOLUTION. fanatics and fools, and, when bound up with
We have pleasure in awarding' the prize this egoism and has produced what,
self-interest,
week to Miss Isabel Macdonakl, lo, Orchard in the middle ages, came
to be known as
Street, London, W. "black magic." It may be that the future
PRIZB PAPER. evolution of man lies in finding the proper
When one grips a pen and faces a sheet of balance between the psychic and the intel-
lectual, and those who come near to this never
blank paper for this week's question one is
faced with a very elusive subject. The psychic grow old, for they are always on the breast of
temperament is of the nature of "an unknown evolution, though sometimes their path mav be
quantity." It is, indeed, largely a matter* of
rough, like the hill roads.
If certain writers are correct in their view
degree, and probably psychic qualities are in-
herent in every individual, although their pos- that psychic powers —
in the sense of clairvoy-
the intellect. But, between the two stag^es, vian or Greek mythologies tends to confirm this
except in the cases of such world wonders as conclusion. And it is quite in line with the
a Raphael, a Joan of Arc, or a St. Francis of progress of evolution that we should have lost
Assisi, there lie aeons of evolution. Unfor- the jx>wer to " sense " the superphysical.
tunately now there is a tendency to reg'ard otherwise man would have remained a creature
psychic power as claiming a development which subject to every influence from without, and
suppresses, or is divorced from, the intellect with no inclination to develop a mind or indi-
and from common-sense, but, according to viduality of his own or to conquer the world of
certain views which I shall refer to, this ten- matter.
dency is distinctly retrograde, and the path it One would like to follow the subject of this
follows is beset with many dangers. The paper into many tracks. I have been able to
psychic temperament, if it is to play its touch only the fring^e of a question of which,
appointed part in evolution, must develop in after all, we know no more than we do of
line with the intellect, for only thus can it reach
meteorology'.
that stage of intuition ?nd inspiration of which
HONOURABLE MENTION.
it is capable.
The following competitors receive honourable
But more is required. He who would develop
his psychic powers to their full extent —
a stag^e
mention : —
Miss Gladys Tatham, Miss Lilian
Hayward, Miss M^na M. G. Bielby, Miss M.
far bevond the simple power to sense another's
James.
consciousness or one of primitive clairvoyance
—
and clairaudience must be able to free himself Miss M. M. G. Bielby writes :
—
" Those who
from egoism, must be able to put the welfare sometimes long to hurry forward evolution
of the community before his own. It is only should remember that one cannot save people
througfh the wide sympathy with humanity experience, and that in the vast majority, of
which such an attitude brings that the psychic cases the only effectual teacher is pain. Highly
temperament can become a real force. So har- advanced egos continually learn through the
nessed to the intellect and to the welfare of the mind, assimilating the wisdom offered by
world at large it has made many a saint, many others. But most must learn their lessons in
a mystic, many a martyr, and many great re- their own way, and all we can do to help is to
formers. It has formed the link between life break their falls when possible, and tender
and matter that has given to us many a leader them our compassion instead of our censure
of men, leaders, it sometimes may have been, and to ensure that the environment, the pres-
of forlorn hopes in their own time, because sure of which few can resist, is made as up-
their vision had advanced bevond that of their lifting as we can compass."
generation. In the realm of literature we owe
to the psychic quality those great classics in QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
which inspiration transcends the intellect; What
should a nurse know about Venereal
while, in the material world, it has given us Diseases?
—
raised by means of a shilling fund, thus en- and September. On admission to the Training
abling the general public to contribute to it, but School, their rank and salary will be those of
any number of shillings may be given by any second year nurses. They must later on pass
individual. the final examinations, in order to gain the
Contributions to the fund, marked F.N.S. hospital certificate. The certificate is given on
Memorial Fund, should be sent to the Hon. completion of the three years of training. The
Treasurer, 22, St. Peter's Square, Hammer- salary given is —
In their first year, :^i5 in
:
;
£30-
The Poor Law Nursing Service is anxiously
watching events and hoping for reform. It is Thus a woman trained in a Children's Hos-
understood that Dr. Addison will introduce the pital must in all serve for six years before she
new Poor Law Bill which the Government has is eligible to have her name placed upon the
"been drafting. It will be a tougher job even General Register under the Act.' We wonder
than Housing. We
all know how determined how many girls will give all this time, when
Boards of Guardians are, not to be demobbed, V.A.D.'s can in two years qualify as Health
and at the Central Poor Law Conference to be Visitors. Unless reciprocal training is shorter,
held at the Guildhall on February loth and nth, girls will not train at Children's Hospitals at
the strong feelings of those who believe that all. The full combined course should not exceed
local and personal effort should not be sup)er- four years.
seded by a centralised administration will be
verv bluntly expressed. Sir Henrv Burdett, editor of the Hospital, and
The Conference will supplement the discus- Nursing Mirror, and also a member
of the
sion at a similar meeting over which Lord —
Nurses' Co-operation 'from whose policy the
Downham presided last February. As a result more intelligent Nurses on the Staff differ
-of that conference a deputation, representing all uses his papers for making his own deductions
"the Poor Law bodies in the country, asked Dr. in the recent controversy, and is highly elated
78 Cbc British 3ournal of IRursing. February 7, 1920
that a large majority of the nurses have fallen THE MATRONS' COUNCIL OF GREAT
into the trap laid for them. The incorporated
laymen and others who are " members " of BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
the Co-operation, and control its finances, sug-
gested closing down the business a splendid — The Annual Meeting of the
one, entirely built up by the work of the nurses. Matrons' Council was held
The progressive minority, quite naturally in by kind invitation of Mrs.
these enlightened days, wish to be members of Walter Spencer, at 2, Port-
their own Co-operation, and have power to land Place, W., on Thursday
manage it. This would not please the lay January 29th, at 3 p.m.
proprietor and editor of nursing publications The President, Miss
Heather-Bigg, R.R.C., was
at all.
in the chair, and there was
So a very disingenuous question was ad- a good attendance of mem-
dressed to the Nurses, inviting them to say bers.
" Yes " or " No" to whether they wished the
The President opened the
" Co." to close down, and naturally the large meeting by offering Mrs.
majority replied " No." Why should they wish Spencer,on behalf of the
to be deprived of work and a livelihood? members, an expression of
Had the *' Members " honestly invited a gratitude for her kind
reply to the question, " Do you wish to be
hospitality, and said it was
very appropriate that the
Members of your own Co-operation, and have Council should meet to cele-
power to manage your own affairs? " we have brate the passing of the Nursing Acts in the
no doubt the majority of votes would have been house of a pioneer supporter of the State Regis-
in favour of so doing. As it is, the Nurses, no tration of Nurses, and who had held office as
doubt in their ignorance, and having been Hon. Treasurer for so many years.
thoroughly misled, have elected to remain the Several new members were elected. Miss
servants of the incorporated "Members." It Euphemia Ross, Matrbn of the Western Fever
is high time this intolerable lay interference was
Hospital, Fulham, and Miss Helen Pearse, Superin-
tendent of the London County Council School
put down, especially when, as in conducting
Nurses, were elected to fill the two vacancies
so-called Nursing periodicals, cash and power
as Vice-Presidents.
accrue to these philanthropists. Miss Villiers and Miss A. E. Hulme, were
Wenote Sir Henry Burdett states that letters re-elected Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary
have been received " from nurses " urging respectively for the ensuing year.
that the leaders of the agitation should be After interesting discussion on various questions,
removed from the staff. We
do not advise him Mrs. Bedford Fenwick spoke on " The Nurses'
to attempt to carry out this suggestion, Registration Act :The Powers and Duties of the
especially whilst the writ issued against him by General Nursing Council," and was listened to
with very great interest. One point was made
one of these " agitators " is sub judice. The
very clear. The Acts conferred great responsi-
present wholesale exploitation of nurses has got bility upon, not only the members of the Council,
to cease. Mav we live to see it.
but on the registered nurses who would form the
Nursing Profession in the future, and that its
A Mass Meeting, convened by the Profes- future honour and status would rest in their
sional Union of Trained Nurses, will be held hands. That it would be the duty of the whole
at the Scottish Nurses' Club, 205, Bath Street, profession, once the Rules had been prescribed
Glasgow, on February 14th, at 2.30 p.m., to and agreed to, both by the Minister, and Parlia-
discuss the Professional Union for the mutual ment, to take a vigilant interest in the standard
of Nursing Education and Examinations, the
help and protection of Trained Nurses. The
correctness of the Register, and the purity and
notice states : —
Every Trained Nurse must feel high moral tone of the profession. Mrs. Fenwick
at the present moment the insecurity of her warmly congratulated the Matrons' Council on its
position with regard to earning a livelihood. unflinching support of the ethics of registration,
Nurses are cordially invited to attend and bring from its inception until this day. From 1895
their friends. to 1902, it was the only nurses' organisation
Princess Helena Victoria, who has promised upholding the State Registration Banner when —
to distribute badges to members of the League it evolved the Society for the State Registration
of Trained Nurses, so that the nurses with vision,
of the Roses at the Great Northern Central
as well as the matrons, might concentrate their
Hospital, Holloway, on Thursday, Februar}-
political efforts. The Council must not only be
12th, at 3 o'clock, will be received by the Mar-
congratulated on the good things in the Act, but
quiis of Northampton (Hospital Chairman), also on the fact that the bad things proposed had
Miss M. F. Roby (League Chairman), and been excluded.
members of Hospital and League committees. Some interesting questions were asked, and
—
Members of the Royal British Nurses' Associa- Wednesday, the i8th inst at 11, Chandos Street,
tion have read with great pleasure that Mr. Herbert Cavendish Square, W., on " The Social and Moral
Cantab., has received Influence of Nurses as one of the Greatest Factors
J. Paterson, F.R.C.S.. M.C.,
the Order of Commander of the British Empire, in the Welfare of the Human Race." We will
and we unite in offering to our esteemed Medical announce the hour of the lecture in the next issue
Hon. Secretary our warm congratulations on this of The British Journal of Nursing, and hope
well-earned recognition of the splendid work that Members of the Royal British Nurses' Associa-
which he accomplished for his country during tion and other nurses will make every effort to
the years of war. Many of our Members worked, attend. The lecture is sure to be most interesting,
from time to time, in Queen Alexandra's Hospital and as Miss Graham Hope is a very good friend
for Officers, at Highgate, and they, in particular, of the nurses, we shall look forward to having a
will feel a great sense of satisfaction that this large attendance.
honour has been conferred upon a surgeon whose
work they have so greatly admired, and whose IDEAL HOMES.
kindness, while they were working in his hospital,
"
The Foundations of the Nation's Glory
they are not likely to forget. Every nursing
sister engaged on the staff received £2 2s. a week ARE Set in the Homes of the People." His —
and emoluments. Majesty King.
the
. The question of homes, ideal or otherwise,
and how to obtain them, is one that is uppermost
PAGEANT OF THE HISTORY OF in the minds of very many people just now. The
opening of the Ideal Homes Exhibition at Olympia
NURSING. on Wednesday last, organised by the Daily
The General Council have decided that, for Mail, by Princess Alice Countess of Athlone,
is a valuable contribution to the solution of this
members of the public, the prices of the tickets for
the Pageant of the History of Nursing, to be held problem.
at the WharneclifEe Rooms, Great Central Hotel, Here and now, we have only space to refer to
W., on April 15th, shall be one guinea, and half a the Ministry of Health Official Exhibit, which is
guinea, each, while the nurses' tickets will cost five in the Annexe through the large Central Hall.
shillings each, to include refreshments. As the Here are to be seen blocks of cottages, built from
number of the tickets is limited to 500, those who the designs of architects, who competed for the
wish to attend should send notice of this to the prizes offered by the Daily Mail, for plans of
Secretary at an early date. cottages for workers, and won the /500 first prize
The arrangements are now well under considera- in various industrial areas of the country. The
tion, and other interesting functions are antici- walls of these cott^es have been built to scale,
pated in addition to the Pageant. to the height of four feet, and their interior decora-
tion finished, so that we get an excellent idea of
both ground floor and bedroom floor. Round the
walls of the Annexe is a panorama of the elevation
THE NURSES OWN CLUB, of the cottages.
A
particularly interesting exhibit in this section
Nurses who wishto become Members or Asso- is " lay out," illustrating the Garden City
a
ciates of The Nurses' Own Club should fill in the principle applied to the development of towns.
Coupon en page iv and forward it to H.R.H. the Trained nurses who are profoundly conscious of
Princess Christian at 78, Pall Mall. The Com- the importance of the housing question in relation
mittee intend that special privileges shall be to public health and morals, should take an early
accorded to the early members. opportunity of visiting the Exhibition.
February 7, X920 Zbc Brttisb Soumal of IRursmg. 8r
THE MATRON OF THE PRINCE OF and their friends. On the 27th the nurses gave
an entertainment to the patients' children, and
WALES HOSPITAL AND HER the former had a fancy dress dance in the evening.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS. On Monday, the 29th, the out-patients of the
hospital were entertained to a musical tea, when
We have pleasure in reproducing this week a the entertainment was given in the form of
photograph of Miss Bickerton, R.R.C., Matron ol choruses, songs and recitations followed by a
the Prince of Wales General Hospital, Tottenham. Christmas Tree. In the evening the domestic
She is well known to many members of the staff and porters had their entertainment, to which
R.B.N. A., and is a member of its General Council they were permitted to invite friends. On New
and Executive Committee. Year's Day came the farewell party to nurses then
Miss Bickerton is a very able administrator and completing their training, and on the following day
one who cer- the Sisters gave
tainly possesses a tea to the
the gift of keep- whole staff, fol-
ing the machin- lowed by a fancy
ery of hospital dress dance in
administration the nurses' sit-
running very ting-room.
smoothly. She We cannot
and her nurses close the account
are obviously of these Christ-
the best of good mas festivities
comrades, while without refer-
it is equally evi- ring to the origi-
dent that feel- nality and taste
ings of much displayed in the
admiration and decorations and
friendship, on the clever w&y
the part of the in which heating
nurses for their apparatus and
Matron, never somewhat in-
lead them to congruous sur-
forget the re- gical appliances
spect due to her attached here
as their superior and there to
officer. In quite the beds were
another role, adorned to bring
however. Miss them into har-
Bickerton excels mony with the
— ^^that of hos- scheme of deco-
tess. Few hap- ration. The
pier gatherings children's ward
can be imagined was a veritable
than those at the fairyland andfa
Hospital during curly - headed
the Cliristmas youngster in the
season. first bed gave
F estivities us a very spon-
commenced last taneous welcome
Christmas morn- in his joyous
ing with gifts to MISS BICKERTON. R.R.C., little treble as
the patients, re- Matron of the Prince of Wales Hospital. we entered. At
ceived b}' each the head of each
in the orthodox m? nner —
in their stockings. Later little bed was a dainty water-colour sketch by
there were services in the wards, and at noon a one of the nurses illustrative of one or other of
turkey appeared in each with all the other attributes the old-time fairy tales that are yet ever new
of a real Christmas dinner. Later the Medical and with each generation of children.
Nursing staffs had dinner in the nurses' dining hall. We congratulate Miss Bickerton on the success
In the afternoon there was an entertainment in of her Christmas celebrations and upon the splendid
each ward and the medical and nursing staffs took progress and success which the hospital has made
tea in their own wards later. The day finished under her able administration.
with a rehearsal performance by the nurses' Isabel Macdonald,
entertainment party, preparatory to a performance Secretary to the Corporation. -
in the wards next day for the benefit of patients 10, Orchard Street, London, W.i. ......
! -
MISS HUXLEY ENTERTAINS THE As most of you know, we have spent much
time and hard-earned money in order to procure
IRISH MATRONS' ASSOCIATION. the event we are here to celebrate, and though our
success has not come exactly in the way we hoped
Rejoicings in Dublin. it would, at least we may congr?tulate ourselves
Miss Hutchinson, Miss Sampson, Mrs. Manning, that, as a professional body, we are suitably
Miss Hill, R.R.C., Matron Adelaide Hospital, Miss educated to help him in making the nation
Carre, Ivanhoe, Miss O'Brien, Miss Carson Rae, healthy and strong. I think the Irish Matrons'
Miss Phelan, Miss Keating, Miss Towers, Miss Association should take the matter in hand at
Hezlett, Miss Egan, Miss O'Flynn, Miss Crowther, onc6 and plan a scheme for lectures in sanitation,
St. Patrick's Q.V.J. I., Miss Thornton, Miss hygiene, preventive medicine, and child welfare,
Reeves, President Irish Nurses' Association, Miss and also lectures giving a working knowledge of
Hughes, Miss Burkitt, Miss Bradburne, Miss the various Acts of Parliament affecting public
Golding, Miss Rhodes, Miss Riordon, Miss Power, health; not till then can we hope to be of full
Miss Macdonnell, R.R.C., and Miss Patton. use to him.
The dining-room was charmingly arranged with One of the first e sentials in such a scheme is
oval mahogany tables artistically set out with that we should try to work altogether for the
shining glass and silver and decorated with common good, not one training school against
mimosa and violets, the blue frocks of the another, and this I think could most eftectively
waitresses striking an effective note against buff- be done by co-operation. A central school,
coloured walls. where the best lecturers obtainable could be
The dinner of seven courses made one feel that engaged and the necessary appliances secured
the past five years were as a dream, and that the to benefit all alike.
Lamp of Aladdin must have been used to conjure To-night our memories recall with both gratitude
back days of plenty and delight when pleasant and regret those who laboured with us, gave of
faces and pretty frocks were an ordinary sight. their best to our cause, and have passed away
Miss Huxley occupied the chair, on her right hand without seeing the result of their labour. Chief
Miss Michie, President of the Irish Matrons' among them, the late Mrs. Kildare Tracey and
Association, on her left Miss Reeves. President of Lord Justice Fitzgibbon.
the Irish Nurses' Association. We also remember mar y other absent colleagues,
The health of His Majesty the King having been such as Misses Kelly, Hampson, Lamont, and
proposed and duly honoured. Miss Huxley Ramsden, who have retired from active service
welcomed her guests. and, unfortunately, live too far away to be with
us to-night they one and all wrote sending their
;
The Speech of the Hostess, Miss Huxley. congratulations and saying that they will be
—
Ladies, I wish I were a good speaker and that with us in spirit and wishing that our future
I could make you realise the very great pleasure efiorts may be as successful as our lengthy struggle
and satisfaction your presence here to-night gives has been. We must also remember with gratitude
me, a pleasure which I promised myself at least our friends and supporters across the sea, who
twenty years ago, probably even longer. are almost too numerous to mention by name —
In those early days we little thought of all the both men and women— and from first to last and
difficulties and anxieties we should have to pass all the way through the struggle, let us never
through before attaining the fulfilment of our forget all we owe to our courageous, valiant, and
desire. indomitable leader, Mrs. Bedford Fen wick, she
On this occasion I will not pause to recall all the who, through all the years has marched straight
discouragement we received, when our opponents forward with the one aim and purpose, never
could not shake our determination to try to
procure State Recognition for ourselves. One
—
heeding friend or foe and they were many.
She has been our inspiration and guide, the pilot
memorable occasion I call to mind when, after who has brought us through rough waters to the
a somewhat stormy meeting, we were described in port of our desire. All honour to her name.
a London paper next day as the " turbulent few." Ladies, I ask you to drink to the health of Mrs.
I leave to your imagination the kind of meeting Bedford Fenwick. This was done with right
that one was good will.
February 7, 1920 {Thc Bcitieb Soumal of TRuretng. 83
Miss O'Flynn and the Pioneers. work had been described as a domestic occupation,
Miss O'Flynn spoke in support, and mentioned officially wdth that of the scrubbers
classed
the work of Miss Huxley and the Irish Nurses' and porters a hospital, but now they were a
of
Association during the past eleven years. Wliat definite Professional Unit with legal standing
work had been accomplished, in season and out and State Recognition. They now hoped for
of season, with expenditure of brains and money, standardisation of training, with improved edu-
and what strenuous toil had at length won its cation, three years' training. State examination,
reward. It was now up to the Matrons to see and a one portal to the Register. They further
nurses equipped by the best possible training hoped, first, for the affiliation of hospitals whereby
to become professional women. small and special hospitals may be enabled to
carry on their work without injustice to the
Miss Reeves and Professional nurses secondly, they hoped for post graduate
;
The College of Nursing Club for Nurses was Lord Burnham and the Editor of the Daily
opened by Lady Powerscourt, at 54, Fitzwilliam Telegraph have refused to see any trained Matron
Square, Dublin, on the 28th ult. or nurse who has called at the office of the Daily
Sir John Lumsden, Chairman of the Committee, Telegraph, or to insert their protests against its
said it was estimated that in order to equip the
club, ;/^2,ooo was required. Lady Ardilaun had
Shilling Fund for Nurses — projected and thrust
upon them by this newspaper without the consent
collected ;^20o, Lord Iveagh had given £1,000, of the Trained Nurses' self-governing organisations,
and the British Red Cross Society and the Order or, indeed, without consulting any other members
of St. John, T^i,ooo (money which in our opinion of the profession with the exception of the Matrons
belongs to sick and wounded soldiers), and the and the one nurse in active practice, who are on
London Board of the College of Nursing had the Council of the College of Nursing, Ltd., in
guaranteed the rent of ^150 per annum. support of whose attempted control of the profes-
The subscription was to be 5s. a year for mem- sion the appeal has been launched.
bers of the College, and los. 6d. for outside nurses, Whether this new charity appeal is part of the
and 2s. 6d. for probationers. old War Charity for Nurses projected by the
The Rev. J. M. Hatton said the club was to be Actresses' Franchise League (the British Women's
run on non-sectarian lines, which would be a sort Hospital Fund) or not, is not made clear but if
;
of assurance to the Catholic nurses. it is associated with it in any way, the Daily
Miss Rundle, secretary of the College of Nursing, Telegraph should have first published the Financial
Ltd., was present ;and to her and Sir Arthur —
Report of the Nation's Fund for Nurses started
Stanley, Sir Andrew Homegave the credit of the in October, 1917 —
and a copy of which we have
passing of the Nurses' Registration Act ;but been unable to obtain, nor, so far as we can gatlier,
omitted to include the services of Lord Knutsford has it been submitted to the press for publication
and Sir Henry Burdett in this connection
to allude to the fateful June 27th, 1919, when
or
! — and criticism. We have called for the publication
of these accounts on several occasions, as there
the obstruction of the College officials to the Bill are various items of expenditure on which both
before Parliament might have succeeded, had not the public, who subscribed through advertise-
the Minister of Health come forward to save the ments, and the Nursing Profession have a right
sitiiation. to information ; and we are quite unable to
Mrs. O'Connor asked what was the idea of surmise any valid reason for so long withholding
penalising nurses who did not see their way to these accounts. The sooner the Daily Telegraph
join the English College of Nursing, by asking devotes a column to their dissection, the better.
them to pay an annual subscription of los. 6d., Day by day the D.T. inserts various opinions
while members of the English College were asked and letters in support of its appeal, but so far,
to pay only 5s. a year. There was no object in as we have stated, not one letter or opinion
joining that College now that nurses had State in opposition, to the scheme has been published.
Registration. Is this fair to the subscribing public ? It is not.
Sir John Lumsden said, as the College had Further, we state that it purposely misleads the
started the Club, and were paying the rent, the public, and is a scandalous abuse of power.
arrangement was .not unfair. Mrs. O'Connor Day by day the Daily Telegraph supports its
repeated her question, when Sir John said he had appeal with beaucoup de sentiment. Florence
not expected questions, and must decline to answer Nightingale, Agnes Jones and other leaders of
them. The company then had tea and enjoyed a the past are trotted out. These women would
musical programme. have unhesitatingly condemned " Doles for
—
Nurses" seventy years ago and we have pro-
gressed " some " as the Americans say. We
modern women have realised that Charity spells
QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE INSTITUTE Chains for the workers, and what we intend to
FOR NURSES. have is self-government, self-support and self-
Transfers and Appointments. respect. It is to these fundamental principles
Miss Emily Browning is appointed to Dorsetshire that the College of Nursing Company is instinc-
C.N. A. as Assistant Superintendent. Miss Charlotte tively opposed, and which it nips in the bud
A. Palmer is appointed to East Sussex C.N. A. as in its Memorandum, by taking power to remove
Assistant Superintendent. Miss Cora M. Drake to a nurse from its register and membership without
Exmouth as Senior Nurse. Miss Emily J Allen to
. . power of appeal (Memo. 3(j) ).
Bury. Miss Adela I. Austin to Ashton-under-Lyne. The methods of the Daily Telegraph are very
Miss Helen E. Eardley to Birmingham (Summer Hill
disingenuous. For instance, it informs its readers
Road) East Home. Aliss Lucie W. Emery to Stockton
and Thornaby. Miss Ethel B. Holmes to Shoreditch. that on the College Council are " twenty members
of the Nursing profession." So there are, but
Miss Martha Jennings to Wilmslow. Miss Jean B.
Macaulay to Deal. Miss Gertrude H. Stevenson to when the Rules were made they were all Matrons —
Harrow. Miss Lucy Taylor to Cambridgeshire C.N. A. —
the salaried officials of laymen! and with two
as Emergency Nurse. Miss Annie Willetts to Deal. exceptions all these ladies are still under the
- — —
recognise in full measure the position of the interrupt the even tenor of business life on
College." The College Council claimed in its Wednesday, January 28th. The offices of the
Bill, in the Lords, last Session, absolute power great Dailies were preparing for the nightlj^
over Registered Nurses, and as the Government output. The buzz of many voices was suddenly
were not anxious for mutiny in Nursing ranks, that hushed when a group of Nurses in uniform entered
outrageous demand found no place in the Govern- the office of the Daily Telegraph, wearing posters
ment ^Bill. back and front inscribed with the words :
Stories of Sacrifice.
Degradation
That the Nurses did their duty nobly during
—
the war often under most invidious circum-
of the
Nursing Profession
—
stances dominated by untrained Society Com-
by
mandants, and plagued to death with untrained The Daily Telegraph.
and often undisciplined help, no one can deny.
But that is no reason for degrading their pro-
fessional status and economic condition now the
Trained Nurses
protest against
time for readjustment and organisation has come.
Shilling Doles.
If there are nurses broken in health it is the
duty of the State to classify and care for them — " We
wish to see the Editor." A young man
as the American Government has done. fled upstairs to bear the message, but soon
And the organisation of the new Profession of returned to say that the Editor could not see
Nursing is the specified duty of the General —
them he would not face the music !
Nursing Councils set up under the Nurses' Regis- Addressing the large and astonished staff, who
—
tration Acts which are to set to work at an early stood gaping round, the leader of the procession
date. said " : We
have come to protest against the
Trained Nurses are quite determined that action of Lord Burnliam for this insult in begging
they will not submit to the interference of the for charity for trained Nurses. The State should
busy-bodies who comprise the " Influential shoulder the duty of providing for disabled
Council " published in the Daily Telegraph on Nurses." Another " : We
have been proud to
January 30th, composed as it is of a motley nurse the sailors and soldiers who have fought
conglomeration of peeresses, actresses, matrons, for us, and died for us it is very much against
;
titled medicos, and a sprinkling of persons who our wishes that they should be asked to contribute
exploit the nursing profession very successfully by to our support." Another " The body respon-
:
in Fleet Street, from 12 to 2, on January 28th, another valiant lady -exclaimed." " I'll bail you
1 was early on the spot to watch proceedings. out, Nurse," a City man said, taking off his hat.
First 1 saw upwards of a dozen fine-looking women " We must yield to force, but this deprivation of
in uniform, full of life and spirits, shoulder their freedom must be inquired into," an elderly lady
Posters outside St. Bride's Church, and stream said firmly, and off she tripped on further protest
across the road to the office of the Daily Telegraph, intent. In the meanwhile snap shots of the gay
arousing great and excited interest in that busy band of Nurses were taken, Posters included,
thoroughfare. I secured some of the little slips and then, having laid their objections to charity
from the Nurses inscribed with just a sentence stunts upon their behalf, for the benefit of
on each,which the public loudly applauded newspaper booms, and .society climbers, before
" Large Charity Doles a sympathetic audience
mean Small Salaries," at the D.C. these
" C stands for College ladies, by no means
of Nursing and Charity. chastened, with posters
We do not want either." turned inside out, went
" Support the Nurses' off to lay their views
Freedom, not the Em- concerning their own
ployers' Funds." " Cha- affairs (which Lord
rity Funds destroy Burnham and the
Professional Freedom." Editor of the D.T.
" C stands for Charity refused to hear) before
and for Chains. Do the august personnel
not forge the latter by in Printing House
the former." " Nurses Square, and of the
have been proud to Morning Post, with
serve their country. Do directions to expose
not degrade them by their Posters once off
Doles." the curb.
Indeed, during the Good copy, thought
time the deputation I. But I reckoned
was inside the Daily without Sociallnfluence
Telegraph office ]
— in " caps."
entered into conver- With the exception
sation with the " mob," ofthe Morning Post
and found the men mum was the word in
fiercely in favour of the Fleet Street.
Nurses' Protest, and Not a picture— not a
when they reappeared word appeared.
and stepped over the And, once more —as
road to the office of so often before—the
the Daily Chronicle I great B.P. was bam-
was surprised to note boozled to the top of
the road bristling with its bent.
Bobbies, who
seemed And
that glory of the
to have sprung from British Empire, " its
nowhere. There they great Free Press, winked
were laying down the the other eye, whilst
—
law very politely but Tommy and Jack,
very emphatically. The V.A.D. and Waac, re-
Nurses had no right sponded to the senti-
to demonstrate no — mental -appeal of the
Poster Parades were D.T. to save the
allowed in the City whole Nursing Pro-
no leaflets must be CUUNCILLUK BBATKICB KBNT, fession from perdition !
M.N.S.R.
APPOINTMENTS. Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
MATRON. Miss Louisa May
Barker, Matron, Sydney House
Hospital, Bitterne, Southampton Mrs. Mary Elizabeth
Eye Infirinary, Bath.—Miss C. M. Whitty has been ;
appointed Matron. She was trained in General Harrold, Sister, B.R.C.S. Miss Elizabeth Rudd, ;
Barrow-in-Furness, and Sister at Queen Charlotte's E. A. Crummack, Matron, Bridlington V.A.D. Hosp. ;
— Miss Kathleen A. Smith has been appointed Matron Convalescent Hosp., Dov6r House, Roehampton
Miss H. Davies, Matron, V.A.D. Hosp., Mere, Wilts;
of the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Knotty Ash,
Liverpool. She was trained at the Essex and Col- Miss E. F. de Trafiord, V.A.D. Asst. Nurse, Aux. Mil.
chester Hospital, and the Royal Hampshire Hospital, Home Hosp., Moor Park, Preston Miss E. M. Dowdes- ;
Housekeeping Sister at the Royal Infirmary, Leicester, Richmond Red Cross Hosp. Miss A. L. Fanshawe, ;
Lady Superintendent at the West Kent Hospital, Asst. Commdt., Aux. Hosp., Lewes Miss C. H. F. ;
December, 19 19. Royal Red Cross (ist class), 19 16. Miss A. A. Gardiner, V.A.D. Nurse, Broadwater Aux.
Mentioned in Dispatches,
Hosp., Ipswich Miss J. Gaydon, V.A.D. Stafi Nurse,
;
19 18.
Kingston and Surbiton District Aux. Hosp. Miss
NIGHT SUPERINTENDENT AND THEATRE SISTER. C. Germon, V.A.D. Nurse, Newton Abbot Aux. Hosp.,
;
The Infirmary, Isle worth.—Hiss Hilda Soppitt has Newton Abbot Miss M. Goodridge, Sister, Castle
;
been appointed Night Superintendent and Theatre V.A. Hosp., Sherborne, Dorset Miss C. Grundy, ;
Sister. She was trained at Whitechapel Infirmary, E. Matron, Aux. Hosp., Malvern Miss L.Hague, V.A.D. ;
Mrs. C. J. Munro and Miss Mary Mugglestone have Nurse, Kempston Aux. Hosp., Bedford Miss F. de C. ;
been appointed Sisters. "The former was trained at Hamilton, Matron, Carrow Aux. Hosp., Norwich
Selly Oak Infirmary, Birmingham, and the latter at Miss E. Harrison, Sister, Syon Red Cross Hosp.,
The Infirmary, Isleworth. Brentford Mrs. D. G. Hickman, Asst. Commdt.
;
subsequently held the position of Ward Sister and Red Cross Hosp., Ystrad Ysaf, Denbigh Mrs. A. ;
Night Sister. She has also held position of Sister at Jackson, V.A.D. Nurse, Crediton Aux. Hosp., Crediton ;
the Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds. Miss V. M. Jackson, V.A.D. Nurse, St. John's V.A.D.
—
Royal Infirmary, Blackburn. Miss Gladys Thwaite Hosp., Southport IVIi-s. H. Jones, Sister, V.A. Hosp.,
;
has been appointed Sister. She was trained at the Bishop's Palace Hosp., Peterborough Mrs. A. ;
Royal Infirmary, Hull, where she subsequently held Jurgensen, Sister, Home Mead Aux. Hosp., Lymington ;
the position of Sister and Night Superintendent. She Miss A. E. Keats, V.A.D. Asst. Nurse, Colliton Aux.
has been Sister at the Victoria Nurses' Home, Hull. Hosp., Dorchester Mrs. A. ^Keer, V.A.D. Nurse,
—
Stamford and Rutland Infirmary. ^Miss Ethel M. Hart House Hosp., Burnham
;
Miss H. Kershaw, ;
Wilson has been appointed Sister. She was trained Sister, Stanswood Aux. Hosp., Fawley, near South-
at the Firvale Infirmary, Sheffield, and at the South ampton Miss G. King, Sister, Abbotsford, Wymond-
;
Eastern Fever Hospital, and has since held the position ham, Norfolk; Miss M. J. Laing, V.A.D. Nurse,
of Sister at the Monsall Fever Hospital, the Norwich Bishop's Knoll Section, 2nd Southern Gen, Hosp.,
Fever Hospital, and the Ladywell Sanatorium. Salford. Stoke Bishop, Bristol Miss P. Mapletoft, Matron,
; ;
;
Brook House Aux. Hosp., Levenshulme, Manchester ; a time, and the prices rise as the number of
Miss C. L. Mayo, V.A.D. Asst. Nurse and Staff Nurse,
Cornelia Aux. Hosp., Poole, Dorset Miss H. Montford,
volumes increases. A new Reading and Writing
Sister (Asst. Matron); Harold Fink Memorial Hosp.,
;
Room isnow open to subscribers at 136, Gower
Park Lane ;Miss E. A. Moody, Matron, Beechgreen
Street, from 9 a.m. to 6,30 p.m. (Saturday i p.m.)
Aux. Hosp., Withyham Miss M. Morrison, Sister,
;
and should be of considerable use, especially to
Ingham Old Hall, Stalham, Norfolk the Hon. ;
masseuses who have to consult expensive books
V. M. C. Warwick Countess of Onslow, Commdt., of reference. Books can be sent by post, provided
Broom House Aux. Hosp., W. Horsley. the subscriber pays carriage both ways. The
Mrs. M. Page, V.A.D. Nurse, Baptist Schools, ,
library contains 20,000 volumes. New books and
Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Aux. Hosp., Manchester Miss ;
editions are added to the library and are available
R. Paget, Sister, London Hosp. Mrs. M. Palmer, ;
to subscribers immediately on publication.
Matron and Commdt., ist Durh. V.A.D. Hosp.,
Messrs. Lewis also stock a large number of
Whinney House and Saltwell Towers ^ .A. Hosp.,
Gateshead, Co. Durham Miss I. Patton, V.A.D.,
;
books of special interest to nurses, masseuses and
St. John V.A.D. Hosp., Hull Mrs. K. Percival, ;
midwives.
Commdt., V.A.D. Hosp., Towcester jVfiss. I*. Pilking- ;
V.A.D. Nurse, Aux. Mil. Hosp., Southwell Miss ; wodld not receive the amount of saccharine
C. Wilmott-Smith, Commdt., White Rose Aux. Hosp., declared, and because honest manufacturers
Heath, Wakefield Miss A. S. Wilson, Sister, Red
;
suffered hardships from the underselling.
Cross Hosp., Maidenhead.
The magistrate said he could not deal with
The awards now notified constitute the final list in the case in the absence of the defendant, who
respect of the Royal Red Cross decoration for services was stated to be in Italy, as she was liable to
under the British Red Cross Society or Order of St. imprisonment as well as a- fine. After legal
John of Jerusalem in England rendered in connection argument, the names of Mr. Rasi, general manager
with the war. of the firm, whom the prosecution endeavoured
to show was the responsible party, and Mr. A.
Barbbetti, son of Madame Fiashetti, were added
A CIRCULATING LIBRARY OF to the summons, and the case adjourned for a
MEDICAL BOOKS. fortnight.
» « «
Nurses, masseuses, and midwives who desire Princess Louise has consented to become
to have access to medical and scientific books, honorary president of the National Memorial to
but who do not wish to purchase them, will be Dr. Elsie Inglis.
glad to know that Messrs. H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd.,
the well-known pubhshers and booksellers, of A Paris doctor has cured a number of cases of
136, Gower Street, W.C. i, maintain a circulating encephaUtis lethargica (sleeping sickness) following
library of such books, from which, for one guinea influenza, by means of injections of anti-plague
per annum, one volume can be bad out ^t serum.
»
A Reliable
Dispensing
Service.
P* 1.
^
The Dispensing Department at each
* llol. branch is under the cheurge of a
• fully
qualified and experienced Chemist.
P
r"*-*l Lll
iL ^
•
The Drugs
The
branch are always
at every
extent of our business and
fresh.
our system of regular weekly supply ensures that nothing
gets stale on our shelves. Medical men will recognise that
the quality of freshness is secondary only to that of purity.
Boots
555
= Chemists
BRANCHES THIIOUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
SIR JRSSE BOOT. WW ^U, UvTgTffi
^=— "** Office :
STATION ST..
Miwtgiac EMraotor. NOTTINGHAM.
— —
the Coalition Government, and amongst the A London Hospital Matron : " Oh, the Daily
Acts passed were the Nurses' Registration Act. Telegraph it is enough to give all nurses D.T.'s !"
; !
We hope nurses are not going to forget that this Half-a-dozen Nurses : " I have counter -ordered
Government has given us suffrage, registration, my Daily Telegraph." (Most of them notify that
and various other degrees of emancipation, whilst they have ordered the Morning Post instead.
under Party Government we were bond slaves This is a sound policy. Get friends to do likewise.
for generations —
one Party as bad as the other. —Ed.)
Mass Meeting on the need for Women in Miss A E. Hulme " I take in the Morning Post,
. :
(" Every military Sister and Nurse who resents think of nothing but " expenses," and listen
this Shilling Dole Fund and its methods of public- to every complaint, even from the newest
silly
ity, owes to herself
it and to her profession to pro. We are now threatened to be reported to the
express the objection to the Nursing Board, College of Nursing, if directions are objected to.
"
of which the Director-General, Royal Army Between the devil and the deep sea, indeed !
The
local authoritiesand voluntary associations." In
QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL. certain conditions the utilization of a ward named —
ROYAL HELP. the "district maternity home" in union in- —
The Queen has sent a subscription of £^ to firmaries has been authorised. A
substantial
Queen Charlotte's Hospital and Queen Alexandra development of dental facilities for expectant
has sent a similar amount. and nursing mothers and also for children under
school age is noted.
APPOINTMENT OF SISTER-MIDWIFE.
Miss Ethel Smithies has been appointed Sister-
A WI5E DEMAND.
Midwife. She was trained at the Chorlton Union We commend the Women's Co-operative Guild
Hospitals, Manchester, and has been Ward Sister, on having issued a circular demanding the control
District Sister, and Night Sister at St. Mary's of maternity centres by the local authority rather
Hospitals, Manchester. than by voluntary organisations, and adequate
representation of working women on committees
controlling them. They also urge an increase in
THE LAST MEDICAL REPORT OF THE the number of maternity and infant welfare
centres, the provision of a sufficient quantity of
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. milk to all mothers, and of more maternity homes ;
The Supplement to the last, and forty-eighth. the immediate establishment of maternity com-
Annual Report of the Local Government Board mittees, a service of home helps, a national mid-
contains the Report of the Medical Departrnent wifery service, and a free service of medical
for 1918-1919. Reference is made to the grave specialists.
fact that there was for the first time since the
establishment of civil registration an excess of CLOTTING OF MILK IN THE STOMACH.
deaths over births in the last quarter of 191 8 of The Journal of (he A nierican Medican A ssociation
79,443, thus causing a decrease in the population describes the result of an investigation recently
to that extent, in spite of the fact that there was conducted at the Jefferson Medical College.
no infant mortality in that year as a result of war A subject was found who could regurgitate the
conditions and the influenza epidemic. stomach contents at will. It was discovered by
As may be readily imagined, ante-natal treat- observation that milk drunk rapidly left the
ment suffered from the scarcity of medical prac- stomach sooner and produced a smaller curd mass,
titioners during the war, but it is claimed that an than milk drunk slowly or sipped. Raw whole
immense saving of life resulted from the action of cow's milk formed a large, hard curd boiled milk;
the Food Controller and the Local Government curded in a much finer and softer form. The
Board conjointly in providing during 191 8 for the presence of much cream in the milk ensured the
supply of fresh and dried milk, and of extra meat formation of particularly soft curds which were
and butter for expectant mothers. Provision of slow to leave the stomach. Skim milk yielded a
milk and of sugar for artificially-fed babies, very hard curd, o\ving to the absence of fat.
attending at infant welfare centres was also made. Pasteurized milk yielded smaller curds than the
The provision of midwives both in urban and raw whole milk cold milk coagulated more
;
rural districts was, it is stated, aided by grants slowly than warm milk.
from the Board, and the Midwives Act of 191 8 has
enabled the local authorities both to provide A PRAYER TO OUR LADY.
midwives and to assist in their training. Of the Look kindly where poor people are,
certificated women on the Midwives' Roll one-fifth Mary of Homes, keep trouble far.
only are in actual practice as midwives ; but 845 Shelter beneath thy prayers' wings,
candidates out of 1,548 successful at the last Mary of Roses, all young things.
examination declared their intention to practise
—
as midwives ^including 471 proposing to settle in
Keep children warm thro' winds and rains
Of cold nights, Mary of Counterpanes.
rural districts. The Board has also authorised
grants for " home helps" in working-class house- Send us high skies, blue days and fair,
holds at the time of confinements, and this will Mary of Swallows, bless the air.
no doubt help to eliminate the insufficiently Paint lovers' days a rose red hue,
trained nurse. Emphasis is laid upon the neces- Mary of Peacocks, green and blue
sity for the provision of maternity beds in homes
All wandering men, abroad at night,
and hpspitals for the very large numbers of women,
married and single, who cannot find suitable
Mary of Candles, give them light.
accommodation in their homes or lodgings. Pray for me as I ring thy chimes.
This urgent necessity " is one the need for which In my poor belfry, Mary of Rhymes.
has been very slowly comprehended both by the —From Skylark and Swallow, by R. L. Gales.
a
courag-ed and suppressed by the initial diffi- appreciates the fundamental importance of the
culty of finding- houses which can be trans- housing question by its official exhibits of town
formed into ideal homes. It requires much planning, and ideal cottages for both urban and
determination in the face of adverse circum- rural districts, at the Exhibition at Olympia,
stances to convert unpromising- material into and because the ideal home has a g^arden, the
convenient and attractive homes. Ministry of Agriculture also demonstrates what
Weare, therefore, indebted to the Daily can be done in this direction in relation to
Mail, which demonstrating at the Ideal
is modern allotments.
Home Exhibition at Olympia, how convenient Moreover, in an ideal home there are children,
houses can be quickly erected to meet the and therefore there is an exhibition of nurseries
present shortage, and purchased at moderate carried out from the designs of the Queens of
cost, and how they can be fitted with labour- Holland, Spain, and the Belgiians, the Crown
saving so that the difficulty of
appliances Princess of Sweden, Princess Alice (Countess
service reduced to a minimum.
is of Athlon e), and our own Princess Mary. The
But it is not only in houses where servants diverse national of each are
characteristics
are employed that labour-saving appliances are very interesting. But these are sumptuous
needed. We are apt to blame dwellers in the nurseries for fne well-to-do, and in our opinion
slums for their shiftless, slatternly, and some- are, for the most i>art, overcrowded with furni-
times drinking habits. A man and woman ture. The simplest, and the one which apj>ealed
hopeful of a happy future may start married to us most, is that designed by Princess Mary.
life with the aspiration to " get a little home There is also on view an * Infant Welfare
together," but, owing to exorbitant rents, and Clinic, arranged by Middlesex Hospital in con-
must be done in the living room, and many a part of the public. "Be it ever so humble,
trim and capable maid, as a working- man's there's no place like home." It is the place
wife loses heart, and succumbs to circum- to which the thoug-hts of many whom duty calls
stances. In an ideal home she might have been to service in far distant parts of the Empire
for, his wife unkempt, and his children queru- The Exhibition at Olympia remains oj>en until
lous, often gravitates to the public-house for February 24th, and iswell worth a visit.
—
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. temperature ; the patient feels ill ; all the symp-
toms of the primary stage may be duplicated
WHAT SHOULD A NURSE KNOW ABOUT VENEREAL in tlie second, together with many others,
DISEASES?
among which are loss of hair, rashes of any
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this size, shape and location, mucous patches in
week to Miss Alice M. Burns, East Suffolk and
mouth, orchitis, iritis and keratitis. Secondary
Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich.
syphilis lasts from two to four years, according
HKIZB PAPER. to treatment. Symptoms of
the third stage,
We think that a nurse should know enough called tertiary, may come on
any period up
at
about venereal diseases to arouse her warm to thirty years. The lesions of this stage are
sympathy with the sufferers, to nurse thern in- always destructive, and may attack any part or
telligently, to prevent the spread of infection, organ of the body. They are seen in the skin
and lastly, to recognise symptoms among those as ulcers, and are, perhaps, commonest on the
who have not as yet sought advice, and are legs of old people. This kind of ulcer has a
probably ignorant of their condition, and advise well-defined edge. Cases of tertiary syphilis
a visit to the doctor. are frequently to be met with in the wards of
Now, with regard to the first requirement, our general hospitals, diagnosed under their
we cannot realise too early that we are here to localisations, as at this stage they are not
help and not to judge, and that our assump- specially infective.
tion of that office does nothing better than repel Sufferers in the early stages who marry are
and harden the sufferers, and discourage them almost certain to transmit the disease to their
from seeking further treatment. Besides, your offspring. Syphilis may be inherited from one
victim may be suffering because of someone or both parents, and the child may be either
else's wrong-doing, and further, your estab- palpably a physical wreck at birth, or may ap-
lished case of venereal disease has probably pear normal and show the signs of congenital
transgressed the moral law no further than the syphilis after about six weeks. It will begin
acquaintance whom you regard as resj^ectable, to waste away, develop a rash on the buttocks,
but who has, so far, escaped the consequences and snuffles, a sign that the bones of the nose
of his wrong-doing — a humiliating thought have been attacked, or it may become blind
this, but unanswerable. It is impossible for you from destructive ulceration of the cornea; in
to judge in these matters therefore your only
; short, a burden to itself, and, if it manages to
rational attitude is a charitable one. grow up, to the State. It is very largely the
Now, to nurse venereal disease intelligently victims of congenital syphilis who fill our
we must understand something of, the nature crippled children's hospitals, our workhouses
of the organisms which precede it. and asyliims. Again, a syphilitic pregnancy is
There are two kinds of venereal disease very liable to end in abortion or still-birth.
—
Syphilis and Gonorrhoea with an occasional ponorrhoea is a local infection only of the
third— Soft Chancre. The two first are known mucous membrane of the genital organs, and
to date back to early Bible times. There is a its treatment is local. Its most important
record of gonorrhoea in Leviticus (Chap, xv.), aspect to the nation is that it produces sterility
and again in the Second Book of Samuel, whilst in both sexes (a) by stricture of the ductus
records of syphilis date back to about the same deferens in the male, and (h) by closing the
period. Syphilis was first brought to England Fallopian tubes by inflammatory thickening in
by the sailors of Christopher Columbus in 1495, the female.
after their voyage to the West Indies, and it The discharges of both syphilis and
has been rampant in this country ever since. gonorrhoea are infective, and everything which
In 1905 the bacillus of Syphilis was isolated the sufferers use must be disinfected, as every
by Hoffman and Schaudinn, and named the nurse should know. Modern treatment of
SpirochiBta Pallida. This bacillus cannot invade syphilis is by salvarsan or its equivalents, de-
the body through the unbroken skin, but abra- tails of which cannot be given in the space of
sions and cracks;, too small for the naked eye, this article. It is important to know, however,
are sufficient as channels for infection. The that the SpirochcBtes may show virility even
incubation period is from 15 to 20 days or more. after a test has given a negative result. Thus
Primary sores appear from the seventeenth to supervision should extend over a period of at
the thirty-fifth days. All primary lesions may least two years.
disappear without treatment. After this there HONOURABLE MENTION.
is a second incubation period of forty days, The following competitors receive honor-
following which the symptoms of secondary able mention —
Miss Winifred Appleton, Miss
:
syphilis appear. There will be a slight rise of E. K. Dickson, Miss F. James, Miss D. Fenton.
February 14, 1920 ^be Brlttsb 3ournal of IRurelnfi. 95
We hear that great interest has been aroused up, quietly dying. What
is our Red Cross
amongst Glasgow nurses concerning the meet- doing? It has thousands of pounds un-
still
ing convened at the Scottish Nurses' Club, 205, spent, or surely it could not be subsidising the
Bath Street, on Feb. 14th at 2.30, when the aims Midwives Institute, Nurses' Clubs, and edu-
and objects of the Professional Union of Trained cating V.A.D.'s.
Nurses will be -discussed. We
do hope Matrons
and Nurses who have not studied trade We were talking to a really kind woman the
unionism in relation to Nursing will attend and other day of these terrible conditions, when she
hear what the speakers have to say. It is a astonished us by saying " I am weary of war
:
great temptation to refuse to listen to opinions and all its horrors. I don't seem to be able to
to which one has a preconceived objection. But feel these things any more, and you know I
in these rapid times that is, after all, the policy never pretend. Talk of something else."
of the ostrich, and it is not considered a bird
notorious for its perspicacity Dr. MacGregor
!
INTERNATIONAL NEWS.
Robertson is to be in the chair.
Broad-minded nurses with international sym-
" You-all gotta wait fo' yoah supper 'til I
pathies are beginning to ask " When and where
ster'lise de ice pick," said a coloured cook to are we to have the next International Nursling
her mistress. " I done drop'd it on de flo' and Congress? " That point has not yet been
de hygiene teachah tol' me to be careful er settled, but the good comradeship which re-
germs." sulted before the war, between the nurses of
This was heard in a small town in Georgia, all nations, from these gatherings is acknow-
says the Pacific Coast Journal of Nursing, ledged by all, in spite of everything which has
where a course in Home Hygiene was being happened since. The Cologne Meeting still
offered to the coloured women by the Red Cross remains a memory, at which the representatives
Public Health Nurse. The instructor pictured of twenty-three countries came together in
to them vividly the spread of bacteria, and told amity and learned many things for the benefit
them that germs could be carried to food by of humanity from one another. The German
dirty handling, and by contamination of soiled men and women who took part in that Congress
dish-towels, unsanitary refrigerators, and so were all out against tyranny and ignorance
forth. where nursing and suffering were concerned,
After the first lesson women
reported that just as we have been for the past thirty years.
their cooks came home,
scrubbed the re- Miss L. L. Dock writes that at the great
frigerator, cleaned the stove, and burned up all gathering of American nurses at Atlanta,
the dish-towels. April 12th to 17th, international matters are to
receive consideration. Alas owing to the
!
Weseem to hear nothing through our news- immense expense it is verj^ improbable that any
papers of the sorry condition of Poland and officer of our National Council will be present
Serbia. The American Red Cross appears to but we should meet at an early date and send
be struggling with the sad conditions pre-
still our suggestions. The Norwegian and Italian
vailing. In Kalisz, Poland, alone from January nurses are applying for affiliation with the Inter-
to July, 1919, there were 124,000 typhus cases. national Council, and a meeting in Italy in the
The American Red Cross has an appropriation near future would be very acceptable to many
of 2,000,000 dollars, and over one hundred of us. Queen Elena's School of Nursing at
persons at work. In Serbia, one hundred beds Rome, organised on Florence Nightingale lines,
in their Chachak Hospital is the sole weapon in takes precedence of all others, and the fine
possession of the Serbian Relief Committee for work of Miss Dorothy Snell, as its Superin-
use in reaching thousands of sick children in tendent, deserves to be better known through-
Central Serbia. It is reputed that thirty per out the Nursing world than it is.
cent, of the Serbs have tuberculosis and We hear a Dutch Sister from the Rotterdam
trachoma, and bad teeth are prevalent. Also, Nosokomos is going to Atlanta. We
congratu-
typhus stalks abroad once more, while small- late Nosokomos. The Dutch
are still striving
pox, malaria, influenza, cholera and pneumonia for legal status, through State Registration,
haunt the villages, and feed upon the starving and now that time can again be devoted to
women and children. Most of the children are domestic we hope their Government
politics,
orphans, and many are entirely naked. Hun- will follow the example of ours, and do justice
dreds were ferreted out of the half-burned ruins, to its nurses, who are a very fine body of
where they had concealed themselves, curled women.
— ;
A statement has been circulated by the Nursing The above meeting was held at 35, Langham
Times " that the Central Committee is considering Street on Friday, the 6th inst., at 5.30 p.m. It
the question of disbanding." is many years since such a large number of nurses
This statement is entirely erroneous. was roused to be present at a meeting of the
The Central Committee, which is the first Nurses' Co-operation, but, partly owing to the
organisation of Nurses mentioned -in the Schedule fact that a whip in the shape of a postcard was
of the Act for the State Registration of Nurses, sent round by the Lady Superintendent to those
will, in the future, as it has in the past, continue members of the nursing staff who were considered
to focus Nursing and Medical opinion for the sufficiently docile and unthinking, and that even
benefit of the' Nursing Profession and the com- the help and applause of the ofi&ce clerks (who were
munity, so long as it considers it advisable to do not nurses) were not disdained, there was a very
so. full meeting.
Mr. Harold Low, M.R.C.S., the chairman,
presided, supported by Drs. Turney and Giles,
CONGRATULATIONS FROM CANADA. — —
and wonder of wonders Sir Henry Burdett,
who has not attended a public meeting of the
The following letter has been received from Nurses' Co-operation for twenty years, defied his
Miss Helen Randal, the Editor of the Canadian doctors (so it was said) and came. The " agita-
tors " were also well represented, and after the
Nurse, which is the official organ of the National
chairman had gone through the business of the
Association of Trained Nurses of Canada, from meeting, and amongst other thirgs, made the
the Atlantic to the Pacific. As our Act provides announcement that two nurses' representatives
for reciprocity with our Canadian colleagues, who had faithfully served the nurses (one for
under prescribed rules, our General Nursing sixteen consecutive years, and one a little under
Council will, in due course, be in communica- that time) had been supplanted. Miss Maude
tion with Nursing Authorities in that Dominion. MacCallum, one of the uurses' representatives, and
Canadian nurses gave ample proof of their skill also the Hon. Secretary of the Professional Union
of Trained Nurses, rose, and announced that owing
and devotion during the great war, and it will be
to the fact that a case was pending in the law-
gratifying to come into closer professional touch
court, the minority did not intend for the moment
with them through the Act, upon the passing of to contest this election, she proceeded to remind
which congratulations are conveyed to us :
the chairman that she had protested to him at a
302, Fifteenth Avenue, committee meeting against the trickery that was
East Burnaby, B.C. being used to deceive the nurses, and to influence
My Dear Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, Con- — their votes, and that she had put into his hands,
a letter, purporting to come from nurses of the
gratulations from The Canadian Nurse magazine
on the passing of the Registration Bill after so Co-operation who were, presumably, so busy
many years waiting for it. We in British Colum- being loyal- that they had forgotten to put their
« bia thought six years was a long time to get our names to the circulars they were sending out
legislation through, but you were much longer. also one signed by Mrs. Crowe, the Co-operation
Of course, like all Acts, there are compromises, Secretary, which practically told the nurses that
if they did not say " yes " to the question " Are
and never a law that is perfect, but the establish- :
"
ment of central control means so much. you satisfied with the present constitution ?
After so many years of the hardest work may the Co-operation would be broken up and their
I ofier to you personally our congratulations that
means of livelihood taken from them.
you have been permitted to see the fruit of your The honours of war, however, remained to the
" agitators," as the chairman announced quite
work and energy.
Very sincerely yours, as an afterthought, that one of the two things
Helen Randal, they were asking for was to be conceded. Their
Editor, TheJjCanadian Nurse. demand is first, to be allowed to become members
of the Nurses' Co-operation, secondly to have
representation on the Home Committee of the
Howard de Walden Club.
LONG OVERDUE. Some little time ago seven ol the ten Nurses'
representatives wrote a letter asking Mr. Henry
We believe that the report of the Nation's Fund Bentinck, the Howard de Walden Trustee, to
for Nurses (registered under the War Charities receive them as a deputation on this subject.
Act), which should have been ready in November, The request was acceded to, a special meeting was
191 8, may be expected in about a month's time. called, and all the nurses' representatives present
We hope so, as it is long overdue, and there is (with the exception of Miss Geraldine Bremner,
no legitimate reason for delay. inember^of the Council of the College of Nursing,
— —
Ltd., who expressed herself as quite satisfied with ROYAL RED CROSS.
the present arrangement) pressed Mr. Bentinck
to alter the agreement between Lady Howard de
Walden and the Nurses' Co-operation, which The King has given orders for the fcllowmg
excluded n arses from the Home Committee, Miss appointments, on the recommendation of the
Billiard pointing out that it was only an act of Government of India,for valuable services rendered
in connexion with Military Operations in Persia,
common justice, and Miss MacCallum that large
sums of money both out of the nurses' private (Bushire Force) (dated June 3rd, J 91 9) :
purses, and of the Co-operation funds, went to Royal Red Cross, Second Class.
pay the debts of the Howard de Walden Club, Miss L. Stewart, Staff Nurse, Aust. A.N.S. ;
which has never paid its way. It was very Miss E. L. Wellard, Sister, Aust. A.N.S. Miss ;
gratifying to the minority to hear that Mr. H. M. B. Waterstrom, Sister, Aust. A.N.S.
Btntinck had decided to alter the agreement, For valuable and distinguished services rendered
and thus it would be possible for the members of in connexion with the operations at Murmansk
the Nursing Staff to sit on the committee. during the period March i to October 12th, 1919
Who knows but that the " agitators " may not Dated November nth, 19x9 :
DOWN WITH DOLES. she would not 5tand one in six.' " Nevfertheless.
'
that the Nation^ s Fund for Nurses has saved " On one occasion we were playing in the
" from absolute want many nurses who have receiving room of No. 4, Canadian Casualty
risked their health, their careers, their very lives Clearing Station, near Arras, where a temporary
for their country," and that " but for such stage had been erected. The first three rows
assistance, thousands would have gone under, were occupied by sisters, and one of our men was
either while waiting for rolls of official red tape to singing a light song, when a shell burst close to
uncoil, or because their particular case did not the room, killing the man who was on the stage
admit of support from official sources." and one sister, and wounding two others. The
Frankly we do not believe that thousands of killed and wounded were removed, and the
trained nurses who have returned from war* performance continued, all the other nursing
service, are in. absolute want. We can well believe sisters still remaining in their seats till the end
that the College of Nursing, Ltd., needs thousands of the concert."
of pounds for other purposes, and no doubt the If this story is true the troupe to which Mrs.
indigent war nurse forms a picturesque front Martin Harvey was attached should have been at
sheet for the double appeal. once deported from the war zone. That any
But, if it is the case that there are so many nursing sisters should have participated further
" thousands " of war nurses in want, then this in a dramatic entertainment^ with their colleagues
constitutes a very grave indictment of the W?r dead and wounded in their midst, appears to us
Office and the Army Nursing Board, and its such an incredible instance of inhumanity that
constant re-iteration is bringing severe criticism, we hesitate to believe it.
that the Secretary of State for War will make To turn from tra.gedy to comedy. There is
searching enquiry into these assertions of wide- what the Daily Telegraph calls the " sad Juliet '
'
spread destitution of war nurses, and of callous story," which " must have struck a sympathetic
—
neglect by the Government for that is what the chord in many hearts," and which is responsible
Nation's Fund, and Daily Telegraph's campaign for extracting many shillings. (Fools and their
for shilling doles' amounts to. money are soon parted.)
The correspondent " of our
" distinguished
Save us from our Friends. contemporary the following story as "an
tells
Even the matrons on the College Council who eloquent plea for support of a fund, the success
are helping to promote this humiliating appeal of which ought never to be in doubt."
must, we should imagine, be somewhat discon- The first time he met Nurse Juliet was " early
certed by the efforts of their friends on their in the war, when Lady 's nursing unit was
behalf, as for instance the effusions of the actress, in London, about to start for the front. There
Mrs. Martin Harvey^who lias "inspected many was a send-off function, and many friends were
hospitals in France and in this country," in what taking tea with the doctors and nurses at the big
capacity is not stated. hotel. There was the buzz of animated con-
. .
The connection between an appeal for nurses, versation, and the sound of silvery laughter amid
and the undisciplined behaviour of a V.A.D. the chink of tea cups in the crowded room. The
(a beautiful young woman who radiated love and nurses were bright and happy, and the brightest
sympathy wherever she went), is not apparent. and happiest of them all was Nurse Juliet. She
There was, says Mrs. Martin Harvey, near Etaples, was a handsonie girl with a high colour and a
at one time great inconvenience for lack of water cloud of golden hair, and she wore her V.A.D.
to wash with, as " it was very dangerous to go in uniform like one who has been accustomed to
—
quest of water in fact it was against orders." fine clothes.
"
Nevertheless, in defiance of orders, this V.A.D. Yes ' she said,
' '
ought to know how to
I
and a friend made a compact that the latter wear my clothes. . . I suppose I am what they
would keep guard, while she went three miles to call a mannequin. I had to put on the pretty
the water, washed on the spot, and brought back dresses, and make the ladies think." ...
two petrol tins of water to her friend. " On her That they would look as pretty as you in
way the shelling became very intense, and she was them,' I interjected.
warned by a soldier who ran past, that it would " I daresay that is what it was,
'
' replied
be perfect madness to keep on the road, where Nurse Juliet with a laugh and a blush." (We do
^be Biitieb 3ournal of IRuretna. February 14, 1920
not know whether the blush signified gratified guard the interests of the Nursing Profession, and
vanity or a twinge of conscience for having poses as an example of professional ethics and
deluded her Society clients!) Nurse Juliet ac- philanthropy, or with a Fund for the relief of
counted thus for her new occupation. " How nurses ?
could I go on strutting about in finery . when
. .
ment, both plainly dressed with the drab shawls, the proprietor of any newspaper to cut at the
once commonly worn in the place, now seldom root of the freedom and self-respect of any class of
seen." Need we say the younger woman was workers ? He would not dare to do it with his
Nurse Juliet, " a shadow, not merely of the own industrial staff. Their trade-unions would
beauty of the Bond Street show-room, but also soon come to the rescue with down tools, and it
is social autocracy where trained nurses are con-
of the grave young heroine of the field hospital."
The Bond Street show-room wanted none of her. cerned, which is driving them in self-defence,
" A to unite in the only type of organisation which
trained nurse " (as she describes herself),
" with uncertain eye-sight and shattered nerves; " can stand up to these arrogant plutocrats, and
—
she is not wanted for nursing either but she
thinks " the country is a little bit in her debt,"
save their souls alive.
YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE THE NATION'S FUND FOR NURSES, AND
COLLEGE SUPPORTS SHILLING DOLES
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH APPEAL
FROM SAILORS, SOLDIE^<S AND V.A.D.'S.,
FOR TRAINED NURSES.
"Let the shining, let the silver shilling from your pocket
The following letters have been sent from Heed- come
quarters to members of the College of Nursing, Ltd. For the outcast, for the heathen, for the rude Barbarium."
The ethics and grammar are much on a par :
Will you therefore, make a special eflfort to get into Yet, with such help on ev'ry side.
touch with the members of your Centre and make them
Believe me, if you can !
aware that contributions are invited for February i6th ?
These thankless Madams all decide •
the power to withhold permission for such Parades Thus they who should be first to own.
under any circumstances whatever. Outside the Our struggles for their weal,
sacred precincts of the* City the Metropolitan Adopt a most defiant tone, "
Police enforce no such restrictions, and permission And, begging to be left alone.
is usually given to orderly citizens, such as trained Refuse to come to heel !
Nuneaton, of the Military Ward, Coventry and War- Miss Cutler has had a varied and honourable career,
wickshire Hospital, and Royal Infirmary, Chester. amongst the positions she had held being that of
Isolation M. Willcocks has
Hospital, Skipton.— Miss Superintendent of the Medical School for Girls at ,
Dr. Gordon is sometime Exhibitioner, and Glyn that there is something wrong with the body.
Prizeman, King's College, Cambridge, University That is as far as we can go, however, for there is no
Scholar of St. Mary's Hospital, and forinerly necessary relation between the intensity of the
lecturer on Infectious Diseases in the University pain and the severity of the disease."
of Manchester, so his qualifications for his task Dr. Gordon gives a grave warning against the
are many. empirical use of drugs by the public for the relief
The appearance of the book is particularly of symptoms, especially in cases of headache.
well timed, for the establishment of the Ministry " The doctor, if he must use drugs at all in this
of Health, and its resultant activities, have and other ailments, does so only when they help
aroused the public interest in health questions to remove the cause but when they are employed
;
to a greater degree than ever before. There was, by the public they are taken to relieve symptoms
therefore, need for a book which aims at putting only. The individual and domestic misery that
the principles of preventive medicine in a popular results from this practice constitutes the skeleton
form, and no one was better fitted to undertake in many a family cupboard."
this task than the author of " Health in the Dealing with the question of colds, quite the
Home." The book should be read and studied worst name incidentally that could be given to the
by all who are concerned with the health of any condition, as it perpetuates the old erroneous idea
section of the. community, i.e., parents, teachers, that they come only from exposure to draughts,
medical students, nurses, midwives, and health Dr. Gordon points out that a cold is due to
visitors, and its price (5s. net.), brings it within microbes, which multiply in the nose and throat.
the reach of all. In many people the germs are almost always
The contents are divided into three parts. present, and whenever the patient gets run down
Part I deals with the Mechanism of the Body and a little they become more active and set up sneez-
Health and Disease considered generally. Part II ing, running at the nose, and coughing. Many
with Signs of Disease, and Part III with Domestic colds can be cured by discovering the microbe in
Hygiene. the nose and making what is known as a " vac-
In connection with the Mechanism of the Body cine " from it, with the result that the patient is rid
the author lays down the principle that " before of his recurring trouble.
-we can know anything about sickness we must In regard to constipation in children, when due
have some conception of what the human body to an insufficiency of fat in the diet. Dr. Gordon
is— of what parts it is built up, and how it works.
'
speaks of the value of Virol, which supplies fat in a
He reminds us, moreover, that " the body is by digestible form for a similar reason he advocates
;
no means fool proof, and when we consider how its use in cases of emaciation and neurasthenia,
it is misused by many and neglected by more, when the higher nerve ceUs, which are largely
the wonder is not that illness results, but that it composed of fat, require this substance for their
snot very much more common." rebuilding. He commends the use of Bovril as
Discussing how the body can go wrong from an article of invalid dietary, as more nourishing
illness. Dr. Gordon defines the most obvious causes and cheaper than beef tea.
—
as (t) those due to improper feeding food deficient A word of warning is given on the subject of in-
" Many a
in quantity, excessive in quantity, or the use fection with the germs of enteric fever.
of the wrong kind of food. nurse, for instance, has gone down with enteric
(2)
" One part of the body may be overworked fever by eating her food with fingers that have been
or neglected through improper use. It is a recently touching the bedclothes of a patient.
fundamental truth of nature that constant work Hence great care should be taken by everyone in
causes a part to wear out and break down, while the house where a case is present never to sit down
intermittent use strengthens and develops it." to a meal without washing the hands, and in fact
" The body may be attacked from without. never to touch food with the hands at all if it can
(3)
Very many diseases are known, and several more be avoided."
rightly suspected, to be due to the lodgment in As to what to do in fits. Dr. Gordon quotes the
the tissues of innumerable quantities of the bodies advice " Let 'im fit," i.e., the attention of the
:
which we call microbes or germs. In considering onlookers should be confined to seeing that the
-what happens in such a case, we may conveniently patient does no harm to himself or his surround-
keep to this conception of the landing of an ings, and no attempt should ever be made to
give a drug or anything else for treatment of the
* Jarrolds' Publishers (London) Ltd., 10 and fit itself."
31, Warwick Lane, E.G. 4. 5s. net. Neurasthenia is described as " in a way infec-
— —
tious. The neurasthenic may be said to give out in heelless black slippers, were narrow and
feet,
a cloud of mental poison gas which has a suffocating sharply cut. John Woolfolk was conscious of the
effect on the energy and optimism of those who are disturbing quality of her person. She possessed
unfortunate enough to be brought in contact with the undefinable property of charm.
him." Against his will her attraction overmastered him,
Domestic Hygiene. and the memory of his dead girl-wife began to re-
The
third section of the book (on Domestic cede into the shadows.
Hygiene) is perhaps the most interesting of all, and But he had to prove his love for her by violence
much very valuable advice is given. and the cost of the life of his faithful sailor.
Dr. Gordon, in dealing with school life, refers to
The homicidal maniac, Nicholas, the servant of
Millie and her ineffectual father, had held the girl
the " wicked feebleness that allows a boy or girl
in terror with his unwelcome attentions, from
to grow up without a clear and healthy knowledge
which only the arrival of John Woolfolk's yacht in
of the sex function and its relation to social life."
the bay could have saved her.
M. B. The closing chapter, which describes the death of
the faithful Halvard, who stayed at the wheel until
BOOK OF THE WEEK. the ebbing of his life-blood left him no choice but
to relinquish it, is a fine piece of writing.
" Tubal Cain " is a strong story of one
Alex-
"GOLD AND IRON."* ander Hulings, who became an Ironmaster against
We look for good things from the pen of Mr. overwhelming odds, from sheer brutal force of
Hergesheimer, after such notable works as " The character, and who married the daughter of the
Three Black Pennys " and " Java Head," and in neighbouring Ironmaster— who could have bought
the volume under our notice, which contains three —
him up with the same determination.
short stories, we are justified in our expectation. The account of the industry is extremely inter-
The first, " Wild Oranges," is perhaps the best, esting.
though they are all up to standard. Huling's policy towards his inadequate staff is
It is full of thrill, mystery, and excitement. indicated by the following passage :
John Woolfolk, whose life had been embittered by "It was as if they had all been caught in a
—
the tragic death of his girl-bride " Young. A girl whirlpool, in which they fought vainly for release
in a tennis skirt with a gay scarf round her waist — the whirlpool of Alexander Huling's domination.
—
quite dead in a second " had fled the world and They whispered together, he heard fragments of
led a solitary life on his yacht, with his faithful intended revolt; but under his cold gaze, his thin,
sailor, Paul Halvard. tight lips, they subsided uneasily. It was patent
He had anchored in a bay in the Southern States, that they were abjectly afraid of him.
where the water, as clear and hardly darker Strange to say, he had married his rival's
than the darkening air, lay like a great amethyst daughter because he loved her, rather than from
clasped by its dim corals and the arm of the land. ulterior motives.
It was, John Woolfolk suddenly thought, amazingly "The Dark Fleece is a story of a different
'«*
still. The atmosphere, too, was peculiarly heavy, type, and how
Jason, of humble origin, had
tells
languorous. It was laden with the scents of exotic, made a fortune on the goldfields, and how the
flowering trees he recognised the smooth, heavy
; Puritan woman to whom he was betrothed repu-
odour of oleanders, and the higher, clearer breath diated him, in spite of his faithfulness, on account
of orange blossoms. of the rumours of his wild life, and how Honora,
His curiosity was aroused by the sight of a of the great house, attracted by his powerful p>er-
woman swimming in the bay, and he determined to sonality, made love to him on her own account,
go ashore to investigate what had appeared a very and married him.
desolate spxDt. He knew by his chart that nothing All these stories are virile and teem with interest.
could be close by but scattered huts and such H. H.
wreckage as that looming palely above the ole-
anders. COMING EVENTS.
One of Mr. Hergesheimer's greatest attractions
is his descriptive power. The reader is caught into —
February j6th. ^National Baby Week Council
atmosphere at once fascinating and repellent. and the National Sunday School Union. A
Woolfolk's investigations lead him through the Meeting at the Mansion House, " The Children's
orange grove, where the cold, waxy leaves brushed Era." Chair, the Lord Mayor. Speakers, the
his face. There was, he saw in the grey bright- Right Hon. Lord Morris of St. John's K.C.M.G.,
ness, ripe fruit in the branches, and he mechanic- the Viscountess Astor, M.P., and others. 3 p.m.
ally picked one orange and then another. Before —
February iSth. Royal British Nurses' Associa-
" The Social and Moral Influence
long he happened on the girl he had seen swimming tion. Lecture :
'
tosh ' (as Lord Ampthill would call it) in —
February 21st. Frequent micturition in chil-
D.T., it is simply nauseating." dren. Describe causes and treatment.
io6 She British Journal of flureinfi Supplement February 14, 19^0
THe Midw^ife.
INFANTILE WASTING. mixture, gradually increasing the calories in breast-
feeding and the calories and percentages in arti-
ficial feeding. A peptonised feed with sugar
NURSING TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT. 3.5 per cent., fat 1.7 per cent., proteid .8 per cent,
By Miss Jentie Paterson. can be increased till the maximum is reached. In-
Malnutrition, wasting, marasmus, are synony- crease in weight demands more calories. Sugar is
mous, and all carry the same tragic history, de- frequently a difficulty, and one may try cane, lac-
—
privation of the infant's birthright mother's milk. tose, maltose, or dextrine before being satisfied, or
As the cure is its restoration, so the prevention is often a combination of two. The digestion is also
perseverance with breast feeding in the face of all gradually educated to deal with fat and eventually
obstaclesr If artificial feeding has to be resorted to, marasmic babies, when they start to make up
it must be supplied in a humanised form, i.e., weight, may deal with a 4 per cent. they are also ;
sugar, fat and proteid, in the percentages found in entitled to a high proteid (2 per cent.) and one-third
human milk (sugar 7 per cent., fat 3.5 per cent., or even a one-half more than their theoretical
proteid 1.5 per cent.). caloric allowance as they have " empty cupboards
Ascertain the extent of wasting, by contrasting to fill."Kour-hourly feeding is preferable and when
birth weight with present weight, and with that of the initial quantity given and retained is small the
a normal child of similar age. The feeding history daily caloric allowance can be got in by giving
is essential; all the varieties and amounts with a night feed about two a.m. later, when the child
;
which it has been slowly poisoned. can deal with larger quantities at a time, the night
If the child is restless it must be nursed; if list- feed is dropped and no food is given between
less or moribund every ounce of strength husbanded 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
but the position changed frequently. The tempera-
ture borders on the subnormal so warmth is
N.B. — Cod liver oil, being an animal oil with
fixed percentage (100 per cent.) excellent for
is
essential, and watch must be kept for a sudden
infants. The amount given can be calculated to a
drop, but pure fresh air is also necessary. The minim. The best and most easily dealt with fat I
urine is copious, as in extreme cases there is almost
have ever tried is undoubtedly the animal fat emul-
no absorption. The motions being bulky, frequent
sion prepared and perfected by Dr. Truby King
and foetid, grey powders are indicated (| gr. t.d.s. last winter.
or six hourly). The back must be carefully guarded
and watched and extra pads or diapers placed below
the infant to avoid excessive wetting and soiling.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD.
Unless the baby be in ext'emis a dose of castor oil
is given, preceded by a " feed "of boiled water and
THE
WITH WHICH
mmMF IS INCORPORATED
. MEHSIIKl MECOIII
MRS BEDFORD FENWrCK
EDITED BY
It1-
*'
visiting nurses " for persons of limited in- bursaries of £2^, two being given to the Metro-
come during the coming year. Sir R. Douglas }x>litan Federation of Queen's Nursing Asso-
Powell, who drew attention to this need in the tions, one to the Ranyard Nurses, and one to
press, has consented to join the Council. the unaffiliated Associations. The candidates
A
Panel of Nurses willing to undertake tem- receiving these bursaries wiU not necessarily
porary work has been formed, and thirty-one have to practise as midwives, but they must act
nurses have been entered on the panel, and are as maternity nurses in London for at least two
ready for employment. years. The Council has been informed that
In view of the special needs of the Associa- the same help will be forthcoming in the
tions, the Trustees of the London Parochial ensuing year. There is thus an opportunity
Charities have increased their Annual Donation for much usefulness before the Council.
126 ^be Britieb 3ournal ot 1R ursine February 28, 1920
which has been presented by Walker & Hall, Wesympathise with the nurses of Victoria
of HolboVn and Sheffield. The Princess will in having their Registration Bill held up at the
receive purses of five guineas and upwards. last moment, after it had passed through all
its stages, owing to the objection of hospital
The Canadian Nurse reports that a silver committees to the provisions made for reducing
cross, hung from a purple ribbon, is to be given the hours of work and increasing the wages of
to any mother in Canada who lost a son in the nurses. On being returned to the Legislative
war. Assembly by the Legislative Council, that body
made the proposal that hospitals should be re-
A meeting of the Council of Queen Victoria's couped, out of public funds, for the additional
Jubilee Institute for Nurses was held last week expense that would be entailed in the restric-^
at the offices of the Institute. The report for tion of the hours of employment of trainees.
1919 was approved for submission to the •
This amendment the Speaker held to be an
Patron, Queen Alexandra. The number of infringement of the privilege of that Assembly,
associations affiliated during the year was the as it was an attempt to impose financial charges
largest since the foundation of the Institute. or burdens on the people, and moved that the
At the same time, although a considerable House should decline to accept it. This was
number of nurses have been attracted to dis- agreed. As the Legislative Council had already
trict nursing, there is a great deficiency,
still adjourned, the Bill could not be further con-
especially of those who
are willing to practise sidered.
midwifery. It was recommended that, with the The nurses, however, may take comfort from
approval of Queen Alexandra, the gold badge the fact that there is now a possibility of
should be awarded to Miss A. M. Peterkin, the amending the Bill, which at present is far from
General Superintendent, in recognition of the a good one. It is a cardinal error to introduce
services she had rendered to the Institute. into a measure dealing with the education, re-
While the demands on the Institute are increas- gistration and discipline of nurses, provisions
ing in every direction, the funds at the dis- dealing with their hours of work and pay,
posal of the Council are inadequate. It is esti- which should be incorporated in an entirely
mated that the expenditure for this year will separate This was a vital mistake in the
Bill.
exceed the income by at least ;^5,ooo. Bill promoted in this country by the College of
Nursing, Ltd., for if all these matters were
Now that the Irish Secretary has done so controlled by one body, trained nurses would be
well with his General Nursing Council only — reduced to a condition of serfdom.
one flaw, a working nurse should have found
a seat —
English and Scottish Nurses are on the "The Nurse and the State" was the sub-
qui vive as to what their fate is to be. Dr. ject of a paper by Dr. N. M. Falkiner at the
Addison has promised to do his best. don'tWe Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland,
envy him his task. at a meeting on February 13th. In 1872, he
said, he visited the Dublin hospitals, and there
In the House of Commons last week. Major were no trained nurses at that time, but re-
Hurst asked the Secretary of State for War forms assumed a concrete basis on the estab-
whether masseuses of the military massage lishment of the Dublin Technical School for
service were entitled to receive gratuities on the Nurses in 1893, the founder of which was Miss.
termination of war service; and if not, why Margaret Huxley. The paper referred in eulo-
there should be any differentiation between gisitic terms to St. Patrick's Nurses' Home,
them and other nursing sisters. Sir Ardhibald and St. Lawrence's Catholic District Nurses'"
Williamson replied that war gratuities, broadly Home; commended them to the continued sup-
speaking, were given to commissioned officers port of the public and advocated the extension
;
and enlisted soldiers, and were not given to the of the district nursing system to the over-
very large number of civilians, men and women, burdened and struggling middle classes.
who in various ways worked for tjhe Army The author concluded by saying that the
during the war. An exception was made in the following points should be considered regarding^
; —
the nurse : —
The standard of her physical HONOURS FOR NURSES.
health; the age for commencing" professional Investiture at Buckingham
The King held an
training; her preliminary education and ex- Palace on February 21st, and conferred the following
amination her professional training, both in
;
Order and Decorations.
the hospital and the school and her final ex-
; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
amination before being registered as a trained Officers.
nurse. Further, the creation of an advanced Matron Jessie Jackson, Queen Alexandra's Imperial
Military Nursing Service Reserve (also received the
diploma in Nursing Science; the Public Health Royal Red Cross, First Class).
or Community Nurse, to administer the
The Royal Red Cross and Bar.
numerous activities concerned with the health Queen A lexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.
of the people that are now being instituted — ^Miss Daisy Michell.
^nd the extension of the District Nursing sys- The Royal Red Cross
(First Class).
tem to meet the requirements of the public. On Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
the part of the public, it is our duty to provide Service. —
Miss May Bonser and Miss Hilda Drage.
that the remuneration of the Trained Nurse is Queen Alecandra's Imperial Military Nursing
Service' Reserve.—Miss Edith Davenport.
adequate that her working hours are reason-
;
—
Territorial Force Nursing Service.' 'Miss Mary
:able that her holiday is sufficient to j>ermit her
;
Dickinson, Miss Maud Dunn, Miss Margaret Newbould,
to recoup her strength after her arduous pro- and Miss Edith Pilson.
fessional duties and that a suitable pension
;
Civil Nursing Service. —-Mrs. Mary Millar.
be attainable when the faculty of exercising her [The Royal Red Cross (SecondClass).J
nursing skill becomes impaired. Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
In the discussion which followed, Mr. —
Service.- Miss Isabelle Baron, Miss Mabel Davis,
-Miss Laura James (also received the Mihtary Medal),
Shannon Millen urged the abolition of the and Miss Mary McNaughton.
abomination p>opularly known as the " handy Queen Ale andra's Imperial Military Nursing
woman." Miss Huxley said much remained Service Reserve. —
Mrs. Mary Binks, Miss Julia Clancy,
to be done to standardise the education of Miss Bessie Dickson, Miss Constance Eason, Miss
Martha Edge, Miss Margaret Hilliard, Miss Mary
nurses. Dr. Craig, President Royal College of Smith, Mrs. Townsend, and Miss Grace 'Winter.
Physicians, said that he thought it a most dis- Territorial Force Nursing Service. —Miss Helen Darge,
graceful thing that nurses should be put in a Miss Louise Dennis, Miss Christina Davidson, Miss
Cecilia Lister, Edith, Mrs. Mercer, and Miss Shirley
position of feeling that they were charitable
Wilson.
objects. He had for years been advocating Civil Nursine Service. —
Miss Joan O'Sullivan and
that nurses should receive adequate remunera- Miss Lillias Pumphrey.
tion, and that their services should be made —
British Red Cross Society. -Miss Lucy Hughes.
^Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute) said that Bar to the Royal Red Cross.
Miss E. Holden, R.R.C., Matron, T.F.N.S., 3rd
Jubilee Nurses should be paid a living
London Gen. Hosp., Wandsworth Miss J. Melrose, ;
wage, and be able to look forward to a pension ; R.R.C., Principal Matron, T.F.N.S., R. Infirmary,
and Miss Reeves (Matron, Steevens' Hospital) Glasgow Miss F. N. Roberts, R.R.C., Assist. Matron,
;
emphasised the imp>ortance of the thorough, Q.A.I.M.N.S., Alexandra Hosp., Cosham Miss E. A. ;
A.R.R.C, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Queen Mary's Mil. theatres of war enumerated above, with the exceptipn
Hosp., Whalley; Miss K. Fitton, A.R.R.C, Assist. of the Russian theatre. Individuals in possession of
Matron, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Pavilion Gen. Hosp., the " 19 14 Star " will not be eligible for the award of
Brighton Miss M. Gregory, Assist. Matron, Q.A.I.
; this decoration. Applications from legatees should
M.N.S.R., Mil. Hosp., Chiseldon Camp, Wilts.; Miss be addressed to the Secretary War Office (A.G. 10), and
E. H. Hay, A.R.R.C, Matron, Q.A.I.M.N.S., Mil. Hosp., in the latter to the officer in charge of records concerned.
Catterick Camp, Yorks Miss A. Howard, A.R.R.C.,
;
The Victory Medal.
Assist. Matron, T.F.N.S., 3rd London Gen. Hosp.,
Wandsworth Miss E. M. Humphries, A.R.R.C, M.M.,
;
A Medal granted by the King in recognition
of the
services rendered by His Majesty's military forces in
Matron, T.F.N.S., 2nd Scottish Gen. Hosp., Craigleith
theatres of war since August 5th, 19 14.
;
Matron, Queen Alexandra's Hosp. for OfE., Highgate on each side, shaded to form the colours of two
;
rainbows.
Miss P. E. Smith, A.R.R.C, Matron, T.F.N.S., 2nd N.
Provided the claims are approved by the competent
Gen. Hosp., Beckett Park, Leeds Miss A. H. TurnbuU,
;
NURSES WHO FULFIL THE CONDI- Asiatic Theatre (7) Australasian Theatre.
;
Adastral House, London, E.C.4 ; demobilised members THE GENERAL NURSING COUNCIL,
of the Territorial Force Nursing Service, to the Secre-
tary, War Office {T.V.4), So, Pall Mall, London, S.W. i. IRELAND.
Members of other organisations who are not now
serving, should apply to the Board of the organisation
under which they served. AN INCORRECT STATEMENT.
Chevrons for Service Overseas. We are requested to correct the statement made
last week in the medical journals and in the
The King has approved the award of chevrons to
denote service overseas undertaken since August 4th, Nursing Times that Colonel Sir Arthur Chance,
1914. F.R.C.S.I., who has been appointed a member of
The following will be eligible to participate in the the General Nursing Council, Ireland, is the Chair-
award under the conditions laid down. man ot the Irish Board of the English College of
Members of ^ueen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing. Colonel Sir Arthur Chance, as reported
Nursing Service, retired members of the Army Nursing in this Journal last week, is Chairman of the Irish
Service, members of Queen Alexandra's Military Nursing Board, an Irish organisation which, has
Nursing Service for India, the Territorial 'Force
compiled a voluntary Register of Irish nurses, and
Nursing Service, and Oversea Nursing Services.
Personnel working under the Joint vVar Committee has never had anything to do with the Irish Branch
of the British Red ^ross Society and the Order of of the College of Niusing, Ltd.
St. John of Jerusalem; and under the St. Andrew's Colonel Sir Arthur Chance, Colonel William
Ambulance Association, if under the direct authority Taylor, F.R.C.S.I., and Miss O'Flynn are the
and supervision of the War Office. delegates of the Irish Nursing Board on the
Chevrons of two colours, red and blue, have been Central Committee for the State Registration of
approved. The first if earned on or before L^ecember Nurses, and Miss M. Huxley and Miss A. Reeves are
31st, 19 14, will be red, all others blue.
the delegates of the Irish Nurses' Association on
the Central Committee, and have all been placed
upon the General Nursing Council, Ireland. Irish
A REPORT OF GOOD WORK. nurses owe a deep debt of gratitude to these
pioneers for the keen interest they have always
The final meeting of the Territorial Force taken in the State Registration question, and the
Nursing Service Ladies' Committee was held at firm manner in which they have one and all
the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, on Monday supported their best interests whilst nursing
February T6th, Miss Haldane in the chair. 1 egislation has been under discussion.
Miss Gill, R.R.C., Principal Matron, read a
report of the closing of Craigleith Hospital, and
paid a high tribute to the efficiency of the nursing A ROYAL GOVERNOR.
staff.
She stated that she had never received a single The Prince, of Wales had a great reception at
complaint of any nurse during the five years that Bart's on the igth inst., when he paid a visit to
the hospital was open, and those members who that historic hospital to attend a general Court
were sent abroad have reflected great credit on of Governors in the Great Hall to receive his
their hospital. Governor's Staff and his Charge as President.
The following decorations had been awarded The Prince was received by the Treasurer, Lord
to members of the staff either at home or abroad : Sandhurst, and the Lord Mayor.
Bar to the Royal Red Cross, 2 Royal Red ; For the first time the senior nursing officers
Cross (First Class), 8 Royal Red Cross (Second
; were summoned to the Great Hall, and greatly-
Class), 33 Military Medal, 3
;
Serbian ; Decora- appreciated being present to see His Royal High-
tions, 2 ; Medaille des Epidemies, i. ness take the chair, amid cheers, and sign the
Maclagan Wedderburn gave a report of
]\Irs. minutes. In the Square the nurses gave him a
"
the work done by the " Comforts Committee smiling welcome, and the patients lying in their
since 191 4, and by the Handicraft Branch, which beds also enjoyed the occasion.
was formed to provide employment and amuse- Subsequently, His Royal Highness visited the
ment for the patieilts. wards, which looked very spick-and-span. Alto-
The Craigleith Hospital Chronicle was founded gether a very happy occasion.
at the end of 11)14 at the suggestion of the O.C,
in order to rai.se funds for extra comforts for the
patients, and over ^360 was raised. FEES RISE IN AUSTRALIA.
The Treasurer's Report, submitted by Miss
Thorburn stated that ;^i,26o had been spent on The members of the Australian Trained Nurses'
extra comforts. Association have recently, by 623 votes to 160,
A cordial vote of thanks, proposed by Mrs. decided that the fees of general private nurses
George Kerr, was given to Mrs. Maclagan Wedder- shall be raised from /3 3s. to ^4 4s. a week. The
burn and Miss Thorburn for their splendid services. new scale of fees came into force this year.
Miss Haldane, in conclusion, expressed very It is recommended by the Council that the
cordial appreciation of the work of the Committee following part time charges be adopted For:
under the wise guidance of Miss Gill, during these 24 hours, £1 IS. for 48 hours, £2 2S.
;
for 72
;
Alice Reeves, a Nursing Councillor for Ireland, great energy had now more time tor thinking, and
in cases of illness they certainly did not wish to be
the Irish Act. " Legal Status " will present them
told about other people's illnesses. Indeed they
to Hygeia, who, no doubt, will have something
important to say to them but that is in the hands shrank from this. Social life has now to be
;
Ijrought up in any sort ot definite relig.^ous ideas* The play opens with a scene in the lecture room
but as though all were feeling about for any kind of of a New York hospital, where a very eminent
fantastic form of religion, as though the only thing physician, who has made an exhaustive study of
that mattered was to cut away from all the old venereal diseases, is seen lecturing to other physi-
bonds and, with all the new types of religion cians. One pithy remark is worthy of special
intioduced at the present time, there always notice. " When a young daughter is entering upon
seemed some catch to divorce religion from every- marriage it is far better that her father should look
day life. It is in such circumstances as these that up the young man's doctor than to enquire into his
^^
the influence of nurses is often very valuable in connection with Broadway.
persuading patients to be very careful in taking up It is mainly on the social effects of immorality
any new religion, to examine the old religion, and rather than the physical that the producer has based
to see whether after all it is not really the most his argument, although the physical side is not
helpful. The same vital facts after all underlie concealed. A few vanishing pictures illustrating
most religions. Miss Graham Hope also spoke on the ravages of disease are shown, but not dwelt
the influence which nurses might exercise in en- upon. By this restraint it is supposed that the field
couraging thrift and a knowledge of the responsi- in which the film may be utilised will be greatly
bilities of motherhood. widened.
In the discussion which followed Miss Mac- The story deals with the careers of two young
donald spoke of the need for a greater versatility girls just enteringupon the threshold of marriage
in the nurses' interests and recreations, if they Kitty Walton has been instructed in sex subjects,
were to lead more normal and healthy lives. Miss and is therefore protected and forearmed. Frances
Giffen spoke in support of Spiritualism, and Forrester is the -pathetic figure, whose worldly
another member of the audience said that the mother seeks only a wealthy rather than a pure
greatest bar to progress, as far as the nurses are partner for her daughter she is betrayed and in-
;
concerned, seemed to her to be that all their health fected by her libertine lover, Alexander Valentine.
and strength were given up to matters connected —
The chief feature of the story and one in which
"
^th disease, and they had not even time to read it differs essentially from " The End of the Road
the daily papers. What they wanted was more — is the special point it makes of the widespread
time to open and widen their minds. Miss Box harm done by quacks, whose false promises ot
said that she had been a nurse for thirty years, and speedy cures do such incalculable harm by foster-
her view was that the nurses never recovered from ing disease. From a technical point of view the
their years of training. The hours were too long, film is admirably produced. The acting, setting,
the work was heavy, and the nurses too much bur- and photography are all good.
dened with duties that were not nursing at all, If it is true —
and we have no reason for doubting
but which should be done by servants they came
; —
it that more deaths occurred during the war from
out of hospital to start out on a career of their own venereal diseases than on the battlefields, then,
in a state of exhaustion. sorrowful as the subject is, we say emphatically
Miss Wise closed the meeting with a few graceful that we can scarcely have too many eye-opening
words ot thanks to Miss Graham Hope for her plays of this sort.
address, which were warmly endorsed by those B. K.
present. APPOINTMENT.
Miss Brotherton, forfherly Matron of Sculcoats
Union Infirmary, has been appointed Matron of
^ "OPEN YOUR EYES."
Toxteth Infirmary, Liverpool.
THE LATEST HEALTH PROPAGANDA FILM.
private rehearsal of this powerful drama was
A
MARRIAGE.
given at King George's Hall, London Central
On February 4th, Mr. Stewart Murray was
Y.M.C.A., on February loth. The purpose is pre-
married to Miss Jean Morris, at Gorsebank,
Wolverhampton
cisely the same as " The End of the Road," which
appeared elsewhere in London some weeks ago, HELENA BENEVOLENT FUND.
and which was reported in this Journal, namely, The Hon. Treasurer acknowledges with thanks
to arouse the apathetic, ignorant, and prudish the following donations — :
I
132 ^be Biittsb Journal of IRuretno. February 28, 1920
DOWN WITH DOLES. they might have come into the clear atmosphere
of this labour meeting to learn what ethics mean.
The speaker was obviously a Trade Unionist of
DAILY TBLBORAPH MISLEADS ITS the moderate type, and had evidently very high
READERS. and unselfish ideals in connection with his own
The Editor of the Daily Telegraph continues to particular movement. The whole of his address
exclude every communication in opposition to showed the large heartedness and breadth of view
—
the Shilling Doles for Nurses' Fund thus entirely characteristic of one who has touched life in many
misleading the readers of his paper as to the places. In a simple and convincing way this man
strong feeling of indignation by which self- spoke to the conscience of us all, and those ethics
respecting nurses are inspired. A very gross of his, brought into the range of practical politics
abuse of power. and daily life, were like a fresh wind after all the
" nauseating veneer of platitude and sentiment
Nurse Juliet."
that has been used to cover up the abuses that
Last week we demanded "Yes" or "No'* have lurked in the administrative work connected
from the Daily Telegraph to our enquiry as to ^vitll the nursing profession.
the existence of the Bond Street mannequin, the
The address ended, the audience took full
—
V.A.D. " Nurse Juliet " whose highly coloured
advantage of power to discuss it. I had no
story was used to conjure money from the public.
intention of speaking when I went into that hall
To this enquiry no answer has been forth- but, added to the desire to express appreciation
coming either addressed to this Journal or in the of the remarks to which I had listened, there was
Daily Telegraph. We fear we must conclude
a reference made by one member of the audience
there isn't " any such a person." For which
to the position of nurses in the economic world,
mercy our sick and wounded and their friends and in the course of some remarks I referred to the
may be thankful. Daily Telegraph appeal and chanced to sa.y, that
Where are They ?
the best type of nurse objected to this demand
for shilling charity doles from the sailors and
Miss May Beeman is issuing letters to country
soldiers. In a moment there was a round of
papers inviting them to support the Daily Tele-
applause, in an instant these men had giasped
graph Doles Fund. To cUll from these wails
the fact that a charity appeal was a poor substitute
:
"We feel that were the heartrending cases of for justice, and was a menace to the economic
misery and want amongst some of our Nurses
position of the nurses. This applause was repeated
more widely known, there are thousands of people
when I pointed out in my next sentence that
who would give their shillings."
the State was responsible for nurses who had
"
It is all this " misery and want
high time
broken down owing to their work during the war.
was inquired into by responsible persons, and not
by professional charity-appealists. We do not The Duty of The State.
believe it exists. Anyway, the Government is
responsible for War Nurses, and the Committees From the platform later, a gentleman stated
who employ the starving hordes. Let these that when he first read the appeal, he simply took
inhuman taskmasters be brought to account. it as a declaration from the Daily Telegraph that
In the meanwhile, why does Miss Beeman the State had failed in its responsibility to the
omit all mention of the College of Nursing Com- nurses. It was disgraceful, said he, that our
pany, in support of which this money is to be nurses should have to submit to this daily infamy
used ? in one of the leading newspapers, simply that the
State might be relieved of its duty to them.
In the labour world we shall find that chivalry
HAS THE STATE FAILED THE NURSES? that will cause men to stop and consider what it
means to the nurses to have this appeal promoted
without proper reserve, men who will understand
By a Nurse Lord Burnham Refused to See.
what a power for good or evil may lie in the hands
Recently I attended meeting held by a
a of their employers who are to control the moiiey
certain section of the i have made
Labour Party, rising from it. Among the members of the
no comprehensive study of their policy, but it did Labour Party we ntiay find the support that wiU
seem to me that, from such men as those who bring about a greater equity between the narses
spoke on that platform, the anti-doles nurses and those who have run the nurse farms so
would find an understanding and sympathy with advantageously for their own interests and their
their views that have not entered into the mind own social kudos, but' with a medi.ieval indifterence
of the wealthy proprietor of the Daily Telegraph. to the privations and sufferings of the workers.
The subject of the address at the meeting was My suggestion is, madam, that we send a speaker
Economics," but it was v/orthy of some better whenever we can to Labour platforms, and perhaps
title, for I never listened to a finer discourse on the working man will get for the nurses what they
ethics. I read last summer in the B.J.N, and the —
have failed to get for themselves some account
Burdett Press the papers on " Nursing Ethics " of how the money, collected by the exploitation
by two matrons, and I could not but wish that of their suffering has been spent.
— —
required to pay the State Registration Fee." She was trained at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and has
The Council of the College has no further juris- done Military Nursing at home and abroad as Surgical
diction in the matter. To induce trained nurses and Theatre Sister for five years.
Miss Ruby Trinnette Vickery, She was trained at
to join the College it gave the following pledge in
the Lambeth Infirmary and received Midwifery training
print :
and was Staff Nurse at Queen Charlotte's Hospital,
" If, therefore, you are on the College Register, you will, Marylebone Road, for a year, and Staff Nurse at the
automatically and without further fee, be placed upon the Grove Military Hospital for three years.
State Register when the Nurses' Registration Bill is Miss Agnes Lloyd. She was trained at St. George's-
passed." in-the-East Infirmary, and has been Charge Nurse and
As the Government Act does not provide for the Ward Sister under various Boards of Guardians from
" automatic " registration of College members, or 1908 to the present time.
Miss Helen Mary Stebbings. She was trailed at
the members of any other nurses' organisation, Guy's Hospital and since her training has held the
each College member will have to apply .for regis- position of Staff Nurse at that hospital.
tration to the Statutory Authority, the General
SUPERINTENDENT NURSE.
Nursing Council, set up in the Act. She has
therefore a right to the guinea she has paid the
—
York City and District Infiri^nary. Miss Nellie Barr
has been appointed Superintendent Nurse. She was
College for this purpose. trained at the Hunslet Poor Law Infirmary, and has
No wonder the members of the College Council held the position of Charge Nurse under the York
are grateful for shilling doles from Tommy and Board of Guardians.
Jack, or from any other source. They are pledged QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S MILITARY NURSING
to find a huge sum of money for the State Regis- SERVICE FOR INDIA.
tration of their members, and presumably neither The following promotion has been made :
the signatories of the Company nor the Hon. Nursing Sister to be Senior Nursing Sister.^—Miss E.
Officials are anxious or willing to provide it. J. Stonehouse (July 17th, 19 19).
The following Lady Nurse has been permitted to
NATIONAL HEALTH WEEK. resign the service :
—
Nursing Sister Miss P. M. C.
Bosanquet (May 7th, 19 19).
The King and Queen have given their patronage The following Lady Superintendent has been per-
to the " National Health Week," which is to be
May
mitted to retire from the service —
^Miss I. M. A. Lloyd
:
—
February 28th. Association of Trained Nurses
The
the
man, John Audiey, was convificed that
old
which would establish his own
title-deeds
in Public Health Work. Conference on Mental
claims were somewhere concealed in this deserted
Hygiene. Speaker, Miss I. .Macdonald, 10,
home of the Audleys, and the old man and his
Orchard Street, Portman Square, W. 3.30 p.m.
Tea IS. Trained nurses cordially invited. * By Stanley Weyman. John Murray, London.
February 28, 1920 Q^bc Bi'ttlsb 3ournal or IRursmo.
MML AND
SICK
iftOOM
BOOTS 2^ requirements
CHEMISTS
surgical
make every provision for the
of the medical profession and
the general public ; and the comprehensive scale
upon are stocked at their branches is a
vi^hich appliances
service of real value. At some of their larger branches
departments have been established, at which
special surgical
is the constant attendance of
a feature of great uselulness
a trained nurse ready to render advice and assistance
v^hen needed. All requirements of a special nature which
are entrusted to BOOTS IH CHEMISTS are carried out
with the utmost precision and promptitude.-
A large portion of the book deals with the elec- another at Prokuplje of over fifty beds, and a
tions and riots in connection with the ref>eal of sanatorium for some fifty tubercular patients in
the Corn Laws, which will make it more interest- a good locality. In all these institutions children
ing or tedious, according to the varied tastes of are treated as in and out patients moreover,;
maintained. This nation proved itsell heroic in their affairs in the hands of the Minister of Health.
the highest degree during its persecution by the Believe me, yours faithfully.
Central Powers, and it is well for the world that Christian H. McAra.
such a people should exist and multiply. Ed.] Scottish Nurses Club.
205, Bath Street, Glasgow.
AWARDS FOR NURSES. [The Editor of this Journal devoted eleven
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. columns to the report of the P.U.T.N. Meeting
—
Dear Madam, In the Morning Post (February at Glasgow, so that the new trade union move-
ment amongst nurses should have an ample
1 2th), under the above heading, was a copy of a
letter from Mr. Winston Churchill, stating in a report and fair play even then it was impossible
;
reply to an enquiry froin an M.P., that to report every speech verbatim. The most
1. All Nursing Sisters, on being demobilised, important and admirable address, that of Coun-
received an official letter conveying thanks for cillor Rosslyn Mitchell, appeared in full, and we
their services. advise trained nurses to read it carefully. We sym-
2. That, as far as he is aware, there are no pathise with Scottish nurses in their keen dis-
cases in which nurses serving abroad, who have appointment in not securing a United Kingdom's
been recommended for the R.R.C. by the G.O.C., Nurses' Registration Act but that is no reason
;
who have not received it. why very great benefits should not accrue through
Our Secretary of State for War has certainly the Act for Scotland, if the nurses unite to secure
been made the butt for one of his own so-called them, and co-operate with English and Irish
" terminological inexactitudes." In my
case, nurses. Ed.]
after four years and seven months' continuous NURSES ON STRIKE.
service with no leave during 1915 or 191 6, I was
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
demobilised by my
own request, with merely a
—
Madam, If there is no mistake in the report
W.O. wire, " Authority is granted for your re-
lease."
in your Journal that the nurses of Carrickmacross
My gratuity cheque was sent in an envelope,
Fever and General Hospital have come out on
strike, and that the patients are without attend-
written in pencil, with no communication.
ance, I hope the nurses who are in Trade Unions
I was twice recommended by the O.C. of my will take some action to uphold the honour of
hospital for the First Class R.R.C. but such
;
As have entirely failed to find any resulting mouth, the hair, and the nails of a helpless
I
patient
benefits, it must be impossible for me to point ?
should not he content to leave the management of Read the Back Page of the Cover. "W^
—
THe Midwife.
THE CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD
MONTHLY MEETING. FOR SCOTLAND.
A meeting of the Central Mid wives Board wa<! The Examination of the Central Midwives Board
held at i, Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, S.W., on for Scotland, held simultaneously on February 2nd
February 19th. The correspondence included and 3rd in Edinburgh, Gfe,sgow, and Dundee, has
letters notifying the re-election of the following concluded with the following results :
members of the Board for one year from April LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES.
ist. Sir Francis Champneys, Bart., M.D., by
Edinburgh.
the Royal College of Physicians, Mr. Walter
Spencer Anderson Griffith, M.D., F.C.R.P.,
Miss Martha Aitken, Miss Susan R. Angus, Miss
F.R.C.S., by the Royal College of Surgeons, and Jessie Bath. Miss Dorothy E. H. Bell, Miss Ethel
S. Bower, Miss Ethel C. Briggs, Miss Janet Bruce,
Mr. Charles Sangster, M.R.C.S., L.S.A., by the
Society of Apothecaries. Miss Ethel M. Cardy, Miss Annie Clark, Miss
Margaret Forrest, Miss Beryl M. Herford, Miss
PENAL CASES. Georgina Hobb, Miss Elizabeth B. Hunter, Miss
A meeting of the Central Midwives Board to Annie M. Hutch eon, Miss Robina E. Laidlaw, Mrs.
consider charges against certified midwives was Williamina Leslie, Miss Florence M. Luck, Miss
held at i, Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, on Margaret N. Lumsden, Miss Flora R. Macdonald,
Thursday, February 19th, with the following Miss Maggie Mackay, Miss Christina E. MacKenzie,
results :
Miss Alice Manuel, Miss Jessie Muir, Mrs. Sarah J.
Muir, Miss Margaret W. Muncie, Miss Jessie D.
Struck off the Roll and Certificate Cancelled.—
Murdoch, Miss Dorothy H. M. Paterson, Miss
Midwife Elizabeth S. R. Rimmer (No. 25), whose
Margaret H. Purves, Miss Mary N. K. Rae, Miss
case had been adjourned for judgment on
Annie M. Ramsay, Miss Isabella M. Scott,
November 13th Mary Jane Turner (No. 3639).
;
" Unless at the end of the first of these periods ton, Mrs. E. M. Williams, Mrs. A. M. B. Young.
a favourable report is received your name will, Dundee.
forthwith be removed from the Roll and your Miss Elizabeth Downie, Miss Davina Dryden,
Certificate cancelled." Miss Jane Duncan, Mrs. Wilhelmina Killemyer,
Applications few Restoration of Names to Roll Miss Frances M. Macdonald, Miss Alice MacKilli-
refused.— Frances Louisa Bracey (late No. 3 15 14) gan. Miss Helen A. McLeish, Miss Margaret H.
and Theresa Jones (late No. 6478). Mears, Miss Mary W. Reid, Miss J. M. Tennant.
THE
charge of wards in mental hospitals for which We strongly endorse Professor Robertson's
he has been responsible, in Stirling and Edin- policy, which is gradually becoming accepted,
burgh, women trained in general nursing, as not only north but south of the Tweed.
well as in that of mental diseases —a policy In regard to the strain of the war. Professor
which has been amply justified in the result. Robertson said everyone imagined that the end
He has had the vision enabling him to realise —the successful end —
of this strain would be
that nursing, whether of the sane or insane, followed by an emotional rebound of an oppo-
is pre-eminently the work of women that the ; site kind. The strain had lasted too long for
goal of those responsible for the insane should such a rebound to be enjoyed, except by the
not be simply to incarcerate them in charge of young. Some people had broken down ^ince
keepers to prevent them from damaging them- the war came to an end. Many, as a solace to
selves and others, but to place them in an their feelings, had taken an interest in spiritual-
environment which shall be remedial, and which ism. He reiterated a warning he had previously
shall inspire them with the hope of ultimate given on the danger of neurotic persons engag-
recovery. In such an environment mental and ing in practical enquiries of a spiritualistic
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. that the patient does not lie on them. If the
hair is matted through neglect, it must be
gently combed a little at a time during the day,
HOW WOULD VOU CARE FOR THE MOUTH, THE and the next day. It will be found easier if the
HAIR. AND THE NAIL5. OF A HELPLESS PATIENI ?
hair is combed upward, starting at the ends
Wehave pleasure in awarding the prize this first. If vermin are in the hair there are many
week to Miss Sarah Ann Cross, Edmonton preparations which will quickly exterminate
Infirmary, London, N. 18. them. Carbolic oil, i to 40, I have found very
PRIZB PAPER. successful for verminous heads. If it is rubbed
Whena patient is in bed the state of the well into the hair, and a compress of old linen
mouth should be observed. A frequent cause and jaconette applied, and bandaged on and
left until the next day, all the vermin will be
of the decay of teeth is neglect during acute
illness. found to be dead. The head is then washed
The mouth should be examined to see if there with warm water, soda and soap, and well
is any pain or heat, are there any decayed or rinsed. After thoroughly drying, apply hot
unclean teeth, the condition of the gums are — vinegar to the nits, which will loosen them
they normal red or very pale, swollen, bleeding, from the hair, so that they can be brushed off or
or rather blue? The condition of the tongue combed off with a dust comb.
—
should be noted^ is it coated? If so, light or The nails must be kept clean and trimmed.
Dirty nails in infectious diseases, such as
grey, dry and brown, red, or the so-called
strawberry tongue, or does it tremble? typhoid fever, have been known to re-infect the
The more severe the illness, as a rule, patient. The nails, when trimmed, must not
the higher the temperature, and the greater the be left uneven a little rubbing with a nail file
;
necessity of giving careful attention to the will greatly add to the patient's comfort.
patient's mouth is an indication of the capability flourish in the warm moisture of the mouth,
of the nurse. and if allowed to multiply to any extent pro-
If the patient is well enough to brush his duce toxins, which cause gastric and other
*
'
teeth, or to have them brushed, notJiing is more troubles. Assuming that the patient is sensible
refreshing in illness than a clean mouth and and able to hold fluid in his mouth, a mouth
well brushed teeth. wash of peroxide of hydrogen, vols. 20, one
The mouth should be rinsed several times a ounce to one pint of water, could be given on
day with warm water, and, if preferred, a little waking in the morning before giving nourishr
common salt can be added, or tincture of ment. This is easily managed by giving the
myrrh or eau-de-Cologne, which stimulates the patient a small quantity in the mouth at one
secretions. time, protecting the neck and chest by a towel,
Frequent swabbing of the teeth, gums and and turning the patient's head to one side and
tongfue with a piece of cotton material held in allowing the fluid to return into a receiver (a
a pair of forceps and saturated with an alkaline small soap dish would do) this could be con-
;
solution, such as glycerine and borax, will tinued until the lotion is returned clear, and
greatly add to the comfort and welfare of the if the patient likes, could be followed with a
patient. If the lips are sore and bleeding, pow- little plain water or boracic (one draohm to
dered boric acid may greatly relieve the one pint)."
condition. Miss Jean M. Scott writes: " Wlien thie—
If the patient sleeps with his mouth open, nails are not properly cared for they are fre-
the tongue should be moistened frequently with quently the seat of inflammation and sepsis.
a solution of glycerine and water on a piece of This inflammation begins at the side of the
cotton material held with a pair of forceps. finger by the nail, and a whitlow may be the
AH swabs used for cleaning the mouth must be. result."
burnt. OLESTION FOR NEXTWEPK.
The hair must be brushed and combed every what cases may profuse sweating occur as
In
day, twice a day if the condition of the patient a prominent symptom? What are the causes
will allow, and be braided in two braids, so of this sweating, and what its special nursing?
—
mences at ;£iio, rising to ;Ci5o, with board, Approved Societies would co-operate with the
residence, uniform and washing, which in Council, and that this would be the beginning
these days must be calculated at not less than of a great deal more. Nurses working under
£120 per annum. the Council would, however, nurse all cases
The hospital contains
indiscriminately, and the money would go to
759 beds, and the nursing staff averages about
ranks. the general funds.
290, all
In reply to another question from Mr.
The salaries of the Assistant Doughty, as to whether the conditions of en-
in the Matrons
following hospitals range as
follows St. :
— rolment on the Emergency Nurses' Panel
would cut out the V.A.D.'s, Miss Puxley re-
Thomas, ;£ioo to ;£i5o; King's College, ;£8o to
plied that they must all be three years' trained
£100, teaching fee ;{;2i St. George's, £100 to
;
nurses, preferably with disitrict training also.
£120; Middlesex, ;^85 to i;i5o; Royal Free,
;£ioo to ;^i2o; St. Mary's, £85; Westminster,
;€6o to ;C8o. Miss S. M. Marsters, Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Queen's Nurses*
The Chelsea Hospital for Women has re- Benevolent Fund, which is organised on a con-
ceived ;^220 towards the building of the new tributory basis, presided at Sheffield, on Feb-
Nurses' Home from a Concert and Sale of ruary 25th, at a meeting convened by Miss
Work organised by the Matron and Nursing Hancox, Superintendent of the Sheffield Dis-
Staff of the Hospital. A sum of ;^7,ooo is now trict Nurses' Association. No less than ninety
in hand. Queen's Nurses accepted the invitation to be
present, and Miss Marsters explained the object
The Nurses Resettlement Department of the of the Fund, and urged Queen's Nurses to join.
Ministry of Labour has removed from Curzon Mr. G. B. Wood, Chairman of the Associa-
Street to 99, Queen's Gate, S.W. 7. tion, while expressing the opinion that no local
Queen's Nurse would ever be allowed to suffer
The Annual Meeting of the Central Council from poverty, supported the principle of self-
for District Nursing in London, to which we help, and recommended the nurses present to
referred last week, was held in the Board Room consider the wisdom of starting a local branch.
of the Metropolitan Asylums Board on Feb- It was decided that this should be done, and
ruary 26th, Sir William Collins presiding. The Miss Holden was appointed Hon. Secretary,
Report was presented by Mr. E. B. Turner, and Miss Grey, Treasurer. Miss Hancox
F.R.C.S., Hon. Secretary. afterwards entertained those present to teay
In reference to the paragraph in the Report when the project was further discusfeedi in-: -
The Registrar of the Infant Welfare who would be willing to sign on for three years
Workers' Employment Bureau is writing to as probationers. The salary was to be $25 a
matrons asking them to recommend young month for the first year, $30 a month for the
nurses for Infant Welfare Work, as they are second year, and $35 for the third, with food
often asked to find nurses for Homes for both and lodging, washing and uniform. The
sick and well babies, and they are anxious to Government is advancing, where necessary,
get nurses to complete their training for it. transportation charges, which are to be repaid
We have gone through the salaries for the by instalments. We have met with a wonder-
various grades of workers required, and do ful response in the north of Scotland. A party
not think that until they are raised that the of 50 young women has been organised in less
supply is likely to meet the demand, especially than a fortnight, and they will sail for Canada
as the candidates must pay for their training as on March 5th. A second party will sail a little
follows : —
The Battersea Polytechnic Course, later, and a third will follow. We
are receiving
£14 per annum the Bedford College Course,
; applications from very fine types of young
15 guineas and the King's College Course,
; women. Many of them have been war workers,
30 guineas per annum. who do not want to remain at home doing
The C.M.B. certificate now needs six months' nothing. The Women's Emigration Society,
training,and costs from ;^i8 to ;^35. Many the Women's Legion, and Mrs, Yeamens, of
nurses pay these fees. Yet it is claimed by the Canadian Emigration Office, have sent us
those who are attempting to organise the many young women who are eager to take up
Nursing Profession on charity doles that a the work. Fortunately, I have also been able
trained nurse cannot afford to pay 2 guineas for to take advantage of the help of a lady now in
registration and legal status. this country who has herself qualified as a
nurse in Ontario, and in whom great confidence
Under the chairmanship of Councillor F. is felt. This lady has interviewed a number of
J.
Oakley, convener of Public Health, it was the applicants, and has passed on those who
ag'reed to form a Newport Corps of Voluntary were suitable to Mrs. Yeamans to be passed
Nurses to undertake whole-day, half-day, and according to the Canadian Government regula-
night nursing, and also domestic help. tions. The double examination ought to ensure
What have the trained nurses in the district us getting the right type of women. As a
to say to this scheme? Presumably neither matter of fact, those who have been passed as
trained nurses nor patients are to be consulted. suitable seem to be fine samples of Old Country
If there are a number of unemployed women
young women."
at Newport, let them be efficiently trained as
nurses or domestics, and thus qualify for One of the interesting topics to be discussed
responsibilities they are apparently prepared to at the Biennial Convention of the American
assume without it. Nurses' Association ait Atlanta, U.S.A., in
April next, will be " industrial nursing." The
chairman of the Committee of Industrial Nurs-
We are glad to note that at Dr. Falkiner's
ing of the National Organisation for Public
lecture on " The Nurse and the State," in
Health Nursing (Miss Florence Wright) sends
Dublin, the majority of the speakers dieprecated
notice, through the American Journal of
campaigns of begging, such as that promoted Nursing, to her colleagues interested in this
by the College of Nursing, Ltd., and we hope
special branch, of the intention of that body to
these sensible people will encourag"e Irish
form a section of Industrial Nursing, the object
nurses to stand out against charity doles.
of which is the formulation and maintenance of
high standards for nursing service in industry.
Some of the hospitals in Ontario are owned' One of the things to be discussed is the neces-
by the Government, and in these hospitals there sity for the development of opportunities for
is a shortage of nurses. Some two or three special training in this department of work, in
weeks ago General Manley Sims, the Agent- large centres. In this, as in all special branches
General for the Province, received a communi- of nursing, those who take it up without pre-
cation from his Government asking if he could paration have found the need for special in-
do anything towards filling up the vacancies. struction, closer co-operation, and broader
"The Government," said General Manley opportunities for their department of work.
Sims to a representative of the Canadian We also have our problems in industrial
Gazette, " required 150 young women, between nursing, amongst them the efficient nursing of
the ages of 20 and 33, with good references, insured persons, both preventive and curative.
— . — •
a much greater expenditure than in 1911. The Royal Red Cross (First Class). .
will, we feel sure, be as balm to the wounded The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
spirit of self-respecting nurses when they take Miss Janey Gray (Territorial Forces Nursing Service)
part in it, and prove to the public noit only their and Miss Kate Worger (Territorial Force Nursing
Service)
value in raising the standard of national health,
The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
but the respect and devotion in which they hold
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
their fine vocation. Service. Miss — Mary Humphrey-Jones.
Alas no doubt many of our friends at a dis- Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
I
—
graph) we appeal for support. We shall be Kate Haywood.
Voluntary Aid Detachment. ^Mrs. JuUa Warde- —
pleased to receive and acknowledge subscrip- Aldam, Miss Winifred Clark, The Viscountess Ednam,
tions from our readers if sent to the Editor, Miss Hilda Lyster, Miss Dorothy Taylor and Miss
20, Upper Wimpole Street, London, W. i, for Marjorie Williams.
the purpose of the Pageant expenses. Should Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House
the Members of the Military and Civil Nursing Services
the sale of tickets leave a surplus it is to be who have been awarded the Royal Red Cross, sub-
handed to Her Royal Highness Princess sequent to the Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
Christian, the Patroness of the Pageant, for the
^'
Nurses' Own Club," which is being or- Many friends will learn with pleasure that the Bai:^
to the Royal Red Cross has been awarded to Miss E. A.
ganised by the Royal British Nurses' Associa-
Montgomery Wilson, R.R.C, Matron of King Edward
tion,and in the success of which Her Royal VII's Hospital, Cardiff ; and Principal Matron, Third
Highness takes a deep interest. Western Territorial Hospital, T.F.N.S.
—
The King has been pleased to award the Royal Red THANKS FROM QUEEN'S HOSPITAL,
Cross to the following ladies in recognition of their
valuable nursing services in connection with the BIRMINGHAM, NURSES' LEAGUE.
war :—
Royal Red Cross (Second Class). The following letter has been received from the
Miss V. J. M. Abel, Senior Sister, Queen Mary's Queen's Hospital Nurses' League, Birmingham,
Hosp., Roehampton Miss P. M. Allen, Sister,
;
which is affiliated to the National Council of
Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., S. African Mil. Hosp., Richmond; Trained Nurses :
Breeze, Nursing Sister, St. Bartholomew's Hosp., organisation of trained nursing by the State.
Rochester Miss A. Brown, Sister, Q.A.LM.N.S.R.,
;
The Educational Committee of the National mittee of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust was-
League for Nursing Education, U.S.A., has submitted at their annual meeting on the 25th ult.
recently issued two bulletins on the subject of
at Dunfermline.
" Shorter Hours in Hospital Schools of Nursing."
The Trust's programme in connection with the
•
In Bulletin Number i, the case for shorter hours physical welfare of mothers and children includes,
ispresented under the following sub-topics :
the report states, the establishment of two central
-I. Why student nurses should have shorter
institutes, one in London and one in Edinburgh,
—
hours a summary of the main arguments. and six welfare centres, one in each of the follow-
2. How this question affects public health
and welfare.
ing places : —Birmingham, Liverpool, Shoreditch,
Rhondda, Motherwell, and Dublin. Progress has
3. The long hours in hospital training schools
been made with the preliminary arrangements for
are mainly responsible for keeping down the
the Central Institute in London. Through the
supply of good nursing recruits.
efforts of the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, chairman of
4. What are the present conditions of work
the British Red Cross Society, a Central Council of
in the average hospital training school ?
Infant and Child Welfare has been constituted, on
5. What evidences exist to show that these
which are represented eleven of the principal wel-
conditions injure the health, or reduce the efl&ciency
fare societies in London. To this council the Trust
of the pupil nurse ?
has promised a grant of ;/^40,ooo for the erection or
6. How have these conditions come about,
purchase of a building to form an institute, the
and why have they continued to the present functions of which were set out in the Trust's fourth
day ? annual report. Since the Trust's offer was made
7. Long hovirs in hospital training schools are
to the council, the Red Cross Society have proposed
not necessary. The eight -hour day has been
to erect or purchase a very large building which,
fully tried out, and found to be as workable and
would house the following activities : (a) V.A.D.
more satisfactory than the old system.
and Red Cross work (6) a tuberculosis centre
; ;
8. The general movement for protecting the
(c) a college of nursing (d) the central welfare
;
1. The problem.
2. Number
of additional nurses required,
3. How
to provide for more nurses. WAR DISABLED NURSES.
4. The difficulty of housing more nurses.
5. The use of graduate nurses. NEW GRANTS AND ALLOWANCES.
6. The use of ward helpers or attendants. The Special Grants Committee of the Ministry
7. The use of labor-saving methods. of Pensions have framed new regulations under
8. Getting the plan started. which certain grants and allowances may be made
9. Suggested schedules of hours. in special cases of war disabled nurses and their
10. Suggested schedules providing for a forty- dependents. These regulations, which take effect
eight-hour week. forthwith, apply to members of the Royal Naval
11. What superintendents of nurses say about Nursing Service and Reserve, Queen Alexandra's
the eight -hour system. Imperial Nursing Service, the Army Nursing
12. Recent articles on the organization of the Service, the Territorial Force Nursing Service, and
eight -hour day in hospitals. any other Nursing Service or Reserve which is-
Both of these bulletins contain information admissible under the Royal Warrant.
that is invaluable just now, when nursing schools A supplementary or special allowance may be
are passing through a critical period of adjustment. granted to a nurse where, in consequence of
Copies may be secured from the Secretary of serious disablement arising from service during
the Committee, Miss I. M. Stewart, Teachers' the war she is unable to maintain herself in her
College, Columbia University, New York City. pre-war standard of comfort, but the supplement-
Single copies of Bulletin No. i, 20 cents single ; ary or special allowance, together with any Stat&
copies of Bulletin No. 2, 10 cents. A reduction in pension which may be awarded, shall not exceed
price will be made for quantities of 100 or over. £go&yea.T. In exceptional cases grants may be?
— .
made to nurses to meet temporary distress or responsible for the War Charities Act, has permitted
emergency. Recoverable advances may be made this evasion of the law ? Ask Sir James Bird.
to nurses pending the receipt of moneys due, or (3) Why
the Shop for Nurses in North Audley
which the Special Grants Committee consider may Street is also permitted to trade in contravention
become due, from the State in respect of pension- of the War Charities Act ? Ask the paid sales-
gratuity or other payment, provided that such woman-in-char ge
advances shall only be made in cases of real (4) As the Daily Telegraph appeal is
" made with
necessity. the approval of the Council of the Registered War
Where the parent, brother, or sister of a nurse is Charity, known as the Nation's Fund for Nurses,"
deprived by her death, in circumstances arising as stated in its columns, why has it been permitted
from service during the war, of any regular support to evade the law for a month ?
which the parent, brother, or sister was receiving Does " Nurse Juliet " exist ? If not, was
(5)
from the nurse before or during the war, or might the Daily Telegraph .justified in publishing a
reasonably have expected to receive from the fictitiousappeal in her name, and inducing the
nurse after the war, a supplementary or special public to subscribe money for her non-existent
allowance may be granted, which, Avith any State necessities ?
pension which may have been awarded, shall not Ask Viscount Burnham, Proprietor, and the
-exceed the actual or prospective dependence, Editor of the D.T.
eind shall not exceed the total of ;^6o a year. And if all these people refuse to give full in-
When a nurse, by reason of disablement arising formation concerning a Public Fund raised in the
from service during the war, is unable adequately name of Nurses against their convictions, ask
to maintain her children, or where a nurse dies in the House of Commons, and demand an investiga-
consequence of war service, allowances for mainten- tion into the whole matter. It is high time.
ance and education, not exceeding in amount
those which may be paid under the Royal Warrant John Bull has a pithy par re the dual appeal
•of the Special Grants Committee's Regulations for and the College of Nursiag
for distressed nurses
the maintenance and education of the children Company. It thinks with us that as nurses are
•of a disabled or deceased officer, may be granted now to be registered by Act of Parliament, the
if the husband or widower of the nurse is dead or appeal is degrading and, of course, agrees that if
if the committee are satisfied that he cannot be the nurses have failed in health in the service of the
•expected to support the children. State.it is the State's duty to treat them generously.
Applications for allowances or grants should be It adds " It is incumbent upon the Government
:
headed ", S.G.O." and addressed to the Secretary to do immeasurably more in the way of unemploy-
Special Grants Committee, Officers' Branch, Mill- ment donation for the noble women who have
ibank House, Westminster, S.W. i. suffered in consequence of their war work than
for the munition-makers who received good pay
There is now no excuse whatever for using our for years."
war nurses as the stalking horse for Shilling Doles
for Nurses, and the sooner this camouflaged appeal ASSOCIATION.
IRISH NURSES'
for the College of Nursing Company is stopped
the better.
'
Miss Alice Reeves, President of the Irish Nurses'
Association, will be "At Home " on March 17th,
at the Nurses' Home, Dr. Steevens' Hospital,
DOWN WITH DOLES. Kingsbridge, Dublin, when a social gathering of
The Daily
Telegraph's Shilling Fund for Nurses the Irish Nurses' Association will be held. The
—
has failed as such and now it is dropping its result of the election for the Vice-President, Hon.
Secretary, and Executive Committee of the
demand for the " shining shilling " from the poor,
and states that "it is upon the larger donations Association will be declared during the evening.
•of the wealthier members of the community, and
the important business firms,that the success of the
scheme must ultimately depend." " Tommy RANK FOR NURSES.
•of our alley," Sergeants' Messes, and other in- Hearty congratiilations to Mrs. Helen Hoy
excusable sources are being tapped, and the Greeley, Counsel of the Committee to Secure
College Matrons are whipping up their nursing Rank for American Milifary Nurses. She has
stafis by every means in their power, and thus worked splendidfy, and it is just announced
-incidentally submerging the professional nurse that Rank for Nurses is included among the pro-
into a subservient class. visions of the Bill for the reorganisation of the
We heard the whole matter discussed in the U.S. Army, introduced by Senator Wadsworth,
Lobby of the House of Commons recently, and of New York, and immediately referred to the
what an astute M.P. wanted to know was full Senate Military Affairs Committee. Let us
(i)the Nation's Fund for Nurses is a regis-
If hope that justice will now be done.
tered War —
Charity 1917, why has not the Had our Sisters and Nurses the rank of Army
•Committee issued its audited accounts and officers they would have received, very different
Balance Sheet ? Ask Viscountess Cowdray. treatment in the Axmy pay sheet terms during
|£ (2) Why the London County Council, which is and since the Great War.
March 6, 1920 CTbe British Journal of Burslna. M7
APPOINTMENTS. THE HOSPITAL WORLD. .
St. Margaret's Nurses' Home, Surrey Square, London At the annual meeting of Thomas Wallis & Co.,
;
Sister-in-Charge of the First Aid Station at the British moved from London to the country. The British
Chemical and Explosive Gas Factory, Spendon, Red Cross Society has offered ;^25,ooo towards
Derby. the cost of the new buildings to be erected on the
American Red Cross Maternity Hostel, 1 10, Grange Caversham Hills provided that an equal amount
Road, Bermondsey, S.E. 1.—Miss G. E. Sewell has been is obtained by next July. It is proposed that
appointed Matron. She was trained at Gu^^'s Hos-
some 50 beds at the new hospital shall be reserved
pital, where she has done Sister's duties, and has been
for the soldiers and sailors who have contracted
War Hospital at Potter's Bar, and
Sister-in-Charge of a
has assisted in the teaching of pupil midwives in tubercular diseases of the bones and joints, a
<:onnection with the Guy's Maternity District for curious provision because in the first place the
fifteen months. hospital is for children, and in the second, children
Enfield Cottage Hospital,-—Miss Florence Toms has with tuberculous diseases of bones and joints
been appointed Matron. Miss Toms was trained at are not eligible for admission.
the Prince of Wales' General Hospital, Tottenham,
where she latterly held the post of Theatre Sister.
Mr. John Rankin, a well-known Liverpool ship-
Cottage Hospital, Scarborough.—Miss Margaret W.
-Cooke has been appointed Matron. She was trained owner, has, on behalf of himself and wife, given
at the David Lewis Northern Hospital, Liverpool, and ;^io,ooo 4 per cent. Victory Bonds to the Liverpool
has been Assistant Matron at the Royal Infirmary, Hospital for Women.
Bradford, for ten years, and as a member of the
Territorial Force Nursing Service did military nursing Arrangements have been made by the British
at home and abroad during the five vears of the war.
Red Cross Society, at the request of the Ministry
SISTER. of Pensions, for pensioners requiring massage and
Royal Infirmary, Perth.—Miss Agnes Gourlay has kindred treatment. Any man requiring treat-
been appointed Sister. She was trained at the ment should apply either to his local War Pension
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, and at the Committee, to which the Commandant wdU direct
Fever Hospital, Paisley, and has been Staff Nurse at him, or to the clinic nearest his home.
the Fever Hospital, Paisley, and the Leith Public
Hospital, and Sister at the Fever Hospital, Paisley.
As a member of the Territorial Force Nursing Service Miss P. Hill, Matron of the Adelaide Hospital,
she has served both at home and abroad. Dublin, expresses on behalf of the Committee of
Miss Agnes Shepherd has also been appointed Sister that hospital, and of herself, very grateful thanks
in the same institution. She was trained at the Royal to the many kind friends who have subscribed and
Infirmary, Hull, and has been Sister at the County persuaded others to subscribe, to the " Matrons'
Hospital, Lincoln, and as a member of the Territorial Appeal " for 100,000 half-crowns to clear the
Force Nursing Service has served at home and abroad.
hospital of the debt of ^10,000 which it incurred
HEALTH VISITOR. during the war. One-fourth of the required
—
Borough of Chelmsford. -Miss Sarah Gwendoline number of half-crowns has already been subscribed,
Langford has been appointed Health Visitor. She and to add further to it it is proposed to hold a sale
has been a Queen's Nurse in Somersetshire, and has at the hospital on March loth and nth.
also been Health Visitor at Bristol, and Health Visitor
and School Nurse under the Somerset County Council.
QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE INSTITUTE
TREATMENT AT INCLUSIVE COST.
FOR NURSES. An attempt to deal with the real difficulty of
Transfers and Appointments. the middle classes to obtain skilled medical and
Miss Agnes M. Stanford is appointed to East Sussex nursing treatment at fees which they can afford
C.N.F., as County Superintendent Miss Ethel Lyon, ; has been made in Birmingham by a group of
to Cornwall C.N.A., as Assistant Superintendent Miss ; consultants, who,* seven years ago, forwaxded a
Olive Gordon, to Leamington Miss Jeanie Grey, to
;
scheme to provide special medical and surgical
Penzance and Madron Miss Maud M. Hepburn, to
;
treatment at a moderate inclusive cost. The
Normanby Park Miss Alice M. Hopkinson, to Kirkby
;
result has been the purchase of a house, and the
Thore Miss Jane R. Hunter, to Cheltenham Miss
; ;
Alice E. Middleton, to Crook Miss Gertrude A. Sears erection of new buildings, on a freehold site, as a
;
member of the medical staff must be the holder in BOOK OP THE WEEK.
his own right of shares to the nominal value of ;^200.
This hospital for paying patients was opened
in 1 91 4, and with the exception of the first year "THE INDIAN DRUM."*
when only 4 per cent, was paid, the preference Near the northern end of Lake Michigan, wh^^re
shares have received 6 per cent, interest, and for the bluff-bowed ore carriers and the big, lowly
the past two years a dividend of 6 per cent, free wheat-laden steel freighters from Lake Superior
of tax has been paid on the ordinary shares. push out from the Straits of Mackinac, there is a
The points of special interest are that the copse of pine and hemlock back from the shingly
patients who pay a "composition" fee, know —
beach. From this copse dark, blue, primeval
exactly what expense they will incur per week, there comes at times of storm a sound like the
for nursing home accommodation and all profes- booming of an old Indian drum. This drum beat,
sional attendance. The fee which is not less than so tradition, whenever the lake took a life, one
£^ 5s., or more than £10 los. per week is arranged beat for every life.
between the patient, and the member of the When, however, the new steel freighter Miwaka
medical staff concerned. Each member of the was lost on her maiden trip with twenty-five
staff receives every month a statement showing aboard, only twenty-four strokes of the drum
the fees collected from his patients, and a cheque were heard, and the friends of those on the ill-
for the proportion due to him. " Composition " fated boat for years clung to the hope that the
patients form 90 per cent, of the total admissions. survivor in whom they firmly believed might
Last year rather more than 900 patients were of turn out to be their own particular loved one.
the " composition " class. All these were unable It is round the sole survivor of the Miwaka
to afford the cost of treatment in an ordinary that the thrilling romance is woven, and certainly
nursing home, and would have been compelled as a vividly-written tragedy it wpuld be hard to
to apply for admission into a charitable hospital, beat. At the outset of the book, Corvet, the
had St. Chad's not been available. wealthy ship-owner, disappeared suddenly and
The remainder of the patients are ordinary absolutely, leaving a will in favour of an unknown
" private " patients, who pay the usual fee to young man, who was to inherit immediately.
the physician or surgeon quite independently of The disappearance and the will combined, naturally
the nursing home charges. caused consternation in the circle of Corvet 's
An example of an inclusive fee is that paid by friends. Who was this young man ? what his
a patient suffering from chronic appendicitis, the relationship to Corvet ? Alan Conrad, of Blue
inclusive charge being £2 1 This covers the cost of
. Rapids, Kansas, himself had no more idea than
the operation, the anaesthetic and three weeks' anyone else.
stay in hospital. Alan had been brought up by foster parents
Mr. William Billington, M.S., F.R.C.S., who and payment for his upkeep had come in an
gives an interesting account of this hospital in irregular manner from time to time. One day
the British Medical Journal, states that five years' suddenly a letter had arrived, telling him, rather
practical experience of the working of the scheme, than asking him, to start at once for Chicago.
of which St. Chad's hospital is the outward and Was Corvet his father ? The mystery of Alan's
visible sign, has demonstrated that with proper lifewas going to be answered.
organization, " paying " hospitals can be made Arrived at his destination, the news came to him
a success, and satisfy the consultant, the practi- from the charming daughter of the Sherril's
tioner and the patient. Corvet 's intimate friends—rthat the man who had
made such strange disposition of his property
BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR. had completely disappeared, and the mystery
surrounding Alan was as impenetrable as ever.
The leading feature at the exhibit of Burroughs
Wellcome & Co., at the British Industries Fair, Between them, the Sherrils and Alan naturally
arrive at the erroneous conclusion that Alan is^
was " Wellcome " brand sodium salicylate, the
special advantages of which include physiological
Corvet 's illegitimate son, though this, of course,
purity, whiteness, flakes which do not cake on did not account for his disappearance or his.
the scalepan or paper, freedom from dust, easy strange will.
solubility, bright, clean, water-white solution which
Alan, in his search among Corvet 's papers,
does not require filtering. comes across a mysterious manuscript, from which
In view of the recent exposures as to the defici- he follows up many clues.
ency in weight of unbranded saccharin tablets, The facts of the case were these. Many years ago
" Saxin " claims attention by reason of the fact Corvet, a ship-owner, in a moment of temptation^
that it carries Burroughs Wellcome & Co. 's guaran- sank, under circumstances which are graphically
tee as to purity, strength and sweetening power described, a rival ship-owner's new boat, with the
mI
owner on board, thus ridding himself of dangerous
TRUE TALE WITH A MORAL. competition. The owner's child, little Alan, had
been the sole survivor too young he was to be a
Paisley " Buddie " Canvasser " Ah weel
;
to !
: .
URG1G\L
AND
iSKK
ROOM
THSITES
•smuggled him ashore and sent him away and told LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Spearman (his partner in crime) that he had died. Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
He had secretly sought and followed the fate all subjects for these columns, we wtsh it to be'
of the kin of those people who had been murdered distinctly understood that we do not in any way
to benefit him. hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
Not fundamentally a bad man, he had ever by our correspondents.
been haunted on stormy nights by the screams
of the drowning crew, and his remorse culminated PROFESSIONAL UNION OF TRAINED
in his disappearance and renouncing everything
NURSES,
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing
he possessed in favour of Alan, the son of the
murdered ship-owner. —
Dear Madam, ^With regard to a letter in your
Alan himself again came near to perishing on issue of the 28th ult. by Miss Klaassen, I should
the lake under dramatic circumstances, but the like to state that the Professional Union of
Drum once more proclaimed the survival of one Trained Nurses has no Strike Clause whatever in
person. its constitution.We rely upon the fact that, as
Constance Sherril, who, by this time, loved the College of Nursing " Bulletin " points out,
Alan, keeps watch on the beach for news of him. " Trade Unionism for nurses .... gives
" The sound of the Drum was continuing, the them a weapon —with the force of
law the
beats a few seconds apart. The opening of the behind it."
. door outside had seemed to Constance to make Miss Klaassen seems to imply that the strike
the beats come louder and more distinct. Twenty in Carrickmacross was caused by a trade union.
— —
twenty-one ^twenty -two. Constance caught It would be interesting to know if the nurses
her breath and waited for the next beat the ;
concerned are members of the Irish Trade Union,
time of the interval between the measures of the or whether they have acted in an independent
rhythm passed, and still only the whistle of the manner. I think this is probably the case, as,
wind, and the undertone of water sounded. The if they had been members of a trade union, they
Drum had beaten its roll and for the moment was would perhaps have found it. unnecessary to resort
done. Now it begins again,' the Indian woman
'
to so drastic a method of righting their grievances.
whispered. Always it waits and then it begins
'
Yours faithfully,
" Maude MacCallum,
.
over.'
Constance let go her breath the next beat
; 17, Evelyn House, Hon. Sec.
then would not another death. Always the Drum- 62, Oxford Street, W. i.
beats counted one short of the men who had been
on the boat, and Constance's sensitive instinct
NURSES ON STRIKE.
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
truly guessed that the survivor was the man she
loved. Dear Madam, —
In reply to the letter from Miss
Thus twice in his life-time the Drum proclaimed Klaassen in the current issue, I venture, as a
Alan's almost miraculous escape from drowning. nurse and trade unionist, to submit the following
It is pleasant after the stress and strain of the extracts from the preface to the rule book of
" The Friendly Society of Iron Founders," which,
exciting happenings recorded in this book to read
of the union of Alan and Constance. Together established in 1809, is the oldest trade union in
they visit the humble home where his young the British Isles :
-
very quiet as they stood looking about. ences in order that we may be the better able
" I wish we could have known her," Constance to concentrate our forces."
" Trade disturbances and strikes we all deplore,
said. Alan choked. "It is good to be able to
think of her as I can now." and as much as possible avoid. It becomes us to
This is a really remarkable book and its interest study carefully the causes of disquiet to trace —
•: is well sustained from beginning to end. H. H. them to their foundation, and try by every means
in our power to settle them amicably.",
" If there is a class of men who could and
COMING EVENT. should work amicably to the interests of themselves
March 6th. — Irish Nurses' Association. Annual (and indeed to the interests of their employers
also) trade unionists are certainly that class."
Business Meeting. 34, St. Stephen's Green,
I fully endorse the view expressed in the above
Dublin. 8 p.m.
• extracts, but must at the same time emphasize
the fact that there are always two parties to
A WORD FOR THE WEEK. a strike ;one distracted from the ordinary course
Holiness is an infinite compassion for others. of their duties by the pressure of an intolerable
Greatness is to take the common things of life, situation the other responsible for that intolerable
;
and walk truly among them. situation and whose duty it should have been to
Happiness is a great love and much serving. prevent it. Anyone having the slightest experi-
Olive Schreiner. ence in trying to obtain a petition or a decision
. — — —
reflection on the particular administration which Doles,' and the admirable verses, and added :
is responsible. '
May you ever be spared the ministrations of
"
Yours sincerely, " Nurse Juliet." '
'
heart to heart speeches.
'
I enclose my sub- as the College Council is advocating -begging from
scription for B.J.N." military patients and others, what is the differ-
ence ? This shilling appeal is most demoralising."
Merely a Matron-Housekeeper. (We see no difference. If the Matron of the
—
Teaching Sister. " I don't see why a Matron hospital supports the principle of nurses begging
should be merely a Matron-Housekeeper because from patients, outside the hospital, she canaot
a Sister-Tutor is appointed. At this small hospital punish the nurses for taking tips inside it. Nothing,
I have acted in conjunction with the Matron as could be more unethical and degrading. Ed.)
Teaching Sister, and there is no doubt the proba-
Money Given for Sick and Wounded.
tioners have found the benefit of practical help.
Mother " As
I note in the D.T. that
We make a very great point, as you recommend, Soldier's :
THe Mid'wife.
MATERNITY HOSPITALS>AND HOMES. Under the heading of " Notes on Organisation,"
the Nursing Staff is discussed. It is laid down :
—
The Ministry Health has issued an important
of " The Matron should be a trained nurse and an
Memorandum in regard to Maternity Hospitals experienced midwife, and the Sisters should also
and Homes, published by His Majesty's Stationery have had training in general nursing as well as
Office, price gd. net, with plans, which would be
midwifery. The nursing unit will depend on
of great value to any Authority or person, contem- whether pupil midwives are taken, and it is there-
plating the building of such institutions. fore impossible to lay down any definite rule.
The Memorandum states that "the welfare of Adequate, trained supervision is essential. Speak-
the mother before, during and after the birth of ing generally, the minimum staff will be such as
her child is a matter of vital importance, and one will provide, on the average, one nurse for every
which has not received adequate attention in the three mothers and their babies by day, and for
past. The infant mortality rate has shown a every eight to ten mothers and babies by night.
fairly steady progressive decline for a number of
A special staff is needed for the labour room,
years past, but the maternal death-rate due to and for attendance on isolated or '' separated
child-birth is little lower now than it was seventy patients.'
"
years ago. The amount of avoidable sickness
. . .
An interesting point is the statement that
and suffering arising out of child birth is one of the '
tragedies of the lives of our working class mothers. nary isolation hospitals is not one to be altogether
It is surely a primary duty of the nation to
'
commended. It is better for these cases to
endeavour to make maternity as safe as possible remain under the supervision of the Maternity
for mother and child, and to reduce to a minimum Hospital when practicable. Skilled obstetrical
its discomforts, inconveniences and disabilities.
treatment is needed, and the midwives- should
"Action to secure this may be taken in various observe the course and conduct of the septic as
ways. For example, by means of an improved well as normal cases."
education and training in midwifery and gynae-
cology for doctors, midwives and nurses the ;
begin with the care of the woman with child, 2. What points would you inquire into on
and the Memorandum under discussion is timely visiting the mother and her infant during the
and necessary. early days of the puerperium ? What conditions
The Memorandum states that " there can be no may give rise to elevation of temperature on the
question as to the pressing need for Maternity third or fourth day ?
Hospitals and Homes, designed on the most 3. Post-partum hcsmorrhage. What leads to
modern and efficient classes of
lines. . . . Two this, and what would you do if it occurred ?
patients, broadly speaking, are in need of such 4. You are sent for by a woman in labour who
provision :
has just been delivered of a child. You feel that
" (i) Patients showing some abnormality either there is another in the uterus. Give in full
during pregnancy or at the time of labour, which detail your management of the case.
calls for special medical treatment and skilled 5. How should the breasts be treated {a)
nursing. Before labour (6) With a dead-born full time
;
.-\
glands scattered over the surface of the skin is characterised by an eruption of minute
the process of its evaporation by means of vesicles, due to retention of sweat in the skin.
sweat ducts is constant, and amounts to over Cbromhidrosiis is a condition where there is
one pint in twenty-four hours this is known
;
secretion of coloured sweat.
as " insensible perspiration." The use of certain drugs increases perspira-
Under various conditions, as exertion, dis- tion, and are known as diaphoretics, the chief
eases, and many fevers, drops of " sensible being pilocarpine, opium, and ipecacuanha,
perspiration " appear on the skin, and are .^.nhidrotics are drugs which diminish the
generally termed sweat sweat is a watery fluid,
;
amount of perspiration, and are used either for
containing a small percentage of solids, germs, general conditions, as in phthisis, or for local
and fatty material, and is faintly acid. conditions, as " sweating of the feet." Many.
The chemical fact that the combination of of these drugs act peripherally. The chief are
oxygen with an organic body generates heat atropine, hyoscVamus, and stramonium local ;
applies also in chemistrj' of the body. Oxygen application of cold has also a similar action.
inhaled by the respiratory organs is recognised Appropriate treatment of the disease causing
as the " staff of life," and in the body produces excessive sweating is essential meanwhile it
;
CO2 and HjO, which is constantly eliminated may be checked by the carrying out of general
by the excretory organs, especially the skin. principles, namely, sponging the skin with
Circulation of blood and lymph distributes vinegar and water or methylated spirit, and
heat over the body, and the chief object of per- dusting with talc powdfer, or a powder com-
spiration is to maintain an even body tempera- posed of equal parts of starch, boric acid, and
zinc powder. The administration of astringent
ture by regulating the loss of body heat, which
is largely dissipated by radiation smd conduc-
drugs, especially belladonna, which may be
tion from the skin. Metabolism is largely applied in liniment locally, or by extract ?nd
affected by heat produced in the body and the
preparations given by mouth or hypodermically.
;
curing of diseases and healing of wounds is The heavy sweats and feeling of weakness
brought about by healthy activity of the tissues, found in patients are mainly due to exhaustion
hence the need of careful personal hygiene, of nervous system, therefore stimulating
drinks, as hot beef tea, Benger's Food, milk,
efficient ventilation, and nourishing diet.
&c., at night are useful in diminishing ex-
Hyper-hidrosis, or excessive sweating, when
accompanied by foetid odour, is known as haustion and sweating.
bromidrosis, and may be general or local. It
The patient must wear wool or flannel next
skin, but avoid overloading with heavy clothes.
occurs in general diseases, as tuberculosis,
rickets, malaria, rheumatic fever, sepsis, and
Garments and bedclothes soaked with per-
spiration must be quickly removed, and the
many acute diseases, particularly where there
patient rubbed briskly down with warm towels
is pyrexia. Otherwise the cause may be disease
of the sweat glands.. Persons of weak muscular
and clothed in fresh warm clothes and given a
hot drink. Tepid baths, followed by brisk rub-
power perspire often on slight exertion or when
bing, are beneficial, and carefully graduated
exposed to heat profuse perspiration is asso-
;
exercise if patient is able to be about.
ciated with marked debility ; sometimes it is
due to emotional causes, and occasionallv HONOURABLE MENTION,
occurs without apparently an adequate cause. The following competitors receive honourable
In rickets a child often sweats freely when mention : —
Miss Jean M. Scott, Miss P. Thom-
asleep, mainly about the head. son, Miss M. Drummond, Miss Amy Matthews.
" Night sweats " are a special symptom of OLESIION FOR NEXT WEEK.
the later stages of phthisis, and, when asso- How would you feed a baby, eight months
ciated with an oscillating temperature, are due old, after an operation for intussusception?
' —
monthly magazine, which gives special in- or over should appoint a Visiting Medical
formation of interest to them. The Editorial Officer, a Visiting Surgical Officer, and a Visit-
this month congratulates the *' party of pro-
ing Children's Diseases Officer.
gfress " on the passing of the Nurses' Acts, '
That the proportion of patients to nurses
'
after the long fig"ht, and advises nurses " to shall not be more than six to one, both in the
register eady and do their level best to make case of night and day nurses.
'
the Act successful to the fullest possible extent, '
That in infirm wards the proportion of
'
brilliants, a diamond ring, and all her wearing THE GENERAL NURSING COUNCIL
^PP^^^^- FOR IRELAND.
We are informed thaJt until demobilised The Irish General Nursing Council met on
Canadian nurses have been resettled in civil em- Wednesday, February 25th, when Dr. E. Coey
ployment in Canada, English nurses are not Bigger, M.D., D.P.H., Chairman, Irish Public
needed in the Dominion. The Ontario Govern- Health Council, was unaniqgiously voted to the
ment, as we recently reported, are engag-ing chair. A Sub-Committee was formed consisting
of the Chairman and the members resident in
young women, mostly V. A. D. 's, for three years'
training in mental nursing — the salaries to be
Dublin, to draw up the Rules and submit them to
the Council subsequently. The Sub-Committee
from about ;£6o to £84 per annum. No doubt consists of Dr. Coey Bigger, Miss M. Huxley, Miss
women think carefully before binding them- A. Reeves, Miss O'Flyim, Miss Vera Matheson,
selves for service in a new country, but V. A.D. 's and Colonel Taylor, C.B., F.R.C.S.I. The Com-
are not in any number entering for training at mittee will start work immediately.
home. They do not care for the arduous routine
of a civil hospital after the excitement of
military work, and the consideration and status HONOURS FOR NURSES.
accorded to them during" the war.
ROYAL RED CROSS.
The King conferred decorations, as follows, at an
The inquest on Miss Florence Nightingale Investiture at Buckingham Palace on March 3rd :—
—
Shore a trained nurse who was attacked in The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
the London-Hastings express, and died later in Queen Imperial Military Nursing
Alexandra's
the East Sussex Hospital as the result of the
—
Service. -Miss Mary Newman and Mary, Mrs. Sampson.
The coroner, in summing up, said that very Bar to the Royal Red Cross.
little could be gathered from the descriptions Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
of the wanted man put in possession of the Service.—Miss Agnes Weir,
police. They hardly amounted to a clue. The Royal Red Cross and Bar.
In returning a verdict of wilful murder Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
against some person or persons unknown, the Service. —Miss Catherine Stronach,
jury added a rider to the effect that they were The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
satisfied that every means had been taken to Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
find the murderer.
Reserve.- —Miss Mary Cooper, Miss Ethel Devenish-
Meares (also received the Military Medal), and Miss
Lilian Wheatley.
Territorial Force Nursing Service. —-Miss Gertrude Services at the regional office with a view to the
Chandler. Miss Lilian Clieve, and Miss Mary StoUard. necessary treatment being provided.
British Red Cross Society. —
Miss Gertrude Male. Appended is a list of the addresses of the
Civil and War Hospitals. —
Miss Mary Mathwin. regional Commissioners and the counties com-
South African Military Nursing Service. Miss Annie — prised in each region, but the local -wax pensions
Martin.
The Miutary Medal. committee will supply any officer or nurse with
Territorial Force Nursing Service. — ^Miss Rosa Brain.
the address of the appropriate regional office
upon request :
Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House the Scotland Adelphi Hotel, Cockbum Street, Edin-
:
Hosp.. York; Miss A. BiU, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Buildings, Loveday Street, Birmingham.
Mil. Hosp., Tid worth Miss M. L. Hunter, Actg.
; East Midlands (Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Notting-
Matron, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., the Lord Derby War Hosp., hamshire. Derbyshire. Northamptonshire and Rutland-
Warrington. shire) Black's Building, Stoney Street, Nottingham.
:
Miss bI Ibbotson, Staff Nurse, T.F.N.S., 2nd Scottish South-Westem (Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset-
Gen. Hosp., Craigleith, Edinburgh Miss K. Irvine,
; shire, Somersetshire, Devonshire and Cornwall) :
Sister, T.F.N.S., 2nd Northern Gen. Hosp., Beckett's Clifton Down Buildings. Bristol.
Park, Leeds Miss E. Irving, Sister-in-Charge, T.F.N.S.,
; Eastern (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hunt-
Netherfield Road Aux. Hosp., ist Western Gen. Hosp., ingdonshire, Essex. Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buck-
Liverpool. inghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire) 80, West- :
Miss M. McM. Kerr, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Adding- Ireland, South (Munster, Leinster and Connaught) :
who defined evil as " delayed good " a. very philo- as you control certain physical actions. Just cast
sophic sort of definition, you will allow. I believe, back your mind over the hours of a single day.
however, that evil is often a superabundance of Think of the thousand and one ideas, thoughts, and
—
superficial impressions that have floated through it this did not refer to the Scottish Mental Hospitals,
and absorbed its energies to little or no purpose. and Miss Kent agreed. Mrs. Furley Smith also
Try to make the mind concentrate for, say, twenty said that in many such hospitals, particularly
minutes, to think on one single subject to the private ones, there was urgent need of reform, but
exclusion of all others, and you will find how diffi- she could not agree that all English mental hos-
cult this In the early days of the world's history
is. pitals were badly managed. She had been inter-
seers and sages
realised that they must master that ested in a case treated in two mental hospitals. In
organ, the brain, and we find that in most of what the first she thought the conditions very bad,
we might call the schools of theology, philosophy, but the management of the second Banstead —
and in the so-called mystery schools of those olden —
Mental Hospital left nothing to be desired. No
days certain definite times were set aside each day words could describe the courtesy, kindness, and
for exercises in concentration and meditation. In consideration which she had seen shown to the
modern days such exercises would be regarded as patients there. Miss Warriner spoke on the benefits
a sad waste of time, but it is undoubted that they arising from the practice of concentration and
must have tended not only to increase mental capa- silence,Mrs. Campbell Thomson of the great diffi-
city, but also that they gave a certain anchorage culty which private nurses have ijn cultivating any
to the mind which led to a finer mental balance, a hobbies owing to their conditions of work.
saner and broader outlook, and a greater control In replying to a vote of thanks, moved by Mrs.
over the emotions, whilst also preventing the Earp, Miss Macdonald said that pressure of work
formation of such pernicious habits as worrying, had not permitted her to deal at all exhaustively
scandalmongering, and unhealthy, neurotic intro- with her subject, but if she could feel that she had
spection." made it to some extent relevant to condi'.ions of
Cheery Optimism. lifeat the present time, and given food for thought
The lecturer next referred to the importance of or any pleasure whatever that afternoon, she would
every nurse having some hobby apart from her at least close another of these strenuous weeks in
work, and regards mental
to the effect of this as the happy consciousness of having won its last hole.
balance and the rest it gave to centres overstrained
by the ordinary round of work. Continuing, she
" Another very important point in regard to
THE PAGEANT OF THE EVOLUTION
said :
Miss Pringle was trained at St. Thomas's Hos- is not being financed from the Joint Fund .of the
pital, in the Nightingale Training School for British Red Cross Society and the Order of St.
Nurses, and was honoured with the friendship of John."
Miss Florence Nightingale. When, in the early We made the enquiry because of the following
seventies, the Managers of the Royal Infirmary, statement in the sixth annual report of the Execu-
Edinburgh, who realised the urgent need of the tive Committee of the Carnegie United Kingdom
reorganisation of their nursing and domestic de- Trust submitted at Dunfermline on February 25th.
partments, applied to the Nightingale School for a After stating that the Trust had promised a grant
Lady Superintendent of Nurses, and several highly t>f ;^40,ooo for the erection or purchase of an
insti-
qualified nurses were sent to Edinburgh as candi- tute in connection with a Central Council of Infant
dates for the p>ost, Miss Pringle was selected to aiid Child Welfare, established through the efforts
fill the position, at the early age of 27, and did of the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, Chairman of the
so with conspicuous success. The removal of the British Red Cross Society, the report continued :
patients from the old to the present Infirmary in " Since the Trust's offer was made to the
1879 was a test of her organising ability, and was Council, the Red Cross Society have proposed to
very successfully carried through. She was not erect, or purchase, a very large building which
only an efficient administrator, but a charming
personality, at once firm, gentle, and loveable.
would house the following activities
—
(a) V.A.D.
:
she stole a cap, hood and gown, and represented Street premises being fitted with the most modern
herself as an M.A. (under another alias, if we are
plant. This ensures two advantages to the
not mistaken). Happily for the future when this customer, sound workmanship, and moderate
criminal poses as a trained nurse, the public will
prices.
have the protection of the State Register.
m(ML
AND
SICK
rROOM
iuisms
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
The strikes referred to in your editorial note Miss Klaassen feel inclined to go on strike in such
were strikes by members of the Irish Asylum a case ? The midwife concerned, of course, went
Workers' Union, and undoubtedly they did, in to her patient, but not in the vehicle provided by
some cases, as at Clonmel, cause considerable the Guardian.
distress to the inmates. At the same time, I think Yours faithfully,
there is little room for dispute that these strikes M. Mortished,
would never have taken place if the governing Secretary.
authorities of the institutions had displayed any- 29, South Anne Street, Dublin.
thing approaching a reasonable spirit in dealing
with their employees. .
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
The Irish Nurses' Union has never ordered or Irishwoman "I think
: it is a scandal taking
advised its members to go on strike in the sense to Red Cross money to build
the College when Haig
which Miss Klaassen refers, but we have had a and Beatty are calling out for money to relieve
" strike " of a kind during the past w-eek, which distress amongst the officers who sacrificed all to .
it may be instructive to report. It has been, for save England, it is a vile shame to take that
some time, the practice in the Dublin Union money for luxuries for nurses. One feels as if all
Hospital to require the nurse in charge of the justice had gone out of Britishers."
admission ward at night to undertake the listing [Sir Robert Hudson, the Hon. Treasurer of the
and checking of garments, &c., brought in by the Joint War Committee, denies that Red Cross
patients admitted. This work is obviously not money subscribed for sick and wounded is to be
a nurse's work, and, as a matter of fact, it may on used for this purpose. Ed.]
occasion, very seriously interfere with the due A " Loyal Sister " : " 1 have noticed in the
carrying out of the nurse's proper duties. We daily papers that Sir Henry Burdett is suffering
therefore brought the matter to the notice of the from over -work, and has been ordered a complete
Board of Guardians, and as the Board seemed rest by his doctors. As one of his own papers
indisposed or unable to deal with the matter as remarks, Those who were present at the meeting
'
speedily as was required, we advised one of our of the Nurses' Co-operation on February 6th,
members to refuse to undertake this work in which he attended in spite of his doctor's orders,
future, in other words, to go on strike. The can hardly have realised from the vigour of his
result was that the nurse was dismissed, but in speech how seriously over-worked he was.' This
a couple of days we secured her reinstatement, is quite true at the same time, some of us who
;
and a definite understanding that the question as were present were distinctly of opinion that later
to who should do this work would be gone into. a reaction might set in, and change of air might
We have had considerable experience of the be necessary !
"
Dublin and other Guardians, and I have no hesita- m
"
tion in saying that, were it not for the " strike
should not have been able to secure so speedy and
OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS.
QUESTIONS.
satisfactory an arrangement of the matter. This
brings me to the suggestion I should like to make —
March 13th. How would you feed a baby,
to Miss Klaassen and those who think with her. eight months old, after an operation for intussus-
While I appreciate their feeling on this question, ception ?
I think they are inclined to attach too much blame March 20th. —
^How would you prevent foot-
to the nurse who is driven to strike, or to threaten drop, acute thirst, constipation and vomiting
to strike, and too little blame to the authorities afteran operation ?
who are responsible for driving her to this extreme. —
March T.yth. [a) Describe fully the varieties of
I confess I doubt very much whether hospital and Uterine Inertia (6) What treatment would you
;
THe Midw^ife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. son, M. E. Tandy, H. E. Thomas, E. E. Thompson,
A.- G. Walker, F. E. Warren, M. A. Williams,
O. L. Williams, F. L. Wisher, V. Wood.
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. Queen Charlotte's Hospital. —
G. G. D. C.
At the examination of the Central Midwives' Anderson, C. L. Barker, A. W. Biles, V. E.
Board, held in London and the Provinces on Brotherton, M. H. Cochrane, F. M. Cutting,
February 4th, 1920, 656 candidates were examined, D. Dixon, M. M. Draper, N. Downing, M. H.
and 529 passed the examination. The percentage Dugdale, L. F. Dykes, G. K. Farmiloe, E. Forrester,
of failures was 19.4. B. E.. Foster, B. M. Frame, M. J. G. Fullarton,
London. G. M. Grevelink, F. E. Griffiths, J. D. Henry,
British Hospital for Mothers and Babies. — M. R. Hill, M. Hupiphreys, E. A. Ivin, H. M.
Jasper-Smith, B. G. W. Johnson, H. M. Jones,
D. M. Clarke, M. I. T. Lewis, H. A. St. Aubyn. C. S. Maskell, G. M. W. Nash, E. K. Nye, C. N.
London Maternity Hospital. B. Batchel-
City of — Porter, L. F. Procter, E. E. Richards, G. A.
der, Bell, J. M. Cardozo, E. Hawksworth,
N. G. Rubery, A. F. Thorn, F. Tims, M. G. Varley,
M. M. Kilby, M. L. Lickman, E. Nettleton, M. D. de L. Willis, ]M. Wright.
Newland, I. L. Palmer, E. Rennie, M. Spray.
—
Clapham Maternity Hospital. L. M. Campbell,
Salvation Army Mothers' Hospital. D. E. —
Allmond, M. M. Christmas, E. B. Crowe, K. A.
J. Chrystal, G. A. Cross, L. E. Engel, S. J. Herbert, Gooding, O. M. Hardy, A. M. Hilton, B. E.
F. M. A. Jeffery, T. M. Malton, C. F. L. Murray, Horscroft, A. M. Rasmussen, F. A. Williams.
A. Tolmie, C. Wright.
—E. Beale, E. Brophy, St. Bartholomew's Hospital. —
A. B. M. Owens.
East End Mothers' Home.
M. M. W. Gallant, M.
St. Marylebone Workhouse Infirmary. ^M. E. —
J. Coulter, S. Dall, Griffin,
Morris, D. E. Varney.
B. M. Haines, O. I. U. Lloyd, M. E. Murphy,
M. R. R. Purkess, E. E. Shields, E. J. Thomas, 5^. Thomas' Hospital. —
D. Geen, L. F. Kerna-
ghan, N. C. Routh.
T. Torpie, M. White.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. J. F. W.— University College Hospital.— C. M. Beville, L.
Hopkins, D. J. Storrar, E. A. Wintle.
Armstrong, M. Veitch.
—
General Lying in Hospital. H. S. Auld, M. L.
Wandsworth Union Workhouse. —E. M. MoUet,
C. Williams.
Blair, A. M. Boyd, D. E. Brett, H. Chilton, M. A.
Fades, B. Evans, S. S. Gardiner, C. A. HoUe, —
West Ham Workhouse. G. B. Oddy.
M. Isaac, M. A. JefEery, E. M. Johnson, A. Kasey, —
Whitechapel Union Infirmary. R. HoUiday,
A. Langdale, S. Pachter, L. M. Pattison, M. A. M. A. Lord, C. Rees, M. A. H. Smith, E. Wardlow.
Sowels, S. J. Spence, A. Tufnell, F. M. Wilson,
Private Tuition.
W. A. Wilson, E. I. L. Wright.
E. G. Bath, G. A. Beardsley, S. E. Boyden, T. C.
Greenwich Union Infirmary
— —
J. W. H. Dowie.
Brown, A. R. Cassady, S. F. Davis, L. Firth, C. M.
• Guy's Institution. ^H. L. Croker, M. Day, Gabbutt, D. E. Gardner, S. M. M. Grist, S. A.
M. F. Hughes, F. B. Sedgwick, H. M. Stebbings. Hempsall, M. Hitherington, K. M. Hoare, J. M.
Kensington Union Infirmary. L. E. Bassett,— Kemp, B. Leather,- A. C. Liston, M. McPherson,
E. Morris, E. H. Muirden, K. V. M. N. Stephenson. G. E. Makin, M. D. Morwick, W. S. B. Poste, M. E.
—
Lambeth Infirmary. E. H. Lorimer, A. E- Vernon, A. Wild, B. A. Wootton.
Rapson, B. Thomasson, F. H. Wheelwright. Private Tuition and Institutions.
—
London Hospital. O. I. Cameron, L. M. Clemes, —
Essex County Nursing Association. E. AUen,
C. M. Hardy, D. M. Hoskins, M. E. Knight, A. E.
D. Healey, M. Hulf, M. G. Hunter, E. A. Leather-
Lister, B. T. Sparks, M. H. Ward. dale, S. E. Mann, E. H. Robinson, E. B. Watteau.
Maternity Nursing Association. K. F. Arm- — —
Jewish District Maternity Home. A. Bannerman,
strong, E. S.M. Gaunt, W. M. Jones, L. R. Kim- L. E. Godtschailk, F. Newton, J. Thomson.
mons, H. M. Micklewright, L. M. Richards, P. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. —
J. Bell.
Smith. —
Birmingham Maternity Hospital. L. Bennett,
Plaistow Maternity Charity. E. Blomberg, — M. V. McKean, M. Raven. Pemberton Nursing
H. E. Brookshaw, M
A. Chambers, D. M. Chap —
Institute. C. M. A. Campbell, A. C. Love.
man, E. Cox, L. Dimishky, E. K. Done, M. A. —
Kensington Union Infirmary. G. D. Clark, M. F.
—
Houlston, G. E. House, M. James, M. E. Jones, Eyles, L. Lyall. 5^. Mary's Maternity Hostel.
W. L. Jordan, F. A. Keedwell, D. Laverick A. L. J. M. Cracknell, M. Payne. Fulham Midwifery
Manning, C. Mason, M. A. Maude, A. Miller, B. School. — E. M. D'Arcy, J. E. De Wiele, N. Foster,
Parry, M. Pickett, S. A. Powell, K. A. Prevett, B. A. Granville, A. Powell. Bradford Union
L. R. Riggs, F. Robinson, V. M. Rogers, H. C. Hospital — ^M. A. Fear. General Lying-in Hos-
Simms, B. Skelton, H. Springfield, F. J. Stephen- pital. —^M. Gammon, M. A. McHardy, A. N.
— ;
Mackenzie, D. K. Oakley, D. M. Williams. Christ- with reference to her ability in the taking and
—
church Union Workhouse. ^P. E. Holbert. Man-, recording of temperature and pulses.
mouthshire Nursing Association. S. A. Jones.— The power to suspend a midwife for malpraxis
Liverpool Maternity Hospital. —
C. M. Macey, R. L. is conferred in the Central Midwives Acts foi
Matthews. East End Mothers' Home. K. R. — Scotland and Ireland and in the Midwives Act
Morris. Manchester St. Mary's Hospitals. H. G. — Amendment Act for England and Wales.
Munslow, E. J. Richardson, M. Shepherd, S. J. The Secretary was instructed to remove the
Williamson, F. A. Witt. Halifax District Nursing names from the Roll of Midwives, and to cancel
Association. —
^M. Tyson. Stoke-on-Trent Union the Certificates of
Hospital. —E. L. Armitage. ElizabetkI Paterson (No. 1427), sentenced to six
months' imprisonment for theft and fraud;
[To he concluded.)
Mary Drugan (No. 796), sentenced to eighteen
months' imprisonment for using instruments with
intent to procure abortion.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES* BOARD FOR
SCOTLAND. BABIES OF THE " NEW POOR."
The Queen paid a surprise visit to the Babies'
PENAL CASES. Hotel and Nursery Training School at Glebe Place,
A meeting of the Central Mid wives' Board for Stoke Newington, on Saturday last, when she
Scotland was held at the I^uriston
offices, 49, expressed her satisfaction with all she saw, and
Place, Edinburgh, when a number of Penal Cases hoped that funds would be forthcoming to carry
were considered, with the following results : on the work. The Hotel, which owes its inception
Struck and to a donation from the American Red Cross, and is
off the Roll Certificate Cancelled.
—^Convicted in the Police managed by a joint committee of the National
Eliza Dewar (No. 2348).
League for Health, Maternity, and Child Welfare,
Court, Perth, of keeping an improper house, and
and the National Society of Day Nurseries, is for
fined 40s,, with the alternative of 20 days' im-
children whose mothers are of the educated
prisonment. This midwife was also charged with
classes, and have to earn their ovsm living. Children
further breaches of the rules.
are received from birth to school age.
—
Annie Lowe (No. 119s). Charged with failing
to make the required notifications after contact
with a case of puerperal fever; also of failing to A NIGHT MEDICAL SERVICE IN PARIS.
take the necessary precautions, whereby other The Lancet states that M. Roux, Prefect of
patients were affected. Police, has just issued an order concerning the
Sentence Postponed. reorganisation of the medical service in Paris at
—
Janet Duncan (No. 692). Charged with failure night. There is to be a service of 30 doctors
appointed by the Prefect. The duration of their
to notify Ophthalmia Neonatorum, and with other
breaches of the Rules. The Chairman intimated appointment will be three years at the most,
that such offences could not be adequately dealt
with fixed annual pay of 3,000 francs, and the
with by censure, or caution, but before proceeding sum of 50 francs for each night of actual work
to the extreme penalty of removing the midwife to the five medical men detailed as substitutes.
by name from the Roll it had been decided to give Paris is divided into five sections, in each of which
her an opportunity of proving amendment. a doctor is permanently on duty from ;:o p.m. till
Sent-
ence was therefore postponed, and the Local Super- 7 a.m., from October ist to March 31st, and from
vising Authority would be asked for a report at the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from April ist to Sept. 30th.
end of three months on her conduct and methods The site of his activities is to be a central police
of practice. station, where a room containing a bed will be
available. The call for the doctor will be made
Severely Reprimunded. to the nearest police station by the patient
Mary Nicol Martin (No. 1773) was severely thence a telephone message will be sent to the
reprimanded for failing to notify still-birth, and chief of the municipal police, who will send a motor-
other breaches of the Rules. In regard to charges car to take the doctor to the patient and then on
consisting of failure to keep Register and Temper- to the medical station. Each car is furnished
ature Charts, the Board adjourned judgment and with a case containing urgent first-aid appliances
requested the Local Supervising Authority to fur- such as dressings, cachets, ampoules, and a smaJl
nish a report within three months on the conduct collection of syringes and sterilised instruments.
and methods of practice of the midwife. The medical service is so organised that the turn
of each doctor comes round once in six days. The
Suspended from Practice as a Midwife.
labour cases will be catered for by the midwives
Mary Murphy (No. 555) was suspended from attached to the night medical service, and the
practice as a midwife for three months for failure tariff for their visits is fixed as follows : simple
to notify Ophthalmia Neonatorum, whereby the visit, 15 francs; simple labour, 35 francs twins,
;
child's eyes were permanently injured, and for 60 francs. If a midwife has to resort to a doctor
other breaches of the Rules. The Local Supervis- for help she will be able to requisition his services,
ing Authority was instructed to report thereafter on the lines indicated above. •
THE
mmMF
WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
iH MKIHSIIKI WKCm
BY MRS BEDFORD FENWICK
EDITED
his brilliant mind to bear upon the many diffi- tional to mention Civil Servants the major . . .
cult questions with which it would be con- part of the departmental work I saddled on the
fronted, he had a wide insight into the problems broad shoulders of Sir Robert Morant." We
of National Health he had the vision which
; offer to the Minister of
Health our sincere sym-
realised what organization was necessary for pathy at the loss of so able and loyaJ a col-
the fulfilment of his ideals, and the high sense league.
of duty, the force, and the indomitable will that The strength and the wisdom of Sir Robert
would have carried them through. Morant lay in the fact that he studied the ques-
Like other men of genius, he held that " no tions which concerned his work at first hand.
detail is ever insignificant," and that, no doubt, He realised that, trained nursing would be one
had much to do with his success. Thorough- of the important factors in the work of the
ness, understanding born of knowledge, devo- coming Ministry of Health, and it was quite
tion and faithfulness tp principles and to his usual for him to appear at meetings of nurses,
duty as a public servant, characterised his keenly interested, quietly making his own de-
work, and he has left behind him a noble tradi- ductions, long before he became so intimately
tion of public policy and conduct which may concerned with nursing legislation, and this
• well be an inspiration to those who follow him. was his considered policy in all that concerned
The public loss is also, in a very special sense, his work.
the loss of the nursing profession. Last year, As a public servant he studiously avoided
during the passage of the Nurses' Registration taking any partizan attitude, and held aloof
Bills through Parliament, three men of outstand- even from any suspicion of it. He was ap-
ing ability filled the horizon Major Harnett,
: proachable by those of diverse views w^ho were
who had charge of the Central Committee's concerned with any matter under discussion.
Bill; the Right Honble. Christopher Addison, Thereby he acquired his knowledge of all sides
M.P., Minister of Health, who undertook to of a question, and when he acted, or advised
introduce a Government measure for the State others to act, his opinion had been formed after
Registration of Nurses, and carried it through close study of its various bearings, so that his
with such conspicuous ability and Sir Robert advice was of value.
;
Morant, his Chief Permanent Secretary, never The Times truly says of him :
— " He was a
far away when the Bills were under discussion, great Civil Servant, and his whole was
life
who took infinitesimal pains, and gave un- inspired by devotion to the public service. ..."
wearied service, in endeavouring to find the " Night after night, of recent years, he worked
best solution to points which arose during the small hours of the morning, organizing
till
—
and planning^ on behalf of the Ministry of Then, in the act of polishing the nail with
Health, which was largely his own creation, pastes and powders, micro-organisms which
and to which he devoted himself heart and soul. have gained access to the subcutaneous tissues
are securely sealed in. Finally, the manicurist
These long hours and the strain they involved
massages and polishes the nail, driving the
undoubtedly wore him out. He has died, as infectious material deeper into the lymphatic
he would have wished, a martyr to one of the system. Examination of the pus showed that
strongest senses of duty which our public the staphylococci usually associated with
service has known." whitlow were seldom present, and in most cases
th6 infection was mixed. The most prevalent
micro-organisms were streptococci and an-
MEDICAL MATTERS. aerobic bacilli. Colon bacilli, as well as
influenza bacilli, were also comparatively com-
DENTAL CHANCRE. mon. In four cases, three of which developed
The danger of infection which may occur erysipelas, streptococci were found in pure
from unsterilised dental instruments is illus- culture. Infection may occur during the mani-
trated by a case of syphilitic infection reported curing or afterwards, but the primary infection
by Dr. Herman Goodman, of New York, in is thought to be by far the most important. In
the New York Medical Journal. a family of four persons all used the same mani-
The patient was an American officer, 32 years cure instruments, but in only 9 of the 32 cases
of age, who was married, and had two healthy had the patients manicured themselves. AH
children. Ten to fourteen days after extraction the others, including the patients with ery-
of a tooth by a civilian dentist an ulcer appeared sipelas, had been treated by professional mani-
at the site of the extraction. A Wassermann curists. No cultures could be obtained from
reaction taken at the time proved negative, and the instruments, which had probably been
the ulcer healed under local treatment, but re- cleaned with alcohol, but the paste employed
curred. Six weeks later there was generalisa- yielded pure cultures of streptococci. The
tion of the syphilitic infection, shown by inflam- writer concludes his case against manicure with
mation of the jaws, and ulceration about the a reference to the possibilities of the convey-
right molars, bilateral swelling of the sub- ance of tuberculosis and syphilis to those who
maxilliary glands, pharyngitis, and a pK>sitive practise it.
Wassermann reaction. The symptoms dis- SYPHILIS IN CHILDHOOD.
appeared, and the Wassermann reaction be- Dr. Leonard Findlay, Physician to the Royal
came negative, after three doses of arseno- Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, has, in
benzol. a book of the above title, given us a most useful
MANICURE INFECTION. and practical account of this disease.
The is increasing, and
practice of manicure It is interesting to note that Dr. Findlay
the seriouswarning given by Dr. Korbl, a holds the opinion that no anti-venereal cam-
Viennese surgeon, in Wien Klin Woch and paign will be successful without notification of
reported by the British Medical Journal, there- the disease, and he believes that sooner or later
fore deserves attention. Dr. Korbl reports no this course will be adopted. He is of opinion
fewer than 32 cases of infection, some of them that marriage may be permitted when a nega-
very alarming, resulting from this practice. In tive Wassermann reaction has been obtained
most of them the in,fection led to severe inflam- after early and thorough treatment with sal-
mation, requiring prolonged treatment, and varsan and the reaction has remained negative
produced more or less serious functional dis- for a year. He regards inunction as the most
turbance. Most of his patients did not consult efficacious method of administering mercury,
him till conservative treatment had failed, and and has frequently seen children treated with
even free incision had proved incapable of limit- mercury and chalk, without any benefit,
ing the disease. Dr. Korbl is of opinion that respond immediately to inunction with mercury
in practically every case the disease began as a ointment, and has continued this treatment for
subcutaneous whitlow. In three it began in a year without seeing evidence of toxaemia.
the finger tips; in all the others in the tissues Dr. Findlay is of opinion that salvarsan
near the nail. He considers that every step in which he considers indispensable in the treat-
the practice of manicure is liable to produce ment of children with syphilis, in combination
infection. First the protecting epidermis is —
with mercury should never be given to infants
opened, and the thin film connecting the base intramuscularly or subcutaneously if these
of the nail with the skin is incised and trimmed. methods can be avoided.
—
I'&g
March 20, 1920 (the British 3ournal of Bureinfl,
nursing- by women in the interests of the It is interesting to learn that during the
patients." recent Argyllshire election nursing questions
We are not opposed to male attendants for cropped up, and several nurses took an intelli-
—
certain cases they are necessary but for the
; gent interest in it. Councillor Rosslyn Mitcnell
care and cure of diseases of the brain the criticised severely the attempt made by a
tirained woman's touch is necessary^and very medical member of Parliament to have semi-
specially fine women at that. trained women registered, during the dis-
cussion of the Nurses' Bills in the Commons,
A sum of ;^i,25o damages was awarded in for work in outlying country districts in
the King's Bench Division to Miss Ethel the Highlands and Islands. He claimed
Spicer, a nurse, of 8, Borkall Road, Catford, rightly that in such districts, where the
for personal injuries caused through being run doctors are few and far between, the nurses
down by a Ford motor van driven by Miss should be highly trained women, with accurate
Violet Isabella Hood, a Royal Air Force driver. theoretical knowledge, able to act in cases of
It was stated the accident could not have emergency and difficulty, and this village
been avoided, and the driver herself was ren- nurses with a few months' experience were not
dered unconscious. able to do, and that the onh- reason for supply-
ing the poor with semi-trained women was that
With every circumstance of honour the Edith thev were cheaper.
Cavell Memorial in St. Martin's Place, W.C,
was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, The question of the 48-hours Bill as it affects
on Wednesday, March 17th. Amongst those nurses was discussed at another meeting
present were General Dr. Maurice Funck, Mile. between a trained nurse and the speaker, Miss
De Meyer, Matron, and Nurse Andry, dele- King; incidentally the latter also referred to
gates from the Edith Cavell Nursing School at
V.A.D.'s, who she thought "had been very
Brussels. A cord attached to the Union Jack hardly dealt with." Miss King was also of the
and the Belgian Colours veiling the statue was opinion that "V.A.D.'s could be of great
handed to Queen Alexandra bv the sculptor, assistance to the District Nurse." In reply to
Sir George Frampton, R.A., and simultaneouslv
the question, " In what way? " she said, " In
Miss Monk, Matron of the London Hospital, making beds." This gave the trained nurse an
and Miss Beadsmore Smith, Matron-in-Chief excellent opening on the importance of trained
Q.A.I.M.N.S. pulled cords on either side, the
,
observation of the patient while making the
flags fell away, and the figure of Edith Cavell This nurse sends us the
bed, and the toilet.
stood revealed. following observations^ Avith which we agree.
She writes :
nurses. The application for rooms is answered from the doctor were that the condition of the
by a request to the applicant to join the College patient's feet and ankles was to be my barometer
in administering the medicine. Naturally I took
of Nursing, Ltd., together with an application
a deeper interest in the comfort and tidiness of
form, which may or may not be accompanied
the lower part of the bed, and this is one of the
by particulars of the accommodation required. opportunities the V.A.D. is to take from us! But
If the " fish " is not landed at the first throw, for these opportunities in the district many symp-
another letter will be sent about the accom- toms would never be noticed in their earliest stages,
modation, with a reminder " that it is cheaper and I for one would rather give up my district than
if you are a College member." submit to this help
'
from a V A.D.
'
— — —
and Miss Lilian Wass. Miss E. Hope, Nursing Sister, Q.A.R.N.N.S., R.N.
Territorial Force Nursing Service. —Miss Louisa
Sick Quarters, Shotley.
Finlayson, Miss Annabella McLeod, Miss Annie
McMillan, and Miss Margaret Moody.
— The King has been pleased to award the Royal
St. John's Ambulance Brigade.- -Miss Margaret Red Cross to the following ladies in recognition of their
Ballance, Miss Theresa King, and Miss Bridget Sle"in. War
valuable services in connection with the :
The King conferred the following Orders and Clearing Hosp., Rotterdam Miss M. I. Mason, Sister,
;
Decorations at Buckingham Palace, on March 12th: T.F.N.S., ist Western Gen. Hosp., Liverpool Miss ;
BRITISH EMPIRE (Military Division). Endsleigh Palace Hosp. Miss J. McKinnon, Sister,
;
Matron Clara Ross, Australian Army Nursing C. McLaughlin, Assist. Nurse, The Lord Derby War
Service. Hosp., Warrington Miss J. McLean, Sister, Edinburgh
;
Bar to the Royal Red Cross. Sister, Northumberland War Hosp., Gosforth, New-
Miss Annie Baird, Queen Alexandra's Imperial castle-on-Tyne Miss F. Methley, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.
;
Military Nursing Service Reserve, and Miss Margaret S.R., WharnclifEe War Hosp., Sheffield Miss A. R. ;
Alexander, Civil Hospital Reserve. Moffatt, Sister, T.F.N.S., Spec. Mil. Surg. Hosp.,
Grangethorpe, Manchester Miss E. G. Moir, Sister,
;
Military Nursing Service Reserve, Miss Katherine Mil. Hosp., Endell Street, London Miss H. P. Mus- ;
Fraser-Wood, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military grave. Sister, Q.A.I. M.N.S.R., Queen Alexandra's
Nursing Service Reserve, and Miss Vera Spencer- Hosp., Vincent Square, London.
Jones, Civil Nursing Service. Miss O. Nethersole, V.A.D., Nurse, B.R.C.S., New
The Royal Red Cross (Second Cl.\ss). End Mil. Hosp., Hampstead M. E., the Viscountess ;
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Northcliffe, G.B.E., Commdt., Northcliffe Hosp. for
Service.—The Hon. Edith Littleton and Miss Cecile Officers, Grosvenor Crescent, London.
Parke. Miss M. E. O'Halloran, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.,
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Central Mil. Hosp., Cork Miss E. Oliver, Sister,
;
Service Reserve. —
Miss Vera Blatchford, Miss Elizabeth Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil. Hosp.. Hounslow.
'
Brown, Miss Eleanor Chambers, Miss Frances Denton, Miss E. H. M. Pike, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil.
Miss Susan Hall, Miss Edith Mackenzie, Miss Doris Hosp., Chiseldon Camp, Wilts.
Maltby, Miss Laura McAUan, and Miss Harriet Miss W. M. F. Ranee, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil.
Mcllwain. Hosp., Curragh ; Miss E. Rawlinson, Charge Nurse,
—
Territorial Force Nursing Service.- -Miss Ada Bennett the Lord Derby War Hosp., Warrington Miss ; M
Miss Beatrice Chadwick, MissJKatie Davies.Jand Miss Reed, Assist. Nurse, Reading War Hosp.
Annie Hemmen. [To be continued.)
; —
—
Red Cross of which Miss Clara D. Noyes, R.N., There's a balm for crippled spirits
is and which has National Headquarters
Director, In the open view,
at Washington, D.C., is the model on which other Running from your very footsteps.
nations should form themselves, it is not sur- Out into the blue,
prising that American nurses have been selected Like a wagon track to heaven
for both the Chair (Miss Julia C. Stimson) of the Straight 'twixt God and you.
Committee on Nursing at the Cannes Conference Percival Gibbon.
March 20, 1920 ^be IBntisb 3ournal of IRurstng. 173
Griffiths to W
est Riding Training Home Miss Violet
;
There is not a nurse who has been trained at the
E. Howells to Prestwich Miss Lilian R. Kimmons, to hospital during the last twenty-five years who will not
;
Sarah A. G. Lett to Southfleet Miss Rosa L. Matthews nursing profession is largely due to the training she
;
It is proposed to charge
That same day splendid, powerful Cherry had
two and a half guineas per week, and to accom-
both his feet cut off on the line. Not that that
modate no patients, giving each separate accom-
modation. —
incident tamed Nan not at all. It was only the
beginning of things, and the giant had yet to
The hospital, planned as a cottage hospital,
suffer much humilation at her hands.
was erected in 1884, and endowrnents were
subscribed as a memorial to the late Rev. William * By Ethel Holdsworth. (London : Herbert
Pennefather. Jenkins.)
—
Whata lifelike and convincing sketch is that and there were more upheavals and then there ;
of Polly coming through the wheatfields in the was a quite untrue scandal circulated about
evening with her boisterous and undesirable childish Polly, and she being young and sensitive
companions ! ran away.
She was singing " He His Flock,"
shall feed Nan was" dressed up."
her head flung back. There was no thought of " The has gone an' done summat," she
lass
faith or religious fervour in the way she sang. said to granny " an' now I'm goin' to that
;
HRGIG\L
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
the medical profession and
of
for
by a member of the public authority employing and to knowledge of affairs. I have witnessed
her, by the case of a Poor-Law Guardian in the a strike in a munition factory in which the women
Co.,Meath who sent a farm manure cart to take were not trade unionists. This strike was sudden,
her' to attend the wife of one of his labourers. it was quite unjustified, it was at the most critical
While it is-quite true that the Guardian's opinion moment of the war.
of the status of the midwife is sufficiently evident, I have also witaessed a girl, white with rage,
the lesson is a far deeper one than lack of courtesy, because of real injustice, calmed down by a trade
and proves that the Guardian in question entirely union organiser. The injustice was later on
failed to safeguard the interests of this expectant righted by peaceful trade union action.
mother, and his dangerous ignorance of what con- The organisation of the nursing profession
stitutes an efficient attendant in maternity cases. seems to methe only road to justice and peace,
It is hot without good reason that the rules as well as to the development of the science and
issued to midwives by the respective Central Mid- art of nursing.
wives Boards for the three kingdoms enjoin upon The profession requires a self-governing society,
them scrupulous cleanliness the wearing of clean with rules which bring it within the " Trade
dresses of washable material that can be boiled, Union Act," so that it can interfere between
the disinfection, preferably by boiling, of all employer and employed without fear of being
instruments and other appliances, for any deviation accused of conspiracy. The name of the associa-
from the observance of the principle of strict tion does not matter.
surgical cleanhness may mean that, instead of The constitutions of both the Royal British
life, the midwife may bring death into
the house. Nurses' Association and the College of Nursing
We know how susceptible a parturient woman is prevent these societies from coming within this
to infection through germs in not only visible, Act.
but invisible, dirt We know how readily infection
.
The nursing profession can only secure the fruit
is conveyed to an infant through the stump of
the of victory by organising. Even the General
newly cut cord. The historic instance of the Council of Nursing can do little for nurses, unless
holocaust of infants in the island of St. Kilda is the Council has an organised profession behind it.
a case in point. Baby after baby died of tetanus, Nurses must use the General Council of Nursing,
and it was only when it was realised that this was but they will degenerate as soon as they lean upon
due to infection of the cord, by attendants who it.
did not understand the principles of asepsis, that If nurses are dependent they will be treated as
the plague was stayed. dependent, if they have initiative it will be used.
The germ of tetanus flourishes in manure If women are human beings they will be treated
and if the County Meath midwife had used the as human beings, if they like to be machines they
conveyance provided for her there might have will be treated as machines.
—
been two deaths one from puerperal fever, the A nurses' trade union should be a strong moral
other from tetanus and they would have been
;
force in the country, for there is no doubt that
primarily due to the ignorance of a member of a nursing brings out the very finest human qualities.
public authority who ought to have known better. Yours faithfully,
Yours faithfully. Helen G. Klaassex.
Certified Midwife.
NURSES ON STRIKE.
OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS.
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
QUESTIONS.
Dear Madam, —The from Mrs. M.
letters
March 2o/A.—How would you prevent foot-
Mortishead and Miss McGrath both raise questions
of great interest and importance. It is the drop, acute thirst, constipation and vomiting
discussion of such matters which is needed to give after an operation ?
nurses confidence to organise. —
March 2jth. (a) Describe fully the varieties of
My own view is as follows : Uterine Inertia (6) What treatment would you
;
TKe Midwife
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. Huddersfield District Nursing Association and
—
Huddersfield Union Workhouse. H. B. Auckland,
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. H. Wood.
{Concluded from page i66.) —
Hull Lying-in-Charity. E. R. Anson, M. Roden.
Provincial.
Hull Municipal Maternity Home. E. M. —
Brown, F. G. Bulmer, I. O. Thomson.
—
Aston Union IVorkhottse. ^H. J. Howells, F. M. —
Ipswich Nurses' Home. ^A. A. Dixie, B. F.
Kirby, N. Powis. Phelan, H. D. White.
—
Birkenhead Maternity Hospital. E. Cook, E. M. —
Kingswood Nursing Association. R. Whittard.
Cottle, N. Pimbley. Leeds Maternity Hospital. —
E. Atkinson, C. M.
Birmingham Maternity Hospital. R. Barton, — Bailey, A. L. Barker, L. Barnes, L. C. Baron,
A. M. Bishton, F. E. Burnett, C. Campion, N. A. H. Bentley, E. Broadbent, E. E. Broadbeiit,
Child, E. M. Cooper, J. Entwistle, D. M. Fox, L. A. Church, M. CoUeran, S. Cook, E. A. Davieson,
G. E. Hall, K. N. Henstock, A. HoUingworth, E. Dransfield, M. Ducker, B. Eager, M. E. Gloyne,
E. A. Lawley, H. Onions, D. M. Spring, E. Waters, M. Hewett-Emmett, V. Hunt, A. E. Jones,
L. Wiseman. C. Lascelles, A. A. Massheder, R. Nolan, H. B.
Bradford Municipal Maternity Hospital. E. — Perkins, G. E. Prior, E. Rodgers, S. J. Rostron,
Atkinson, L. Barlow, M. Law, E. R. Mahy, B. E. Routledge, R. E. Skidmore, A. Sunderland,
Wilson, E. Wormald. J. Taylor, A. Tipton, H. M. Wass, M. Winters,
—
Brighton Hospital for Women. G. M. Ash, E. C. G. R. Wright.
Crummack, A. S. Godrich, I. Goodman, B. A. —
Leeds Union Infirmary. E. Breach, A. Kirk-
Gorringe, B. A. C. Harris, A. E. E. Hill, M. H. bride, M. Pollock.
King, I. C. Mann, M. B. Miller, M. L. Stacey, —
Leeds : St. Faith's Maternity Home. ^A. E.
C. E. L. Wells, G. E. Wright. Maw.
Bristol, Easfville Workhouse Infirmary. V. E. — Leicester Maternity Hospital.—M. A. Dilworth,
Bailey. D. M. Hill, L. M. Sweet.
Bristol, General Hospital. —
E. M. Bingle, A. Leicester Union Infirmary. —M. Ryan, C. M.
Lane, C. Moffatt, F. L. Reynolds. ^Tedstone.
Bristol, Royal Infirmary. —
F. E. L. M. Harper, Lewes District Nursing Association. —D. I.
—
Royal Hants County Hospital. ^H. Hajrward, Offices, 38, John Bedford Row, W.C. i,
Street,
C. D. Thomas. recently, when annual report from the
the
Selly Oak Union Infirmary. —
A. M. Da vies, G. General Committee and the financial statement of
PhiUips. the auditors were received and adopted, and the
St. Faith's Maternity Home and West Riding General Committee and auditors elected for the
—
Nursing Association. ^E. Anderson, A. M. West. current year,
Sheffield Union Hospital. —
^N. Adams, E. E.
j
—
For Approval as Lecturer. Dr. Jessie, J. M» tion, written, printed, or otherwise given on the
Morton, M.B., D.P.H., Dr. John J. Hughes, and subject should include a carefully-worded state-
Dr. J. M. Valentine, D.P.H- ment pointing out the immorality of promiscuous
Of Certified Midwives for Approval as Teachers.^ sexual intercourse, as well as the danger thereby
Midwife Catherine O'Neil (No. 43,552), Midwiff incurred of venereal disease."
Elizabeth Prince (No. 13334).
The applications were granted. The Chairman referred to the lowering of moral
standards in regard to sex matters and the con-
sequent increase in venereal diseases amongst the
civil population, and the opportunities of midwives
ROYAL MATERNITY CHARITY OF to combating venereal disease.
LONDON. The thanks of the Association were recorded to
The annual general meeting of the Governors its President, Miss Pell Smith, for her services as
of the above Charity took place at the Charity's chairman.
THE
WITH WHICH
mSMMF IS INCORPORATED
MLEDITED
MEHSIIKI MIECOIII
BY MRS BEDFORD FENWICK
and life of nurses. Rightly so, for, both as to not comparable with the work of clerks for one
hours on duty and payment for skilled services, shift of eighthours on 5^ days a week.
unjustifiably long hours have been exacted from Supposing that the nursing staff lived out,
them, and their strenuous and responsible work the first day shift, which would have to be in
has been rewarded with most meagre pay. But, the wards early in the morning, could not be
now that hours on duty are being lessened, hos- relied upon. In such a climate as ours the dis-
pital g-overnors and Boards of Guardians are comfort on cold and wet mornings would cer-
confronted with a very acute problem in con- tainly be prejudicial to the health of the nurses.
nection with accommodation for their nursing A certain proportion would not arrive on duty
staffs, for hours on duty cannot be shortened at all, and others would begin the day below
without materially increasing the staff, and, par. The patients as well as the nurses would
in addition to a considerable increase in ex- suffer from the disorganization thus arising.
pense as to salaries, the enlargement of Nursing Another point, which cannot be overlooked,
Homes is urgently needed at a time when build- is the circumscribed area from which the nurs-
ing is more costly and labour scarcer than ever ing staff of a hospital would be drawn. At pre-
before. sent such staffs are recruited from all over the
In addition they are faced by the considera- kingdom. To meet this diflficulty it is probable
tion that the modern girl when off duty in many that hostels would grow up in the neighbour-
instances wishes to be her own mistress, and hood of hospitals, but such hostels would have
# life in a Nurses' Home, where she is under to be most carefully suf>ervised.
strict does not attract her. She prefers
rule, In our opinion, the best results would be
an occupation in which she can " live out." obtained by retaining the provision for housing
The pros and cons of the position require the nursing staffs of hospitals in Homes pro-
very careful consideration, and we propose to vided for this purpose, but by reorganizing such
examine them both from the point of view of Homes on a collegiate basis, so that when ofif
the nurses,and also that of the patients, who duty the nurses would have the freedom of
must be every true nurse's first consideration. action which undergraduates are permitted
The proposal that nurses should live out is during their residence, in college, at a Univer-
urged by the Lambeth Board of Guardians, sity. The charm of life under such communal
through its Chairman, Mr. Frank Briant, M.P., conditions is both healthy and invigorating, and
is often looked forward to, and back upon, by
and the Ministry of Health has been invited to
consider it, both on the ground of saving to the young men and women as the happiest time in
ratepayers in the matter of building, furnish- There is no reason why the same
their lives.
would tend to attract the best type of women not form an integral part of the three years'
to the work. It is assumed that if an eight training course for nurses.
—
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. tion give a copious enema early. Give the
last meal six hours before the operation. It
should consist of something easily digested
HOW WOULD YOU PREVENT FOOT DROP, ACUTE bread and butter and tea for preference. AHow
THIRST. CONSTIPATION, AND VOMITING AFTER AN
OPERATION ? a cup of beef tea four hours before the opera-
tion, and nothing after. At this stag^e, too,
We have pleasure in awarding- the prize this it is wise to keep the patient as cheerful as
week to Miss Alice M. Bums, East Suffolk possible, as vomiting may be a reflex action of
Hospital, Ipswich. fear; the more a patient worries about his
prizb paper. forthcoming operation, too, the greater will be
Foot Drop (to Prevent). the degree of shock aftlerwards. When the
patient regains consciousness he will at once
In many operations on the feet and legs this complain of thirst, and if this is satisfied in-
trouble is obviated at the time of operation by judiciously, vomiting will result. It is usual to
putting the limb on a splint with a footpiecse, deny fluids by mouth for three or four hours,
or else in plaster, but if this has not been done but if thirst is great a mouth wash of cold water
a cradle should be placed over the limb to pre- may be given, or sips of very hot water so small
vent the weight of ithe bedclothes falling on the that they are absorbed before reaching the
foot, and the sole of the foot should be sup- stomach. Some surgeons order a hypodermic
—
ported against something firm a sandbag or injection of morphia to be given on the patient's
well-protected hot-water bottle. return to the ward, and this is usually efficacious
Acute Thirst. in checking vomiting. The idea of all treat-
ment is to put and keep the alimentary tract
When a major operation has been performed, at rest until the irritation of the mucous mem-
and fluids by mouth must needs be restricted, branes caused by the anaesthetic has passed off.
acute thirst may be relieved by copious mouth
washes, which need not of necessity be medi- HONOURABLE MENTION.
cated. Lemon water and weak tea are much The following competitors
receive honour-
appreciated, and patients can usually be-trusted
not to swallow them if the reason for so doing
able mention : —Miss
Sarah Ann Cross, Miss
Freda Margaret Wilson, Miss Jane Evans,
is explained to them. But if fluids are to be
Miss M. Bryan. '
please her. While in the drawing-room she Guardians by the new Medical Superintendent
asked about the number of Nursing Sisters and Master Doctor, Mr. E. L. White. In the
who had used the Club during the war, a ques- report complaints are made regarding the lack
tion Miss Mayers could not answer oflF-hand. of staff and accommodation, and the milk
She tells us that it is difficult to say how many supply is condemned.
individuals have used the beds, but she It is stated that there is a lack of bathing
knows the number of beds used. They were facilities, and dissatisfaction exists among the
1,633 in 1917. 3.868 in 1918, 8,456 in 1919; staff about food. The report states that when a
total,13,957. There is thus no doubt as to the lad was brought into the infirmary with an
increasing popularity of the Club. injury to his, throat there was no needle to sew
the wound up with, and no saline to give him.
Her Majesty Queen Mary visited Queen The sick wards are condemned, and the
Mary's new and permanent Hostel for Nurses doctor appeals for more nurses, adding that
at 194, Queen's Gate on Saturday afternoon, some are leaving, another is on the verge of a
March 13th. She was received by Sir Harold nervous breakdown, and one is suffering from
Boulton, Chairman, and the Committee, the delusional insanity.
Hon. Staff, and Mrs. Dundas, Superintendent, The Guardians are divided over the report,
and the other ladies of the resident Staff. one half supporting* the doctor, the other half
Her Majesty placed in position a small brass being against the report. Local Labour is con-
tablet, on which it is stated that " this house demning the Guardians, and for the Guardian
was equipp>ed by ;^2,ooo given by the Aus- elections has two candidates in the field.
tralian Government, in recognition of the hos-
pitality shown to Australian Nurses during the The Canadian National Association of
Great War." After this ceremony Her Majesty Trained Nurses, which raised funds to send
inspected the whole house, and the nurses who thirteen nurses to France, as members of the
were waiting in the drawing-room were all pre- French Flag Nursing Corps, had a bank
sented to her. balance of 169 dollars. It was decided to send
Her Majesty then signed the visitors' book, this surplus to Miss Annie I. Browne, a
and on passing out to her carriage stopped to graduate of Toronto General Hospital, who had
speak to the maids who were lined up in the gone to France to help in reconstruction work.
hall, congratulating them on their long service Miss Browne was appointed Supervisor of the
in the Hostels. orphans at the OrpheUns de la Guerre, VieUe
Her Majesty was graciously pleased to Chapelle, Marseilles, and the committeee felt
express her approval of all she saw, and her the money would be well expended by purchas-
kindly interest in the working of the Hostel is ing necessities and a few luxuries for the little
much appreciated by all concerned. orphans.
— — ;
Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House Queen Alexandra's Imp. Mil. Nursing Service (Res).
the members of the military and civil nursing services
who have been awarded the Royal Red Cross, sub- AWARD OF ROYAL RED CR05S
sequent to the Investiture at Buckingham Palace. (Second Class).
The King- has been pleased to award the Royal Red
The King also held an Investiture at Buckingham Cross (Second Class) to the following- Jadies in recog-
Palace on March 20th, when he conferred the follow- nition of their valuable services in connection with the
ing decorations :•
War: —
Bar to the Royal Red Cross. Miss M. J. Richardson, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.,
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nut sing Central Mil. Hosp., Cork Miss D. Roberts, Sister,
;
Service.—Miss Marian Knox. Spec. Mil. Surg. Hosp., Edmonton MissS.E. Roberts,;
The Royal Red Cross (First Class). Nurse, Mental Hosp., JBerrywood, Northampton ; Miss
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing E. M. Roe, Sister, Grove Mil. Hosp., Tooting Grove,
Miss G. Rosser, V.A.D., Royal
Service.- —
Miss Elsie Cassidy, Margaret, Mrs. Fish- Tooting Graveney
Herbert Hosp., Woolwich.
;
The Royal Red Cross (Second Class). Charge Sister, B.R.C.S., Spec. Hosp. for Officers,
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Palace Green, London Mrs. M. J. Shepperd, Sister,
;
Service. —Miss Ruby Craddock and Miss Stella Hep Spec. Hosp. for Officers, Latchmere, Ham Common,
worth. Surrey ;Miss H. Simpson, Sister, Alder Hey Spec.
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Mil. Surg. Hosp., West Derby, Liverpool Miss C. J. ;
Sen ice —
Miss Marian Armitage, Miss Rosa
Reserte.- Smith, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil. Hosp., York;
Beales, Miss Margaret Conway, Miss Susanna Coulter, Miss J. McK. Smith, Matron, Swindon and District
Miss Ruby Dalzell, Miss Ellen Fewlass, Miss Matilda Isolation Hosp., Swindon Miss A. Stephens, V.A.D.,
;
Fleming, Miss Ada Gamlin, Miss Lucy Gibson, Miss Assist. Nurse, B.R.C.S., Mil. Hosp., Pembroke Dock
Nelhe Hinch, Miss Elizabeth Howitt, and Miss Florence Miss M. G. Stewart, Staff Nurse, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil.
Jackson. Hosp., Fort Pitt, Chatham Miss M. S. Stuart, Sister,
;
Territorial Force Nursing Seriice.- Miss Edith — Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil. Hosp., Whittingham, Preston.
Ellison, Alvina, Mrs. Fellows, Miss Margaret Hughes, Miss A. M. Tabor, Sister, T.F.N.S., 4th London.
Louie, Mrs. Johnsen, and Edithya, Mrs. Poyntz. Gen. Hosp., Denmark Hill; Miss G. Taylor, Sister,
—
Civil Nursing Service.- Miss Ellen Armitage, Miss T.F.N.S., 5th N. Gen. Hosp., Leicester M'iss G. F. V. ;
Kate Freer, Miss Kate Holmes-Hardwicke, Miss Ada Temperley, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S., Mil. Hosp., Tidworth ;
Hotchkiss, Miss Lilian Howarth, and Miss Mary Miss M. A. Thomas, Sister, T.F.N.S., 3rd W. Gen. Hosp.,
Stratton. Cardiff Miss M. Thomas, Sister, the Welsh Met. War
—
;
BritishRed Cross Society.- Miss Lily Bale, Miss Hosp., Whitchurch Miss M. M. Turner, Sister, T.F.
;
Gladys Bowes, Miss Jessie Boyd, Miss Jessie Brown, N.S., N. Evington War Hosp;
— — —
CONSCIOUS AIM OF TRADE UNIONISM. district nurses were the cause of most of this
trouble, as they were " flooding the country-side."
Some Aspects of Present-Day Trade Unionism.
Miss E. Maude MacCallum, Hon. Secretary of Mr. Herbert E. R. Highton, A.S.E., spoke on
the Professional Union of l^ainedNurses, and Mr. the above subject, and said that he did not
Herbert E. HHighton, Amalgamated Society of think the nurses would appeal in vain for help
Engineers, were the speakers at a meeting held at from the workers of this country. He showed
the Scottish Nurses' Club, 205, Bath Street, the enormous growth of trade unions during the
Glasgow, on Friday, March 19th. Dr. McGregor
Robertson was in the chair and made it plain that
last thirty years. In his own Society
— — the Amal-
gamated Society of Engineers ^he calculated that
the meeting was not promoted by the club, which 90 per cent, of the possible strength of the engineers
was intended to provide a place where all nurses was actually in the Society.
could freely and frankly discuss questions which One of the striking features about the growth
are at present being considered among them. of trade unions in recent years had been not
only that of " manual workers " and " skilled
Trade Unionism for Nurses. tradesmen," but also of the " black-coated pro-
Miss MacCallum began her address on the above fessions," including the Draughtsmen's Associa-
subject by disabusing the minds of her hearers tion (in his own trade), the Actors' Association,
that Trade Unionism was synonymous with strikes, the National Unions of Journalists, and of Teachers
which, she admitted, it was in her own mind (headmasters included).
until she went thoroughly into the matter. Being One of the most significant changes was the
a Trade Union meant that instead of being change in the conscious aim of trade unionism.
registered under the Companies Acts your Society There was a time when it was solely confined
was registered under the Trades Union Act the ; to matters of wages and hours. He was not of
difference was that under the Companies Acts your opinion that their economic position was all that
business was often in the hands of lay people who, trade unionists should trouble about, but he did
no matter how kind or willing to help they might not agree that it should not be troubled about,
be, very often did not really understand the needs and that they should go on thinking only of their
of the people they represented. high ideals ; because, until the community was
Under the Trades Union Act the business of a willing to give the economic and physical basis
Society must be managed entirely by the members of life (and people must have that basis before
themselves, that was why, for the first time in they could get the ideals they ought to have,
their history, nurses had just started a Professional or put them into daily practice), mercenary
Union of Trained Nurses which had now been matters must have their proper place.
registered under the Trades Union Act. There had been a distinct advance in the
Of Trade Unionism for Nurses there were thre e conscious aim of even the ordinary workers in
different aspects :first, in its relation to the State
trade unions. They used to be mainly concerned
second, in respect to the general public as indi-
;
with hours and money, now they were largely
viduals ; third, as it affects nurses themselves. concerned with how far they were to have a cor-
Miss MacCallum remarked that since the dawn porate say in the conditions undfer which they
of Christianity, and in all probability long before —
worked not merely to drag out of unwilling
that era, the righteousness of a cause, or the employers the hours and the wages they wanted,
necessity for a reform, could be gauged by the but to have some responsible say in the control
amount of opposition and evil that was stirred up of the industry in which they were engaged.
as soon as the question was mooted. The Pro- —
To many professional people and nurses as well
fessional Union of Trained Nurses must have been —
as others this side of the work of a Trade Union
a much-needed organisation if one might judge ought to be of considerable importance. When
it came to claiming this control, all sections of
from the bitter attacks made on its organisers.
Who was afraid of being injured ? It would not workers found themselves up against a blank wall.
be the nurses themselves who would be hurt by The University Lecturer was up against the
this action, as their conditions were so bad they Senate, the engineers could get no say in the
could hardly be worse ;besides, it was not to be
management of the business. The door was shut,
expected that so much wrath should be poured and would not yield until either the one side was
forth just to prevent the nurses from injuring strong enough to force it, or the other side became
themselves if they wished to do so. There must a great deal more reasonable than some thought
be some other interest threatened. it just now.
Miss MacCallum referred to the need of rest
time for nurses, for the benefit of the public as FEVER NURSES' ASSOCIATION.
well as the nurse, and of the heavy strain on At the Executive Committee meeting, held on
private nurses because their minds and sympathies the 15th inst., a sub-committee was appointed to
were engaged in their work. She read a letter consider the revision of the Association's Syllabus
from a district nurse asking that the case of and Schedule. The Annual General Meeting of
district nurses might be taken up, showing the the Association will be held on Saturday, May 8th
inadequate payment many of them received, and next, at Croydon, when Dr. Veitch Clark, M.O.H.
expressing the opinion that the partially-trained for Croydon, will deliver his Presidential Address.
— :
THE EDITH CAVELL MEMORIAL, include one woman. The members of the Belgian
Delegation, including General Dr. Maurice Funck^
THE UNVEILING OF THE STATUE. the Matron, Mile, de Meyer, and a nurse from the
The Edith Cavell Memorial in St. Martin's Place Edith Cavell School in Brussels were presented to
was unveiled by Queen Alexandra on March 17th Her Majesty by the Belgian Ambassador.
just as we were Viscount Burn-
going to press, and ham then thanked'
we were, therefore, Queen Alexandra
only able to refer for consenting to
very briefly to this unveil the statue,
historic occasion. and gave the
The group around following details.
the rough grey gra- "The monument
nite cross, against of grey granite
which the figure of stands 40 ft. high
Edith Cavell was and weighs 1 75
outlined under the tons. On the four
British and Belgian panels are the
flJigs— ^the gifts of words : Humanity,
the Queen Mother Sacrifice, Devotion,
and of Her Majesty and Fortitude. On
the Queen of the the back is the
Belgians —
lacked British Lion tramp-
neither pictur- ling on a serpent,
esqueness nor vivid symbolical of Envy,
colouring. The Spite, Malice and
crimson canopy Treachery, and
over the gold and above it are the
crimson chairs, set words :
" Faithful
for the Royal unto Death." The
party, the crimson statue of white
and gold of the marble, in itself
robes of the Lord the emblem of
Mayor and Sheriffs Purity, shows
of the City of Nurse Cavell stand-
London, the blue ing erect in her
robes of the Mayor nurse's uniform.
and Councillors of On the base is the
the Westminster simple inscription
City Council, the " Edith Cavell.
khaki of the Guard Brussels.
of Honour, the Dawn
varied uniforms of •October 12, 1915."
the nurses who In the course of
attended, all con- her reply, which
tributed to the she handed in
effective setting of writing to the
a memorable scene. Chairman, Queen
Queen Alexandra, Alexandra said :
resignation which has rarely been excelled, and TAKING CREDIT FOR THE WORK OF
we recall the beautiful words which, when death
was very near. Miss Cavell wrote to a friend :
OTHERS.
Nothing matters when one comes to the
'
last hour but a clear conscience before God. Miss Cowlin, at the time organising secretary
I wish you to know that I was neither afraid of the College of Nursing, Ltd., has been speaking
nor unhappy, but quite ready -to give my life at Sheffield, Bath and Swansea in its support.
for England.' We note all the time that the erroneous impression
"The countless thousands who will pass this spot is given that until the College was started there
in our time and in future generations will think was no attempt to organise the nursing pro-
with sorrow of her cruel death, with pride of her fession. Miss Cowlin is, no doubt, ignorant on
splendid fortitude, and with affection of her the subject, as she did nothing to help in the
and womanly character."
unselfish pioneer movement for reform, but it is distinctly
"The example of Miss Edith Cavell's life will be unfair to ignore the truth and mislead the
always before us, and her name will remain audience. The intelligent and conscientious
honoured and revered throughout the Empire." sections of the profession had won State Registra-
After the Bishop of London, standing at the tion before ever the lay corporation of the College
" to the
foot of the steps, had dedicated the statue was incorporated, which determinedly ignored
glory of God, and the immortal memory of Edith their work. At Sheffield Miss Cowlin pointed out
Cavell," Queen Alexandra drew the cord the "needs of a central body with a definite
handed to her by Sir George Frampton, and educational policy." Quite so. Every Bill
simultaneously Miss Beatrice Monk, R.R.C.. drafted by the Society for the State Registration of
Matron of the London Hospital, and Miss Beads- Nurses, and the Central Committee, included this
more Smith, R.R.C., Matron-in-Chief of Queen provision of a Central Council to define nursing
Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, education, and register those nurses who attained
standing on either side of the steps, also drew the prescribed standard. There is no need of
cords connected with the flags which fell apart, this parrot. cry from the College. "The Nursing
revealing the white marble statue of Edith Acts provide such a statutory authority.
Cavell, in her nurse's uniform, against the grey At Bath, although Miss Cowlin referred to the
* " failure " of the Registration Bill to become law
granite background.
The brief ceremony concluded with a verse of she purposely omitted to inform her audience
the hymn, " Abide Avith me," played by the band that it was the College Council which obstructed
"
under Lieut. -Colonel Mackenzie Rogan, the Last the Bill in the House of Commons, and thus
Post " and the " Reveille." most wickedly risked depriving the profession of
The figure of Edith Cavell is a beautiful concep- State Registration, rather than permit the pioneer
tion, finely executed, but it is overshadowed and Bill to pass. This is an unforgivable act upon
dwarfed by the great mass of granite which forms the part of the CoUege Council, largely composed
the background ; and the squat figure represent- of the original " antis."
ing Humanity, siurmounting it, is as unpleasing Replying to a question, the speaker said the
as it is curious. We should like to have seen State was setting up a general nursing council
Sir George Frampton's figure raised on a plinth, in connection with State Registration, but the
so as to be seen on all sides. It would, we think, College Register, in her opinion, would be a more
have gained immea,surably by such treatment. reliable register of properly qualified nurses than
could otherwise be now compiled.
Much indignation has been expressed, not only This attempt to mislead nurses as to the relative
by trained nurses, but by members of the public value of a statutory and a voluntary Register is
present, that even this occasion was utilized to as inexcusable as it is stupid.
"
pass round the money-box for the Daily Telegraph At Swansea Miss Cowlin again ignored the work
Shilling Fund," for the endowment of the
of the organised professional nurses, and led her
College of Nursing, Ltd., and its Benevolent Fund. audience to imagine that registration and, in
Surely the friends of this Company might have consequence, professional organisation, had never
refrained from begging alms from a Trafalgar been demanded, until the College Company was
Square crowd on its behalf on such an occasion. The Swansea meeting
formed by laymen in 191 6.
was presided over by Mrs. Moor-Gwyn-, and in
» «
(ML
AND
iSKK
toOM
•UISITES
opposed, and signed manifestoes against, for many Home Sister, Night Superintendent and Ward Sister
years past. at St. Bartholomew's Hospital Matron, Children's
;
To make life happier and more fair a pity our correspondent did not address her
For those whose lives are crowded now with care protest to Lord Burnham, who was present.—-Ed.)
I'll help to lift them from their low despair.
;
Military Sister. —
" Surely the General Nursing
When I have time. Council, when established, will be able to stop
begging from patients and make it 'infamous
Now is the time Ah, friend, no longer wait
I am another
!
THe Midwife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. Hortensia Frances Maycock (No. 31266), Kate
Claribel Richard (No. 48917), Gertrude Trotter
(No. 32520).
MONTHLY MEETINQ. Midwife Mar-
(&) (For Workhouse pupils only) ;
The Monthly Meeting of the Central Midwives garet Ann Richards (No. 36274).
Board was held in the Board Room, i. Queen (c) (Pro hac vice) Midwives Mabel Byard
:
Anne's Gate Buildings, Westminster, on Friday, (No. 37877), Louisa Margaret Thomas (No 41370)
March 19th. Eliza Maud Hendry (No. 26574), Catherine Agnes
A letter was considered from the Assistant Macdonald (No. 30669).
Clerk of the London County Council stating that
The Board directed the names of eight Irish
in many cases the omissions and failures on the
Midwives and one Scottish midwife to be entered
part of midwives to observe the Rules of the
on the Midwives Roll, and a certificate granted to
Board were attributable to the fact that such each of them (the standard of training undergone
midwives have undertaken more confinement
and the examinations passed by them being
cases than could be coped with, and suggesting
equivalent to the standard adopted by the Boards
the desirability of limiting the number of cases
on payment of the fee of one guinea, in accordance
which a midwife should be allowed to take in the with the terms of the Midwives Act, 1918, Section
course of a year.
10.
The Board considered it impossible to adopt this Examiners and Lecturers.
suggestion as the number of cases which can be
taken in the course of a year by a midwife, without The List of Examiners submitted by the Secret-
ary was approved to come into force for one year
affecting the proper conduct thereof, " depends on
ensuing April ist next.
factors of a varying nature, such as concentration
and dispersal of cases, the normality or otherwise The revised List of Lecturers was approved for
the same period.
of the cases, the powers of endurance of the
midwife, and the like. The procedure for dealing Midwives Certified as Teachers.
with midwives who neglect their duties is laid The present approval of midwives certified as
down by the Rules of the Board, and in the teachers was extended until April 22nd next.
opinion of the Board is sufficient for the purpose PENAL CASE5.
of preventing undue multiplication of cases under-
A meeting of the Central Midwives
special
taken."
Board under the provisions of Rule D .8 was held
The Board decided to reply in the affirmative at I, Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, Westminster,
to an inquiry from the Matron of the Leeds
on Thursday, March 18th, for the hearing of
Maternity Hospital as to whether it was permis-
charges against certified midwives when the
sible for pupils to be sent to the Infant Welfare
following midwives were struck off the Roll and
Centre at Leeds, or other Centre of instruction in
their certificates cancelled :
the care of infants for two or three weeks, and to Ann Martin Bragg,
Louise Blakey, No'. 3909 ;
Edward Douglas Whitehead Reid, Esq., M.B. The Midwives Act Committee of the London
—
For Approval as Teacher. Midwife Maude County Council have appointed Brigadier-General
Ethel Walton (No. (Adjourned applica-
28956). R. J. Cooper, C.B., C.V.O., to be their Chairman
tion.) : {a) Midwives Margaret Clark Chappell and Mrs. May Harmer to be their Vice-Chairman
(No. 47931), Louisa Mary Lee (No. 4292), Alice for the ensuing year.
—
THE
past seven years has endowed them with a vivid local administration.
nearly a quarter of a million p>ersons under the working in a team under the direction of
a
ag'e of 50, of which number 64,000 are infants. Chief Medical Officer of Health, who should be
Again, it is laid down that, without doubt, responsible to the local health authority or to
'much crime and due to a state of de-
vice is the Ministry of Healt'h.
generacy which is largfely produced by sickness It. is proposed that sufficient hospital accom-
nesses of the present system and the defects of wives to meet the requirements of the area,
the " so-called medical benefit supplied under also staffs of Health Visitors and Household
the National Insurance Acts," including' the Helps.
lack of nursing- and midwifery services, the Now that the reconstruction of the Health
writers of the Memorandum propose that Services of the country is imminent, a scheme
medical benefit should be lifted from the In- such as that outlined above should receive
surance Act altogether, if it is to be made at careful and sympathetic consideration.
— ——— — ;
After a sleep, or even a period of drowsiness, tended bladder (c) excess of liquor amnii
;
the uterus is refreshed, and starts again with (d) general weakness of constitution (e) twins ;
In cases of early rupture of the membranes (g) too early rupture of membranes.
and sluggish uterus it will be necessary to apply Miss A, B. M. Owen states that in secondary
forceps. Sometimes an injection of pituitary uterine inertia the uterus is tired. The pains
extract (i cc.) obviates the necessity of forceps, which have been good, instead of becoming
but in any case preparation must be made for stronger and more rapid, become weaker, and
applying them, if delivery is not effected within the intervals between the pains longer. This
thirty minutes after the injection. is not diue to obstruction, but to the fact that
In cases of non-dilatation of the cervix which the contractile power of the uterus is exhausted.
will not yield to hot vaginal douches or drugs, A long second stage is invariably the cause of
it must be dilated digitally under an anaesthetic, uterine inertia in the third stage of labour.
or else a de Ribes bag inserted also under an
; QliBSIlON FOR NEXT WEEK.
anaesthetic, and thereafter forceps applied. Express an opinion for or against the use of
(b) Inertia due to exhausted uterus :
prophylactic packets for prevention of venereal
Here, also, the causation is obscure. It may disease.
—
serious operation last week, and has been dan- " I have just witnessed the death of one of my
gerously ill for a few days, is delighting her —
babies the sweetest, prettiest, well-cared-for
nurses and friejids by her powers of recovery, and loved baby in the district, just ten months old.
I had thought that in my district there should
and there is now every hope that she will make
be no Infant Mortality, but my conceit is gone.
a gcxxl convalescence. During her long and
Alas I felt so certain that if I watched over my
;
honourable service as Matron of the Hendon
mothers and babies, and worked hard, that my
Infirmary, now Hospital, Miss Elma Smith has little ones would be enabled to grow up strong,
greatly endeared herself to several generations healthy citizens, able to lead good, useful lives,
of pupils, and to hundreds of sick people. We but God still moves in mysterious ways. His
cannot afford, in these days, to lose any of the wonders to perform, and it appears to me as
courag-eous women who have spent themselves though the beautiful Temple not made -with
and their money in winning the Nursing Acts, hands, and the many mansions which are being
and helping- to found the Profession of Nursing. prepared for us cannot be built altogether of
jasper, gold and precious stones, but inasmuch
Miss Smith became a member of the R.B.N. A.
as His only Son became the corner stone, so the
in 1888, and has worked splendidly for Regis-
beautiful carvings and work must be filled in by
tration since that day to this, and we cannot our own priceless treasures, and when each one
spare her now in the day of Victory. is called home it must be because He is just ready
for that bit of his own handiwork, and that this
We have received from Miss Antoinette E. sweet babe, in perfect health and beauty, is filling
Schuller, the Editor of the C.L.S.A. Nurses' an important niche in the Temple of God. As
Leag-ue, a copy of i'ts 191 9 League Journal, I think this I become less bitter, more humble
which contains an excellent portrait of this and not so ready to give up in despair."
lady as a frontispiece, which her fellow nurses There are other interesting articles in this
will be charmed to receive. Journal, and it is very well edited and produced.
The City of Westminster Infirmary, Hendon,
is no long-er a Poor Law Nursing Training- Afire in an institution containing blind men
School. The fine building has been taken over is a terrifying ordeal, and 150 blinded soldiers
by the Metropolitan Asylums Board, working- and sailors were in bed at St. Dunstan's Hostel,
with the Ministry of Health, and is to be used Regent's Park, N.W., when a fire broke out
for the treatment of tuberculosis, where very in the linen room in the early hours of Friday,
up-to-date treatment will be under the super- March 26th. Their discipline stood them in
vision of the new Mediical Superintendent, Dr. good stead, and they dressed coolly and quickl) ,
Marcus Paterson. It is rumoured that the and were then conducted by the Matron and
^ building is to be enlarged to accommodate more V.A.D. nurses to the lounge in the west wing,
beds, and this will necessitate extending- the where they remained until the fire was got
Nurses' Home for the increase of staff. Much under.
interest has been shown in the new arrange- About fifty V.A.D. 's were sleeping on the top
ment by past nurses, who are anxious to retufn floor, and they made a hurried escape dowrn the
to Hendon and forward the work. emergency iron staircase, many of them only
The Guardians have decided for the future to having time to put on shoes and wrap them-
present a silver medal to the nurse who heads selves in cloaks over their night attire. Two
the examination list, and a bronze one to the of them (Miss Effie Grevilink and Miss Esme
second. CoUiing^ood) sustained bruises, and Miss Sava
The beautiful Memorial Tablet erected for the Frankland was discovered lying under a bed
nurses who fell in the war was placed in posi- in one of the rooms, overcome by smoke, and
tion in the Home at the end of the year, and unconscious. She was removed to the Middle-
is still waiting for the unveiling ceremony, sex Hospital, where, we are glad to learn, she
which, tog-ether with the General Meeting- of progressed favourably.
the League, is postponed owing to the sudden The fire was extinguished in two hours, but
illness of the President, Miss Elma Smith. Not the linen room was destroyed, and the ward
for long-, let us hope. The Leag^ue Journal beneath and the passages were badly damag^ed.
contains interesting-'
'War Records " of the
work of the members. The General Hospital, Birmingham, is a very
198 CTbe »nti9b 3ournal of •RursiUQ, April 3, 1920
ferred specially to the work of Miss Marsters informal investiture in front of the hospital, and
at the head of a tube station during- the raids. decorated Sister Hooper, Staff Nurse Sheila and
There were far too few thanks for those who Staff Nurse Diorden for service abroad, and Sister
deserved them. E. Salisbury for home service, with the Royal Red
Dr. Akindor, Paddington, seconded the Cross (second class)
resolution,which was carried by loud ac-
cJamation, and Miss Marsters briefly re- HONOURS FOR NURSES.
sponded. She sf>oke of the pleasure of having
at the meeting, for the first time, many of those ROYAL RED CROSS.
among whom they worked, and of the efforts TheKing held an at Buckingham
investiture
they made to support the Association, not only Palace on March when the following ladies
24th,
by unsolicited donations from sixpence to a were decorated with the Royal Red Cross.
pound, which had resulted in ;£i5o being re- Bar to the Royal Red Cross.
ceived during- the year from this source, but Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
Service .—yHs?, Clara Chad wick, Miss Lavinia Steen,
both j>atients and their friends helped enor-
and Miss Sarah Wilshaw.
mously in preparing for the visits of the nurses.
The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
Without such assistance the nurses could not Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
visitso many cases. Eig-ht nurses on the staff Service .—Miss Mary Clements, and Miss Annie
paid 600 to 700 visits a week in the homes of Plimsaul.
the patients, not counting others engaged in Queen Imperial
Alexandra's Military Nursing
Service —-Mrs.
Reserve.- Charlotte Graven, Miss Elsie
minor ailment treatment centres and other Gascoigne, and Miss Henrietta Walde.
work. Territorial Force Nursing Service. —
Miss Margaret
At the conclusion of the meeting tea w^as Cummins and Miss Jane Hannah.
served by the nursing staff in a manner whiich
—
Civil Nursing Service. -Miss Gertrude Montgomery.
—
British Red Cross Society. -Miss Martha Whent.
was an object lesson in their efficiency. A col- Civil Hospital Reserve. —
Miss Annie Duncan.
lection taken at the door amounted to between
The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
£3 «nd £4- Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
Service Reserve. —
Miss Margaret Baxter, Miss Mabel
Gregson, Miss Isabella Ingles, Miss Lucy Kelly, Miss
TO PRIVATE NURSES. Mary Lavie, Miss Anne Macandrew, Miss Lizzie May,
Miss Clare Morrin, Miss Isabella Patrick, Mrs. Helen
Penney, Mrs. Louisa Price, Mrs. Bertha Priestley
It is being urged by some Nurses' Organizations Miss Bessie Taylor, Miss Gwendoline Thomas, Miss
that Nurses should be included in the Hours of Helena Tompkins, Miss Kate Wallbank, and Miss
Employment Bill (No. 2), which will be considered Emily Williamson.
after Easter, and that the hours of Private Nurses Territorial Force Nursing Service.~Miss Margaret
shall be restricted to eight daily. As the majority Johnston, Miss Ethel Midgley, Miss Mary Paul, and
Miss Edith Smeeton.
of Private Nurses we have consulted are opposed
Civil Nursing Service.—Miss Muriel Cox, Miss Sarah
to inclusion in the Bill, their reasons being (i) that Jubb, Mrs. Mary Mundy, Miss Ethel Skerratt, and
it is impracticable, (2) it would deprive them of Aliss Grace Walford.
C work, and (3) it would prevent them caring for British Red Cross Society.—Miss Marion Pidcock-
their patients efficiently, we shall be obliged if Henzel, Mrs. Cora Mayne, Miss Jessie Millar, Mrs. Una
Private Nurses vnll send a post card, addressed Dawson-Pattisson, Miss Evelyn Pinkerton, Mrs. Alice
to the Editor, B.J.N., 20, Upper Wimpole Street, Scott, Miss Gertrude Sutton,' Miss Mary Wilson, and
London, W. i, expressing their opinion on the Miss Florence Wren.
St. John Ambulance Associaiion.— Miss Mary Peter.
question, which is of vital interest to them.
State whether in favour or not, of inclusion in the
Civil and War Hospitals. —
Miss Anne Carr, Miss
Elizabeth Jones, Miss Eliza Myers, Mrs. Bertha Parry.
Bill, and give reasons. A few words will suffice Miss Winifred Taylor, and Miss Madge Williams.
and card must be signed and address given. Voluntary Aid 'Detachment. —Miss Dorothy Jobson,
Miss Annie Kearney, Mrs. Zoe Longdon, Miss Lometta
Roskill, Mrs. Gertrude Ross. Mrs. Marion Saddler,
the Hon. Mrs. Eva John Trefusis, Miss Myrtle Wigram,
AN INFORMAL INVESTITURE. and Miss Violet Wigram.
The King gave great pleasure when he visited The King also held an Investiture at Buckingham
Manchester last Saturday, in the course of his visit PalaceonMarch 25th, when he conferred the following
to the Grangethorpe Military Hospital, by deco- decorations.
rating four members of the nursing staff with the Bar to the Royal Red Cross.
Royal Red Cross. Miss Amy Knaggs, Queen Alexandra's Imperial
His Majesty was received at the hospital by Military Nursing Service.
Dr. C. A. Lees (Medical Superintendent) and Miss The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
A. Woodhouse (Matron), and after visiting the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.
wards, and the curative workshops, held an — Miss Cecilia Harries and Miss Katherine Bulman.
; —
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE INSTITUTE
—
Reserve.' 'Miss Kate Chapman.
Territorial Force Nursing Service.- —Miss Elizabeth FOR NURSES.
Humphries.
Civil Nursing Service.—Thyllis, Mrs. Dry, and Miss
The Council of Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute
Laura Holroyde. for Nurses met at 58, Victoria Street, S.W. i,
Voluntary Aid-Detachment.- — Josephine, Mrs. Latter, last week. The Earl of Athlone presided and
and Maude, Lady Fox-Symons. reported that Her Majesty Queen Alexandra had
been graciously pleased to make appointments on
The Royal Red Cross (Second Class). the Council for the three years commencing
Queen A lexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. March 31st, 1920.
—Miss Helen
-
King, and Miss Mabel Kinkead. Harold Boulton and Sir William Cameron
Sir
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Gull were re-elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Reserve.—Miss Annie Clarke, Miss Caroline Clements,
of the Council and the Earl of Athlone and Mr.
Miss Edith Cooke, Miss Christiana Dimmock, Miss
Gertrude Fuller, Miss Grace GilfiUan, Miss Betty Francis W. Pixley were re-elected Hon. Treasurers,
Hacker, Miss Florence Hepburn, Miss Harriet Howard, and the Countess of March, Mrs. Bruce Richmond
Miss Evelyn Johnson, Miss Anne Langley, Miss Ida and Mr. D. F. Pennant Hon. Secretaries.
Leedam, Miss Phoebe Le Gassick, Miss Lilian Leigh, The Executive Committee for the ensuing year
Miss Alice Letts, Miss Amy Lewis, Miss Bessie Lidstone, was also appointed, consisting chiefly of members
Miss Daisy Lynch, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Rickard. representing the afifiliated Associations, the Super-
Territorial Force Nursing Service. —
Miss Margaret intendents of the Queen's Nurses, and other
Dow-Bain, Miss Eliza Bradshaw, Miss Muriel Bulteel,
Societies carrying on work analogous to that of
Miss Annie Cameron, Miss Fanny Eggington, Miss Mary
Harris, Miss Mary Haynes, Miss Elizabeth Hobday,
the Institute.
Miss Matilda Kitteringham, Miss Sarah Leavesley, The Council consists of 78 persons of social
Miss Jean Lyle, and Mabel, Mrs. Quarmby. position, medical men, and five, nurses.
Civil Nursing Service.-^~M.is,s Mary Bean, Miss Rosa Miss Rosalind Paget.
Cooper, Miss Enid George, Miss Edith Gooderham, and Miss Amy Hughes.
Miss Agnes Lawlor. Dame Sarah Swift (Nation's Fund for Nurses).
British Red Cross Society .—Miss Mary Holbech, Miss G. Vaughan, (Superintendents of Training
Marguerite, Mrs. Johnston, Miss Margaret Kirk, and
Homes, England, Wales and Ireland.)
Miss Isobel Morrison.
Voluntary Aid Detachment. ~MissDovot\xyKstibx\6.gQ,
Miss Wheeley, (Superintendents of Affiliated
Miss Grizel Bayley, Miss Helen Brownrigg, Miss Claud- County Nursing Associations.)
ine Douglas, Miss Constance Germon, Mildred, Mrs.
Gray, Janet, Mrs. Hallsmith, Miss Susanne Harries,
NURSING ASSOCIATIONS AND THE
Miss Edith Drummond-JIay, Miss Laura Lamonby, MINISTRY OF HEALTH.
Miss tjilda Lee, Miss Elizabeth Lewis, Miss Muriel Captain Reginald Terrell recently asked the
Maberley, Miss Isabella Megson, Miss Josephine Laing, Minister of Health if he would state what reasons
Gertrude, Mrs. Ravenscroft, Miss Marion Sedgwick, had actuated him in refusing the request of the
and Mabel, Mrs. Barr-Stevens. Council of the Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute
Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House for Nurses that representatives of the county
the Members of the Military and Civil Nursing Services nursing associations and of the Institute should be
who were awarded the Royal Red Cross, subsequent appointed on certain of the consultative councils
to the Investitures at Buckingham Palace. under his Department. Dr. Addison replied :
Miss A. B. Smith, R.R.C. (Matron in Chief, The total membership of a consultative council is
Q.A.I.M.N.S.), was also received by Her Majesty. restricted by Order in Council to 20, and I regret
that within this limit it was not found possible to
The King has been pleased to award the Royal Red
include persons having the special type of know-
Cross (Second Class) to the following Ladies in recog-
nition of their valuable services in connection with the ledge and experience in question in the Council on
war :— Medical and Allied Services. I am hoping, how-
Miss E. Watson, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil. Hosp., ever, to have the advantage of their assistance on
Frees Heath, Salop Miss L. G. Watts, Sister, Q.A.I.M.
;
any committee of the council appointed to con-
N.S.R., the Lord Derby War Hosp., Warrington Miss
;
sider the future organisation of nursing services.
M. G. Welch, Sister, Bermondsey Mil. Hosp., Ladywell
Miss E. M. Whittall, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S., R. Victoria EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.
Hosp., Netley Miss M. Whyte, Matron, the Rutland
; The following are the questions set in the
Hosp. for Officers, 16, Arlington Street, London Miss; examination for the Roll of Queen's Nurses "bn
G. Wilkinson, Act. Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil. Hosp.,
March i8th, 1920.
Chisledon Camp, Wilts Miss M. T. Wilman, Sister,
;
Acting Sister, Met. Hosp., Kingsland Road., London. (&) How much carbonic acid gas is there in ordinary
Miss E. Yates, Staff Nurse, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil. air, and how much in expired air ? (c) What
Hosp., Pembroke Dock Miss E. Younger-Smith,
;
happens to hot air ?
Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. Mil. Hosp., Bevington Camp 2. What symptoms would cause you to fear
Wool. an attack of eclampsia in your patient ? What
Canadian Army Medical Corps. feature does this disease present and how would
Missj[C. Powell, Matron Massey-Harris Convalescent you deal with a case pending the arrival of the
Home for Canadian Soldiers, Kingswood, Dulwich. doctor ?
—
you had not what you think is necessary ? State I am bound to consult, and I have consulted,
also how you would clean and store rubber tubing, three organisations specifically named and such
water pillows, ice bags, mackintosh sheeting and other associations or organised bodies of nurses or
flannel shirts.
Matrons as ask to be consulted. No organisation
6a. What recent public measures have been
is given the right of direct nomination to the
adopted to decrease the mortality of measles General Nursing Council. The invitations in
amongst children ? To what extent can district connection with the membership of the Council
nurses co-operate with these measures ? will be issued to-morrow;
or
6b. To what extent and from what sources would
The selection of the sixteen nurses and the five
you obtain extra nourishment during sickness for
(a) Disabled soldier or sailor, [b) War widow.
:
—
other persons a duty deputed to the Minister of
Health in the Schedule to the Nurses' Registration
(c) Marasmic
An
baby, {d) Phthisis patient, {e)
old age pensioner, (f) Labourer's wife ill with
—
Act has. been by no means an easy task, as all
classes of persons, including groups of employers,
pneumonia.
> I
have persistently urged their .claims to representa-
tion on the Registered Nurses' Governing Body
THE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE the General Nursing Council. Thus it was con-
sidered only fair by the Labour Party that the
CENTENNIAL. Nurses' Trade Union group should not be excluded
from helping to frame the Rules they would have
to obey, a very active attempt to exclude them
Florence Nightingale was born on May 12th, 1 820,
having' been made by supporters of the College of
in the Villa Columbaia, near the Porta Roma, at
Nursing, Ltd.
Florence, the City of Flowers, and already arrange-
ments are being made in the United States by the
National Organisation for Public Health Nursing CHAIRMAN AND COUNCIL OF COLLEGE
and other groups of American Nurses for the cele-
bration of the Florence Nightingale Centennial.
OF NURSING, LTD.,
An outline for a series of tableaux portraying INTERFERENCE WITH LIBERTY OF ACTION
events in the life of the Queen of Nurses has been OF NURSE MEMBERS.
arranged in such a way that amateurs can easily
produce them. In reply to a communication sent to the Secre-
The newly-organised Central Council for tary of the College of Nursing, Ltd., asking if it
—
Nursing Education in Chicago says The A merican had officially advised members not to join a
—
Journal of Nursing ^has offered a prize of 500 trade union, the following letter was received :
no means the first time that it has shown its for the use of the members of the College of
reactionary spirit —
(i) "When it practically forbade
nurses to sign the Petition to the Prime Minister,
Nursing, Ltd.
These are the vexatious inequalities resented
asking for the direct representation of organised by Edinburgh nurses who do not wish to be forced
nurses on the General Nursing Council to be set to join the College.
up in a Nurses' Registration Act and (2) Advis-
; In Glasgow, at the Scottish Nurses' Club, no
ing nurses to get their Members of Parliament privileges are secured to members of the Scottish
to obstruct (wreck) the Nurses' Registration Bill —
Nurses' Association who founded it all nurses are
on the Report Stage in the House of Commons treated, as they should be, on an equality.
last June. The menace to the freedom of the
whole Nursing Profession, by the control of
—
The question arises was the Edinburgh Club,
as was the Glasgow Club, founded largely on bene-
thousands of uninstructed and dependent nurses factions from the general public " for trained
who are willing to be used against its progress nurses " ? Or was the money specially donated
and best interests by this oligarchy, is a very to the College of Nursing, Ltd. ? If the latter was^
livelydanger which must be vigilantly watched, the case, then it should be entirely reserved for'
exposed and opposed. members of the College and if not, it should be
;
certificate of the Royal Sanitary Institute as a Health decorated, furnished and equipped. The offer
Visitor. She is a Registered Nurse in the State of was gratefully accepted by the Board, and the
Philadelphia, U.S.A.
MASSEUSE. outcome is a ward as attractive as art can make it,
—
Miss Nora Peck has been
Chester Royal Infirmary.- with every modern appliance and convenience, the
appointed Masseuse. She was trained at University delight of all visitors. U »
College Hospital, London, and holds I.S.T.M., and The walls and ceiling are enamelled, with a high
Medical Electricity Certificates. dado surmounted by a 10 in. panel and a deep
Miss Leila Howard has been appointed Assistant
Masseuse.
frieze, both of nursery patterns. New firegrates
have nursery rhyme panels above, and over the
WEDDINCi BELLS. balcony door are leaded light window panels.
Miss C. A. Padbury, R.R.C., Assistant Super- New electric fittings and additional heating in the
intendent of School Nurses in the Public Health Sanitary Annexe have been installed, and twenty
Department of the London County Council, is shortly latest pattern cots, a complete equipment of
to be married. Her fiance is from overseas, and after
bedding and linen, instruments, nursery and all
her marriage she will remain in the Service of the
Council until the necessary arrangements can be made other furniture and domestic utensils, and the
for her sea-passage with her husband, which may be furnishing of the Sister's Room, are included in the
some little time. g*ift.
The splendid work done by Sister Padbury for The Ward was dedicated on March 9th by the
blinded soldiers at No. 2 General Hospital, Chelsea, Bishop of Chester (Dr. H. L. Paget).
T.F.N.S., is well known, and very many friends will A suggestion has been taken up by the local
wish her and her fiance much happiness in their Press that Chester should raise an Endowment
married life.
Fund of /j 0,000 for the Ward,' in addition to the
THE PASSING BELL. Memorial Cross which is to be erected in the centre
We greatly regret to record the deaths of two mem- of the city. Ihe donors of the ward offer, if this
bers of the League of St. Bartholomew's Hospital
is done, to regard their gift as part of the War
Nurses—Miss A. E. Holmes (Cert. 1907), who worked
during the war as a member of Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., and Memorial.
who passed away on March 20th, and Miss E. G. The hours of duty and salaries of the Nursing
Beard (Cert. 19 15) who died at the Royal Naval Staff have been revised. The Day Staff have been
Hospital, Haslar, on March 24th. We
offer our granted one day in seven off duty, and Night
sincere sympathy to their relatives. Nurses have three consecutive nights off duty per
month. Salaries of Ward Sisters have been
raised to £52 — ;^55—-;^62, and of Nurses to first
THE HOSPITAL >VORLD. year ;^i8, second year ;^22, third year ;^26, fourth
year ;^35.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert has become
President of the Queen's Hospital for Children,
Hackney Road, London, N.E., which provides ANNUAL CONFERENCE FACULTY
treatment in sickness and accident to over OF INSURANCE.
40,000 children, making over 108,000 attendances
in the course of a year. The good work done by Sir Kingsley Wood, M.P. (Parliamentary
the hospital in a very poor neighbourhood, and
Private Secretary to the Minister of Health),
the economy exercised in its administration, are
presided at the Annual Conference of the Faculty
well known, and it is deserving of all support.
of Insurance, held throughout Friday, March 26th,
at the Central Hall, Westminster, which was
The bazaar recently held at St. Bartholomew's attended by delegates from local authorities,
Hospital by the Women's Guild of that institution, insurance committees, and social organisations.
proved a decided success. There were no ex- In the course of his Presidential Address Sir
penses, and the result is that the sum of ;/^3,2oo Kingsley Wood announced that legislation could
has already been handed over. be anticipated which would deal with the hospital
problem as part of the general health problem.
THE ROYAL INFIRMARY, CHESTER. At present hospital provision was notoriously
The Chester Royal Infirmary has been reorganis- inadequate, and its financial resources precarious.
ing following the of the soldiers.
withdrawal In the past it had been nobody's business to
Wards have been opened for eye and other special provide hospitals, and the voluntary hospitals
departments, an Orthopaedic Clinic established, had often been dumped down in unsuitable
and definite provision is to be made for paying places, and there were great gaps in hospital
patients. A new Children's Ward has also been provision. Without any blow at existing volun-
opened on the second floor of the renovated old tary hospitals others must be provided where
, wing, with a roof balcony adjoining, and com- they were sorely needed. Centres and clinics,
manding an uninterrupted view of the Welsh hills. the aim of which would be preventive, must also
On the ward being allotted to the children, two be established, to diminish the number of patients
friends of the charity. Dr. J. George Taylor (Hon. now going straight to the hospitals.
Physician) and Mr. W. Heathcote Williams, The proposed legislation would deal with the
offered to take it over and to hand it back hospital problem as part of the general health
— :
April 1920
204 Zbc »rltt0b 3ournal of fluretno. 3,
problem, and would give the Minister of Health BOOK OF THE WEEK.
power to link existing institutions with the local
health services, and to make further and better THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDQE
general provisions especially for women and ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S ROMANCE.*
children. romance cannot be gainsaid,
The charm of this
Dr. Addison had come to a great decision in
nor can the grace and distinction of its literary
deciding to deal with tuberculosis as a whole
worth. It is full of strong and tender passages,
instead of tinkering with it under National
which permeate it with fragrance.
Insurance. A bigger fight would also have to be
Abraham Lincoln and the beautiful character
put up against venereal disease, which was the
of Ann Rutledge are, of course, the central theme.
cause of half the lunacy and blindness of the The reader is caught in the atmosphere of nearly
country, and a vast number of infant deaths. —
a century back in the environment of the States
The mistaken policy of secrecy had largely broken
down.
—
in that period in the early spring, and in the
fanatical religious fervour of the time.
The Minister of Health intended to introduce
— Ann herself is associated with springtime, of
legislation — it was hoped this Session unifying^
which she herself is part and parcel, with a
and conferring proper health powers on suitable natural faith and trustfulness, and with pure love.
local authorities, and reforming the Poor Law.
What an alluring picture is drawn of her as she
The next speaker, Mr. Smith, of the Manchester stands with her arms full of white plum blossom,
Co-operative Society, prefaced his remarks by with a background of open garden, of meadow, a
recording his pleasure and satisfaction at the glimpse of forest further back, and over it all the
passing of the Nurses' Registration Acts. He white-flecked, spring-blue sky.
advocated the establishment of a Nursing Service "In the foreground stood a slender girl in a pink
for the Insured Sick which, he said, could be sprigged calico dress. Her violet eyes were shaded
arranged by a payment of id. per member. with dark lashes. Her shapely head was crowned
Manchester was making a start in this direction with a wealth of golden hair in which a glint of red
by arranging co-cffdination of the various volun- seemed hiding. A white kerchief was pinned low
tary agencies. about her neck, and across her breast were tied the
Lieut. -Colonel Raw, C.M.G., M.D., M.P., speak- white strings of a ruffled bonnet which dropped on
ing on " Tuberculosis, a National Problem," laid her shoulders behind."
stress on the fact that this disease was preventable A merry, laughing girl, in spite of. or rather
and curable, and never hereditary. He urged because of, her imaginative faculties and her
early diagnosis, the establishment of additional simple piety.
sanatoria, of village settlements, of improved She asks her more everyday friend
housing conditions, and a great propaganda " Say, Nance, do sounds make you think of
movement throughout the country. "
smells ?
Captain W. E. Elliot, M.P., M.C., dealing with " I never thought of such a thing."
" The Tragedy of Human Dumps " (Medical " Don't cow bells make you think of hay and
Research in relation to waste lives), claimed in dandelions and grass and the smell of the cow lot
support of medical research that scientists had in the evening ? " And don't bees and honey-
added live years to the life of man since the locust and robins and apple blossoms go together ?
Franco-Prussian war, and this was worth I could name a hundred sounds that have smells
^8,000,000,000. for partners."
Wood, in summing up, commenting
Sir Kingsley It was that she first saw Abraham Lincoln amid
on a remark made that the Ministry of Health the flowering plum blossom, that its association
had already done great things except on the seems interwoven with their subsequent love.
housing question, said that in connection with It was Abraham's first glimpse of her as he sailed
that also it had done much, in spite of the diffi- down the river in the boat that he had released
culties encountered, and expected to have 100,000 from the mud amid the cheers of the villagers.
new houses in a year's time. He advised that Ann shook her branches of wild plum.
little notice should be taken of the daily Press, " The boat sailed on. To those on board who
which was often inspired by interested motives. looked back a few moments later the mill and the
In regard to the future of Voluntary Hospitals, dam were resolving themselves into an indistinct
the Minister of Health wanted them, he said, to patch of gray and brown, against which a bit of
continue for the present, and to be incorporated pink waving something white stood out.
in the Ministry's scheme. Also, for the present, " It was a few days kter, after Abraham Lincoln
a State Medical Service was not suggested in ;
had entered service to split rails for a new pair of
fact, no change was contemplated which would breeches, he came to town late one afternoon to
lead to controversy. get an axe.
In regard to the nurses Sir Kingsley Wood said While yet rounding the bluff he heard the
it was hoped to improve their standard and pay. barking of a dog and then the tinkle of a cow-bell
They had been most inadequately paid in the Then a human voice was heard, a woman's voice ^
AND
I SICK
teOQVl
•UISITES
that seemed to burst suddenly into the flower of " THE IMITATION OF CHRIST."
a full-blown song.
" I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger THE EDITH CAVELL EDITION.
Ican tarry, I can tarry but a night." Most of us have our favourite edition of the
The youth leaned forward and listened breathlessly. " Imitation of Christ " which we would not
But the voice was dying and the tinkle of the bell willingly exchange for any other. The wonderful
came on the stillness, faint as a memory." little volume in four books by Thomas Haemmer-
It was the voice of Ann, his " little pilgrim," as lein (A Kempis), who was born at Kempen, in
he learned to call her. It was characteristic of Germany, in 1380, was first published in Latin
Abraham to win his way in spite of obstacles, and about 1470, and in English in 1677. Probably next
there is a very human picture of his holding Ann's to the sacred writings no book has been so much
hand beneath the quilt at the quilting-bee, regard- beloved by Christians of all countries and nation-
less of the fact that she was pledged to John alities. It is a book of deep spirituality, of quiet
McNeil. serenity, and those most deeply permeated by its
" A look of surprise showed on Ann's face as she .spirit radiate the peace which passes all under-
child, but she was silent." " Occasions of adversity best discover how great
In his agony of spirit he revisits the throne on virtue or strength each one hath,"
which he had laid the May Day crown. " For occasions do not make a man frail, but
'
You will come back to me. will have our We they show what he is."
little home. Oh, Ann Ann ! !
'
" Thou must pass through fire and water before
He dropped his face against the faded leaves." thou come to the place of refreshing,"
The last picture of him is by her grave. " It were more just that thou shouldst accuse
" Whether he were praying there, or weeping or thyself, and excuse thy brother."
struggling for the grace of resignation, none might " Keep close to Jesus both in life and death, and
know, for no sound came from his lips. But on commit thyself unto His trust, who, when all fail,
the edge of the wood he stood with his sad grey can alone help thee."
eyes turned to the little mound of earth, but he " After winter followeth summer, after night the
lifted them from the mound to a cloud bank day returneth, and after a tempest a great calm."
rimmed with silver. " Soul of Ann Rutledge The book is dedicated to Queen Alexandra,
"
yes, I believe !
H. H.
A WORD FOR THE WEEK.
COMING EVENTS. TRUTH PREVAILS,
—
April 16th. Society for the State Registration " It fortifies my soul to know that though I
of Nurses. Meeting Executive Committee, 431, perish truth is so."
Oxford Street, London, W. 4 p.m. Arthur Hugh Clough.
. —
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon and in the ever-increasing chain of societies which
all subjects for these columns, we wish it to be are linked together in this common bond, no link
distinctly understood that we do not in any way could be more appropriate than that of the
held ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed nursing profession, which should enhance the
by our correspondents. whole chain by its solidity and completeness.
TRADE UNIONISM AND STRIKES. Yours faithfully,
not coincide with my point of view. Nurses who realise the danger foreshadowed in
I think the nation has been ill-fed and has
your remarks last week, will not sit supine as
deteriorated in consequence and that instead
;
usual, and have their work taken away from them
of being part of an organised plan of reform, by Act of Parliament in the Hours of Employment
strikes were the result of evil conditions. Bill. I have been a Private Nurse for fifteen years,
It seems to me that drastic action on the part
taking my fee of £2 2S. (now £2, 3s.) a week, less
of the oppressed indicates reckless defiance, a small percentage, and in that time although I
flaming up from the smouldering of misery and began without a penny, I have saved enough on
hopelessness created by past grievances, and which to retire in comfort. Sometimes I have
ignited by the " last straw " of a new burden worked twelve hours, sometimes longer at others ;
which may be small in itself. I have travelled with patients, seen foreign
Upon such occasions we cannot expect the ear countries, and had a really good time. Give and '
to be sensitive to platitudes on the sufferings of take,' as you say. I wish to put it on record that
others, the mind being totally absorbed in its own.
I have been very generously treated by the
In referring to " cruel " strikes. Miss Klaassen majority of patients, and have a dozen places
must mean those which apparently cause more where I can spend a holiday, free of expense. If
suffering than usual to helpless outsiders. I con-
we are to have collective bargaining in private
' '
not so much on the officials of our unions, as upon occur ? Give the symptoms and general manage
the driving force, and that force is guided by ment of this condition.
members but weakened by non-members. —
April lyth. How would you recognise perfora-
Those who pride themselves on their lofty- tion in a case of enteric fever ? What immediate
views should lose no time in adding to our driving action would you take, and how could you
force. temporarily relieve the patient ?
2o8 Q:be British 3ournal of i^ureina Supplement April 3, 1926
The Midwife.
THE LEWISHAM MATERNITY HOME. THE ASSOCIATION FOR PROMOTING THE
TRAINING AND SUPPLY OF MIDWIVES.
The Lewisham Borough Council is indeed to be The Annual Meeting of the Association for
congratulated on its splendid Maternity Home. Promoting the Training and Supply of Midwives
This was the first of its kind to be initiated, and was held on March 24th at 23, Cromwell Road,
was opened by Her Majesty Queen Mary, on South Kensington, by kind permission of Mrs. S
June ist, 1918. Bruce. Lieut. -Colonel Fremantle, M.P., L.C.C.,
The Council were fortunate enough to secure Consulting Medical Officer for Hertfordshire, was
a residence, formerly occupied by a medical in the chair, and the adoption of the Annual
practitioner, and which was easily adapted. Report was moved by Mrs. Ebden (Chairman of
It is situated in the main road, about the centre the Executive Committee).
of the borough, so being within easy access for all The Report stated that the principal matters
residents who are anxious to avail themselves of which have occupied the attention of the Com-
the comfort and care so easily obtained. mittee have been the consideration of the measures
There is a spacious hall, and from it lead off a taken by the Board of Education, and the work
large nurses' dining room, the clinic room (in entailed in providing a wider field for the training
which, daily, babies are weighed and their progress of the Association's candidates. It is further
watched until they are five years old). stated that after many years of happy associations
There is also the doctor's consultation room, with the Plaistow authorities the Committee found
the Matron's office and, leading out of these, the
;
it necessary to terminate their Agreement, and
examination room and dispensary. although still sending a few of their candidates to
Passing up the staircase, which is tastefully East Ham, the Home is no longer an integral part
decorated with dark-brown " Lin-crusta " and of the scheme of the Association. The candidates
oak panelling, one comes to the wards. These are accepted this year have been trained at the City of
three in number, very bright and cheery, with London Maternity Hospital, the East End Mothers'
their pale-green washed walls and white enamel Home, the East Ham Home, Lady Holland's
paint ;white beds with swinging cots fitted Maternity Home, Leicester Maternity Hospital,
at the foot of each bed and hung with white frills. Liverpool Maternity Hospital, Worcester Nursing
Each ward contains four beds and a cheery fire Institution, and York Road General Lying-in
is kept burning for the convalescent patients who Hospital. .'
.
and it is well that we should realise the difficul- This reasoning- g-roup of persons, whose
ties of his position. expert professional opinion as to nursing
We presume the Minister of Health is cog- organisation is the outcome of many years'
nisant of the diversity of thoug-ht amongst work in this connection, have always been op-
certain sections of nurse*^, and that in " doing posed by the majority of the lay governors of the
his best " he will provide that each of these voluntary hospitals. This reactionary group,
sections has representation on the Council. together with the higher officials in their em-
The first of these sections is the creative and ployment, maintained, for many years, a non
progressive group standing- for solidarity and possumus attitude in reg-ard to State Registra-
professional co-operation. To this group, in- tion of Nurses, and declined not only to co-
spired by professional must be
conscience, operate with those promoting- this reform, but
awarded the and voicing the
credit of initiating opposed every effort made to secure the self-
demand for the protection of the sick from government of the Nursing- Profession. This
spurious nursing, and for higher education and section is now grouped under the title of
better economic conditions for trained nurses. the Colleg-e of Nursing, Ltd., which orig^inally
This group, while encouraging social evolu- attempted to thrust its obsolete policy of volun-
tion amongst nurses, has determinedly de- tary registration on the nursing world, but was
manded the Registration of Trained Nurses by compelled to realise that it was only by sup-
the State, knowing- full well that without the porting the principle of reg'istration by the
strong arm of the law behind organisation no State that it could continue to exist at all.
security is possible in regard to improvements It therefore adopted the shibboleth of " State
achieved. Its members demand organisation Recognition," whatever that may mean, but
on lines ensuring self-government, self-support, fought strenuously for power under the
and self-respect, and they, object to public Nurses' Reg-istration Acts, so that the control
charity for their profession, because they are of the Nursing Profession might be practically
well aware that charity and sound economic in the hands of the Boards and officials of
And she thought we were " wonderful " and " truly injury to utenis may also give rise to uraemia,
angels of mercy." the symptoms of which may be divided into
She would " just love to be a nurse." three groups, as follows :
tc keep same moist by stimulating the salivary benefit of his help, but let us not forget how-
glands. much he did in life to win for nurses legal status
During convalescence red meats and any and power to help themselves.
article of diet thatmight tend to increase the
blood pressure must be avoided. Draughts
musit be gaiarded against, as chill to patient in
May we remind our kind correspondents tfiat
this journal is two trained nurses
edited by
this condition might prove fatal.
All urine passed must be measured, and
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick and Miss Margaret
amount recorded daily.
Breay— not by a "Dear Sir." No "Sir,"
Specimens should be taken from the 24-hourly however " dear," is qualified to control the
ethical standards and voice the aspirations and
bulk for examination purposes.
policy of a profession to which he does not
HONOURABLE MENTION. belong.
The following competitors receive honour-
Welearn from the 147th Annual Report of
able mention : — Miss Adeline Douglas, Miss M. the Leicester Royal Infirmar>' that the Board is
CuUen, Miss S. A. Cross, Miss Alice Overshott, considering how this fine hospital can be en-
Miss Eliza Noble, Miss J. Bevis, Miss M. White. larged, and has given instructions to its archi-
QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK. tect to prepare plans for increasing the avail-
How would you recognise perforation in a able accommodation for nurses as well as for
case of enteric fever? What immediate action patients to meet its future needs. Several
would you take, and how could you temporarily munificent contributions are acknowledged.
relieve the patient? The executors of the late Mr. T. G. Langham,
— a
a well-known Leicestershire grazier, have ex- outside the wall and near to Golgotha, lends
pressed a wish to provide a worthy memorial itself to the idea. These journeyings will make
at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, and have in- a very pleasant ending to my busy life, and
dicated their readiness to contribute a sum of give me much food for reflection. I may go on
not less than ;;^20,ooo (it may be more) for a tO' Ceylon for Christmas, returning home next
building- to be caJled the " Lang-ham " summer. W^armest congratulations on what
'
Memorial. you and your earnest band of workers have
The Joint Committee of the British Red Cross accomplished. '
'
Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem Viscountess Astor, M.P., Sir Francis Champi-
have g-ranted a sum of ;;{^io,c)oo for the provision neys, and others, are appealing in the press for
of an Orthopaedic Ward or additional accom- ;^8,ooo to convert a suitable house into a
modation for nurses. Nursing Home for persons unable to pay the
The Committee of the Leicester, Leicestor- usual fees. The expenses are to be partially
shire and Rutland Prisoners' of War Parcels reduced by gratuitous nursing by members of
Fund have generously granted from a balance a Church of England Sisterhood with proper
of moneys in their hands ;£io,ooo to be used for nursing qualifications. We
learn that a new
the g-eneral purposes of the Infirmary particu- — Sisterhood is being inaugurated, which is to
larly emphasisingf the need for treatment of
Dischargied Soldiers and Sailors.
have trained nursing as its primary object —
Nursing Sisterhood, in fact. It is wonderful
The net result of the year's finances shows a how we revenons a nos moutons ! The Roman
deficiency of ;(^2,762 2s. id., a very small sum Church has had Nursing Sisterhoods for cen-
considering' the rise in every direction of
hospital upkeep in these difficult times.
turies —
devoid of scientific teaching. Charity
without Science is little use to the sick in these
The Board wish the Matron, Miss Vincent, days. Hence the new departure. We
presume
and those under her to realise that they appre- the Sisters will all be " Registered Nurses, or
'
'
ciate the g-reat strain of keeping thing's rig-ht their work will not inspire confidence.
duringf the period of the war, and feel that the
whole community is indebted to them.. The Professional Union of Trained Nurses
are to hold a meeting at King George's Hall,
The late Sir Edward Walter Green, Bart., Tottenham Court Road, on Saturday, April 24th,
whose estate was valued at ;^35o,ooo, left his at 2.30 p.m., the first big meeting since it was
nurse, Miss Firth, j^ioo. registered as a trades-union.
We have to thank a F.F.N.C. Sister now work- " view of the long hours of service,
That in
ing- there for some very interesting- photo- the number of years of training, and thejunsatis-
graphs. factory conditions prevailing in the large public
Mrs. Strong, ex-President of the Scottish hospitals which nurses have to endure, this
meeting resolves to take the necessary steps to
Nurses' Association, writes from the ** Garden
Tomb, Jerusalem " —
" I am having" a most
:
have the Association of Nurses in Training
registered under the provisions of the Federal
interesting' time, thoug-h primitive. It is won- Arbitration Act, in order that a plaint may be
derful what has been accomplished since our prepared for submission to the Court at an early
—
occupation making" of roads, planting trees, date."
securing open spaces, &c., this outside the The Hon. Secretary, Sister A. F. Darling,
walls, of course. The city proper is a series of was empowered to sign all documents essential
narrow lanes, every one apparently a market; for the purpose of the resolution.
much has been done in the way of cleansing. It was also reported at the meeting that
The Temple area is within the walls, which is there was a movement on foot in New South
difficult to realise. You come upon it suddenly Wales to bring the conditions of public hospital
from one of the narrow streets, and feel lost nursing into line with the refo'rms contemplated
in its immensity. The Mosque of Omar, beau- in tihe Victorian Nurses' Registration Bill.
tiful in itself, is rather a blot, out of place.
Abraham's rock, Which it surrounds, would be New Zealand nurses who have had the bene-
much more effective exposed. fit of State Registration since 1901 wish us all
" Where I am staying is supposed to be the success now our long delayed Act is in force.
Garden of Arimathea. Certainly the position. They note with pleasure the reciprocity clause.
—
SIR VICTOR HORSLEY.* him, at the age of six, that he asked his governess
whether a chair in French "were still feminine if
a man sat on it."
A Study of His Life and Work. His early choice of a profession was that of a
The memoir of Sir Victor Horsley by Mr. cavalry officer, but when told that his father
Stephen Paget is a book which from cover to cover could not afford this he said he would be a doctor,
willbe of absorbing interest to the members of the on condition that he should be a surgeon, not a
nursing profession, especially to the large group physician, and his choice was justified by the
of nurseS associated together in the Central Com- result.
mittee for the State Registration of Nurses, of In January, 1874, he matriculated at the
which he was so prominent and distinguished a University of London, after being prepared for
member. Mr. Paget is sincerely to be congratu- examination by Mr. (Sir Philip) Magnus. He is
lated on the way in which he has compressed into described by a fellow-pupil as a tall, manly youth,
one volume so complete a survey of a life so full with a very delightful smile, with a strong sense
and varied, and, at the same time, has conveyed of humour, and overflowing with the joie de vivre.
an iqapression of the charm, the versatility, the He was always distinctly dogmatic in his views ;
modesty, courage, generosity and unselfishness if sarcastic {it times, there was no venom intro-
which so endeared Sir Victor Horsley to those who duced with the sarcasm. He was at home all the
knew him. seven years of his time as a student, concerning
Difificult as it is to seize the heart out of this
which Mr. Paget wTites : "He was kept at home
book, and present in a few columns the pith of too long ; he ought to have had his freedom
matter already so highly condensed, the task before i88o, before the influences of home and the
must be attempted. The difficulty lies in the fact influences of the hospital were in final conflict
that the book presents to us a life with as many over him."
facets as a highly cut diamond. Thus we see His younger sister, Mrs. Gotch (Rosamund)
Sir Victor as the man of science, of brilliant wTites of this time: "No sooner did he really
intellect, the operator of unsurpassed dexterity,
take up the study of medicine than everything
of nobility of character, a modern crusader, gave place to it. He was a born enthusiast.
ready to help to right any wrong, or to forward He gave up everything that would interfere with
any movement for the good of the community, his work, though to the last his boyish love of fun
however adversely such advocacy might affect and games and of the country was as keen as
his personal interests. But though he had the when he was fourteen. He was always kind to
brilliance, he had none of the hardness of the
diamond. —
That he was all honour to him
— —
me his much younger sister and delighted to
teach me odds and ends of zoology and anatomy,
a keen fighter for the causes which he espoused for I had been interested in these subjects from
all the world knows. Those most intimate with the time of the early dissections at Willesley."
him know also that tenderness and sympathy, These good comrades read together Clough's
love of nature, love of little children, hatred of poems, Boyd Dawkins's " Early Man in Britain " ;
suffering and a passionate rebellion against all and, above all, Kingsley's " Yeast," " Two
forms of injustice were component parts of his Years Ago " and " Health and Education."
nature. One wonders how much his passion for social
" It was part of the happiness of Victor Horsley 's
reforms in later life, in connection with the
life," Mr. Paget relates, " that he was of good
health, housing and land of the people, may be
birth and had a family record to be proud of." traced to the seed then sown by a master hand,
His father was an artist, a Royal Academician, one which fell on good ground.
of whose pictures was hung in the National Gallery ;
Of his student days, the author writes " He :
to practise." After a short holiday, he returned to Bramwell had been engaged for four years he ;
University College Hospital as House-Surgeon to was sick of waiting. He used to say, in later life,
Mr. John Marshall, and thereafter passed from that the four years had been a waste of time, not
success to success. real life
; that they had done nothing for him ;
During 1 882-1 884 he was Surgical Registrar to that he had only been marking time."
the Hospital, when his work included giving
" informal teaching to the house-surgeons, students Four Years of Strenuous Work.
and nurses." In 1882 also he was appointed Nevertheless, his professional work during this
Assistant- Professor of Pathology. "He was most time was of the highest quality. The year 1884,
indefatigable in his work and a most pleasant man when he was 27 years of age, was memorable
to have any dealings with." But it must have for the beginning of his work with Professor
been a strenuous life, and it is pleasant to find it Schafer, and with Dr. C. E. Beevor, and also
recorded that " one of ours " endeavoured to his appointment to the Brown Institution at
take care of him. " He invariably came to the Wandsworth,
Hospital between nine' The Cure of
and ten o'clock at Myxcedema.
night, and dear old It was in November,
Lizzie Church, the head 1883, that the Clinical
nurse of the ward, Society of London
always made him a appointed a committee,
large basin of bread and of which Victor Horsley
milk before he left for was a member, to in-
home." quire into the whole
He and Mr. C. J. subject of the closely
Bond paid a delightful allied conditions of
visit to Italy, in 1882, cretinism, myxcedema
after a strenuous and and cachexia strumi-
important year's work. priva, and recognising
We read of his keen "the hitherto undreamt-
imaginative enjoyment of importance of the
of Rome ;and the thyroid gland, they
horrid sight in a Rome asked Horsley to study
hospital of maggots, it by the experimental
dropped from wounds, method." This he did
on the floor of the in Professor Schafer's
ward. laboratory, and at the
November, 1882, saw Brown Institution.
him established in December, 1884,
In
Gower Street with his he gave two lectures
friend —
afterwards his
—
at the University of
brother - iu - law (Sir) London, " The Thyroid
Arthur Whitelegge. Gland its relation to
:
course, why Victor was so exceedingly keen about examination, and registration of nurses but the—
this question was because, having seen cases of club had no political objects it existed to provide
;
hydrophobia, in private practice, the sufferings nurses with something of the comforts and plea-
of the patients filled him with the most intense sures of a domestic life, and where they may
pity. I think I am right in saying that of all discuss freely whatever opinions they may hold.
diseases he thought hydrophobia the most awful." Reference was made to. the passing of the Nurses'
Registration Act in December last, and to the help
The Localisation of Function in the Brain. which the association could be to its members in
" It says Mr. Paget, " that
was natural," regard to registration. The Chairman, in pro-
Horsley should take the brain as his chief subject posing the adoption of the report, which was
of study. The choice was decided for him it ; approved, said that the first register under the
was more compulsion than choice it was thrust ; Act ought to include every bona fide nurse in the
on him at lectures, and in talk and in reading, country, and it would be the nurses' own fault if
and by every head-case in the hospital. All
' '
it were not so inclusive. The health services of
that was intellectual in him urged him to care the country were in course of reconstruction, and
more for the seat of the intellect than for any there were risks that to meet the exigencies of the
other organ in the body it offered him problems
; time and the difficulties of the moment short cuts
and rewards that nothing else could offer it ; would be taken to secure without undue expense
was the kingdom intended for him, and he for further help in that reconstruction. Their asso-
it." Of his brilliant success in the difficult, ciation would require to be exceedingly vigilant,
practically unexplored realm of the surgery of the not only in the interests of the nurses, but also for
brain and spinal cord all the world knows. the welfare of the community. Dr. Robertson
{To be concluded.) M. B. was appointed President ; Miss Stewart, Hon.
Secretary ; Miss Cowie, Acting Secretary and ;
An inmate of the Hospital for Incurables at on the committee the meeting appointed Miss
Putney has died at the age of 97 years. She had M'L. Walker, Miss Fraser, Miss Dow, Miss Downie
been. a beneficiary of the institution 56 years. and Miss N. Campbell. .\ r. D. M. Cowan, M.P.,
330 JLbe Biitteb 3ournal of IRurelno. April 17, 1920
addressed the meeting on the subject of "Some THE "NURSE JULIET" SCANDAL.
Possibilities under the Nurses' Registration (Scot-
land) Act," which, he said, was largely an enabling
Act, providing opportunities and opening up possi- The " Nurse Juliet " scandal in connection
bilities for the Nursing Profession tc secure proper
with the Daily Telegraph Shilling Fund " For
conditions. It was beyond question that hithertothe our Nurses " received notice in the House of
nursing profession as a whole had been over -worked Commons on Tuesday, March 30th, in connection
and inadequately remunerated. The time had come with the treatment of War Nurses.
when matters should be put right. The operation Charity for Nurses.
of the Act would enable that to be done, but the
nurses themselves must do it. Dr. John Patrick Mr. Grundy (Labour, Rother Valley) asked the
Secretary for War "whether his attention had
and Dr. A. K. Chalmers also spoke.
been drawn to the public appeals being made,
in connection with the Nation's Fund for Nurses,
IRISH NURSES* ASSOCIATION. for charity for nurses who gave their services to
the country during the War whether the treat-
;
secure the recognition of the fact that disease is reply to question No. i is that nurses temporarily
a thing which can and should be prevented ; to employed by the War Office are appropriately
impart sound information as to public and peisonal provided for in case of disability, in which case
hygiene, and to build up a public opinion which there is obviously no necessity for an appeal for
will not tolerate a high disease rate or excessive charity upon their behalf day after day in the
infant mortality, and which feels, as a personal public press, not only to the public but primarily
reproach, the sight of an ill-nourished or neglected to "the men in the Navy and Army who know
child. best what these fine women did in the war, the
The manner in which it is observed in each men who were the direct recipients of the devoted
be determined by a Local Committee,
district is to service which these women so readily gave."
on which, amongst others, the medical profession If the fact is that provision is made, as it should
and the nursing profession should be represented. be, by the State for nurses disabled in the war,
——
then it is a cruel and inexcusable thing to trade of " Nurse Juliet " as detailed in the Daily Tele-
on the gratitude felt by sick and wounded men graph of February 6th, and to ask you whether the
for those who nursed them, by pretending that War Office will investigate the case, and if the
they are in such dire straits as to appeal for, facts, as alleged, are verified it will take steps to
and accept with thankfulness, the shillings which relieve the necessities of this woraan, which, as
these men can ill afford. related, appear so distressing as to attract hundreds
Sir Archibald Williamson made no statement as of shillings to the Daily Telegraph Shilling Fund
to the identity of " Nurse Juliet," but endeavoured for Nurses ?
to repudiate responsibility for her alleged desti- Moreover, that paper asserts that " Nurse
tution by stating that "the War Office is not Juliet " " is typical of many thousands of cases."
responsible for nurses employed by the British It appears to my Committee incredible that
Red Cross Society, or other organisations." We thousands of women who in the time of their
believe that on the outbreak of war the Voluntary country's need have " spent youth and health and
Aid Detachments of the British Red Cross Society the joy of life in ministering to its stricken sons "
came under the authority of the War Office as should be reduced to the pitiable condition of ill-
an integral part of its organisation, and, in any health and penury in which " Nurse Juliet " is
case, the War Office, which is responsible for the portrayed, but, if so, they venture to hope that
efficient care of the sick and wounded, cannot provision niay be made by the State for the relief
justly repudiate responsibility for those who of their necessities.
have been broken in its service. But, even so, (Signed) Margaret Breay,
if, as the Daily Telegraph alleges, " Nurse Juliet
"
Hon. Secretary.
" is typical of many thousands of cases, and that
[The cutting from the Daily Telegraph containing
very large numbers of women who unhesitatingly the case of Nurse Juliet was enclosed with the
gave their all when war broke out are now in above letter. A copy of the letter and cutting
actual want and in real distress of mind," what
were also sent to Sir Reginald H. Brade, G.C.B.,
is the British Red Cross Society doing that it
Secretary of the War Office.]
permits this want and distress, while it scatters
largesse around, and, for example, presents one Reply.
V.A.D. with ;^90o in order to obtain a medical War S.W.
Office, i.
education ? March 20th, 1920.
But who is " Nurse Juliet " ? We have
Madam, — I am coramanded by the Army Council
publicly challenged Lord Burnham and the editor
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the
of the Daily Telegraph to give a straight reply to
15th inst., which is receiving attention.
our straight questions :
because its appeal cannot be justified by fact ? mittee of the Society for the State Registration
No answer has been forthcoming to these of Trained Nurses to direct the attention of the
questions publicly asked in our issue of February Nursing Board of Queen Alexandra's Imperial
2ist. We now suggest that they are unanswered Military Nursing Service to the Appeal appearing
because they are unanswerable, except with the daily in the Daily Telegraph, with the object of
reply that there is no such person as " Nurse raising a "Shilling Fund" "for our nuises,"
Juliet," and that the public have been duped to the indigent War Nurse being put prominently
give their money because of^ the supposed want forward as the raison d'&tre of an appeal directed
and distress of a fake. to " every soldier, every sailor, everyone who
served his country in an auxiliary force, as in the
But other enquiries have been made as to the
women's uniformed services," and to enter a
identity of " Nurse Juliet " by the Hon. Secretary
serious protest against the depreciation of the
of the Society for the State Registration of Trained
professional and economic status of nurses by an
Nurses, as related below
appcc 1 to the rank and file of the Army to relieve
:
necessities of " Nurse Juliet," and of the " many The honour and humanity of the Nursing
thousands of cases " of which she is said to be Department of the War Office, or of the Joint
typical. War Committee of the British Red Cross and the
It hopes that the Nursing Board of Queen Order of St. John, have been seriously impugned
Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service by the Daily Telegraph. One or the other did
will draw the attention of the Secretary of State or did not send an untrained mannequin to the
for War to the " very large numbers of women front to nurse our sick and wounded soldiers in
who unhesitatingly gave their all when war broke the War, and then left her with broken health
out, and are now," according to the Daily Tele- to starve.
graph, " in actual want and in real distress of The War Office and its Nursing Department
mind." repudiate any knowledge of " Nurse Juliet."
(Signed) Margaret Breay. It remains therefore for Dame Swift, R.R.C,
Hon. Secretary. —
D.B.E. the Matron-in-Chief of the Joint War
Reply. Committee —who was responsible for the selection
War Office. S.E.i. of V.A.D. nurses sent abroad, to exonerate the
A.M.D. 4. March 25th, 1920. Joint War Committee or the Daily Telegraph
from grave suspicion of deluding the public.
Madam, — am directed to acknowledge your
I
If the " Nurse Juliet " story is true, then the Joint
letter of thei8th instant, and to i^form you that
War Committee and its officials are to blame. If
the Nursing Board of the Queen Alexandra's
the Nurse Juliet story is a fake, then the Daily
Imperial Military Nursing Service have no know-
Telegraph should be very severely dealt with
ledge of the lady referred to in the above quoted
by some responsible authority for taking money
letter.
from the public by an untruthful appeal, and the
(Signed) A. B. Smith,
Joint War Committee should be the first to urge
Matron-in-Chief, Q.A.I.M.N.S.,
this course.
for Director-General Army Medical Service,
We hope, therefore, for the protection of the
public, Mr. Grundy will continue to press in
431, Oxford Street, W. Parliament for the truth concerning this matter.
March 26th, 1920. Mixed up with the " Nurse Juliet " scandal
To Dame S. A. Swift, R.R.C, is the very unsatisfactory manner in which that
Matron-in-Chief Joint War Committee. registered war charity, the Nation's Fund for
Dear Madam, — I am directed by the Executive Nurses is being handled. The continued denial
to the Press and the public of any audited balance
Committee of the Society for the State Registration
sheet and statement of accounts since its inception
of Trained Nurses to ask you to furnish the
Committee with, the surname of " Nurse Juliet " in 191 7, is in our opinion a gross violation of the
whose destitute condition was detailed in the avowed intention of the War Charities Act.
Daily Telegraph of February 6th, and the date Why should persons in high places be permitted
when she was sent to France. Before being to flout the Law ?
permitted to proceed there she must have obtained
the Anglo-French certificate issued under the
authority of the Joint War Committee, and must PHILANTHROPIC EMPLOYERS.
therefore be known to its officials. As public Miss Helen G. Klaassen writing recently to the
money has been subscribed ?s a result of the Daily News says .•
statement regarding her destitution in the Daily " You quote the organising secretary of the
Telegraph, my committee consider that they College of Nursing as saying, The hospitals, as a
'
have a right to be informed of her name, and whole, are willing to improve conditions and wages,
when she proceeded abroad. but they are dependent on the support they receive
(Signed) Margaret Breay. from the public'
Hon. Secretary. " Not only hospitals, but other philanthropic
This letter indicates that Dame Swift is in and sound facts about the matters they deal with
possession of the information asked for. were put before them."
April 17, 1920 TLbc 3Briti6b 3onrnal of IRursino. 233
Matron of the
;
THE PASSING BELL.
Launceston Infirmary and a Superintendent Nurse
;
We regret to record the death, on Easter Eve, from
at Bethnal Green Infirmary. apoplexy, of Miss Rose Wilson, Matron of the East
ASSISTANT MATRaN.
Ham Isolation Hospital. Miss Wilson, who had been
in the service of the authority for twenty years, had
St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, E.C. Miss — gone to her room to get ready to go to church, and was
Helen T. Baines has been appointed Assistant Matron. found in an unconscious condition. Medical aid was
She was trained for one year at the Hospital at once summoned, but she passed away without
for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, W.C, and in recovering consciousness.
general nursing at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where
she was gold medallist of her year (October, 19 12).
We regret to record the death of Miss Eliza Passant,
for manyyears a member of the nursing staff of St.
Since October, 1913, she has held the position, first, of
John's House, of Norfolk Street, Strand, and Queen
Assistant Office Sister, and then for the past five and
Square, Bloomsbury. She was trained at King's
a-half years of Matron's Office Sister.
College Hospital, and was a member of the League of
District Asylum, Ayr, —
.Miss Elizabeth C. Kerrigan St. John's House Nurses.
has been appointed Assistant Matron. She was trained
The sad death of Nurse Ada Spreadbury, who was
at the Edinburgh Royal Asylum, and has been Assistant
engaged in Infant Welfare Work at Byfleet, was the
Matron at the Stirling District Asylum, Larbert :
I jes' do the best I kin where the good Lord put To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
me at, an' it looks like T got a happy feeling in me Dear Madam, —
In the recently issued Report
'most all the time." Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage of the Nurses' Co-operation, Langham Street.
Patch. I see my name placed among the resignations.
— a — :
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. upset the patient, and the nurse could not take
Should Private Nurses be included in the very much interest in the patient, being on duty
Hours of Employment Bill ? so short a time."
The
QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL. and the largest subscribers had been those who
were hardest hit by the war. He did not see
how it was possible for them to continue on the
SERIOUS FINANCIAL POSITION. voluntary basis.
The Annual Meeting of the Committee of The position of the Training School was satis-
Management of Queen Charlotte's Hospital took factory. The entrances were larger than those of
place in the Board Room of the hospital on the previous years. At present there was a long
29th ult, the Chairman, Major Sir Samuel Scott, waiting list which was very satisfactory, and
Bart., presiding. showed the high repute in which it stood.
He said that the number of patients showed After the usual votes of thanks, duly seconded
a considerable increase during the past year. and proposed, the meeting terminated.
This increase he attributed chiefly to the lack
of housing accommodation, a number of the
applicants who sought the hospital benefit would POST GRADUATE COURSE FOR
ordinarily have been quite well ofi in their own MIDWIVES.
homes. There had aJso been an increase in
abnormal and serious emergency cases, which The eighth annual Post Graduate Course will
had been sent from all quarters, both in London be held at the General Lying-in Hospital, York
and in the country, and many were in a moribund Road, Lambeth, from June 21st to June 25th,
condition on admission. As a result, the death inclusive. Lectures and clinics will be held.
rate had been higher, and there had been in all Full particulars and programme can be ob-
twenty maternal deaths. Up to the present time tained from the Hon. Secretary for the Post
the wives of soldiers and sailors had been treated, Graduate week. Further announcements will
both as in and out-patients, free of cost, and be made later. Fee for the course 6s.
without the usual letters. The Committee re-
gretted that they had come to the conclusion that
for financiaJ reasons, this practice must now cease.
INFANT'S DEATH FROM INSECT'S
The overcrowding of the wards was causing STING.
the authorities great anxiety. The accommo- An infant, six old, in the Strood (Kent)
weeks
dation of the hospital provided for 71 beds, and Infirmary, died in convulsions thirty hours after
extra emergency cases had at times brought up being stung on the left cheek by an unknown insect.
the number to 80. It was not possible to send The nurse in charge of the ward told the Coroner
on these cases elsewhere, as they always arrived at the subsequent inquest that she caught the,
at the last minute. A certain number of cases insect, which had bronzed variegated wings, and
had been sent on to the St. Pancras and the threw it out of the window, and' did not notice till
Marylebone Infirmaries. The subscribers who afterwards that the child had been stung. This
sent patients with letters objected strongly to this was unfortunate, as presumably the first thing she
procedure. would have done, as a trained nurse, had she
The overcrowding could only be dealt with by realised the baby had been stung, would have
enlarging the hospital. The scheme for this been carefully to preserve the insect which inflicted
work before the war was estimated at from ;^9,ooo the wound for medical inspection.
to ;^i 0,000 pounds, the same work would now cost The Coroner, who said that he had never met
;{50,ooo. At present there was not the money to with a similar case, suggested that the insect
carry it out. might have been imported from abroad in a bale
Many improvements ought to be effected in the of goods.
wards, and the electrical department should 1 »
THE
miEiJiiinLo'^usiG WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
chairman of the conference, which was attended " Wenurses of all nations, sincerely believ-
by Delegates from France, Italy, Japan, the ing that the best good of our Profession will be
United States, and Great Britain, and the League advanced by greater unity of thought, sym-
of International Red Cross Societies, the In-
pathy, and purpose, do hereby band ourselves
ternational Labour Bureau, and the Office In-
in a confederation of workers to further the
ternational d 'Hygiene Publique were repre-
efficient care of the sick, and to secure the
sentedi.
honour and the interest of the Nursing Profes-
The outcome of the Conference was that it sion."
was decided to submit to the Council of the The objects of the Council were thus defined :
considering this question the Conference had ences show the value of their deliberations.
338 Zbc Brittah 3ournal ot *Rur0infl. April 24, 1920
When perforation occurs, the nurse will and cold boiled water in the utensils they were
notice a quick changfe in the patient's condition.
He may suddenly complain of severe abdo'minal
boiled in— these must have lids (3) clean towels
;
and wiry. The face wears an anxious expres- and for the anaesthetist's requisites. The table
sion, and though he does not move himself should be placed with one end about six feet
about owing to the extreme tenderness of the from, the window admitting the mos;^ Light.
abdomen, the patient is restless.
The instrument table is placed on the left of
The usual symptoms of high fever are pre- this, and the anaesthetist's table at the head on
sent—scanty ursine, tongue and throat.
dirty the right. An enamel basin which has been
Owing to the contents of the bowel being able boiled should be within reach of the surgeon,
to pass intoi the peritoneal cavity there is con- should be require to rinse his hands during the
stipation. operation.
When the physician examines the abdiomen The nurse must see that there are stimulants
he will procure the tympanitis note, and there at hand, that she has plenty of hot bottles,
may be dullness over the spleen and liver. and a means of raising the foot of the bed,
Unless an operation is performed within as when the patient is put back he will be
twenty-four hours, to suture the perforation, suffering from severe shock. The patient lies
flat till he recovers consciousness, and is then
there is really no chance of the patient's re-
Even when operated on, the patient nursed in the Fowler's position.
covery.
may not live, owing to the great shock, but at HONOURABLE MENTION.
least he has the best chance of life. The sooner
The following competitors receive honour-
the operation be performed, the more favour-
able the prognosis. No nurse should under- able mention : —
Miss Bowen, Miss M. Cullen,
Miss Nellie Wood, Miss P. Thompson, Miss
take the nursing of a typhoid case in a private
J. James, Miss
Margaret A. Young.
home without having considered the possibility
of having to prepare at a few hours' (or less) QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
notice for a surgical operation. What meant by (a) cross infection, and (h)
is
NURSING Ecnoes. But it was because no one had taken the trouble
time, appeared as happy and jolly as possible, hawkers of appallingly ugly " In Memoriam "
and quite readyto do the honours of their wards. cards and crinkled paper handkerchiefs, with
which the achievementsi of our noted dead are
The guardians of St. Giles' Infirmary, Cam- honoured in the sight of the floating masses of
berwell, propose, subject to the sanction of the our cities. Why should the manufacturers of
Ministry of Health, to award a suitable medal, these dreadful things have the entire monopoly
at a cost of about ^,2 2s., to the most efficient of the " In Memoriam " trade? Would it not
all-round nurse of the year. Dr. French, be worth the while of one of our English
F.R.C.S., usually conducts the examinations. Christmas-card firms to produce something
artistic in this line? It might still be sold in
We are not surprised to find the following the gutter, and by the same men who hawk the
criticism in Monday's Daily Chronicle :
— present rubbish ; and everyone would be the
" Edith Caveill's monument made me blush better off for the change."
for my country the other day. It was not be- Could not a committee of " trained nurses
cause there were no fresh flowers around the undertake the care of the Cavell Memorial
base. Floral tribute to the dead is not every- statue, and keep it in beautiful order ? To judge
body's taste, and I feel this brave nurse was of from the photograph of Ediith Caveli's grave at
the sort who favour " no flowers by request." Norwich reverent care iis bestowed upon it.
— —
The committee which carried to its comple- The American Journal of Nursing announces
tion theNurse Cavell memorial is desirous that the Nightingale Memorial Fund to keep
of handing over the monument to public custody. alive the memories of those American nurses
The Westiminster City Comncil, having no who died in the war, which is being raised by
poiw*er t!o incur maintenance charges for the American Nurses in support of Dr. Anna
statue, we understand that the First Commis- Hamilton's great work for nursing education in
sioner of Works will be asked to take over the France, now amounts to more than 30,000
responsibility of cuistodianship. dollars (;^6,c>oo). It is hoped to raise ;^io,ooo,
but the time is short. We often notice that
On Monday an artistic tribute was placed at work of the highest order goes unsupported,
the foot of the Cavell rnonument by a delegate whilst trashy schemes appeal to humanity.
of the Association Daimes des France. It con-
sisted of a siheath of palms in bronze with white
The same Journal reports that :
welcome home from her colleagTies, but her While in New York they have been taking
position as Matron of the Christchurch Hos-
courses as guests of the Department of Nursing
and Health, Teachers College, and have visited
pital was filled during her absence, and we
all the leading hospitals, and public health
agree with Kai-Tiaki that " this was con- organisations, where they have been cordially
sidered scant courtesy to a lady who had borne welcomed. -They have also made a round of
her part in the war with integrity and credit." several American cities, and feel that they are
returning with many valuable ideas which they
It appears strange that whilst we in reaction- hope to apply in their new school.
All those who have had the great pleasure
ary old England are debating whether or no
of meeting the French nurses here will watch
private nurses should have an eight-hours'
with much interest the growth of this new child
day, the graduate nurses of the California Hos- of the Nightingale School at Bordeaux, in which
pital at Los Angeles, belonging to the Alumnae, we all feel now that we have a special share."
should be petitioning for a twelve-hours' day,
because nearly every patient has a special nurse,
who remains on duty from sixteen to twenty- American army nurses, who are claiming
Army rank, won the first round when the Army
four hours This petition was referred to the
!
Dame Sarah Swift, Matron-ir-Chief, Joint War APPOINTED BY THE PRIVY COUNCIL.
Committee, British Red Cross Committee, and
the Order of St. John. The Hon. Secretary Captain Charles B. Balfour, C.B., Lord-Lieu-
reported that she had not so far succeeded in tenant of the County of Berwick.
locating this elusive personality referred to in the APPOINTED BY THE SCOTTISH EDUCATION
Daily Telegraph appeal for " Our Nurses." DEPARTMENT.
Congratulations from New Zealand. Miss NoRAH Milnes, B.Sc, Director of the
The following letter from Miss H. Maclean, School of Social Study and Training, Edinburgh
Matron-in-Chief, Department of Public Health, University.
Hospitals, and Charitable Aid, New Zealand,
addressed to the President, was received with
APPOINTED BY THE SCOTTISH BOARD OF
HEALTH.
much pleasure :
Gervase Elwes charmed all his hearers. " So Round both the shires they ring them,
Sweet is Shee " (seventeenth century), " Bredon In steeples far and near,
Hill " and " Brittany " brought down the house ; A happy noise to hear.
and although Mr. Elwes had given us six songs, Here of a Sunday morning,
he generously gave an encore selected by Her •My love and I would lie,
Royal Highness the President. And see the coloured counties.
Of the magnificent power as a pianist of Miss And hear the larks so high
Susanne Morvay there was no doubt from the Above us in the sky.
moment her fingers touched the keys, and her
charming smiles flitted away, leaving her ex-
The bells would ring to call her
In valleys miles away :
pressive face to indicate the forceful emotions " Come all to church good people
which inspired her genius. Never, surely, were a
player and her instrument more in harmony
Good people, come and pray."
But here my love would stay.
!
At the end of the concert everyone was invited " Come all to church, good people "
—
to tea and thoroughly enjoyed the dainties pro- " Oh, noisy bells, be dumb
;
vided, and many confided in us that their thanks, I hear you, I will come."
to their host and hostess seemed to fall far short ot A. E. Housman.
all that they wished to express.
Isabel Macdonald, .
O so sweet is Shee !
to Barrow-in-Furness as Senior Nurse; Miss Edith ment could not be bettered by State control.
J. M. Bell to Kinver; Miss Mary H. Bevington to These controversies will continue in the mean-
Talke Colliery Miss Hilda Boston to Glos. C.E.A. as • —
while, everyone objecting to change ^as is consti-
Emergency Nurse
;
Miss Gladys M. Foskitt to Paddington Miss Annie K. agree many will be at a loose end. Charity and
;
Miss Evelyn Welch to Chelsea. with us, we shall fight for these rights. Every day,
however, the sick poor object more strenuously to
FEVER NURSES' ASSOCIATION. be made objects of charity, and it is when they
realise it would be quite easy to escape from the
The annual general meeting of the above role, that this difficult question will be solved.
Association will be held on Saturday the 8th of
People must be taught the value of Health
May at Croydon Town Hall at 2.30 p.m., when Dr. —
vigorous, glorious Health how to secure it and
R. Veitch Clark, will deliver his presidential address.
how to maintain it. They must be taught that
All members of the Association are specially
they must pay for this fine heritage, if need be
requested to be present. There is a goodfservice
by the sweat of their brow then we shall enter
;
of trains to East Croydon from London Bridge or
upon a new dispen sation, and philanthropy will
Victoria (L.B. & S.C.) or Charing Cross (S.E.)
no longer be utilised as a sop to Cerberut.
- :
stood for the University of London. He failed (2) more education of children in the facts of sex ;
to get into Parliament, and he did not live to win (3) more education of adults in the facts of venereal
success out of failure, but he " never doubted of disease (4) the confidential notification of venereal
;
Hall meeting, July 8th, 191 3, on the Temporary "The administrative affairs of his profession,
Discharge of Prisoners Act, the Cat and Mouse ' its place in the social system, its influence on the
Act.' He so hated the thought of women being mind of the community, were of unfailing interest
forcibly fed that he did not care what gibes and to him ....
its politics were never dull
platform epithets he flung at the Home Secretary to him." We
can well believe it when we remem-
and others he just let himself go. He had
; ber how closely he followed the campaign for the
published certain statements about forcible feed- State Registration of Nurses in the stress and
ing which the Home Secretary had referred to strain of his work in Mesopotamia. The last
the President and Council of the Royal College of words of his last letter to the President of the
Surgeons they had declined to interfere. Here,
;
Society for the State Registration of Trained
said Horsley to the meeting was Mr. McKenria Nurses were " I am only daily regretting that
:
—whom he nicknamed Viscount HoUoway^— I cannot be working for the great cause at home."
seeking his revenge by secret intrigue. Fancy He was no respecter of persons. " Always he
a Home Secretary thus secretly intriguing against lived up to the difficult saying All men are
:
'
present at that Queen's Hall meeting will not sede et exaltavit humiles."
:
of the prison methods of forcib c 1 ceding, and of it was clear sighted, masterful and creative. As
the Government which authorised it, and his he came to be on the side of democracy, so he
condemnation of the prostitution of medical came to regard his profession as a trade-union
knc wledge to punitive instead of remedial purposes. it was of a kind apart, for its members did a vast
April 24, 1920 ^bc Brltieb Journal of Tluremo. VIl
mi
AND
I SICK
ROOM
uisrrES
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
amount of work for nothing, nor could they strike. tion due to chronic alcoholism ; but these touches
None the less, it was a secular body of men of are rare."
business, whose object was to gain a livelihood ;
Why Waste a Minute ?
and many of them could not earn so much as Mr. Paget relates a story told by Miss Lowen-
they deserved, but were overworked, underpaid, stein, who wanted his help to get the teaching of
put-upon, ill-orgr.nised, and ill represented. He hygiene and temperance introduced' into schools,
longed for every one of them to have a good time. by means of a petition from the medical profession
That is the abiding spirit of all his actions in to the Board of Education. He set to work at
professional politics. The set scenes for it were once and Miss Lowenstein came to London " to
(i)the Medical Defence Union, (2) the Geneial fetch and carry." She remembers him at Caven-
Medical Council, (3) the Royal College of Surgeons, dish Square, one evening, coming in just at dinner
"
(4) the British Medical Association time, and asking her to get out some papers.
Amongst the questions in connection with the " The gong will sound in a minute," she said.
British Medical Association in which he took a " And why should we waste a minute ? " be said,
» very active and prominent part were the constitu- and took the papers to the dining-room, corrected
tion of a Ministry of Public Health and State a proof with his left hand, fed himself with his
Registration of Nurses right, and joined in the talk. It was always easy
The " Nasty College." for him to do two or three things at the same time,
or, as Charles Beevqr said, " Horsley has three
" How hard he worked is shown by the mass
brains."
of his correspondence, notes for addresses, minutes,
.... {To be concluded.)
of meetings, reports, and press cuttings
the registration of nurses in England occupied
him even in Mesopotamia .he writes to Dr.
;
LEGAL MATTERS.
Alfred Cox, on May 15th, 1916 he is angry over ;
A
case of considerable interest and importance
the new College of Nursing, and says unkind to nurses, especially those engaged in private
things of its supporters I have just received
practice, was heard in the Bloomsbury Court,
: '
the report of the conference between and the Great Portland Street, W., by His Honour Judge
Registrationists. It is very difficult out here,
Bray, on April 20th. The plaintiffs were the
some three hundred miles up the Tigris, in a burn- Mental Nurses' Association, Ltd., 54, George
ing mud fiat in the middle of cholera, dysentery, Street, Manchester Square, W., who sued Nurse
diarrhoea, &c., &c., &c., to judge exactly what is Mary Downie, formerly in their employment, for
being done at home, but it is quite clear that all breach of agreement in respect to a private case
the old enemies of the B.M.A. are behind to which she was originally sent by them. The
and pushing his nasty College for all they are Judge, after hearing the evidence, reserved judg-
worth. It seems to me that it being only a ment. We hope to refer at length to this case
manoeuvre to push off Registration, the B.M.A. next week.
ought to support Chappie and his Bill more
actively. Also that oui present representatives PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SPRING HAT.
on the Central Committee to run the Bill must How, the spring sunshine shows up the pin-pricks
do much more to fight this vile private hole-in-the- and other defects of one's winter hat And the '
corner arrangement. Considering that we have new season's models now being shown in their
been working for twenty-five years, it is a little recently extended showrooms by " Mills," 296,
too much to see the whole thing jockeyed. . . . Regent Street, break all one's good resolutions as
The idea of starting a College, not a truly educa- to renovations of last year's chapeaux. One
tional body, but the sham archaic examinational simply must have something fresh and flowery.
institute for private registration that we have What ever may be the psychological influence of
suffered from so bitterly all these years, is so like other items of dress, a new hat makes a new
the enemies of liberty. . It is very annoy-
. . woman of us all !
ing being in all this chaos of folly and not able COMING EVENTS.
to help at home."
The Fight Against Alcohol.
4pnl 2^th. —Central
Committee for the State
Registration Nurses.
of Meeting, Council
His strenuous fight against alcohol was jnly Chamber, by kind permission of the British
one of his many activities. " After 1900 Horsley Medical Association, 429, Strand, W.C. 2.30 p.m.
led the fight against alcohol in this country It —
April 2^th. Professional Union of Trained
had many leaders, but none quite equal to him, Nurses. A meeting will be held at King George's
with his c uthority in science and practice, his Hall (London Central Y.M.C.A.), Tottenham
mastery of the art of lecturing, his constant use of Court Road. 2.30 p.m.
a wealth of diagrams and lantern slides, his —
April 7,0th. Matrons' Council Quarterly Meet-
courtesy towards his audiences. It is possible ing. Queen's Hospital for Children, Hackney
that his lectures would have been the better for Road, N.E.
more. lightness ;there is a pleasant touch of relief May I s^—Royal British Nurses' Association.
in one of them, where he describes our three most Inspection of Banner and Royal Charter, 10,
——
British institutions John Bull, Father Christmas, Orchard St., Portman Square, W. Tea 3.30 to
and Henry VIII as examples of fatty degenera- 5.30 p.m.
-
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Regretting this too long letter and appreciating
always, with thousands of other workers, your
helpful interest in every branch of our noble
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
service.
all subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
1 am, dear Editor, yours very truly,
distinctly understood that we do not in any way
A. E. Macdonald (Sister).
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
Imperial Hotel, Paris.
by our correspondents.
NURSES AND THE HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT PROHIBIT "SLEEPING DUTY."
BILL To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. —
Madam, In reply to your request for the
—
Dear Madam, The enclosed is the reply to my opinion of Private Nurses regarding an eight -hour
day, I beg to say that I do not think it practicable.
letter to the Minister of Labour. I have also
written to our M.P. Hoping our letters may have If patients were seriously ill it would necessitate
weight, and with every good wish for the cause. the employing of three nurses, and very few
could afford that. What I would suggest (if
I remain, sincerely yours,
I may be allowed to do so) is that " sleeping
Elizabeth Thompson, R.N.S.
duty " should be strictly forbidden, and on no
[Copy of Reply.] account should Private Nurses be asked to sleep
Montagu House, Whitehall, in the bedroom of their patient. A twelve-hour
London, S.W. i. day, with three hours off duty, or even two hours,
April i-^th, 1920. could always be arranged to meet the require-
Madam, —In reply to your
letter of April nth
ments of the average cases. I am a Private
Nurse and expect to take up that work again
on the subject of the of Employment Bill,
Hours
Iam directed by the Minister of Labour to inform
when lam demobilised, and the two things I hope
to see abolished under the Registration Act are
you that in the application of the Bill to the " Sleeping duty," and sleeping in the bedroom of
Nursing Service, every precaution will be taken to
patients.
ensure that nothing is done which would prejudice
the Service. I am. Madam,
Yours faithfully,
I am. Madam,
E. P. TODD,
Your obedient servant,
Sister Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.
W. Eady.
Sister Elizabeth Thompson, " Torwood," Evelyn Gardens,
The Registered Nurses' Society, Cavehill Road, Belfast.
431, Oxford Street, W. i.
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
[The more private nurses who express their
opinions to the Minister of Labour the better. Miss N. Copeland, M. R.B.N. A. : " I am sure —
—Ed.] we should lose work by the adoption of an eight
hours day, and the untrained woman would be
FREEDOM FOR NURSING PRACTITIONERS. employed more even than she is at present."
The British Journal of Nursing.
To the Editor of —
Miss Amy Walker, London : " I have had the
happiest experience during my private nursing.
* opinion on
—
Dear Madam, You ask an expression of
Mothers and fathers have been most grateful,
hours of employment for private
husbands and wives also, and during convalescence
nurses but I think your own opinion states the
I have enjoyed delightful treats, motoring in
matter exactly, i.e. that " private nurses are
private practitioners, and that therefore a give-
many parts of England, trips to the sea-side,
books to read, and made to feel quite one of the
and-take system is inevitable."
family. All this good feeling would be done
As a private nurse of some years' standing. I
away with if we nursed by the clock."
know it would be quite impossible to limit one's
hours on duty, nor would it be fair to our patrons,
who are really very good to us Therefore, to
!
The Midwife.
THE INFANTS' HOSPITAL. a short intensive preparation for the new oppor-
tunities of work opened up by recent legislation,
including the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act.
The Vincent Square, West-
Infants' HospitaJ, Information can be obtained from the Directors,
inirister, S.W.i, a most useful and unique
fulfils N.U.S.E.S. Summer School, Evelyn House, 62,
function, and all raidwives and district nurses Oxford Street, London, W.i.
should acquaint themselves with its work. It
has two objects (i) To place the management
:
of infants and the treatment of the disorders and THE EFFECT OF HOUSING AND SANI-
diseases of nutrition occurring in infants upon
a scientific basis and (2) to investigate and
TARY CONDITIONS ON MATERNITY
;
deinonstrate the means by which the prevalent AND CHILD WELFARE IN INDIA.
disease and mortality among infants may be A correspondent of "the Pioneer, says the Lancet,
prevented. Like most voluntary hospitals, it is makes some pertinent remarks on this subject.
suffering from a depleted exchequer and a growing On all sides schemes are being promoted to improve
debt, attributed in the annual report to the the condition of Indian mothers and to provide
income not having increased sufficiently to meet skilled attendance at childbirth. But their ante-
the advance in price of commodities and labour. natal conditions cannot be ameliorated until the
It would, however, be a national loss if the fine liousing conditions have been improved. Improve-
work of this hospital were restricted or imperilled ment is not likely to be rapid, since the housing
for lack of support, and we hope its friends will of menial even of those employed by
classes,
come to the rescue. The teaching, by precept Government under European
mills, railways, &c.,
and practice, as to the supreme importance of or educated supervision, is still very bad. The
a pure milk supply and the Lectures on Infant employees are lodged in rooms ic ft. by 10 ft., and
Feeding and Management intended for nurses, more often than not built back-to-back to save
health visitors, and others interested in the study a party wall. The usual type of house has in
of infant life delivered periodically by the physi- front a useless 5 ft. verandah and a zenana court-
cians in the Lecture Theatre of the Hospital, are yard surrounded by a 7 ft. wall, in which is also
of very great value. They should, indeed, be housed the family's latrine. This arrangement
even more widely used and known than at the effectively prevents the entrance of light and air
present time, and pupil midwives, in addition to into these cells, the condition of which with neither
the work required of them by the Central Mid- light nor through ventilation is anything but
wives Board, would acquire valuable knowledge conducive to general health of a family. Improve-
if they attended one of these courses of lectures, ment of antenatal conditions for an expectant
particulars of which aie obtainable from the mother is thus impossible. It is useless under
Secretary of the Hospital. these conditions of housing to talk of inculcating
The training of nurses for infants is also an domestic sanitation and hygiene nor, considering
;
important part of the work of the hospital, and the dirty earthen floors and the cells used as living
before their probationary period (eighteen months) rooms, can infantile mortality be reduced from
is complete they receive an extended and practical the appalling figure at present prevailing among
training in the care and management of babies.. the poorer Indian classes.
Reg-ister of Nurses for the Sick, (2) to define help to compose the Council which will consider
and maintain educational standards, (3) to re- questions of discipline. We
may hope, how-
g^ulate the conduct of the examinations which ever, that the disciplinary duties of the Councils
may be prescribed, and to reg-ulate any matters will not be extensive.
ancillary to these examinations, such as the In regard to a Central Examination the one
appointment of examiners, (4) to enforce dis- thing of all others which nurses are longing
cipline, (5) to issue certificates to registered for is a Central Examination for which all can
nurses, (6) to make regulations in regard to enter on equal terms.
the uniform and badg-e to be worn by reg-is- The question of finance is one of extreme im-
tered nurses, and last but not least, to regu- portance, upon which the success or the reverse
late the finances of the Council. The General of the Council's work and one
largely depends,
Nursing Councils are, therefore, essentially of the most important duties of the
Nursing first
pox. He is at once put on " Barrier," moved •occurring in autumn Scarlet Fever and Vin-
;
bath blanket. At the foot of the bed two up- James, Miss T. Andrews, Miss B. Evans.
right stands, with a red cord stretched between, Miss James points out that catarrh of the
draws attention to the fact that all within that Eustachian tube, occurring in Scarlet Fever,
zone is danger. At the head of the bed are and occasionally a muco-purulent catarrh of
medical officers' and nurses' gowns, and on the vagina may be a source of infection.
the chart board are hung or placed thermo-
meter and pulsometer. At foot of bed is placed QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
a tripod with hand basin for patient's use, State (i) How to organise an eight-hours'
soap dish, jug for treatment lotions, and a day for nurses in hospitals; (2) How to or-
basin of disinfectant in which the nurse or ganise a forty-eight hours' week for nurses.
medical officer attending patient carbolises State (a) the number of beds in ward, (b) the
hands before and after entering and leaving the number of nurses required for duty in ward.
Barrier. If these rules are strictly adhered to State hours on and off duty.
— '
sheets into the Leicester factories appealing- for similar to the one usu?lly worn in the operating^
single shilling-s in support of the Daily Tele- room, and a cap that covers the hair completely.
graph apj>eal for indig-ent nurses and the Colleg-e The gown to be left behind when the nurse goes
of Nursing, Ltd. What are the members of the to her meals, a presentable washing dress to be
Royal Infirmary Leicester Nurses' League worn underneath, the sleeves of dress to be
turned back and pinned till the nurse goes ofE
doingf to counteract this huaniliation ? Surely
duty cap also to be left when oft duty. Uniform,
;
something. as described could be changed more frequently
without much strain on the laundry."
We are glad to learn that the Dutch nurses
are hopeful that a Nurses' Reg^istration Act will
soon become law in Holland, and that copies of HONOURS FOR NURSES.
the English Acts, supplied to their National
Council by the National Council of Trained His Majesty the King bestowed the following
Nurses of Great Britain and Ireland, have been decorations atBuckingham Palace on Thursday,
of g'realt assistance to them. The late Mrs. April 22 nd :
Hampton Robb, of honoured memory, was a The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
strong' believer in a uniform international Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
standard of nursing ;and by consultation, Service. — ^Miss Annie Wilson.
througih national org-anisations of nurses, as Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
Acts of Parliament are passed in the various Service Reserve. —
^Mrs. Ethel McEwan, Miss Jean
countries, through the Governing Bodies set up Orr, and Miss Jane Trotter.
it will be possible to define a curriculum of Territorial Force Nursing Service.^ —
Miss Eliza-
nursing education common to all countries beth Kerr.
where trained nursing is organised. The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
Before very long, no doubt,
the General Service. — ^Miss Gladys Parry, Queen Alexandra's
Miss M. E. Sparshott, C.B.E., R.R.C.. Matron, under Insurance Acts Committee. Delegate of
Royal Infirmary, Manchester. British Medical Association on the Central Com-
Miss E. C. Swiss.Healtb Visitor for Willesden. mittee for the State Registration of Nurses.
Miss S. A. Villiers, Matron, South Western Fever Dp. E. W. Goodall, O.B.E., M.D. London
Hospital, Stockwell.
Gold Medal and Scholar in Forensic Medicine,
Miss C. Worsley, Matron, Infirmary for Children,
Medical Superintendent North Western Hospital
Liverpool.
(M.A.B.), Hampstead Fellow Royal Society of
;
Miss C. S. Yapp, Matron, Ashton-imder-Lyne,
Medicine and President Epidemiological Section
Poor Law Infirmary.
Orator, Hunterian Society, 1913 Member British
;
Mr. Priestley has been appointed the Chair- Medical Association went in 1915 to Dunkirk
;
Di. Washbourn) of "A Manual of Infectious Bill introduced into House of Commons, 1910.
Diseases." Hon. Medical Secretary, Central Com- Introduced House of Commons as Private Mem-
mittee for the State Registration of Nurses, 1910, bers' Bill and passed Second Reading, 191 9.
to date. Basic principles incorporated into Government
Dp. a. Bostock Hill, M.D., Medical OfUcer Bill, 1919. Received King's Assent 23rd Dec.,
of Health for Warwickshire. Emeritus Professor 191 9. Founder and Hon. President of the
of Chemistry, Queen's College, Birmingham. International Council of Nurses, 1899. Met
Professor of Hygiene and Public Health, Univer- Buffalo, 1901 Berlin, 1904
; Paris, 1907
; Lon- ;
sity of Birmingham, Social Science Diploma, don, 1909 Cologne, 191 2. Founder and Presi-
;
University of London. President Association dent National Council of Nurses of Great Britain
County Medical Officers of Health. President and Ireland.
State Medical Section, B.M.A., 1911. Late Travelled in support of Nursing Education and
Examiner Public Health and Forensic Medicine, Organisation, in United States of America,
University of Bristol, Lecturer on Toxicology, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and
University of Birmingham. Fellow (Member Denmark.
Council and Examiner) Royal Sanitary Institute. Hon. Member (only foreign member). National
Author of " The Health Visitor from the County League of Nursing Education,' U.S.A. Hon.
Council Point of View," " Evolution of a County Member American Nurses' Association.
Health Department," &c. Hon. Member. Trained Nurses' Association of
Dr. Bedford Pierce, Medical Superinten- India.
dent, the Retreat, York (Mental Hospital). Professional Services.—President Nursing Sec-
President Medico-Psychological Association. tion, British Royal Commission, Chicago Exhibi-
M.D.Lond. (First-Class Honours in Medicine and tion, 1893. Awarded 2 Medals and Diplomas for
" excellence of Scientific Exhibits."
Forensic Medicine) 1888, F.R.C.P., 1905. Mur-
chison Scholar in Clinical Medicine R.C.P., Hon. Secretary and Superintendent of Nursing
London, 1890. Sen. Open Scholarship in Natural Department, National Fund for the Greek
Science, 1884. Brackenbury Medical Scholarship Wounded, Graeco-Turkish War (hospitals at
and Lawrence Scholarship,
1889, St. Bart.s' Piraeus,Chalcis, Patras). Inspector of Nursing
Hospital. Fellow Royal Society of Medicine. by request of Crown Princess of Greece of the
Mem. Associe de Soc. Med. Psychol de Paris. Ecole Militaire Hospital, Athens 1897. Com-
Lecturer Mental Disorders, Leeds -University. memorative Medal and Diploma of the Greek Red
Author of various books dealing with mental Cross, 1899.
subjects. Member of Grand Council and Executive Com-
GENERAL NURSING. mittee, Territorial Force Nursing Service for the
Mrs. Bedford Fen wick {nee Ethel Gordon City and County of London, 1909-1911, and
Manson) .Professional Career : Paying Proba- 1913-1915.
tioner, Children's Hospital, Nottingham, 1878, and Hon. Treasurer and Supmntendent French Flag
Royal Infirmary, Manchester, 1879. Sister, Nursing Corps, under authority of French Govern-
London Hospital, 1880. Matron and Superinten- ment and Comit6 Britannique Croix Rouge
dent of Nursing, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Francaise, 1914-1919.
London, 1 881-1887 (initiated the three years' Hon. Editor The British Journal of Nursing,
term of training award of marks by Matron for
;
1893 to date. Policy State Registration of
:
practical nursing efficiency in examinations ; and Trained Nurses (the organisation of the Profession
the Gold Medal or Nurse first in pass list) of Nursing by State Authority), Efficient Nursing
Directress, Gordon House Home Hospital, 1889 Education, Just Economic Conditions, and Self-
to 1896. Hon. Superintendent, Registered Nurses' Go vernment for Nurses.
Society, 1893 to date. Literary contributions on Nursing Education
Professional Organisation : Initiator and first and Organisation in professional and lay Press
member British Nurses' Association (to promote at home and abroad.
Registration of Trained Nurses), 1887. Member, Result of Registration propaganda, upwards
Executive Committee and General Council. Helped of 50 Acts for the Registration of Nurses are in
to compile the first Register of Trained Nurses, force throughout the world.
issued by the Royal British Nurses' Association, Miss Alicia Lloyd-Still, C.B.E., R.R.C.,
1891. One of the Signatories and mentioned Matron, and Superintendent of the Nightingale
in Incorporation Clause of the Royal Charter, Training School for Nurses, St. Thomas' Hospital,
Royal British Nurses' Association, 1893. Founder London, S.E.i. Trained in the Nightingale
(and President), Society for the State Registration Training School, St. Thomas' Hospital.
of Trained Nurses, 1902. Drafted first Bill Professional Career: Siscer "Charity" Ward,
for the State Registration of Nurses introduced St. Thomas' Hospital, Sister in Charge, St. Thomas'
into House of Commons, 1904. Passed House Home for Private Patients, Matron, Hospital for
of Lords, 1908. Hon. Nurse Secretary, Central Consumption, Brompton Road, London. Matron,
Committee for State Registration of Nurses Middlesex Hospital, London. In August, 191 3,
(a federation of the trained nurses' organisa- Miss Lloyd-Still returned to St. Thomas' Hospita-
tions in England, Scotland and Ireland, and as Matron of the Hospital, and Superintendent
the British Medical Association). Conjoint of the Nightingale Training School.
May I, 1920 ^be iBrltteb Journal of IRursitiQ. 257
Principal Matron, No. 5, General Hospital, mouth Poor-Law Infirmaries, and Matron of the
T.F.N. S., Member Army Nursing Board, Queen Ashton-under-Lyne Poor Law Infirmary (Lake
'
Matron, St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Served Liverpool; three years' training, 1907. Cert.,
as Nursing Sister, Army Nursing Service Reserve, Guy's Hospital, London, 191 1.
for 13 months, South Africa, 1900. Matron, New Professional Career : Ward Sister, Children's
Hospital for Women, London, 1902-1905. Matron, Hospital, Liverpool, T911-1912 Surgical Night
;
Miss Ellinor Smith, Superintendent for Miss Maude MacCallum, cert. Adelaide
Wales, Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute for Hospital, Dublin, 1899.
Nurses. Cert. Sunderland General Infirmary. Professional Career : Having successfully
Professional Career Charge Nurse, and Night
:
passed examinations at Trinity College, Dublin,
Superintendent, Sunderland General Infirmary and the Royal University, Ireland, entered the
trained as Queen's Nurse at Edinburgh, and Adelaide Hospital, Dublin, as a probationer, where
worked as such in Scotland temporary and
;
she obtained a three-year certificate for Medical,
emergency Nurse, assisting with correspondence Surgical, and Fever Nursing, 1899, and also
and organising work, Notts. Nursing Federation. received an Honour Certificate certifying that she
Appointed County Superintendent on its affilia- had passed the final Examination with Honours.
tion with the Q.V.J. I. County Superintendent On leaving the Hospital, joined the Nurses'
for Somerset, and Inspector of Midwives under Co-operation (now at 22, Langham Street, London,
the Somerset County Council. Superintendent W.), and spent a good deal of time abroad, gaining
for Wales and Inspector for Wales. experience in both French and Swiss Cliniques.
On the outbreak of war, she worked for some time
in a French Military Hospital, attached to the
PUBLIC HEALTH. loth Army Corps, and afterwards as Sister-in-
Miss Isabel Maodonald, Secretary, Royal Charge of a small Hospital auxiliary to the
British Nurses' Association. Cert. Royal In- 2nd London General Hospital. Later she joined
firmary, Edinburgh, 1903. the Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. as a Charge Sister, and was
Professional Career Lecturer for the County
:
demobilised in 191 9.
Committees of Fife and Haddington, the County Professional Organisation : Miss MacCallum
Councils of Stirling and Kinross, the Carnegie inaugurated and is the Hon. Secretary of the
Dunfermline Trust, and to the Scottish National Professional Union of Trained Nurses (registered
Exhibition, 1908. Cert. Health Visitor, Cert. under the Trades Union Act)
Hygiene, and Medallist, Royal Sanitary Institute,
MENTAL NURSING.
Fellow Institute of Hygiene, Diplom6e, R.B.N .A.
Lecturer to the Royal Sanitary Institute and to
Mp. T. Christian, cert. Medico-Psychological
Association, 1903. Male Charge Nurse, Banstead
the Institute of Hygiene, Prize Essayist, Royal
Sanitary Institute.
Mental Hospital, Sutton, Surrey. Three years'
training Banstead Mental Hospital.
Professional Organisation Secretary, Royal
:
Professional Career : Twenty years in the
British Nurses' Association, 1909. Delegate, service of the London County Council in the
R.B.N.A., on Central Committee for the State above institution. Nominated by the Asylum
Registration of Nurses. Workers' Union, which includes 16,000 members.
Author of " Home Nursing, with Notes on the
Preservation of Health," &c.
At the meeting of the above Committee, held of pay have been approved for temporary nurses
by kind permission of the British Medical Associa- (Q.A.I.M.N.S. Reserve, T.F.N. S., V.A.D. Nursing
tion, in the Council Chamber, 429, Strand, on Members, and Special Military Probationers)
Saturday last, the Hon. Secretaries, Dr. E. W. continuing or commencing to serve after April 30th
Goodall and Mrs. Bedford Fenwick had the 1920. V.A.D. nursing members or special military
gratification of reporting that the object for which probationers will receive ^30 a year, rising by
the Central Committee had been primarily formed half-yearly increments of £2 ids. to ;^40
had been attained, and that the General Nursing Q.A.I.M.N.S. (R.) or T.F.N.S. staff nurses will
Councils as provided for under the schedules of the .receive £6;^, rising by annual increments of
three Nurses' Registration Acts had been ap- £2 IDS. to ;^68 a year Sisters £yy los., rising by
;
Many members of the constituent societies Matrons initial and maximum rate, ;^i;2o los. ;
which had helped to draft the Nurses' Registration Matrons, ;^i20 los. rising by annual increments
Bills introduced into Parliament last Session of £10 to /195 los. These rates include the
(the basic principles of which had been incorporated extra remuneration (Army of Occupation bonus)
in the Government Acts) had been appointed to granted on August 26th, 1919. Nurses receiving
serve on the various General Nursing Councils, the revised rates must sign a contract to serve
amongst them the Hon. Nurse Secretary, the for either one or two years, it so long required.
Hon. Medical Secretary, and Sir T. Jenner Verrall, Nurses already drawing the additional pay of
member of the General Medical Council and of the ;^2o a year granted in igi€ to nurses who under-
British Medical Association, who had on man}^ took to serve for so long as required, will continue
occasions so ably conducted the meetings of the to draw it.
Central Committee.
A resolution was adopted agreeing to send NURSES MISSIONARY LEAGUE.
the hearty congratulations of the Committee to
the members of each constituent Society who had
accepted office on the Nursing Councils constituted Sixteenth Annual Conference and Meeting.
under the Acts, to thank them for their consistent The sixteenth Annual Conference and Meeting
and loyal services to the State Registration of the Nurses' Missionary League will be held at
movement, and to wish them success in their University Hall, Gordon Square, W.C., on May 5th.
future labours for the benefit of the nursing
PROQRAM/VIE.
profession and the community.
" The Building of the Kingdom of God on Earth."
A warm vote of thanks was also accorded
to the British Medic? 1 Association for its help and Morning Session, 10.15— 12.30.
support in furthering the organisation of the Nurs- Chairman Mrs. Douglas Thornton.
:
ing Profession by State Authority ; support which Missionary Litany for Doctors and Nurses.
had been invaluable in 1 aspiring Parliament with Demonstration Study Circle led by Miss D. Harrower.
:
confidence in the passing of the Nurses' Registra- "The Building of the Kingdom": (i) In China.
tion Acts. Miss E. V. Hope (Guy's and Hinghwa) (2) In India.;
have special cause for rejoicing that the Acts for Dawson.
the State Registration of Nurses, which the Union The afternoon affords special opportunities for
has co-operated with the Central Committee to getting to know members from other hospitals and
secure, are now on the Statute Book, and that two Committee members.
of the members of their Executive, Miss S. A. —
Evening Session, 7.30 9.30.
Villiers and Miss A. Dowbiggin, have been Chairman : Col. H. Gordon Mackenzie, M.D., D.S.O.
appointed by the Minister of Health on the First Opening Hymn and Prayer.
General Nursing Council. Adoption of Annual Report, and Election of Com-
26o Jibe British 3ournaI of IRursinG. Mav 1920
Bookstall, refreshments, photographs. Union) at King George's Hall, W.C, on April 24th.
Mrs. Paul was in the Chair.
APPOINIMENTS. The Chairman, in her opening speech, touched
upon the work the Union had been engaged in
since it started last January, and also gaye an
MATRON. outline of what they proposed to accomplish in
Hemlington Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Middlesborough..
— Mrs. B. Gardner has been appointed Matron. She
the near future, notably their plan for the pro-
vision and care in sickness.
has held the positions of Charge Nurse at the Eston
Sanatorium, Yorks, Matron of the Ovenstone Infec- She also announced that Miss Maude MacCallum,
tious Diseases Hospital, Pittenween, N.B., and Matron the Hon. Secretary, had had the honour of being
and Charge Nurse at the City Hospital, North Liver- appointed by the Minister of Health on to the
pool. firstGeneral Nursing Council set up under the
SISTER. Nurses' Registration Act.
Springfield Hospital, Bolton Road, Rochdale.—Miss Dr. Wei ply, Secretary of the Medico-Political
Mary Beard has been appointed Ward Sister. She
was trained at the City of London Infirmary, and has Union, explained the origin of Trades Unions.
been Staff Nurse at the Southampton Eye Hospital, At one time in England it was illegal for any body
and for five years Sister at the Memorial Hospital, of persons to combine for any purpose. The
Ludbiana, Punjab. Trades Union Act was passed to make it legal for
County Hospital, York.— Miss Florence Moxon has persons to band together for the purpose of
been appointed Sister. She was trained at the Royal safeguarding and protecting their interests.
Infirmary, Sheffield, and has held the position of Miss Parsons, who has acted as Matron in both
Theatre Sister at the Royal Surrey Hospital,
Civil and Military Hospitals, said she hoped the
New Nurses' Hostel.
time would come when all the working staff in a
hospital would have direct representation on
PRESENTATION. the Council of that hospital. She thought it
Miss Timbrell, Matron of the Lowestoft Hospital would do away with a good deal of friction and
has been presented with a cheque and an illuminated
injustice. She mentioned a hospital she knew
address by the local residents of Lowestoft, Oulton
of where the probationers worked from 6.30 a.m.
Broad, and Pakefield, on her resigning the position
to tak^ up a London appointment. Miss Timbrell to 9 p.m., with two hours off. Again, the nurses
has been Matron of the Lowestoft Hospital for the in a great many hospitals were not properly fed,
last ten years, thus covering the period of the war, and their accommodation bad. She gave instances
and considering the exposed situation of the hospital, where Matrons protesting against the bad con-
and the frequent attacks by the enemy on that portion ditions of the Nurses, were asked to resign. She
of the coast the position could have been no sinecure. thought all Nurses' quarters should be inspected,
From the beginning of the war it opened its doors and that a good deal of trouble was caused by
to seamen, local troops, and later small convoys of
people being on Hospital Boards who did not
wounded men from overseas. Miss Timbrell has had
a varied career, including service on the Gold Coast understand a Nurse's life.
and in Siam. Prior to the public presentation, Miss Mr. Naylor agreed with Miss Parsons that all
Timbrell was handed a farewell gift from the nursing grades of workers should have representation on
staff at the Hospital. Hospital Committees, and this was necessary both
for the good of the governors and the nurses.
NEW NURSES' HOSTEL. Public opinion was on the side of the nurses, but
The Countess of Malmesbury has laid the foundation- they must not leave their business in the hands
stone of a hospital at Boscombe,
nurses' hostel of others no matter how interested they might be ;
Bournemouth. The hostel, which is to provide the work must be done by the Nurses themselves,
accommodation for thirty nurses, and is in connection through their Union.
with the Royal Victoria and West Hants Hospital, will Miss Alderman said that the regulations for the
cost £ 14,000. Mr. Walter Child Clark has given the site. training of Health Visitors issued by the Ministry
of Health, required very close examination, and
LECTURES TO NURSES. that it was safe to predict that had the Ministry
ACourse of free lectures to nurses and members of been in ofifice for two or three years they would
the allied professions, on " Venereal Diseases," will not have been issued in their present form, and
be given by Mr. Leonard Myer, F.R.C.S., at St. Paul's reinforced by actual experience of the working
Hospital, 13A, Red Lion Square, Holbom, W.C., of their own health departments, the minimum
beginning on Friday, May 7th. We commend these
qualification of three years' training in a general
lectures to the attention of nurses and midwives,
training school would have, been laid down, with
comparatively few of whom have ai. opportunity of
gaining an adequate knowledge on this subject during additional qualifications such as the Certificate
their training. Their thanks are due to Mr. Myer of the Central Midwives Board, experience in a
for arranging and delivering these lectures. Children's Hospital, in tuberculosis nursing, &c.
.
agreement explained to her. The Matron had had placed the nurse at the service of the lady
full power to discharge a nurse. by whom she was at present engaged, and that
Mr. Campbell-Lee suggested that the Mental she was still serving her as a nurse, and so came
Nurses' Association, Ltd., was not an Association under the terms of her agreement with the Mental
of Nurses, as its name indicated, but a Limited Nurses' Association.
Liability Company run for profit, to exploit nurses. His Honour having heard the arguments of
Mr. Donaldson asserted, with some warmth, both sides, reserved judgment.
that he had never had either salary or dividend, The Judgment.
and had put his whole savings into the Company.
This was given in the Bloomsbury County
The clause in the rules prohibiting a nurse from
Court on Monday, April 26th, when the Judge
returning to a case to which she was sent by the
delivered judgment for the defendent, who,
Association for a year after she had left it without
however, was required to pay her own costs.
paying percentage was inserted in the rules to
Leave to appeal was allowed.
safeguard the Company.
Miss Jean Hastie, proprietor of the Mental Points of Importance to Private Nurses.
Nurses' Co-operation, 49, Norfolk Square, W., The first important point which arises in this
said she took Miss Downie into her employment case is that nurses should make an invariable rule
on November ist. She paid the nurses their of acquainting themselves with the regulations
fees every four months, less 12 per cent, com- under which they will have to serve before accept-
mission. She provided a home for the nurses ing an engagement on the staff of an Association
between their cases, where they paid 25s. a or Co-operation. It seems almost incredible that
week if they shared a room, or 30s. for a single a nurse should come up to London from Glasgow
bedroom. She could dismiss Miss Downie by under an agreement to join an Association without
giving her four weeks' notice. When Miss Downie acquainting herself with the regulations and the
came on to her staff, the ]ady whose ward she legal contract she would be required to sign or
was nursing asked if she could continue with the knowing what commission on her earnings she
case, and she did so. If she had known of the would have to pay.
clause in Miss Downie's agreement with the Mental Secondly, putting aside for the moment the
Nurses' Association, she would have advised her legal aspect, in our opinion, and in that of most
to leave it for a year. honourable people, if a nurse severs her connection
Mr. Campbell, in his speech at the conclusion with a society which introduced her to a case,
of the case, said that Miss Downie severed her she is in duty bound to give up the case on leaving
connection with the first Association* and went the society. Especially is this just when she is
into the employment of Miss Hastie. Her relation- the member of a Co-operation, where loss on
ship with Miss Hastie was as the relationship business injures her colleagues on the staff, and in
between master and servant. She paid Miss mental nursing where a nurse might join a society
Hastie £1 is. entrance fee and £1 is. annual for a few months, and take away with her a case
subscription. to which she had been intioduced which might
The Judge inquired in whose service Miss last for a number of years, it is quite inexcusable.
Downie was. That of the lady who engaged her It is high time that nurses realized the necessity
services or Miss Hastie. for honourable business dealing in this respect,
Mr. Duncan said she was attending the ward and we fear the high percentage charged by the
of the lady, who obtained her from the Mental Association in question and the regulation prohibit-
Nurses' Association, and he submitted she was in ing the abstraction of patients, may have resulted
her service. Her agieement with the Association
"
from a lack of appreciation upon the part of nurses
prohibited her from serving " in any capacity that it is very unfair to take over patients and
anyone to whom she had been introduced by the break contracts for their own personal benefit.
plaintiff Association for one year after severing Neither should the proprietor of a nursing
her connection with it, without paying a percent- business take over a patient when engaging a
age on her earnings (25 per cent.) to the Associa- nurse provided by another.
tion. She might be nominally in the service of Well trained nurses should make careful en-
Miss Hastie, but he contended that Miss Hastie, quiries before joining private nursing establish-
who was proprietor of an Agency licensed by the ments. They should satisfy themselves that such
London County Council might as well say that businesses are condu'cted by professional nurses,
if a cook paid a commission to an agency which and hesitate when asked to pay more than 10
introduced her to a situation she was in the per cent, on their fees.
employment of that Agency. « »
The Mental Nurses' Association were the people
who introduced Miss Downie to the patient, and
FEVER NURSES' ASSOCIATION.
under her signed agreement she had undertaken Members are asked to note that, after the Annual
that if within a year she returned to the service Meeting, which is to be held at Croydon Town
of any person to whom she was introduced by the Hall, on Saturday, May 8th, at 2.30 p.m., tea
Mental Nurses' Association, she should pay them will be provided by the kindness of the Mayor
a percentage for the continuance of the case. He and Corporation of Croydon at Croydon Fever
claimed that he had proved that the Association Hospital.
—
mittee), Miss Bushby (matron), and Mr. T. he would have worked hard on Committees, and
Glenton Kerr (the secretary). he would have taken his place outside the House
The young Prince was shown everything of of Commons as a man elected to speak with
interest anjj impressed his entourage with his authority to decisive audiences. If he had been
intelligent interest and charm. returned in 1910 for the University of London ;
noblesse oblige. —
lived to now there is no saying how high he
;
MISS L. L. DOCK TO WRITE FIRST PART OF and to know no party politics.' Its ideal To '
RED CROSS HISTORY. win the people for Jesus Christ. To lead men
We learn from the American Journal of and women into the Kingdom of God. To unite
Nursing that the story of the American Red them in a brotherhood of Mutual Help. To
Cross Nursing Service is to be recorded from the encourage the study of social science. To enforce
early days of its foundation to the present time as it the obligations of Christian citizenship. To pro-
faces towards its broad reconstruction programme. mote the unity of social service. To promote
That the eminent nursing historian. Miss international brotherhood.' The Report for 1916
Lavinia L. Dock has undertaken to write the first says of Horsley that he lad been amongst the
—
part of this history the formative period, em- greatest of Brotherhood men —
apostle of the war
bracing the Civil and Spanish-American "VNJars, the against disease and alcohol on our platforms,
formation of the Army Nurse Corps, and the Red member of the London Speakers' League, a man '
Cross Reserve, as far as the declaration of war in to whom some of our leaders were looking as a
1 91
4 —secures accuracy and success for the under- potential National President.' "
taking. The notes he has left of the addresses at Brother-
\^olume II will include the organisation and hood meetings are an indication of his mind.
formation of the early units, the base hospitals, Thus, " We live in an Empire where the sun never
and the general nursing programme of the Red sets, and in slums where the sun never rises, . . .
Cross following the participation of America in the Montaigne's position, The honourable vocation is
'
war. Volume III will be concerned with the post- to work for the commonwealth, and the profit of
war activities of the service. the many.' "
"For Sir Victor Horsley," we read, "Christi-
anity was Christian Ethics and Social Service ;
A VENTURE IN INTERNATIONAL these he took and worked into the fabric of his
FRIENDSHIP. life."
The outcome of the work
the Society of
of " There was in him," writes a well-known'
Friends in France during the War is that a surgeon, " a hint of the archangel which I have
permanent maternity hospital is to be established never discovered in any other man, and that made
at a cost of 1,000, 00c francs. The Friends' Unit one he could never be anything but young and
feel
of the American Red Cross are financially respon- strong." "It is," says Mr. Paget, "the exact
sible, and English Quakers are also participating phrase when he came into a dull roomful of
. . .
in the work. people there was an odd effect as if the lamps went
Two American and two English nurses will up of their own accord."
share the work, which has been described as " a " On a holiday his love of the country and of
venture in international friendship." open air lite inspired him to get and to give happi-
264 ^be Biitt0b 3ournaI of fluretng. May 1 , 1 920
a stranger to him, who needed his help." unsatisfactory business of amateurism. Lhese
His rule that no medical man should pay a fee private hospitals are not wanted, though the beds
to him was absolute. One writes " On no : are." Later he writes :
" Fortunately I find all
occasion would he take any payment. Dog does '
the Sisters here are first-rate people and all pro-
not eat dog,' he said." gressive, so when we are thoroughly sick of
One doctor wrote of him, " One of the greatest and ^'s arguments we can concoct plans for the
It is sad to read how, during the years before am not in any condition to write you amusing or
the war, his practice fell off miserably. Medical interesting letters ; all my energies are devoted
men who thought he had betrayed them over the to trying to get for our unfortunate men the
Insurance Act, were unwilling to send patients to merest elements of medical care."
him, and sometim.es invalids disliked his politics. Then Mesopotamia, and a spell of strenuous
He writes that a report is being industriously work, one day's illness, and the lamp of life was
circulated that he is retiring from practice, and quenched.
that his surgery is mediaeval. Mr. Paget writes :
" Always he had spent himself with superb
" Under the unhappiness, illness, and overstrain extravagance he was still at work the day before
;
of these years he would have broken down if it he died. It is not in the range of men's intellects
had not been for his home life. All of us saw the to understand, through and through, a man's life.
side that he faced the world with but those of The real values of it are hid from them
—
;
us who did not see the other side of him the and are not clear even to him. This man, at any
—
home life did not know him. Indeed, it was rate, played his life for all it was worth there is ;
perfect. It was the making of him, and the saving nothing that he kept back from us, there is nothing
of him. Not that it was leisurely it was inces- ; that he feared." M. B.
santly strenuous it drove ahead, every day and
;
(ML
AND
SICK
ROOM
BOOTS ™ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
Song!:.")
you have expended on us all and the interest you
have taken in our welfare.
Yours very sincerely,
COMING EVENTS, S. E. Polden.
April 2gth. —South-Western Polytechnic Insti-
An Old Bart.'s Nurse.
tute, Manresa Road, Chelsea, S.W. First of :
Bombay, Auckland,
Course of Lectures on " Milk and Milk Products," New Zealand.
by Mr. Cecil Revis, A.C.G.I.. F.I.C., F.C.S.
FOR AND AGAINST THE USE OF
7 p.m.
— PROPHYLACTIC PACKETS.
April ^oth. ^Matrons' Council Quarterly Meet-
ing. Queen's Hospital for Children, Hackney To the Editor of The British Journalof Nursing.
Road, E. 3 p.m. Tea 5 p.m. —
Dear Madam, I was pleased to see the
May xsi. —Royal
British Nurses' Association. announcement of the subject for competition in
your issue of April 3rd (prophylaxis), and think it
Inspection of Banner and Royal Charter. Piano,
Miss Gladys Collier. 10, Orchard Street, Portman would be well if we could hear several opinions on
Square, W. Tea 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. this subject— both for and against.
May I St. —^National Union of Trained Nurses. It is a problem which must be faced by all
humanitarians and although a moral and social
Annual Council Meeting, 46, Marsham Street.
;
2.30. Reception, to w^hich members and friends rather than a medical question, yet the public
of the Union are cordially invited (tea, 8d.) 5 p.m. look to doctors and nurses for a lead.
May 2nd —Health Week.
to 8th.
To quote the prize-winner " Humanitarians
:
Clark, President elect, will deliver an address. find you have to do it, or have done it, I will teach
2.30 p.m. Tea by kindness of Mayor and Corpora- you how best to disguise your writing and to erase
tion, Croydon Fever Hospital. signatures."
— — —
Miss Bielby hits the nail on the head when she '
ghost as a collector of charity from our patients
'
says that reform must come and can only come by on our behalf is worthy of mention.
more direct teaching to our young people and ; N'importe nous sommes Id."
mothers must accept this as one of their greatest
duties. I think we may say they are learning to Save British Children from German
do so. We have to remember, therefore, that KULTURE.
legislation is for the immoral man the man who — —
Mother of the Dead. Can you tell me if we
has escaped or refused to listen to such teaching. mothers bereaved in the horrible war by German
Let us for a minute look at the consequences. and Austrian barbarity, and jealousy of this
Suppose the method were adopted, and success- country, are being taxed to entertain the hundreds
fully so in fifty years' time venereal disease might
;
of enemy alien children, coming to England at
be very much decreased, might possibly be rare an eajly date from Central and Eastern Europe
(in men), but immorality would be far more
that is, from Germany and Austria ? If so, I
prevalent. The ruin of the lives of young girls, the feel inclined to go to prison for non-payment of
broken hearts of mothers who have lost their taxes.
daughters, the number of unwanted and uncared- (We advise our correspondent to write to the
for babies, can we advocate and definitely work Secretary of the " Save the Children Fund,"
for a system which will increase these ?
Room 130, 26, Golden Square, Regent Street,
No it seems to me that, awful as is the suffering
;
London, W.i, for information. She might also
of the innocent and unborn, our duty, while ask how much has already been expended
curing the disease where we can, is first of all to use in the leading newspapers in whole-page and
every influence and opportunity we have to lessen half-page advertisements of the Fund it must
;
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. " Paramount Duty " of every robust Briton to
We have received a large number of cards refuse to finance it. Leave that to the wealthy
during the past week from nurses in private Germans still in our midst, exploiting the wealth
practice objecting to inclusion in the Hours of of this country, and other aliens of enemy ante-
—
Employment Bill i. Because it would prevent cedents in high places. Ed.)
efficient nursing 2, because it wovdd bring into
;
was in use so that the Press so ignorant may — — hours' day for nurses in hospitals, (2) How to
organise a forty-eight hours' week for nurses.
realise nursing is now a profession. In reporting the
appointment of the General Nursing Council, the State M,a) the number of beds in ward, (&) the
Evening Standard sets out all the lay and medical number of nurses required for duty in ward.
names, and dismisses our professional representa- State hours on and off duty.
tion in the following manner A number of
:
' —
May 8th. Prescribe a diet for a case of diabetes.
nurses are also appointed,' including, by the bye Give a warning of what to avoid. Outline diet
women who promoted and paid for the movement ! for cases of (a) Pneumonia (b) Nephritis.
;
As for the D.T., it has lost its temper badly. No May 15th. —What
are the symptoms of the
one whose heart does not bleed for the sorrows of presence of adenoids and diseased tonsils in a
'
Juliet and who has dared to object to this
'
child ? What ill results may follow their neglect ?
— —
THe Midwife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES' BOARD, CLOTHING OF INFANTS AND
MONTHLY MEETING. YOUNG CHILDREN.
A meeting of the Central Midwives' Board was OnFriday, April 23rd, Miss Isabel Macdonald
held at i, Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, West- (Medallist of the Royal Sanitary Institute),
minster, on Thursday, April 22nd, The first lectured on the " Clothing of Infants and Young
business of the meeting was the election of the Children," at the Institute, 90, Buckingham
Chairman, and Sir Francis Champneys was Palace Road. This was the last lecture of the
unanimously re-elected. course for students preparing for the Health
A letter was received from Lady Morant, Visitor's Examinations.
thanking the Board for its message of sympathy Miss Macdonald dealt principally with the
on the death of her husband, the late Sir Robert clothing of infants and exhibited specimens of
Morant. the model garments used at the headquarters of
A letter was also received from Mr. E. H. the Babies of the Empire Society, at Trebovir
Phillips of the Ministry of Health, stating that the Road. Explanations were given with regard to
Minister of Health approved for the purpose of the best materials for the infants' clothing and
the apportionment of contributions from Local the points which mothers should understand in
Supervising Authorities, the balance of /3,395 connection with the washing of these materials.
7s. lod. shown against the Board in the Financial
The chief drawbacks of the binder were pointed
Statement for the year 191 9. out and the effects of overclothing in the training
Applications. of the child's thermotaxic centres and in con-
For Approval as Lecturer. nection with its metabolism were explained.
The following applications were granted : Perambulators and cots and the objections to the
Robert Gordon Bell, M.D., F.R.C.S. George;
comforter were other items in the syllabus.
Dean Compston, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. Robert;
Reasons why the ordinary hood of the perambu-
Stephen Hubbersty, M.D. James Ramsbottom,
;
lator is unhygienic in practice were explained ;
Applications to be certified b} the Board, by Sivatman (Medical Ofiicer for Maternity and
reason of holding the Certificate of the Central Child Welfare Centres in Herts).
" The Problem of the Unmarried Mother and
Midwives' Board for Ireland were received from
eight midwives, and the applications granted her Child " Mrs. H. A. L. Fisher.
:
"wounded in the Crimean war, but to the Nurs- is not based upon a knowledge of the under-
ing- Profession it stands for mucli more, fo" lying causes, and the hopelessness of any
'
Florence Nigfhting-ale, for the first time, laid remedies not diirected to the removal of those
down the laws which underlie the practice of causes.
nursing- witlh scientific precision, and rto-day In addition, she claimed for those whose
the rules defined Notes on Nursing,", duty it is to care for the sick a thorough educa-
in her '*
published sixty years ago, are those on which tion in the practical methods and technique of
efficient nursing is founded. their calling, and she practised what she
Florence Nightingale is a popular heroine, preached. She told the Royal Commission of
and as such her more or
personality has been 1857, "
have visited all the hospitals in
I
less obscoired as the ministering angel and the London, Dublin and Edinburgh, many county
aureoiled saint. Time is creating a truer con- hospitals, some of the naval and military hos-
ception of her great character. Her biographer, pitals in England all the hospitals in Paris,
;
service, and fulsome press prattle), is a verit- that State Registration of Nurses in India is-
able will o' the wisp, and a very good thing, essential to the protection of the trained nurses,
too ! and also to the further development and uplift
of the profession." The action of the home
Cornwall County Nursing Association is Government on this matter should be a strong
seriously perturbed over the shortage of nurses, argument for justice to the nurses of India.
Sir A. May stating at the annual meeting last Our sisters in India have two professional
week that it had been hoped that when nurses organisations, through which they should be
and V.A.D.s were released from war service able to attain legal status. Let them do as we
there would have been no difficulty in finding- did draft a Bill, and give the Government no-
among the trained nurses women who would peace till it becomes law.
May 8, 1920 (The Britteb 3ournal ot IRursmo. 27.
Books containing matters of interest to th(^ from the cylinder, and passed through brandy,
nursing profession. AM these valuable jour- had hanging over it a hood, which is the device of
nals and records of the history of the nursing the senior physician. Dr. Porter Parkinson, so that
movement for the past thirty-two years are the warmed oxygen as it emerges from the bottle
now invaluable. Who' will preserve them is not diffused, and the patient gets the full benefit
'
Miss Dowbiggin and Miss Villiers. Their policy Parliament who have introduced and supported
would be to do their very best for the interests of the previous Bills which led up to the present Act ;
the whole profession. and to Dr. Addison, Minister of Health, and the late
Miss Dowbiggin and Miss Villiers spoke in Sir Robert Morant, Permanent Chief Secretary of
support of this policy. the Minisk-y of Health, for the framing, introduc-
The meeting concluded with a cordial vote of- tion and safe passage of the Act."
thanks to the Committee of the Hospital and to Miss Eden explained that since the Report was
the Matron, Miss Bushby, for their invitation to the submitted to the Executive Committee, the
Council to meet there. First Nursing Council for State Registration
A dainty tea was then served with expedition had been formed, and its representative character
and deftness. Sisters, Nurses and maids all hospit- was a subject of satisfaction to all those who had
ably attending upon the guests. It did one's supported the Central Committee and who upheld
heart good to see the neat uniforms, tidy heads the standard of justice and fair play. The
—
and becomingly worn caps no need to take a members present expressed great pleasure at the
peep behind in order to discover whether a cap fact that two members of its Executive Com-
was there or not. mittee had been appointed to seats on the
The Secretary of the hospital, Mr. T. Glenton- General Nursing Council.
Kerr, gave much pleasure by joining the members Some changes in the constitution were made to
at tea time, and amongst the honoured guests was provide for the decision already arrived at, that no
Miss Isabel Macdonald, Secretary of the Royal person should in future be admitted to the Union
British Nurses' Association. who had not received at least three years' training
in a general hospital of not less than a hundred
beds. The standard of training of the Union is
therefore a high one, and compares favourably
IRISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION. with that of other bodies. The subscription has
At the monthly meeting of the Irish Nurses' been raised to £1, and now includes all the benefits
Association, held at 34, St. Stephen's Green on of the Employment Centre, which it may interest
May ist. Miss Hezlett, in the chair, it was decided readers to know, has in the last five months filled
to call a Special Meeting on May 8th to discuss the 48 per cent, of the posts applied for. The sub-
effects of an eight-hour day. All members and scription will also include membership of the club
nurses interested are invited to attend. which it has been decided to open at the office of
the Union, where there will also be a few bedrooms
DEATH OF SIR HENRY BURDETT. available at moderate fees for members of the
Union. It was announced to the Council that
The press reports the death of Sir Henry Miss Pye, member of the Union and former Secre-
Burdett, editor of the Hospital, and of the Nursing tary, had received the high honour of being
Mirror on Thursday, April 29th. Cremation appointed Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur by
took place at Golder's Green on May 3rd. the President of the French Republic.
May 8, 1920 Cbe 36riti.0b 3ouvnal of IRuroluQ. ^73
flowers, everyone adjourned to the lecture hall contact with the members of the Union.
upstairs, when Miss Helen L. Pearse, the newly The President then said that as Mrs. Bedford
elected President occupied the chair. Fenwick had honoured them with her presence,
The first business in hand was a presentation to perhaps she would say a few words, and Mrs.
Miss Eden, and Miss Pearse read letters from Miss Fenwick, in responding, testified to the invalu-
M. Heather-Bigg, R.R.C., -the outgoing President, able help she had received from Miss Eden in
and from Bristol, speaking in the warmest terms dra,fting documents, and also to Miss Rimmer's
of Mis's Eden's work. excellent work in the Lobby.
Miss Pearse also spoke of the great services Referring to the Nurses' Registration Acts Mrs.
which Miss Eden had rendered to the nursing pro- Fenwick said that they gave the free field and no
fession, and of her high ideals, which were an in- favour to the whole nursing profession for which
spiration to all associated with her. During the the Central Committee and the societies affiliated to
days when the Nurses' it had always contended.
times seemed lost causes, but which finally by the Board of Education, was in error given as
triumphed because they were founded on prin- Miss Batty Tuke. In our synopsis of " Who's '
ciples which were everlasting. Who on the General Nursing Council," we last
'
In her opening remarks the speaker said, we are pointed out that in the five years of his course the
accustomed to the idea of the hospital for the poor, medical student receives training in all branches of
the infirmary for the destitute, but there is no such his profession, while the nurse, at the end of her
—
provision made for the middle classes the new three or four years' course, has to provide her sell
poor. It is time that the hospitals were re- with further training in midwifery, &c. The
organised. By taking payments from patients Chairman raised the point as to how the general
according to their means, a steady source of income practitioner or the specialist would regard the idea
could be secured, and the needed special treat- of clinics for others than the poor. Replying,
ment or advice would be available for those who Mrs. Paul said we must look forward to the
cannot afford a specialist's fee or a nursing home. time when girls and boys will remain at school
In Germany a far larger number of small school till eighteen years old. The training of a nurse
children wear glasses than.in England. The reason should thoroughly equip her in all branches of her
for this, said Mrs. Paul, is not that German children profession, and the four years' course should
suffer from eye strain more than English children ;
include midwifery and public health work. With
indeed the minimum age for admission to the regard to the doctor's attitude towards clinics she
schools in Germany is seven, as against five years advocated the payment of all professional workers,
in England ; but the medical examination and including the medical profession, for their services.
treatment of young school children is much more
searching there than in England. We recognise
the clinic as the proper place for the treatment of
minor ailments the out-patient department as
CORRESPONDENCE.
;
Day nurseries, or, as she preferred to call them, " Steadfast and True."
nursery schools, are a necessity for the middle
classes. The income of the ordinary professional I am, sincerely yours,
HOSPITALS FOR THE NEW POOR. the convenient cupboards and storerooms which
abound on every floor.
In the basement there are a large kitchen, scul-
NURSING HOME, CHRISTCHURCH ROAD, lery, housemaid's closet, pantry, all well arranged
STREATHAM. and planned. The sinks are of teak with a
Though the " new poor " have not many tem- view to minimise the mortality in crockery.
pcral mercies to be grateful for at this present The Matron is Miss Bessie Carley, R.R.C., who
crisis, one very substantial mercy has been pro- was trained at the Warneford Hospital, Lea-
vided for them by the local branch of the Red mington, and was the medallist of her year.
Cross at Streatham. During the recent war she served in France
At the close of the war, the committee, finding in the T.F.N.S., first as Sister and then as Assistant
that they had a substantial surplus of money in Matron, and was then drafted to the clearing
hand, purchased the house which ha,d been doing stations. She is to be aissisted by three qualified
duty as a V.A. Hospital, and presented it, for the nurses, two paid probationers, and a certain
purpose of a medical and surgical nursing home amount of voluntary assistance from V.A.D.s
for the " new poor," and to this class of sufferers who during the war acted in that capacity in the
it isto be strictly confined. The uniform inclusive same house while it was serving as a soldiers*^
fee is to be /3 to 3 guineas weekly. Admission hospital.
will be through the doctor in attendance on the Apparently nothing has been omitted that will
patients, and the latter will thus have the privilege minister to the comfort of the patients and to the
of being attended by their oAvn medical man. efficient working of the home.
The house, a commodious one, in Christchurch The ambulance, which was purchased by the
Koad will accommodate twenty-six patients of both Streatham Red Cross, Is lodged in the adjoining
sexes. It is moreover exceedingly well planned garage, and is driven by the factotum who is
and fitted with every convenience for the efficient gardener, porter and chauffeur all in one.
working of a modern nursing home. When in full This Home meets one of the most urgent needs
working order, the nursing staff is to be provided of the day, and it is to be hoped that many more
with sleeping accommodation out, the Matron only of a like character will spring up all over the
having a bedroom on the premises. country.
The wards hold a varying number of beds, the Great care will be exercised in the Streatham
largest providing for eight patients. The wall- venture to ascertain that applicants for admission
papers have been chosen with thought and care, are not able to pay more than ^3 3s. fee, so that
according to the aspect of the room, and are of soft there will be no undercutting of the more expen-
shades of green or grey. sive nursing homes.
In the women's wards each bed is curtained, so
that the patient can secure absolute privacy if she
so desire. In all the rooms the bed curtains are of
BRUSSELS HEALTH CONGRESS,
a deep shade of heliotrope, which harmonises M\Y 19th TO 24th.
extremely well with the pink bedspreads and the The Public Health Congress to be held in
dainty mats of soft Persian hues. The men's Brussels from May 19th to 24th, is to be a meeting
wards are not curtained, but are provided with an of great importance. The King of the Belgians is
ample number of screens. The lockers are of patron, and the heroic Burgomaster of Brussels
metaJ, enamelled white, and under each bed is a M. Max, with other prominent citizens are
wooden stool which will serve a useful turn when deeply interested in its programme.
lockers are otherwise engaged. A well-stocked The reception room will be at the Palais des
bookcase is a feature in every ward. Academies, near the Royal Palace, and will open
On each landing provision is made for the prepa- on Monday. May 17th, at 10 a.m. The meetings
ration of the trays for meals which it is considered will take place in the University of Brussels,
will relieve the congestion in the kitchen at meal Leopold Park. Receptions will be held by the
time. King of the Belgians, the City of Brussels, the
There is ample lavatory and bath accommoda- University of Brussels, and others, and excursions
tion, which is fitted with the latest sanitary to Antwerp, Mons, Charleroi, Ghent, Lou vain,
improvements. and Liege are being arranged. Any person
The theatre was equipped for the use of the interested in the work of the congress may become
wounded by the generosity of the Streatham a member on payment of a fee oi £1 is. to the
Congregational Church without regard to expense, hon. secretaries, 37, Russell Square, W.C.i.
and the Home is to be congratulated on such a The programme is arranged under the following
thoroughly up-to-date possession. heading State Medicine, Naval, Military, Tropical
The central heating secures hot towel rails, and Colonial, Municipal Hygiene, Industrial
airing cupboards, hot blankets ready for emergency Hygiene, Hygiene and Women's Work, Bacterio-
cases, besides the general heating of wards and logy and the Harben Lectures.
passages. The following full programme of the Women's
The fine conservatory is fitted as a lounge, which Work Section, omits as usual any inclusion of
will no doubt prove a great boon to convalescent Trained Nursing, although the promoters in
cases. The administration is greatly assisted by Belgium sent a courteous invitation to the Inter-
— . — •
and in particular of Miss Hastie's evidence. I N.F. as Assistant Superintendent Miss Hetty M.
;
understand that the Mental Nurses' Associa- Howard to Worthing as Senior Nurse Miss Charlotte
;
tion, Ltd., intend to appeal, and this matter will L. Whyatt to Fulham Miss Gladys N. Wide to.
;
self to be the nephew of a simple village clergyman, wooing could be. He had insinuated, suggested an
with whom he lived. But the old man to whom ideal of a lover that had completely dazzled
the history of Jacques was of course known, and Eleanor. He was not young, he had lost his
who, it was asserted by some, had actually married always coarse good looks, yet he had been able
the Royal youth in his early teens to Jacques' to lead this girl's fancy exactly where he wished.
mother, had now received the King's commands to " Jacques was sick of it all tired and disgusted
;
bring Jacques de Rohan to Whitehall. on this perfect day of early spring." Caught in
Jacques was of notable appearance owing to his the toils, it was useless to struggle to escape from
height and strength, and his remarkable face, his fate, or from the powerful influence of the
which, coarse in line, in texture and colouring was Pope, and all who are acquainted with the history
yet pleasant. He had received few advantages in of those times will remember the secret submission
his Jersey home, and his introduction to Society of the King to the Rottian Church, and his perilous
filled him with bitterness at his shortcomings and position, in consequence.
his penniless condition, which he realised for the Jacques' interview while in Italy, and training
first time. as a Jesuit with the ex-Queen of Sweden, Cristina,
Added to this he at once fell in love with is an interesting episode.
" She was perhaps the most illustrious convert
Eleanor, the daughter of Sir Miles Coningsby, as
up to this point he was totally unaware of his ever made by the Church of Rome, the woman
relationship to the King. who had given up her throne for the faith."
Eleanor's treatment of him was the first step in She is described as having cold features, and hawk
his unhappy career. His obstinate nature clung nose, which were framed in a brown wig of thick
to his love for her, though, truth to tell, there was curls, like a masculine peruke and the rest of her
;
little in her that merited a grand passion. But costume, cravat, waistcoat, coat, were shaped,
the young man was unsophisticated, and it was his like a man's attire. After hearing his story she
first experience of a woman in her position. It said :
was while smarting from her rebuif that he learned " Of course there was a marriage, and of course
from the Jesuit, " Your mother was Mary Stewart you cannot prove it. It will spoil your life,"
of the Earls of Mar, a Lennox of Royal blood she added.
" There was very little to spoil," returned
the King married her."
The Jesuit makes clear to Jacques his present Jacques grimly.
position and the King's ultimate wishes for him. " You are a fine young man," returned the
" By right you are the Prince of Wales." Queen coolly. " You ought not to speak so
" And in reality ? Apoor, penniless adven- cynically."
turer, nameless, a mirth, a jest —
no, I do not thank I have been cheated. Everyone whom I have
you for your tale." met has been a cheat."
" The King will look after you." " And you, yourself, are you not also a cheat,
" Five hundred a year in his secret service " "
! James Stewart ?
" The King may acknowledge you." The young man flushed.
' " —
He would never dare to why should he ? " " You iare a priest with no priestly thought in
Jacques informed the Jesuit your mind. You have taken orders from merely
" I am what the King has made of me. It is too ambitious motives."
late to make a prince of me. Father. I am what I " No," he disclaimed, his motives were revenge.
was trained to be, a Jersey farmer. Tell me now " On whom ? "
— and have done with it."
" 1 am ready to do so.
^
The King requires you
" On the cheats."
" On your father ? "
to become a priest of the Roman Church." " Yes."
To Jacques the limit of fantasy seemed reached, We have no space but to give the bare outline
and he broke into an angry laugh. Further, he of this story, but we think it is enough to show
informed him that in due course, he was to be the great possibilities of the romance of which
appointed Private Confessor to the King. it is needless to say, full advantage has been
taken. The study of the Stuart period is bound
* By Marjorie Bowen. (Collins & Sons, Ltd.) to be fascinating, and its religious intrigues, its
May 8, 1920 ^be Brttisb 3ournal of IRursmo, ya
3. To disabuse the public mind of the idea that KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCF.
" sowing wild oats " is to be regarded as distemper "LIVINQ OUT."
in the puppy a necessary evil, the sooner over the One of the New Generation. " I
gather you are —
better. not in favour of the living out system for hos-
'
'
5. A severe punishment for infecting another eaten,' and otherwise out of date."
person, or, as this might be difficult to prove, for [We are opposed to the " living out " system
any connection taking place before the infected for the simple reason that it tends to disorganize
person was certified free from infection. the routine necessary for the efficient nursing of
The medical profession (male portion) have the patients. We are also of the opinion that
sacrificed everything to secrecy. I have known irresponsible persons have no right to administer
members of families exposed to infection because hospitals for the sick unless they conform to
to warn them for their safety might have involved regulations providing for the healthy housing
the so-called " honour " of the head of the family of the resident medical staff and the nursing and
or involved the medical attendant in a libel suit. domestic staffs, and that all such institutions
Again, an eminent medical man lately voiced the should be inspected by experts. We feel sure the
opinion " that you could not expect the same moral hospitals themselves would benefit by publicity,
code from men as women " If not, why not ? !
as their work when well organized is absolutely
We must The fact that notification was com-
!
indispensable to the community. Ed.]
pulsory would in itself deter many and save not
WHO'S WHO.
. a few families. It is curious how much evil is
averted when the evil-doer knows his deeds will be Miss Mary " B.J.N, splen-
Trfivers {London).
—
made public, did this week. " Who's Who on the General
' '
j ^m, &g.s Nursing Council " just what the nurses wanted to
J. B. N. Paterson. know. Every nurse who intends to register
BUMBLEDOM IN BERM0ND5EY. (and no doubt we all do) should have a copy.
I congratulate myself that you are there to help
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. to make our rules. We know we shan't be let
—
Dear Madam, I beg to call your attention to down."
—
the following advertisement in the Hospital of Miss Grace Harvey, Liverpool. " Glad to see
April 24th :
Liverpool has a Matron on the Nursing Council.
{Copy.) A great honour and a great responsibility. Am
" Borough of Bermondsey. not quite sure we deserved it, as a city we did
Applications are -invited for the appointment of to support legal status for nurses in the past
little
two Midwives. indeed, for long we opposed it."
Salary, £-220 rising by annual increments of
, . [Now that the great victory is won, Liverpool
;^io to £2^0 per annum. must help to make nursing the fine profession it
The persons selected are to provide and wear, shoald be. Unity and esprit de corps must be our
when on duty, a nurse's uniform, to be approved watch words in the future. Ed.]
by the Public Health Committee. OUR OWN CHILDREN.
•
Candidates are to hold the certificate of the —
Military Nurse. " Those of us who worked for
Central Midwives Board, be registered Midwives,
months in the devastated districts in France
and will he required to belong to a Trade Union.," &c.
heartily welcome your remarks concerning the
Surely a Midwife has every right to belong or *
Save the Children Fund.' It is outrageous
not to a trade union, as she wishes. It is the
bringing German children to England. Help them
affair of the Council that she be well and fully-
if need be, but keep them in their own country.
trained, and that she will act to the best interest
All this silly, sentimental tosh,' encouraged by
'
like to hear the opinion of our readers on its presence of adenoids and diseased tonsils in a
provisions. Ed .] child ? What ill results may follow their neglect ?
:
THe Midwife.
THE CARE OF MATERNITY. EAST=END MOTHERS' LYING-IN HOME.
In the House of Commons on Wednesday, The Annual Reportof the East End Mothers'
April 28th, Mr. Briant asked the Minister of Home Commercial Rd., E. is a very human
396,
Health the number of practising certified midwives document. The income, both in training fees,
in the United Kingdom and the approximate and patients' payments increased during the year,
number required for the proper care of maternity but this was counter-balanced by the increase in
cases and what steps, if any, does the Ministry
; expenditure owing to the very high prices ruling
propose to take in order to secure that an adequate for everything, so that the net result of the year's
supply of midwives shall be available ? finance was the same as the previous year.
Dr. Addison As the answer is somewhat
: In 1 91 9, i,88i mothers were delivered in the
lengthy I propose to circulate it in the Official Home and district, 363 in excess of the previous
Report. year, 200 mothers had regretfully to be told that
The following is the answer supplied :
there was no room, although their circumstances
According to the last report of the Central made them more than eligible for such help.
Midwives Board, the number of women entitled " Notwithstanding," says Miss Anderson, the
to practise as midwives on March 31st, 191 9, was Resident Lady Superintendent in her report,
44,166, but the number who gave notice of their " we have been terribly crowded, and extra
intention to practise in 1918 was only 11,298. bedsteads had to be put up, but every mother
No useful estimate can be niade of the total had a comfortable warm bed, a kind nurse, and
number of midwives required. The shortage plenty to eat. It seemed beds, beds, nothing but
which exists in some districts is due to the fact beds, babies and mothers, yet all were happy,
that the number of cases within reach is too small and enjoyed the picnic.
to enable a midwife practising independently to We are booking now with the greatest caution,
make a living. but, as the poor dears never know their dates,
,
The Ministry have continued the policy of the it is a difficult matter to arrange the admissions.
Local Government Board of urging local authorities It is heart breaking to refuse mothers which we
and nursing associations to subsidise midwifery are compelled to do now daily, to avoid the
in the more scattered districts, and of paying danger of overcrowding. Fortunately our Sisters
grants in respect of such subsidies. By this have been with us so long, and are so entirely to
means the proportion of the rural population be relied upon, that the germ^of sepsis has for us
served by trained midwives has increased since no terrors, and the result shows that our trust is
191 7 from 51 per cent, to 65 per cent., and steady not misplaced."
progress is being made. Nearly all the county Miss Anderson gives some examples of the in-
councils and county nursing associations have crease in prices. Lint, formerly is., now 5s. per
framed schemes for extending the midwifery lb. Nurses' uniform material, formerly 7|d. yard,
service of their counties. now 2S. 9d. for the same quality.
A number of local authorities in urban areas " The domestic servant problem," says the
have also, with the assistance of the Ministry, Lady Superintendent, " beggars words but I
;
subsidised the provision of trained midwives in suppose we have been fairly fortunate as a whole,
parts of their districts in need of this service. although one girl's equipment for domestic
A grant in aid of the training of women as service when she arrived was the clothes she wore,
V midwives has been authorised and is being adminis- a comb, a powder pot, and curling pins Yet
! !
teredby my right hon. Friend the President of the she had been earning {2. los. a week in a
Board of Education. factory."
«
CHARGE AQAIN5T A MIDWIFE.
PENAL CASE5. . A
midwife named Alice Gardner, of Bath, was
A meeting of the Central Midwives'
special lastweek charged at Reading with abandoning
Board was held at i. Queen Anne's Gate Building, a baby by leaving it under a tree in St. Peter's
Westminster, on Wednesday, April 21st, when Avenue, Caver sham.
the charges were heard against seven midwives. The child was born in the Bath Workhouse,
Struck off the Roll and Certificates Cancelled and it is alleged was handed to the midwife that
Midwife Annie Christopher (No. 3973) Midwife ;
she might take it somewhere for adoption.
Eliza Days (No. 219) Midwife Elizabeth Evans
;
but also for the community, the members of But a nurse needs much more than exact
which, both rich and poor, are dependent in science. She needs knowledge of human nature
sickness upon the services of trained nurses. — —
the deeper the better and should study the
problems of the day in a broad, tolerant, and
Up to the present time no Sitandard has been
defined to which trained nurses must attain.
sympathetic spirit. She needs tenderness in
her relations with the sick, a knowledge of
By common consent th^ principal training
those things which tend to the healing of the
schools have enforced a three or four years'
term of training, but the standards vary in each mind, and of the manner in which the mental
hospital and infirmary.
outlook of her patients may retard, or assist,
their bodily ailments.
Now this is of the past. Parliament has as-
Again, she needs to cultivate those personal
signed to the General Nursing Councils estab-
which will inspire confidence and rest-
qualities
lished in the three countries, the duty of
fulness. There are nurses who radiate an
enforcing standards of nursing education and
atmosphere of comfort and strength, from
maintaining discipline amongst registered
nurses, and, after a period of grace,every
whom the sick seem to absorb vitality, and an
important part of the training of probationers
such nurse will be required to attain the pro-
isthe inculcation of ethical standards and the
fessional standard defined by these Councils.
To these Councils, also, the registered nurses cultivation of those qualities which will make
will look to safeguard the honour and maintain
them valued members of their professdwi from
the |>ersonal standpoint.
the ideals of their profession. A great honour,
and a great responsibility have been placed The General Nursing Councils can do much
upon those nurses who have been selected from to foster these ideals, and also to reveal the
among many thousands of their colleagues to nursing profession to the young womanhood
draft the rules and define the standards of and most honour-
of the nation as the highest
nursing education of a great profession. ablte, one of the most exacting professions,
if
It will be their duty and privilege to raise which they can enter.
high ideals, not only on the technical It is by an appeal to high and generous
side, but of earnestness, devotion to the sick, qualities that the rig-ht type of probationers
self-sacrifice, and moral courage (a much rarer will be attracted.
—
or Milk I
monetary gift was offered to her she accepted First year, £22 second year, ;£26 third year,
; ;
or: the condition that she should decide what £30 fourth year, ;£50-;£6o as staff nurses or
;
— —
' — —
There has recently been g-rave distress in " Presented to Mrs. Bedford Fenwick by
the Isle of St. Kilda, one of the Hebrides some of her friends, in grateful acknowledg-
group^ 3. graphic account of which is g^iven by ment of her life's work for the organisation of
the captain of the trawler " Active," acting- as nurses, and especially for securing the State
mail boat between Aberdeen and St. Kilda : Reg-istration of nurses in the United King-dt)m.
" Out of the sparse population of some eig"hty They congratulate her on its successful accom-
islanders, sixty were prostrated with influenza. plishment, December ,23rd, 1919."
All work —
the tending of sheep
in the island The house was filled wiith tweautiful flowers
flocks, spinningf of wool, and fishing
tihe is — — lilies, roses, azaleas, tulips, iris, lilac, blue
at a complete standstill, but fortunately the and white hyacinths a perfect blaze of colour;
supplies of foodstuffs landed! by the Active
'
' many sent up from the country by friends un-
have now alleviated the starvation which for a able to be present, and much admiration was
time threatened the people of St. Kilda. There expressed for the lovely old Chinese and Eng--
is, however, a lamentable dearth of medical lish porcelain, of which Mr?. Fenwick is a keen
skiU and medicines for those stricken with ill- collector and connoisseur, famille rose,
ness. With commendable zeal Nurse Mac- armorial, soft paste Lowestoft, Worcester, and
kenzie, a Glasgow lady, has taken residence apple-green Rockingham, and other choice
on the island, and the skipper reports that, specimens, the collection of which hasi been the
although she is almost worked off her feet,
'
one recreation which Mrs. Fenwick has enjoyed
she is unable, owing to the lack of medical supi- during her forty years' strenuous professional
plies, to cope adepuately with the epidemic. work.
" During the war," says the Times, " the The Presentation.
cable from the island tO' the mainland was The presentation was made by Miss Mildred
destroyed by submarines, and at present the Heather-Bigg, R.R.C.,a keen supporter of
only medium of communication possessed by State Registration of nurses and most loyal of
"
the islanders is throug-h the trawler Active.' '
friends. On her right was Mrs. Bedford Fen-
In view of the serious nature of the outbreak, wick and on her left Dr. Bedford Fenwick.
Dr. Shearer, one of the Medical Officers of the On rising to rqake the presentation. Miss
Scottish Board of Health, left Edinburgh to Heather-Biigg said those present had assembled
join the boat, which probably arrived nearly on a most inspiring and momentous occasion,
three weeks after Nurse Mackenzie's first mes- the memory of which they would always
sage intimating the outbreak and asking for cherish. In that room thirty-two years ago the
stores. movement for the State Regfistration of trained
It is fortunate that neither the Highlands and nurses was initiated by Mrs. Bedford Fen-
Islands Medical Service Board, nor the Scottish wick. To-dav its triumph was assured, the
Board of Health, have had, says the Board, victory won, and they were there to rejoice
difficulty in finding highly trained and capable with her that the State Registration of
nurses willing to undertake the responsibility of trained nurses was an established fact. In the
serving- in this lonely post. course, of the long campaign there had been
May 15, 1920 Cbe Britieb 3ournal of •Wuretng. 287
innumerable dSfficulties, but Mrs. Fenwick never Your work for State Registration of Nurses
wavered, and her wise g-eneralship had broug-ht and your onerous duties as Hon. Editor of the
the movement to a triumphant conclusion, on British Journal of Nursing, are only a part
which they cordially congratula'ted her and of your many-sided activities, they are too many
themselves. to enumerate, but mention must be made of the
The Address. International Council of Nurses founded by you
Miss Heather-Bigg then read the following in 1899, which has done so much to consolidate
address, which, illuminated on vellum, by Mr. and uplift trained nurses throug-hout the world
Henry W. Donald, the distinguished illumina- and to broaden their professional outlook. It
tor and designer, will form a permanent and has cemented international friendship and has
artistic heirloom, which will, no dioubt, be been a source of deep happiness and profit
hig-hly prized by generations to come. through the International Congresses held in
various countries, to many thousands of nurses.
ADDRESS OF THANKS PRESENTED TO We have been deeply gratified to learji that
MRS. BEDFORD FENWICK, your successful work to secure legislation for
MAY 8th, 1920. nurses, which will enable them to develop their
ON THE OCCASION OF HER APPOINTMENT AS A profession on self-supporting and self-govern-
MEMBER OF THE GENERAL NURSING COUNQM- ing lines, has been consummated by your ap-
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES. pointment by the Minister of Health on the
We, your friends, pupils, and co-workers, first General Nursing Council which will ad-
desire to express to you, with affectionate re- minister the Nurses Registration Act in England
gard, our deep admiration and grateful appre- and Wales.
ciation for your life's work for the orgajiisation Although this will impose further work upon
and higher education of trained nurses, and at you at a time when you might reasonably lessen
the same time to ask you to accept the accom- your arduous labours, we can assure you that
panying cheque, which we hope you will ex- your presence on the Council has given un-
pend for your own use andi pleasure. qualified satisfaction to numbers of nurses, and
We realise that it is impossible to express is feltby them to be a guarantee that their best
how far-reaching is the influence you have exer- interests will be well conserved during the im-
cised throughout the world by your pioneer portant period in which the rules of the future
efforts for all that concerns the professional wel- gfovernment of their profession are considered
fare and advancement of trained nurses, or how before receiving the sanction of Parliament.
stimulating an inspiration your constructive May you have many years of enjoyment of
genius has been to your colleagues in other victory for the cause of political, economic,^ and
countries striving for the same ideals. professional enfranchisement.
It is owing to your far-sighted vision that Signed on behalf of the subscribers,
the inestimable benefit of a professional voice
Mildred Heather-Bigg, R.R.C.
in the press has been secured to trained nurses
• through the British Journal of Nursing. Miss Heather-Bigg then said that the sub-
Through your unceasing and self-denying scribers also wished to thank Dr. Bedford Fen-
labours as Hon. Editor for twenty-seven years, wick for his many years of unseen, unostenta-
during which your great talents have been tious, but invaluable work for nurses. She
freely devoted to your profession, the demand asked, on their behalf, his acceptance of a gold
for the State Registration of Nurses, which you fountain pen, on which the following words
have so fearlessly voiced, has found general were inscribed :—" Dr. Bedfordi Fenwick.—
acceptance not only in the United Kingdom, but In grateful appreciation of his work for nurses.
throughout the world wherever trained nursing May, 1920." She thanked him for the many
is organised a tribute to your high courage,
; times that he had used his pen on their behalf
endurance, skill, and unflinching devotion to the in the past, and expressed the hope that he
highest ideals of the nursing profession, which would continue to do so in the future.
is the best recognition thev could receive. Mrs. Fenwick, who, on rising, was warmly
In originally assuming the financial respon- applauded, addressing Miss Heather-Bigg,
sibility for the British Journal of Nursing and her " old and faithful friends," expressed
(then the Nursing Record) we are conscious her warm appreciation of the gifts presented
that vou had the active assistance of Dr. Bed- to her, and said no general (A Voice Field-
:
ford Fenwick, and we realise how much nurses Marshal) could go further than his backing;
owe to him for his generous support of their if she had not been so splendidly supported
cause. by such wonderful people for thirty-two years
288 ZTbe ^British Journal of IRuretnQ. May 15, 1920
she would not have been able to accomplisJi and broader sympathy, that embraces every
what had been done. Thirty-two years was woman, who, however and wherever, is devoting
not long- to look back upon, but it was a long her to the care of the sick.
life
time to go on fig-hting uphill for a rigfhteous To meet this want for a bond of unity and
protection, and to extend to its utmost the
cause, opposed at every step by a powerful and
sympathy that should exist among all nurses, it
self-interested opposition. It was the con-
is proposed to found a British Nurses' Association,
scientious convictions and splendid help of a the pith of whose aim and objects is, to benefit
few whiich weret at the back of the present vic- every individual member of the Nursing Profession,
tory. by raising and firmly establishing the standard
Miss Heather-Big-g- had referred to the occa- of the Nursing Profession as a whole. This can
sion thirty-two years ag-o when a fewr matrons only be done by the united effort of the nurses
met tog-ether at 20, Upper Wimpole Street, to themselves, they now form such a large and
influential body, that it is most necessary for
discuss the future org-anisation of the Nursing-
them, in fact I should say distinctly detrimental
Profession and to found the British Nurses'
to their interests to attach themselves to any other
Association. She held in her hand the manu- Association. They only require the kindly support
script of her opening" speech made on Decem- of the medical profession to be able to form
ber lothi, 1887, to some thirty matrons there among themselves, and for themselves, by
assembled, and by special request read it to combination and self-help, an Association which
those present. will be able to support and protect their interests.
Before discussion is invited as to the desirability
ADDRESS OF MRS. BEDFORD FENWICK TO of forming such an Association, I should like to
HOSPITAL MATRONS, DECEMBER 10, 1887. touch upon one of the principal objects, that is the
—
Ladies, I think you will agree with me when Registration of Nurses. I mention this subject
specially because I am deeply interested —
I may
I state, that it is a feeling of universal fellowship
and love, the desire to extend aid to the helpless —
say concerned about it, because it is of vital
which forms the key-note of the Nursing Profession, importance to you one and all, and because it has
and that it is strange that the members of a already been taken up by a heterogenous Associa-
Profession with such aims and objects, should be tion*, which offers to register nurses " after one
among themselves so disunited and forgetful —
year's training only at 2s. 6d. a head." Nurses
of the obligations they owe to one another. can avail themselves of this questionable privilege
The further development of the Profession is at any registry office in the United K^ingdom !
not had one generous supporter in the Press During a real peace time tea Mrs. Fenwick
if they had not had their own lindependent received many individual thanks and congra-
org-an they would not have been able to put tulations,the whole company buzzing with
forward the professional nurses' point of view. enthusiasm at the happy consummation of the
Its educative influence had been incalculable State Registration carnpaign.
throughout the world in the past, as she hoped M. B.
it would continue to be in the future."
Nurses' Registration Acts in the United King- This year competitive exhibitions of photographs
dom embodiied all the great principles for which and needlework will again be held. Prizes have
the organised nurses had contended. She been placed at the disposal of the judges, and
was going to the General Nursing Council awards will be made in the different classes should
entries be sufficient.
to represent the Nursing Profession as a
whole, and to work for it to the best of her
ability, and hoped all the nurse members THE EDINBURGH NURSES' CLUB.
would do the same. Concluding, she thanked" Lady Susan Gilmour presided at the opening of
the donors for their kind words and generous the new Nurses' Club, 8, Drumsheugh Gardens,
gifts, which she valued more than words could Edinburgh, on May 5th, and said that the first
express. object was to form the headquarters
of the Edin-
Dr. Bedford Fenwick also expressed his burgh centre of the College of Nursing, Ltd., and
thanks for the useful gift presented to him, also to be a club for all qualified nurses and for
those who were preparing for the profession.
which he should value highly and use con-
About £3,500 had been laised, and the club had
stantly. It was particularly appropriate, as he
been furnished almost entirely by the generosity
had written much in support of the registra- of friends.
tion cause in the past, and had for fourteen The Club was declared open by the Countess of
years edited a medical paper, which 1 ^d edu- Mar and Kellie, who expressed the hope that
cated medical opinion on nurses' registra- nurses, who toiled mentally and physically, would
tion, and done much to secure the appointment find in it refreshment of soul and body and
by the Government of a Select Committee to fresh energy for their work.
inquire into the expediency of the State Regis- At the conclusion of the proceedings Miss Gill,
R.R.C., thanked the Committee on behalf of the
tration of Nurses, and to get a unanimous vote
nurses.
in favour of such a measure. He hoped to use
the pen, for which he sincerely thanked the
donors, for the nurses' cause in the future. AN INEXCUSABLE BLUNDER.
Dr. Fenwick spoke of the disappointment felt It appears from the report published last week
by Mrs. Fenwick and himself that Miss A. M. in Messrs. Macmillan's lay-edited Nursing Times
Bushby was prevented by indisposition from that it was unrepresented in the Bloomsbury
being present, a disappointment he felt sure County Court when the case of the Mental Nurses'
was shared by those present. He proposed Association, Ltd., v. Nurse Downie was tried, and
that it therefore adopted the simple expedient of
that a message to this effect should be sent to
liftingmatter from The British Journal of
her, which was cordially agreed.
Nursing. If the Judge objects to a judgment
being attributed to him which he never gave, and
TOUS NOS-HOMMAGES.
which is our editorial summary of the case,
The following telegram received by Mrs. which appeared, quite distinctly under a separate
Fenwick from her French friends gave her heading, the proprietors of the paper concerned
verv' great pleasure
—
" Tous nos hommages,
: must blame theii own journalistic methods for
THE NURSES' MISSIONARY LEAGUE. to carry on in my absence," and of the young men
now able to act as house-surgeons in the hospital.
The Nurses' Missionary League opened its all Different as were the circumstances of these
day gatherings at University Hall on Wednesday speakers, their plea was the same " We are
:
with a " Demonstration Study Circle," which handicapped on every side for lack of workers."
illustrated the method of Bible study being used The urgent need for more workers was em-
in various Hospital branches. It was a truly phasised by Dr. E. N. Cook, of Uganda, who
" Hospital " circle, all the members being nurses
mentioned that his Society (the C.M.S.) has five
in uniform, two of whom had written brief papers, hospitals in India closed for lack of nursing staff,
while all had come with some ideas to contribute and is appealing for fifty nurses to fill gaps and
to the discussion on the first chapter of St. John's to open up new work. He described three difierent
Gospel. The demonstration was listened to with types of nursing posts in Uganda, (i) In a
by a room full
great interest of nurses. well-established centre such as Mengo, with fully-
The day's gatherings were
typical of the world- equipped hospital, with branch dispensaries in
wide influence the League. Over a dozen
of the neighbouring villages, and with maternity and
missionary members on furlough were present child-welfare centres. The need for the latter is
from stations in Africa, China, India, Palestine urgent, as two children in every three die within a
and the Gilbert Islands. The addresses showed week of birth, as compared with one in seven in
vividly how varied is the work of a nurse in differ- England. (2) In the country districts away from
ent parts of the mission field. Miss Hope and the capital where the nurse would be in charge of
Miss Ha ward spoke about China. The former, dispensary and itinerating work. (3) In new
who has been Matron of a women's hospital in places where pioneer work is waiting to be done.
an up-country station, Hinghwa, told of the two Dr. Cook spoke of the tremendous interest of the
Chinese women whom she has now trained to the medical work, with its various tropical diseases,
stage of head-nurse, and of two others who have and described the fight against sleeping sickness,
nearly finished their course but pointed out that
; the clearing of the natives away from the islands
in the men's hospital public opinion will not yet infested by the tse-tse fly, the stamping out of the
allow of a woman being in charge. Miss Ha ward, fly's breeding-places (the undergrowth) by herds
on the other hand, has spent much of her time in of antelopes, the cures effected by injections of a
training Chinese men nurses in a modern up-to-date preparation of arsenic and the' present experiments
hospital in Peking. She described conditions five in allowing the natives to return to their old
years ago when a nurse was often found lying haunts. It was indeed a romantic story of the
asleep on an empty bed, and the day nurses would medical warfare against disease.
come on duty with books under their arms and The report of the Nurses' Missionary League,
settle down for a nice read before tidying the ward! passed at the evening meeting, told of encouraging
After regular daily classes in anatomy, physiology progress, of nurses volunteering for missionary
&c., six of Miss Haward's pupils last year passed work, of 45 members who have sailed during the.
the final examinations of the Nurses' Association year, of opportunities in the home hospitals.
of China (almost as high in standard as any In spite of all this, the leaders are, as Miss Richard-
Hospital examinations inEngland). son said, " filled with divine discontent," in view
India was also represented by two nurses of of the many vacant posts abroad. She quoted
widely different experience. Mrs. Starr spoke some arresting figures from the report the total;
about the work on the Afghan frontier, showing number of British missionary nurses in the whole
the opportunities for breaking down fear and mission field is 359, whereas the nursing staff
superstition, for building up a new position for of the London Hospital is 486, of St. Bartholomew's
women, for instilling new ideas on the value of —
323, of Guy's 300 a total for three hospitals of
human life and of cleanliness and hygiene. As 1,109.
illustrating the conditions she told of mothers In a most inspiring and thoughtful closing
who, during the first few days of their child's life address, the Rev. E. Shillito spoke of the purpose
always carry about a knife to ward off the evil of God, which can only be fulfilled through the
spirits ; bought and sold by their husbands
of girls ;
willing service of men and women who will work
of the charm " guaranteed to cure discharging to win back the world to Him.
eyes " worn round the neck of a baby whose eyes
were pouring pus. By contrast, she told of the TRAINED WOMEN NURSES' FRIENDLY
tremendous influence of the medical mission SOCIETY.
hospitals dotted along the frontier, an influence The Annual General Meeting of the above
penetrating where no European may travel. Society will be held at 431, Oxford Street, W. i, on
Miss Feare came from a little village hospital in May 26th, at 5 p.m. It is hoped members will try
South India. She pictured vividly the poverty, to attend and take an interest in their own
ignorance, and practical serfdom of the thousands btfsiness. The Society has saved upwards of
of outcasts, told of the mass movement towards ;^5.50o, a proof of good management by nurses for
Christianity and the tremendous things that nurses, which should be an encouragement to
Christian influence and education have done. them to manage their own financial affairs, and not
As exarnples she told of some of these outcasts leave them to be managed by outsiders. All the
now trained as nurses, and " managing somehow paid officials are women.
: — •
Catherine Bruce, Amy H. M. Turner, Ida M. Gourley, what is it you would like to do ? I am for the
Ellen Ruddock, Annie Casey, Nellie E. Chilton, Mary
Agnes Fahy, Catherine Hammonds, Elsie L. Harvey,
moment very busy.'
" What Ishould like," said Lily, falteringly,
Martha Reynard, Hilda Hill, Agnes McKnight, Pauline
" is something to eat. Aunt Cosy."
Robinson, Christine M. Aston, Josephine Ainsworth,
Rachel M. Currie, Evelyn E. Hughesdon, Alice J. " I will see if there is any milk," said the
Spreadbury, Bessie Evans, Elsie Lumb, Susan G. Countess reluctantly. " Butter, I know, we have
Baxter, Alice M. Wheeler, Margaret Glover, Ellen W. none there will be some, I hope, to-morrow
;
Willing, Mary E. Foster, Mary B. Owen, Annie Spode, evening. Your uncle and I, dear child, follow
Dorothy M. Kinselle, Annie Johnson, Catherine the custom of the country we have our lunch at
;
Annie Thomas, Edith Owen, " Come, come, Cristina the young girl is
!
as the Count said only the other day, she may harmony with the rest of Count Beppo's smart
be useful to us in other ways." rather dandified appearance.
Dinner time that evening, however, revealed His announcement that he must go and greet
another state of affairs. The table was set with his papa and mamma surprised Lily, who
exquisite old cut glass, a table cloth and d'oyleys, exclaimed :
and in the middle of the table was a gold vase " Didn't they meet you ? They were expecting
containing a bunch of brilliant coloured Wossoms. you by the two o'clock train."
They made a charming note of colour in the large Her companion laughed. " I gave them what
room, and gave an air of festivity to the well- you call in England the slip.' I arrived at
'
decanters filled with various wines and liqueurs is like," he went on confidentially.
" If I had
standing in a row behind the fruit plates. told her I was going to an hotel, there would have
That night the expected dinner visitor arrived been endless discussions and long letters for my
— a big loose-limbed man, and over his dress dear mamma is a great letter writer."
clothes he wore a big sporting looking coat. He Lily felt suddenly revolted by Beppo's callous
did all the talking at dinner, and ate but little ; indifference to the disappointment he had iMicted
and Lily, who had taken a liking to the big, on his devoted father and mother.
simple hearted man, noticed uncomfortably that The next moment his arms were round the old
the visitor was drinking very freely the three waiting woman Cristina, and he was kissing her
kinds of wine. affectionately. He was full of contradictions
Count Polda did not take any wine himself, was this Beppo, and in our opinion if Lily had
but he often got up and helped his guest married him she would have had a more interest-
generously. ing if less secure life than with the rather dull
That night Lily was wakened by mysterious young Scotchman, on whom her choice rested.
sounds in the house, and a week later she came The story is engrossing from many points of
upon the dead body of their late guest in a lonely, view. The Vivid descriptions of life and scenery
neglected grove of orange trees. How the body in the Riviera, the character drawing which
came there remained a mystery, but suicides in renders everyone real and convincing, and the
the vicinity of Monte Carlo are all too conmion. mystery and tragedy which runs an undercurrent
The next disturbing element was the advent throughout the book.
of Beppo, the only son of the Count and Countess, The disappearance of the disgusting and
who was both handsome and fascinating. His wealthy old Dutchman brings matters to a climax
close association with Lily was, of course, very at La Solitude, and the Count and Countess are
disturbing to Angus Stuart who, with Papa denounced as swindlers and murderers. The
Popeau, was staying in Monte Carlo and, therefore, tragedies in the concluding chapter are perhaps
only caught an occasional glimpse of his beloved. rather too thickly spread, and it was surely
The imminent arrival of Beppo was the occasion unnecessary that gay young Count Beppo should
of the Countess renewing Lily's wardrobe in a die by a shooting accident. Certainly he had
"
way that if lavish was, even in print, exceedingly received large sums of money from his " mamma
attractive. which could not have been satisfactorily accounted
Evidently the Countess was a woman of taste. for, but he had no idea of the terrible lengths she
Lily was also possessed of considerable wealth, went to obtain it for him.
and Beppo was fastidious. Voila ! But since there is generally an extenuating
Count Beppo had all his mother's good points ; circumstance, wicked old " Aunt Cosy " did her
her tall, upright figure, and her clear cut features, crimes for her son.
and her one time thick curling hair. " Cosy," by the way is a delightful name ;
From his plain, short father, he inherited that perhaps it is enhanced in this case by being so
indefinable look of race. Beppo is a remarkably singularly inappropriate.
well drawn character. A spoilt, careless young This is a novel to be read.
man of the world, he had still some quite good H. H.
points, and considering his unscrupulous father
and mother, he might have been a great deal
w^orse.
OUTSIDE THE GATES.
He arrived suddenly upon the scene while Aunt The of Margaret the young Crown
death
Cosy had gone to meet her adored son by the Princess of Sweden is a great grief to the Royal
train arriving at Monte Carlo. Lily felt a little Families of England and Sweden. She was a
thrilled.She had never met anyone. in the least very simple and generous great lady in its truest
likethe young man before. But how about sense.
Count Beppo's luggage ? He had nothing in his Evidence of the appreciation of her life and
hand but a malacca cane set with one large pale character is forthcoming in the following tele-
— —
Deeply mourning the noblest soul Anglican Christen- Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
dom has given us since missionaries of old, we praise all subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
God for her bright holiness, for her good and happy distinctly understood that we do not in any way
home, a model of duty and diligence, simplicity and hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
sincere communion, living and active devotion, and by our correspondents.
for all that theLord has bestowed upon us through
His handmaid. She extended her motherly vocation
to far-reaching, indefatigable service. Innumerable
WE FOROET."
"LEST
blessings from our country, as well as from victims To The British Journal of Nursing.
the Editor of
of war and starvation, hallow her rest. This 4iving Dear Editor,— I cannot express how glad I
bond between our branches of Christ's Church is not was to be with you on Saturday There are
last.
broken, but transfigured and glorified, heightening
our obligation, sanctifying our fellowship. Arch-
not too many of us left, who were
inspired by you
in 1887, to make State Registration of nurses our
bishop IN Upsala.
« « aim in life, and who have consistently followed
you, our General, to victory, through every
MESSRS. D. STEWART & CO. imaginable obstacle raised to prevent its accom-
CONTRACTORS TO H.M. GOVERNMENT, ETC. plishment. How many of us ever thought it
W^have pleasure in drawing the attention of would be a fight for 32 years ? I think, what
MatrOTS and Committees of Hospitals, of Asylums, we felt on Saturday, next to our thankfulness
Boards of Guardians, Superintendents of Nursing for the very satisfactory result of your work
Homes, and others, to the excellent value offered (you would say 'ours,' but no other one of us had
by the firm of Messrs.' D. Stewart & Co. in regard the brain power to start it), was the solemn
to bedding, blankets, linen, towelling, waterproof feeling of responsibility placed in our hands,
sheeting, linoleum, etc., as well as nurses' uniform by the Government, and that at all costs we must
materials. remain steadfast and true, working for the up-
The firm, whose address is 16, Staining Lane, lifting of our profession. It is your knowledge,
Gresham Street, London, E.C.2, hold contracts enthusiasm, and courage that have gained the
with many large institutions in London and the victory. It is now, for the younger nurses to
provinces. fall into line and help with the reconstruction.
They should make up their minds now, what
L PRAYER AT PLANTING TIME, position they desire for their profession 20 years
By Thedosia Garrison. hence, and accomplish it. Just get on with it.
Now I shall make my garden They need not wait to be told what to do. Acquire
As true men build a shrine, knowledge, and impart it to others, " Lest we
An humble thing where yet shall spring forget." If our pioneers realised that better
The seeds that are divine, teaching and organisation were required 32 years
With each a prayer I sow them there ago, how much more do we not all see the absolute
In reverential line.,
necessity for them to-day ? Thank you for
O, little is my garden space, saving the position for us.
But great the prayer I pray ; Yours gratefully,
With every seed against earth's need Julia Hurlston,
That men may sow to-day,
My hope is thrown, my faith is sown Member of the League of- St. Bartholomew's
To make the harvest gay. Hospital Nurses.
Coombe Head, Haslemere.
O, gardens spacious, gardens small.
For you my prayer is said : SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF
That God's own hand may touch the land VENEREAL DISEASE.
And give His people bread,
As once before on that far shore To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
His multitudes were fed. —
Dear Madam, ^With reference to the recent
correspondence that has taken place in your
COMING EVENTS. columns in regard to the prevention of venereal
May igth to 24th. —Brussels
Health Congress. disease, I think perhaps your readers may be
Patron : the Belgians. University of
The King of interested to know that the policy of my Society
Brussels, Leopold Park, Brussels. has been adopted by the Portsmouth Borough
May 2 ojfA.—Central Midwives Board. Monthly Council. This policy is-tliat of the education of
Meeting, i, Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, S.W. the public in the essential fact that venereal
—
May 26th. The Trained Women Nurses' disease can be prevented by immediate self-
Friendly Society. Annual General Meeting, 431, disinfection.
Oxford Street, London, 5 p.m. W .
The Portsmouth Borough Council have decided
—
May 28th. Society for State Registration of that steps shall be taken to educate the male
inhabitants of the Borough in these facts. The
Trained Nurses. Annual Meeting. 11, Chandos
Street, Cavendish Square, W. 4 p.m. Borough Council adopted this policy on the
— — —
recommendation of their Medical Officer of Health from the reply that bereaved English mothers
who, in his special report on the Prevention of with other citizens are being taxed for this purpose
Venereal Diseases, produces a restrained and under the " pound for pound scheme," so far to
logical argument in favour of such a policy that the extent of ;^424,723 but we are not informed
;
once to take the necessary steps to disseminate for the publications which admit them to maintain
a knowledge of the methods of prevention indicated an impartial attitude.
in the Report among the male population of the We don't want German and Austrian children
Borough, and to impress upon men their duty to up to the age of 15 brought to this country. It
the community in this matter." certainly is a gross outrage upon the feelings of
" mothers of the Dead." Ed.]
Yours, &c.,
H. Wansey Bayly, « »
alien children coming to England ? " We gather composition ? What causes it to clot ?
8
The Midw^ife.
NATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL FOR But what happened to the mothers was a trifle as
to what happened to the babies. Of the 662,000
DISTRICT MIDWIVES. babies 90,000 died that year, or 260 a day. Those
The Annual Meeting of subscribers and friends were not the statistics of trench fighting, but of a
of the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies, severe battle. It was only because the mothers
and the Council for the Promotion of the Higher went down into the trenches singly that these
Training of Midwives, Wood Street, Woolwich, conditions were not realised. Every mother at
was held in the Great Hall, St. Bartholomew's every birth went " over the top," and as in actual
Hospital, SmithJield, on Wednesday, May 8th. warfare only adequate preparation would diminish
It was a great disappointment that Princess the risk. This was the clear end in view of the
Christian who is President both of the British institutions for the support of which he pleaded.
Hospital and of the Council, was unable to fulfil Before the war their finances were sufficient to
her intention of presiding. Her Royal Highness enable them to go ahead, but the building which
sent a message to the meeting expressing her would then have cost ;^40,ooo would to-day cost
regret that she was unable to be present and £1 00,000 .That was why the obj ect of the meeting
her interest in the objects which the meeting was was to inaugurate a million shilling fund. The
convened to promote. In her absence the chair object was to save the mothers, to save the babies,
was taken by the Countess of Stamford, Vice- and to train women competent to save both.
President of the Council for the Promotion of the Other speakers were Sir Dyce Duckworth, who
Higher Training of Midwives. wished the movement great success, and Miss Alice
The first speaker was Lieut. -Colonel Sir Richard Gregory, the Hon. Secretary, who pleaded elo-
Temple Bart., C.B., C.I.E., who explained that quently for better opportunities of training for
the object of the meeting was to inaugurate a midwives, and emphasised the inadequacy of
" Million Shilling Fund " to complete the ;^i 00,000 three or even six months' training. She spoke with
required to build the National Training School for gratitude of the fact that H.R.H. Princess
Midwives. He explained the dual object of the Christian had been one of the first to believe in
appeal and said that those present were assembled the scheme for the higher education of midwives
to do their best for the combined institutions. and to give it her support.
Both would look after the welfare of mothers and
babies and strive for an increase of the manhood THE PORTSMOUTH MUNICIPAL
of the nation.
The work of the training school was most MATERNITY HOSPITAL,
important. Woolwich had been selected because The Mayor of Portsmouth (Councillor John
of the advantageous character of the neighbour- Timpson, J. P.,) recently opened Ravenscourt,
hood for providing clinical material. There is the Elm Grove, as a Municipal Maternity Hospital.
Dockyard, the Arsenal, the large respectable The staff, says a contemporary, consists of a
—
working class population naval, military and - matron, two sisters, and five probationers. In
—
civilian to provide suitable patients. a large hut, erected in the garden, are the sleeping
Long before the war the hospital had been felt cubicles for the probationers, who will take their
to be of national value and that the scope of its meals in the main building. It is intended only
work must be secured. It was proposed to provide to accept as patients those women who are unable
a course for pupil midwives which would secure to find adequate accommodation in their own
their competence when trained. Candidates with- homes. A fixed fee of 30s. for a fortnight is to
out previous training who would eventually take be charged, but the Sub-Committee of the Health
teaching posts would be required to take a two Committee, which has charge of the hospital,
years' course, those contemplating working as wish it to be clearly understood that there is no
district midwives a one year's course. With a intention of competing with any of the existing
hospital of 42 beds they hoped to turn out 30 well- nursing homes, as the institution is only intended
trained midwives each year. to supply a want for the poor people that has
The life of mothers was a constant state of war, long been felt. Arrangements have been made
with the constant fear of becoming casualties. It whereby cases requiring operations may be
was up to men as a tribute to the courage of transferred to the Royal Portsmouth Hospital
women to see that proper provision was made for at a fixed fee. Infectious cases will be transferred
them in childbirth. to the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Milton.
The birthrate in England and Wales in 191
was 662,000, or about 13,000 a week. Every one The authorities of the Women's Hospital,
of these 662,000 women who took the field was in Castle Gate, Nottingham, have decided to build
the trenches for a month, i.e., 55,000 at a time. a new and up-to-date hospital on a desirable site
Every month 257 died, and 2,200 were disabled, acquired in Peel Street. In this connection the
some temporarily, some permanently. Inadequate Duchess of Newcastle is appealing for liberal
midwifery was one of the causes of these casualties. support.
THE
WITH WHICH
OBWnUSlG IS INCORPORATED
omsiiKi
EDITED BY MRS BEDFORD
mEom
FENWICK
No. 1,677. SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1920. Vol. LXIV
soldiers failed, and died a martyr at the age of warded with jealous ingratitude by the monarch
twenty, a loyal subject of the King: who owed she had championed, and with treachery on the
his coronation to her, but who left her to her part of her own countrymen. At the height of
and a faithful daughter of the Church
cruel fate, her success she was unhorsed and captured by
which burned her at the stake as a heretic. a Burgundian, and sold to the Duke of Bedford,
To-day, five centuries later, that Church has the English Regent in France, for a large sum
formally admitted her to its calendar of saints, of money.
and thus officially recogtiised that she won by Never did her faith burn more brightly than
exceptional holiness a high place in heaven and during the year when she was in prison, and at
• veneration on earth. her trial for sorcery, which failed, followed by
The story of Joan, the Maid, is one which a charge of heresy, on which she was unjustly
English and French alike may well wish had condemned. She- was burnt at the stake in the
never sullied the pages of their history. Born market place at Rouen, English and French
in 141 2 the peasant girl grew up in a distracted participating, to their eternal dishonour, in that
France. Domremy, her birth-place, on the shameful scene.
banks of the Meuse, was Armagnac, and French Brave, loyal Joan, fair Maid of France,
in sympathy, but the village across the river steadfast in death as in life! The voice of the
was Burgundian, and favoured the claims of King you served so faithfully was silent in that
the English King, thus Joan early became ac- last dread hour, and you faced its agony alone ;
quainted with the horrors of war. She was but the gates of pearl swung wide as your pure
only thirteen years of a'ge when the idea con- soul passed to the Judgment Throne and, as ;
sciously took root with her that her mission was you took the place allotted to you by the
to save France. Then followed four years of Majesty on High, the King of Kings Himself
waiting, of listening to the voices which bade reversed the earthly verdict which condemned
her go to the aid of her beloved country and its you heretic, with the words, " Come ye blessed
uncrowned King. Still the English invasion of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for
continued until Orleans, the key to a strong vou from the foundation of the world."
39$ Zbc Brttieb 3ournal of IRuremo. May 22, 1920
curring' acute attacks. The mechanical ob- filled with pus, as a result of exposure to septic
struction is the explanation of the night terrors infection, when the tonsils are abnormally large,
to which these children are subjected, and the and the patient becomes very ill and quite
attacks of dyspnoea at night may eventually re- unable to swallow. This condition is known as
sult in asphyxia. In rachitic cases there are Follicular tonsillitis, and as soon as the pain
often deformities of the chest, which is narrow and inflammation has subsided the tonsils must
and poorly developed. The root of the nose is be removed.
flattened, and the transverse vein appears HONOURABLE MENTION.
sligfhtly enlarg'ed and prominent. The nostrils The following comj>etitors receive honourable
are very small and compressed, and the child mention : —
Miss Alice M. Burns, Miss A. M.
a habitual mouth breather. There may be some Douglas, Miss P. Thompson, Miss G. James.
impairment of hearing, amounting almost to Miss A. M. Douglas points out that " a
deafness, due to tubal catarrh or suppurative person suffering from adenoids is obliged to
otitis. Headaches are common, and there is breathe through the mouth, and this means
often incontinence of urine, which is most that the air, instead of being filtered through
marked at nig-ht. The child has a singularly the nose, which is specially designed for that
vacant look, which is accentuated as the mouth purpose, passes over the tonsils through the
is always open. These children, owiingf to their trachea into the lungs.
backwardness, are often thoug-ht to be mentally " The result is that the tonsils become in-
deficient, whereas they are really quite intelli- flamed, enlarged, and may ulcerate. Tonsillitis
g^ent, and show remarkable improvement after may be chronic or acute. The latter having
operation. The g-eneral health, of the patient three forms :
—
(i) Folicular tonsillitis (when the
folicles or secretion glands are afl"ected)
is affected, as owing- to the difiicult respira- (2) ;
and quality, causing^ an angemic condition with (in which an abscess forms)."
THE LATER EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON been doing it successfully in his daily round.
Vitamines, therefore, became popular.
VITAMINES. Now let me sum up the position. If a young'
animal is fed on a diet consisting of chemically
A LECTURE DELIVERED AT THE VIROL pure protein and carbohydrate together with
RESEARCH LABORATORIES TO NURSES either cooked fat such as lard, or purified vege-
AMD HEALTH VISITORS ON APRIL 23, 1920. table oil, in quantities more than sufficient for
its daily output of heat, energy and tissue
By A. Knyvett Gordon, M.B. (Cantab.)
waste, it is found that it soon ceases to grow
In addressing- you today on the subject of and its resistance to bacterial infection is
the bearing- of some of the recent work on lowered. Furthermore, it may develop rickets,
accessory food factors, or Vitamines, as they scurvy, or a variety of peripheral neuritis akin
are popularly called, I do not propose to dis- to the disease known as beri-beri. If now this
cuss the details of the exp>erimental evidence, diet is supplemented by a very small quantity
but rather to indicate broadly their practical of fresh milk, groAvth is renewed and these
bearing on the problems with which you, in diseases disappear. That is the broad outline
your daily — and may I say, most useful—work, of the basal facts. I show you slides of two
are frequently confronted. curves illustrating the growth of young rats on
Let me first review the history of tihe subject the pure diet with and without the fresh milk
dur^ing the last few years. Only a very short supplement.
time ag-o dietetics was not recognised^ as a Further research showed that there were
science at all by the averag-e person. In fact, three essential principles in the fresh food', to
it consiisted in a collection of opinions which— which the name of vitamine was given
could hardly even be called pious based on — namely, " Fat soluble A," which is responsible
very little but personal fads, and characterised for growth, resistance to infections, and for
by a tendency to dilfer widely on every im- the prevention of rickets; " Water soluble B,"
portant point. for prevention of neuritis, and probably also
It was pretty much the same, or perhaps partially concerned with healthy growth; and
—
worse because the victims could not com- " Water soluble C," for the prevention of
plain — in the practice of infant feeding-, where scurvy.
a long- list of modified miilks and patent foods The distribution of each of these principles
bewildered the unfortunate nurse and vied with has been worked out and is given in a very
the pin under the binder in the production of valuable table in the pamphlet on the subject
abdiominal emergencies. Much work, even at recently published by the Ministry of Health,
this time, had been done in the physiolog^ical which I advise you all to read. I need not now
laboratory, on the comparative value of food give the details, but I may remind you that Fat
stuffs, but it had not penetrated either to the soluble A is present in fresh animal fats, but
consulting room or the nursery to any valuable absent from those of vegetable origin it will
;
and is therefore absent from all cooked foods only removes all taste and smell, but makes
and from lime juices, lemon syrups, etc., that the finished product firm and white. Conse-
are boiled in the course of manufacture, as most quently, people who formerly disliked mar-
of them are. garine now consume it with avidity. From the
Ck>ming now to the practical application of point of view of the production of heat and
these facts to the feeding of human being-s, we energy this is satisfactory, but can contiainiit
may clear the ground somewhat by pointing- no fat soluble A whatever, and in practice does
out that the problem really resolves itself into not. So if a child gets little butter and rhilk
the supply of fat soiliuble A for infants and or none at all, we must add fresh animal fat in
growing children. Both the water soluble B some form or other to its diet. Lightly boiled
and the antiscorbutic C are sufficiently widely eggs are useful, but how many poor children
distributed in foods to give us no anxiety in get eggs?
ordinary diet, and adults do not require vita- Now let us consider the result of this defi-
mines to such an extent, as the necessity for ciency of fat soluble A firstly, the children can-
;
providing growth does not develop after child- not grow properly that means a stunted race.
:
hood. Moreover, the diet of grown-up people Then we have the question of rickets. In a
is much more varied'. So we will pass to the recent inspection of London County Council
question of fat soluble A in children, with the school children it was found that no less than
note that if infants are to be fed on dried' or 80 per cent, showed signs of that disease, and
otherwise prepared milk, the antiscorbutic vita- I show you photographic slides of a puppy fed
—
mine must be supplied as it usually is by — on a diet containing vegetable oil as its source
some fresh fruit juice. of fat, and showing marked bending of the
Let us thien consider fat soluble A for chil- bones, which is visible not only in the direct
dren, more closely. Do they always get it? If view of the whole animal, but also in the X-ray
they can command a sufficient quantity of fresh photographs of its legs. When cod liver oil
milk or of butter they do not suffer, but is this was substituted for the vegetable oil' the rickets
always possible? For artificially fed; infants, was cured. This must not be taken, inciden-
milk is sometimes boiled, which may easily tally, to mean that cod liver oil is necessarily
destroy the factor altogether. In dried milks, suitable for children. Many cannot digest it at
while it is possible to preserve the fat soluble A, all, and it is therefore useless and cruel to give it.
there is considerable doubt whether this is Secondly their resistance to infectious disease
always done. It depends on the degree and is concerned, and thiiis hits not only the indivi-
duration of the heat to which iit is subjected, dual, but is resp>onsible for much of the extent
and so far as my information goes both these —
and severity of microbic diseases not only the
factors vary considerably. From what I learn infective fevers be it noted, but tuberculosis
fiom physicians and others who have a large also. Examples are within the experience of
experience of infant feeding, it seems to be all of you. The recent epidemic of influenza
agreed that a baby does not thrive on dried took a heavy toll in death and invalidism, and
milk alone. When we pass the age of in- the children's hospitals get more tubercu-
fancy, and poverty exists, milk and butter be- losis than ever they did, especially, as I am told,
come prohibitive. How many poor children tubercular peritonitis.
get even half a pint of fresh milk a day, or any How does the fat soluble A increase the re-
butter or eggs at ail? They eat margarine sistance to infection? Personally, I think, by
instead. rtiising the nutrition and numbers of thie white
Until recently the manufacturers were com- blood corpuscles. I do not wish to lay undlue
pelled to add a proportion of animal fat to their stress on this point, because the experimental
— —
margarine, but ^unhappily that proviso has work is not yet completed, but I may, perhaps,
been withdrawn. Inasmuch as animal fat is show you two photographs from preparations .
much more costly than vegetable oils, I leave of my own. The one microscopic field
first is
it to your imagination whether a commercial of thie blood of a rather weakly rat, not on a
undertaking will continue to use it ! deficiency diet, but just a puny animal. You
But there is another factor. Formerly it was will notice that il: contains only one white blood
impossible to use low grade vegetable oil, be- cell. To
the diet a proportion of Virol which —
cause the resulting margarine was not suffi- was taken as the most convenient and most
ciently firm, and the taste and smell of the oil easily digestible source of fat soluble A, was
survived. Nowadays, however, it is possible added. The physique of the rat improved
to make margarine out of almost any oil by markedly and three weeks later Its blood was
subjecting it to a high temperatTire and forcing agalin photographed, and you will see that the
hydrogen through it under pressure, which not same type of field now contains six healthy
May 22, 1920 dbe Bviti9b 3ourual ot TRursing. 301
white cells. I need hardly say that care was sing Council must have time for free discussion
taken to secure a correct averag-e by counting with as little publicity as possible. The Rules,
a very large number of cell's in each case. which are to interpret die Act, must, when
So far, you may perhaps have the opinion agreed, be approved by the Minister of Health,
that so long as fat soluble A is present, it does and laid before each House of Parliament forth-
not matter of what the rest of the diet is com- with for twenty-one days. They will then be
posed, but this is not so. You must also Ifave in print for every nurse who wishes to do so,
a proper balance of all its constituents. Thliis to consider.
is well seen in the case of rickets, where it was The Registrar.
found that if a puppy ate an excess of starchy An advertisement for a Registrar to the Coun-
food it became rickety, even though it wais re- cil appears in our advertisement columns, by
ceiving fat soluble A. The moral of this I need will see applicants must be
which the profession
hardly point out to anyone engaged, as you are,
trained nurses holding a certificate of not less
in the practical feeding of infants and children.
than three years' training, with administrative
Do we not all know the fat baby, the pride of The salary is fixed at ;^550 per
its parents —
and perhaps taking a prize in a
experience.
annum,
—
baby show fed on some of those abominable
inclusive.
Amongst these were members of the Catholic salaries of village nurses to £120 per annum,
Nurses' Guild and the French Redi Cross in and fully-trained nurses to ;£i40 per annum in-
varying uniforms, many of them wearing war clusive. A grant of ;^2,6oo had been received
medals, and not a few the Mons Star. The from the county funds of the British Red Cross
central figure —
St. Joan —
was a perfect picture Society, conditionally on a scheme for its use
being approved by the trustees of the county
of girlish beauty and dignity. She won all
hearts in the vast crowd of onlbokers, this sweet funds. It was proposed and approved that this
maid of seventeen years. She sat astride her sum should be invested and the income there-
powerful white horse, which was caparisoned from used in training additional nurses, and
in blue grey cloth decorated with fleur de lys, this had been done.
and led by pages in mediaeval dress. The slight Mrs. Cooke Hurle spoke of the great short-
figure with its hint of endlirance clad in jerkin age of nurses, which was to a great extent due
and heavy armour, the gold filet in her bright to the very poor salaries offered and to the small
hair, the grace of her pose as she held aloft the prospect of advance in position.
white standard, was a worthy representation of Dr. Mid die ton Martin urged the provision of
the Saint in whose honour the vast mass of proper housing accommodation, and said he was
people had assembled. anxious that nurses should be provided with
pensions on reaching an age which made it im-
Women whohave a vocation for the religious possible for them to continue their work.
life,and wish at the same time to train and The Queen Victoria Jubilee inspector paid
continue to nurse the sick, may be pleased to her annual visit dluring the year, and sent a very
know of the work of the Community of the favourable report. The committee wished to
Holy Rood, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough. record their appreciation of Miss Milford's work
The Sisterhood was established sixty years ago, as County Superintendent, which had been very
and has been a nursing community from the trying owing to the shortage of nurses. An
first. The North Ormesby Hospital is a re- agreement had been made with Kingswood Dis-
cognised training school (116 beds); soon it is trict Nurses' Home by which six bed's were re-
tution nurses being included in the Bill. (2) Isaiah 61 and St. Matthew 25, the words " He
We disapprove of nurses in Private practice being hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted,"
included. Because hospital and institution and " I was an hungered and ye gave me meat,
nurses (especially probationary nurses) are not I was thirsty and ye gave me drink . . sick and
.
free agents and should be protected by the State ye visited me," calling to the remembrance of
as other workers are and because Private nurses
;
those present the vision of the slight resolute
are free agents, and need not undertake more figure bending over the pallet beds in the fever-
arduous duties than necessary, for any prolonged stricken wards of the Crimean hospitals, bringing
period ; that is to say if they work on the co- healing and comfort, so that the sick and wounded
operative principle, which they should do. men turned to kiss the shadow of Florence
We advise every nurse to write to her member Nightingale as she passed by.
of Parliament, and give her reasons for or against The Dean, Dr. Ryle, took as his text the
inclusion. twenty-ninth verse of Proverbs 31, Many
'.'
3o6 (The Britieb Sournal of IRuretna. May 22, 1920
daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest leadership, she effected 'what no one had ever
them all." done before, and transformed nursing from a
There were, he said, in the nineteenth century- menial calling to an honoured scientific pro-
three famous personalities who more than any fession. She insisted on more work, more study,
others had contributed to the alleviation of and to-day we were proud of her name and
suffering. rejoiced to carry on her traditions, which were
Simpson, the discoverer of anaesthesia. Lister, not of a vapid sentimental kind, but of a strong
the author of the antiseptic system, and Florence forceful type. Her life was one of self sacrifice,
Nightingale, the founder of modern scientific yet of most imperious effort.
nursing. The country had cause to offer thanks to
The authorities of the Abbey welcomed the Almighty God for many brilliant and
gifted
present opportunity of honouring Miss Night- women in the nineteenth century, but two of
ingale's memory. When she died they offered to these, by their strength of mind and integrity of
her family space for her interment within its
walls, and later that her statue should be erected
purpose,
Victoria and Florence Nightingale. For these
—
stood elevated above all others Queen
near to that of the great Lord Shaftesbury. reasons he had chosen the words of his text.
Since the appearance of her biography by Sir " Many daughters have done virtuously, but
Edward Cook, we were in a better position to thou excellest them all."
appreciate her character. Before that appeared
it was supposed that Florence Nightingale at the
time of the Crimean War turned her back on a NIGHTINGALE SCHOLARSHIPS.
brilliant social career to go to the help of the
sick and wounded with gentleness and charity.
—
The real woman strong, resolute and of masterful The Nightingale Fund offers three Scholarships
intellect —
was scarcely known, and was only tenable for one year at King's College for Women,
revealed by her biographer. Our feelings were Campden Hill, London, beginning in October
those of thankfulness that such a strong per- next.
sonality had been raised up to do her special The Scholarships, including board and residence
work. at the College, will be of the value of one hundred
The preacher reminded those present that and twenty-six guineas each and a further pay-
Florence Nightingale was the contemporary of ment of £^0 towards expenses will be made
Tennyson and Browning, Darwin, Gladstone, to each of the scholars.
Salisbury, Beaconsfield, Mill, Shaftesbury, Pusey, The intention of these Scholarships is to assist
Newman, Kingsley and Maurice. The nineteenth their holders in qualifying for higher posts in the
century was sometimes belittled, but an age nursing profession.
which produced such men and such a woman The Scholarships are open to any nurse trained
was one of which future history need not be in the Nightingale School who possesses its
ashamed. certificate.
He with pleasure, that at the end of
recalled, Intending candidates must send in their names
her long life she was decorated with the highest to the Matron, St. Thomas's Hospital, on or
order which could be bestowed upon her (the before June 30th next and all applications must
;
Order of Merit), and said that the last fifty years state the age of the candidate, the date of the
of her life, which she spent as an invalid and a certificate held, together with a statement of the
recluse, were not the least fruitful, the improve- nature of the work the applicant has been engaged
ment of military barracks, and the health of the on since the date of the certificate.
Army in India, being subjects with which she
intimately concerned herself, as well as
rural sanitation. She also devoted her energies THE HEALTH SERVICES BILL.
to minute and industrious research. As a thinker
and writer she was far above the average she ;
spoke, and spoke with authority, to Government The Health Services Bill which is now being
Departments. Though her temperament was drafted by the Ministry of Health, will arouse
practical and businesslike, she delighted in great interest in nursing circles, as it is understood
mysticism. that the proposals under the consideration of the
The Crimean war was one of the turning points Government include further provision for the
in scientific nursing the people were excited at
; hospitals of the country, to give local authorities
the want of care of the sick and wounded the ; power to provide new hospitals where they are
nurses available were in many instances undesir- required, and to co-ordinate the work of all
able. Then arose this fascinating new element, hospitals within a given area.
a strong and gracious woman, who, with the As nursing is one of the most indespensable
support of her friend, Sidney Herbert at the departments in hospital management, the Nurses
War Office, went out to carry out sweeping Organizations will no doubt carefully scrutinise
alterations. She succeeded, but at the cost of the Health Services Bill when it is available.
the sacrifice of her nerves and strength for the Let us hope Nursing Education will have been
remainder of her long life. Later, by her steadfast considered in this connection.
May 22, ,1920 Ebe »ritt9b 3onrnal of "Rureins. 307
M.N.S.R., Spec. Mil. Hosp., Blackrock, Co. Dublin the position of Sister. She has also been Sister at
;
Miss E. Scott, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Central Mil. the Middlesbro' Tuberculosis Hospital ; Night
Hosp., Belfast ; Miss A. Sproule, Night Sister, Sir Superintendent and Home Sister at the Manchester
Patrick Dun's Hosp., Dublin Miss E. M. Studdert,
;
Sanatorium, Timberley, Cheshire ; Home Sister at
Matron, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R., Mil. Hosp., Fermoy, Co. Cork. the Middleton Sanatorium, Ilkley, Yorkshire, and
Matron of the Auxiliary Military Hospital, Mirfield.
HONOUR FOR DISTRICT NURSE. Bartlet Convalescent Home, Felixstowe.—Miss A. R.
Miss Edith Hall, the district nurse at Milton Regis, Bunch has been appointed Matron in the above
Sittingbourne, Kent, is one of the five English nurses institution, not of the East Suffolk and Ipswich Hos-
to receive the decoration of the Order of St. Sava, pital, Ipswich, as we reported last week in accordance
granted by King Peter for distinguished services with information officially supplied to us. The Bartlet
rendered with the Serbian Army in the retreat from Convalescent Home is in connection with the East
Belgrade. Sufiolk and Ipswich Hospital.
—
of Nurses at Berbice Hospital. She was trained at the wages did not exceed 25s. a week,' summoned at
Birmingham Infirmary, and previous service includes Tottenham for not sending him to school ?
duty at British Guiana, Georgetown Public Hospital. It came out the little chap was sent barefoot
SISTER-IN-CHARGE. to school and his poverty jeered at, so that the
—
Cyprus Government Hospital. Miss A. B. Drewe has poor mother had not the heart to send her son
'
been appointed Sister-in-Charge. She was trained at to school.' It makes my blood boil to think such
West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital. Previous service people are indirectly taxed to entertain
'
alien '
includes duty with Ceylon Nursing Association, in N. enemy children in England I agree with you
!
The
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE. registered persons in respect of seven out of twenty
lying-in homes in Lewisham are midAvives. Under
the Midwives Act, 1918, the Council is precluded
The General Purposes Committee of the London from delegating its powers under the Midwives
County Council reported to that authority on Acts, so that inspectors of midwives, who are
Tuesday, May nth, that the Lewisham Metro- officers of the Council, must continue to visit at
politan Borough Council in 191 7 recommended these seven homes if the Council's powers with
that the undermentioned duties should be delegated regard to lying-in homes are delegated. In order
to the metropolitan borough councils, (i) The that each authority may be fully cognisant of the
local control and supervision of midwives under whole of the work for which it would be responsible,
the Midwives Act, 1902. (2) The powers under it is suggested that in any case in which a midwife
the Children Act, 1908, relating to infants and is the registered person in respect of a lying-in
young children who are nursed and maintained home, there should be joint inspection by officers
for reward. (3) The inspection of lying-in homes of the two authorities."
under the London County Council (General This joint inspection appears to be unnecessary,
Powers) Act, 191 5. irritating, and costly to the ratepayers.
As the proposal was very controversial the
Committee postponed its further consideration THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORK OF
until after the war. In the interval, by the MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
passing of the Midwives Act, 191 8, the Council In the House of Commons on May 12th, Mr.
has ceased to have authority to delegate its Waterson asked the Minister of Health if he is
powers under the Midwives Act, 1902, the powers aware that many municipal authorities find it
of supervising the administration of Part i of the impossible to develop the work of maternity and
Children Act, 1908, have been transferred from child welfare as it ought to be developed because
the Home Department to the Minister of Health, of the heavy financial burden it entails and, ;
and the position of the Metropolitan borough under such circumstances, he can make any
councils in relation to maternity and child welfare recommendations to the Government for financial
have been strengthened by the passing of the assistance to carry out a national obligation, and
Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918. from which the State will benefit thereby ?
The Committee recommended that for a period Dr. Addison replied The Government already
:
of one year, subject to review of the whole position distribute through my Department a grant of
at the end of that period (i) that the Council's half the expenditure of local authorities and
infant life protection visitors (other than inquiry voluntary agencies on maternity and child welfare.
officers) be withdrawn within the area of the
Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham. (2) That
there be delegated to the Lewisham Metropolitan
Borough Council the powers of the Council relating CENTRAL MIDWIVES' BOARD.
to the inspection of lying-in homes, on condition
that in any case in which a nurse registered in EXAMINATION PAPER. MAY 4th, 1920.
respect of a lying-in home is a midwife there Where
the female bladder situated ?
is
1
shall be joint inspection by officers of the Council
What conditions can give rise to incontinence
and of the Borough Council. of urine during pregnancy and the puerperium ?
The recommendation was carried. " pendulous belly " ?
2. What is meant by
We are glad that the position is subject to
What may be the effect of this on the course of
review at the end of a year, and regret that the
labour, and how is it best dealt with ?
recommendation has been carried. In our view
the wider the area covered by inspectors the 3. baby vomits. How would you proceed to
A
better. Local politics are apt to influence the investigate the cause, and how would you treat it
appointment and the views of local inspectors, before obtaining medical aid ?
nor is the work always sufficient to employ a 4. A primigravida engages you for her confine-
whole-time official and, consequently, the best ment. She is thirty-six weeks pregnant. What
qualified people may not apply. would lead you to suspect the presence of a con-
Again, the right of delegating its powers has been tracted pelvis, and how would you prove it ?
withdrawn from the London County Council by 5. How does the abdominal and vaginal ex-
the Midwives Act, 191 8, in regard to the local amination differ in a case of occipito-anterior and
control and supervision of midwives permissible qccipito-posterior presentation ?
under the 1902 Midwives Act, and, as was reported 6. How do you recognise syphilis in the pregnant
by the Public Health Committee of the L.C.C to woman ? For what other conditions is it neces-
the Ministry of Health in September last :
" The sary to send for medical help during pregnancy ?
—
THE
msidiiimLo'wraiG WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
t« IC01
EDITED BY MRS BEDFORD FENWICK
No. 1,678. SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1920. Vol. LXIV
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. or " rest " should be placed under the back to
raise the liver, and the table is usually raised
WHAT ARE THE USUAL CAUSESOF GALL-STONES ? 35deg. at the head in order to cause the in-
DESCRIBE THE PREPARATION OP A CASE FOR testines to gravitate away from the wound.
OPERATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT NURSING.
The right arm may be placed under the mackin-
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this tosh or in an arm rest at right angles to the
week to Miss A. M. Doug-las, University CoU
table.
lege Hospital, Gower Street, W'.C. i.
Adrenalin should be near at hand in case of
PRIZH PAPEW. hemorrhage.
The chief causes for the formation of gall When the patient returns to bed he must be
placed flat until he recovers consciousness and
stones are (i) Sedentary occupation and over-
:
shave the skin over the liver, paint with Iodine, by saline aperients.
or apply antiseptic, compress and band&^ge. The temperature, pulse, and respi^ration
Mouth Preparation. — If possible carious should be charted four-hourly while stitches
teeth should be previously removed or stopped, are in. A specimen of urine should be kept
and a mouth wash must be given just before daily, and stools reserved for inspection.
the patient is sent to the operating theatre. Complications. —
Haemorrhage (apply pres-
If the nurse only reaches the case the day sure with gauze soaked in adrenalin).
before the operation an enema should take the Broncho-Pneumonia and Pleurisy. To pre- —
place of the usual purge. vent this keep patient in semi-sitting position.
In case of chronic jaundice the surgeon Incisional Hernia. — All fat patients should
usually orders subcutaneous injection of Horse wear abdominal support for some months.
serum, 20-30 c.c, or calcium chloride in 3 Biliary Fistula. —Due to obstruction, which
doses for twenty-four hours before operation will necessitateanother operation.
these are continued per rectum for two days HONOURABLE MENTION.
afterwards. The object of these injections is The following competitors receive honour-
to coagulate the blood., as hemorrhage is able mention Miss P. Thompson, Miss M.
:
not negligence in this line become a serious tistics shows that in the year 1915, 98,000
problem. At least three-fourths of the patients people died of tuberculosis in all its forms,
in hospitals need dental prophylaxis, the other while 105,202 people died of heart diseases. In
one-fourth could profitably stand it. If ap- the year 1916, 101,396 lives were destroyed by
parently healthy persons develop secondary in- tuberculosis and 114,171 from heart diseases.
fections throug'h focal infection, a patient suf- On account of the developments in the treat-
fering from a wasting disease or an acute con- ment of tuberculosis there has been a decline
dition, would certainly be more susceptible to from 200.7 per 100,000 in 1907, to 141. 6 in
disease, and the focal infection would be more 1916, a decrease of almost thirty per cent.
potent. X-rays of devitalized teeth of What has been done to control heart disease?
patients suffering from an acute disease show It is true that heart disease, to a very large ex-
rarefaction, or the attenuation of the bone due tent, is preventable by proper mouth sanita-
to infection. The same teeth on X-ray, sub- tion. The masses of streptococcus viridans,
sequent to the illness, show little or no rare- in dental abscesses, on tooth surfaces, in pyor-
faction at the root ends. rhea pockets, and tonsillar crypts, enter the
It is true that patients in hospitals give little circulation and localize in the heart valves, pro-
or no attention to their teeth. This is partly ducing disease. This is only one phase of the
due to the fact that enough emphasis is not destructive action of the streptococous, not
laid upon this treatment by the physicians and dealing with gall-bladder disease, arthritis,
nurses. The ideal procedure is that carried neuritis, nephritis, and many other conditions
on by the University of Minnesota hospital. of possible focal origin. How much simpler
Each patient on entering is provided with a would it be to control these diseases than tuber-
tooth brush. The nurses are trained efficiently culosis? What small expense is connected with
to instruct the patients in the care of their the treatment of a disease producing more
mouths, and some are trained to do' instrumen- deaths than tuberculosis and which is on the
tation to remove coarser calculus or tar- increase !
tar. Mouths presenting an advanced degree It is true that the patients in the hospitals
of pyorrhea and an abundant flow of pus are present a very small percentage of these cases,
first scrubbed up with a piece of sterile gauze. but when suffering from other ailments they
At this time the nurses demonstrate the proper present the most susceptible group. As I have
use of the tooth brush, demonstrating in their said before, the treatment is simple and is
own mouths to make it more effective. Won- threefold (i) Co-operation between medical
:
derful results can be obtained' in this manner. and dental professions (2) Establishing of a
;
The flow of pus can be checked and the puffy dental department in hospitals; (3) Training of
and irritated gums nursed back to a semi- nurses in dental hygiene.
healthy state. It is true that the primary irri- The nurse's part in this great work is a very
tant, the calculus, cannot be removed in this important one. It is she who comes in inti-
manner, but the injurv which it produces can mate contact with the patient and can instruct
be reduced to the minimum. By teaching and watch the patient perform his dental toilet.
nurses the art of instrumentation, the coarser It would be imnossible for one man to accom-
deposits are removed and the delicate instru- plish that which the nurse could be trained to
mentation necessarv in pyorrhea treatment is handle so efficiently. Let us then strive to
later done bv the dentist. The tooth brushes, give the patient a fair chance and make use of
with dust shields, are hung in a conspicuous the knowledge which we now possess. Let us
place at the head of the bed, being a daily re- prepare our nurses with the proper training
minder for diligent use. necessarv in carrying on this important work.
Co-operation must be obtained between the — The American Journal of Nursing.
;
held at 431, Oxford Street, London, W. i, on pound sterling of the declared value be paid for
Friday, June 4th, at 4.30 p.m. Members are each day or part of a day, in addition to the
asked to note this date, and also that the meet- ordinary cloak room charges.
ing will not be held at 11, Chandos Street as The Judge found for the plaintiff, with costs
usual. It is hoped that members will endeavour on the higher scale because of the importance
to attend this meeting, when the future work of of the case, and held that the condition was
the Society will be discussed. unreasonable, and therefore no protection to
the railway company.
Miss Eleanor Barton, who recently resigned Presumably the last has not been heard of
the position of Matron of the Chelsea Infirmary, this question, as last December, at Birmingham,
has withdrawn her resignation. Judge AmpMett. K.C, decided against a nurse
who claimed £^^ against the London & North-
Miss Annie Smith, late Matron of the In- western and Midland Railway Companies for
firmary, Kingston-on-Thames, has been granted a lost suit case under precisely similar con-
a superannuation allowance under the Poor ditions.
Law Officers' Superannuation Act (1864) of
£g2 6s. 8d. The West Sussex County Nursing Associa-
tion report a successful year, although there is
Mr. and Mrs. Noel Buxton are issuing in- still a dfearthof suitable candidates. The
vitations to an " At Home," at 12, RutJand superintendent reported that there were now
Gate, S.W. 7., on Friday, June 4th, at fifty-six affiliated districts. Fifteen had been
3.15 p.m., to meet the Rev. Harold Anson affiliated since April, 1919. The total number
(Chairman of the Guiild of Health), who will of nurses employed by the W. S.C.N. A. was
speak on " The Mental and Spiritual Factors seventy. Of these nine were Queen's; thirty
in the Healing of the Sick." Discussion and were nurse midwives with approvedi hospital
questions are subsequently invited. The ob- and district training twenty-seven were nurse
;
jects of the Guild are (i) the study of the in- midwives with approved district training
fluence of spirituall up>on physical well-being, three were certified midwives ; and one was a
(2) the exercise of healing by spiritual means certified midwife with anadditional fever
in compdete loyalty to scientific principles and training. Since April ist, 1919, nine can-
methods, (3) united prayer for the inspiration didates having completed their training, were
of the Holy Spirit in all efforts to heal the sick, placed on districts; seven were at present
(4) the cultivation through spiritual means of in training; three nurses were transferred
both individual and corporate healthi. The to other districts; and six health visitors
headquarters of the League are at 6, York and seven nurses resigned during the year.
Buiildings, Addphi, W.C. 2. It. will be seen that out of a staff of seventy,
only nine are qualified nurses, the remainder
The receipts of the recent matinee in aid of being miid'wives with a little nursing experience.
the Nurses' Home Fund of the Great Northern
Central Hospital (held at the Palladium, which At the annual meeting of the Monmouthshire
was kindly lent by Mr. Charles Gulliver) ex- Nursing Association, the same'cry% scarcity of
ceeded ;£l,400. nurses, was heard.
Lady Mather-Jackson, the honorary secre-
A judgment recently given by Judge Atherley tary, stated that the results had not come up
Jones, K.C. in the City of London Court is of
, to her expectation. The greatest difficulty had
interest not only to the general public, but also been experienced with regard to the rural dis-
to nurses. tricts, as nurses who had served in the war did
Mr. J. J Gibaud claimed fifteen guineas not seem willing to undertake district work,
against the Great Eastern Railway Company, consequently some districts which had nurses
the value of a bicycle deposited in the Enfield for many years were feeling exceedingly the
Town Station cloak room on September 2nd, loss of their services.
which they had lost. Fully-traiined nurses had been started in the
The Company had given the plaintiff a ticket districts of Crumlin, Abercarn, Cwmcarn,
on which it was stated that they would not be and Rhymney, and good reports of their
May 29, 1930 Zbc Britisb 3ournal ot "WursmQ. 315
"work had come to hand. They in that county operations, as there are only a few surgeons in
were fortunate in having their own training Viborg. Sister writes that she has never been
centre for midwifery, and in receiving most so well looked after. , .
A late member
of the staff of the Registered NURSES' REGISTRATION.
Ts^urses' now^ married and living in
Society,
Pinland, who has recently been in a hospital A new generation has arisen since the pro-
in Viborg for a serious operation, writes that posals for the State Registration of Nurses
all the staff are very interested in English took shape over thirty years ago, and there
methods of nursing. No one oould speak may be members of the General Nursing Coun-
English except a surgeon and the Matron, but cils who have not studied the history of the
fortunately the night nurse could speak Russian, question such members would be well advised
;
which she understood. She writes thait the to acquaint themselves with the Blue Books
—
rooms for private patients are ideal the colour dealing with this question, principally those
scheme and all the arrangements designed dealing with the House of Lords Inquiry into
to please the eye. The inclusive charge is the management of the Metropolitan Hospitals
25 marks a day, the value of the mark being in 1891, and the reports of the proceedings of
60 to 80 to the English £1. The children's the Select Committee of the House of Commons
w^ard Sister describes as " perfectly sweet " a on Registration of Nurses in 1904 and 1905.
l)ig round room with a large stove in the middle In addition, there are the Acts providing for
for ornament only, as the whole place is steam the Registration of Nurses in our Colonies,
heated and beautifully ventilated. " What the the nurses of which, under our own Acts, may
English hospitals would save in work if they be registered in the United Kingdom on re-
only knew " Then around the top is a frieze
!
ciprocal terms. The first Act to deal with
of figures just like a nursery, all in green and the Registration of Nurses was the Medical
"white. Each ward has its own dressing room and Pharmacy Act of the Cape of Good Hope
and bath room, as no dressings are done in the in 1891, and the first to deal with nurses in a
wards except those of very bad cases. There separate Act, the New Zealand Nurses Regis'
are about four large operating theatres and a tration Act of 1901.
Rontgen-Ray room, and hlUge bath rooms for
every imaginable kind of bath, as well as rooms The whole history of the movement for the
for massage, radiant heat, and orthopcedic State Registration of Nurses in the United
work. The whode thing is kept up by the Kingdom is to be found in the Nursing Re-
Government. cord and the British Journal of Nursing.
The nurses receive no salaries for the first two For the benefit of the nursing profession a
years, but there are plenty of applicants for complete file of this Journal has been placed in
probationers' posts ; they do not have to
' *
the Nursing Library of the International Coun-
slave as they do in England." In the hospital cil of Nurses, in the Board Room of the Re-
in Viborg there is a delightful dormitory at the gistered Nurses' Society, at 431, Oxford
top of the building for the Sisters and Nurses. Street, London, W. i. Members of the Gene-
The doctor told our correspondent that the Sister ral Nursing Councils will be given facilities
who was looking after her was as clever as any for studying these reports ifthey wish to do
—
surgeon she assists him every day at his so at the above address.
; —
England, who gave their lives during the war, was " This picture filled me with lively joy, and I
unveiled by Major Margaret C. MacDonald, anticipate having a very delightful occasion in
R.R.C. Matron-in-Chief of the Canadian overseas Seattle with the nurses from across the Pacific
military forces.
Pond ! Doesn't that seem attractive and easy ?
His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor and his So in spite of the Minutes I look forward to a semi
family and many persons of note attended the meeting. Perhaps dear Hester Maclean could
ceremony. come and Miss Gretta Lyons."
Present for the occasion were the near relatives
The Minutes record the conclusion that the
of the heroines whose names appear on the tablet :
next regular Congress should be held in some
Nursing Sister Mary McKenzie, formerly of neutral country or in the eastern part of the
Toronto, who was drowned in the sinking by the United States.
enemy of the hospital ship Llandovery Castle
One item of information gives us " lively joy "
Nursing Sister S. E. Garbutt, who went overseas Miss Dock will remain Hon. Secretary of the
for service in June, 191 7, and died of cancer the
International Council until its next Meeting, which
following August ; Nursing Sister M. Lowe, of will be a notable one for us, as we shall meet our
Binscarth, Manitoba, who was killed during the colleagues as duly registered professional women.
bombing outrages at Etaples in May, 1918 ;
NATIONAL INSURANCE. Some shoes are very small they cramp one, —
and they are dark inside so are some homes.
NEW RATES IN FORCE \FTER JULY 5th.
Why didn't the old woman get ou,t ? Lots of
;
The National Health Insurance Bill, which has room outside Why was she old, with lots of
! '
just received the Royal Assent, makes important children ? She just stayed in, and became
changes in the benefits and contributions under the " Martha-ish." Then, the story goes on, at the
Health Insurance Scheme, to operate from July end of a perfectly awful day, when her nerves
5th next, and is of interest to nurses. were worn to a frazzle, " she spanked them all
The object of the changes is to provide for an round and put them to bed." No she didn't ;
increase in the rates of benefits in view of the fall wash their tired little hands and faces, or undress
in the value of money. The normal rate of sick- them leisurely by the glowing stove no little ;
ness benefit will be raised from los. to 15s. a week prayers ; no fairy tale, as they lay snugly a-bed,
in the case of men and from 7s. 6d. to 12s. a week to speed them off to drea,mland. My dear Mrs.
in the case of women disablement benefit will be
; Manitoba, where are your babies ? Are they all
raised from 5s. a week to 7s. 6d. for both men and tucked away for the winter in the dark shoe ?
women and the amount of maternity benefit will
; Lots of room outside fresh air, too — It must !
be raised from 30s. to 40s. be fresh, because most of the stale air is shut up
In order to provide for the increase of benefits the in the homes. Windows were first made for two
joint weekly contribution is to be increased from —
purposes to admit light and to admit air.
7d. to lod. in the case of men, and from 6d. to gd. Our windows are usually made in two parts ;
in the case of women, of which the employer's there is a wooden sash in the middle. This seems
portion will normally be 5d. in each case. In to have been put there for Mrs. Manitoba to
certain cases where low wages are paid the employer measure by, so that her blinds shall be all evenly
will pay a larger and the worker a smaller portion down half way Why waste your glass for the
!
of the joint contribution. upper half Who wants the sunlight in ? Set
!
The contributions cards from the week beginning the geraniums on the window-ledge they must ;
July 5th next must in all cases be stamped at the have sunlight, or they will become pale and not
rate of lod. a week for men and gd. for women. blossom and they will be so useful to keep the
;
Stamps of these values will be on sale at the Post sunlight from "Little Willie." Stay! that is
Offices. not enough. Drape the windows generously with
net or scrim.
We must save money. Certainly, but yes, my
HIGHER PAYMENT OF PANEL DOCTORS. friend! We must economise. Mrs. Palem's Com-
The Ministry of Health announces that the arbi- pound costs so much Dr. Chasem's Nerve
!
trators fixing the remuneration of medical prac- Soother has gone up in price. Let us load up the
titioners under the Insurance Acts have deter- medicine cupboard and the kitchen cabinet with
mined the award of the capitation fee per insured cough mixture and Squealer's Soothing S)n:up.
person at iis. per annum. This is not to include Those ancient Greeks who worshipped Apollo,
any payment in respect of the supply of drugs and the sun god, and brought the sick out into the
appliances, nor any payments to meet those sunlight for his gift of healing, were heathen
special conditions of practice in rural and semi-
We are enlightened. One feels sorry for the
rural areas which are covered by the payments to
baby who arrives late in the year and is likely to
be made out of the Central Mileage Fund. be shut in all winter, but sorrier for the little
two-year-old and four-year-old. How they patter
eagerly to the door when they hear a knock !
The Hours of Employment Bill introduced last unfamiliar out-of-doors. There are dull, cold
sessionby Sir Robert Horiie to give effect to the days, with wind, when perhaps wee folk are best
recommendations of the Provisional Joint Com- at home and there are babies who have no
;
mittee of the National Insurance Conference has comfortable, warm carriage or wrappings. One
been redrafted by the Ministry of Labour, and wishes a kind fairy would come along for them
will be brought in at an early date and pressed Oh you shut-in mothers, I wish I could sing,
!
" Come out, come out, my dearest dear, intense hatred for the colour blue. Rooms
Come out and greet the sun ; decorated in blue will help to keep out the flies.
For all the world is out but you, Mix together one tablespoonful of cream, one of
And winter's nearly done." ground black pepper and one of brown sugar.
A man was asked to count the number of babies The mixture is poisonous to flies. Put in a
on S Avenue one afternoon. He counted saucer, darken the room, except one window, and
quite a number and was doubted. Being merely in that set the saucer.
a man, he said they all looked alike to him. It To clear the house of flies, burn pyrethrum
was discovered he was counting the same six powder. This stupefies the flies, but they must
babies over again. —From The Canadian Nurse. be swept up and burned.
agreed to make a grant of ^^25,000 towards the cost dmring the constructive period, when principles
ofimportant extensions contemplated at the High- were established which have since been applied in
bury and Uffculme Hospitals, the first given all registration work in the United States of
by Mr. Austen Chamberlain to the citizens of America The A merican Journal of Nursing states
.
Birmingham for the hospital treatment of ex- tha*. " there was not a nursing interest in the
service men, and a gift for a like purpose made by country in which she had not a part, either actively
Mr. and Mrs. Barrow Cadbury, of the house known or as an
adviser. Her loss will be felt in every
as " Uficulme." The furnishing of both those branch of the profession our best memorial to;
residences was generously undertaken by the her is to carry forward in the best and highest
employes of Messrs. Kynoch. Towards the cost of sense the work to which she gave her life."
alterations and extensions a grant of /i 0,000 was
made by the Joint Committee of the British Red
Cross and the Order of St. John. It is hoped that APPOINTMENTS.
with these sums, together with ;^5,ooo to be found MATRON.
by the citizens of Birmingham, it will be possible War Memorial Maternity Home, Borough of Wands-
to provide 320 beds at the two hospitals, up-to-date wortli. —Miss EE Wearing has been appointed Matron
. .
water supplies, and provide the requisite accom- Women and Matron at the Ilford Urban District
;
shock or other causes could not be stated, but Matron of the Military Hospital, at Frees Heath
approximately 30,000 had been pensioned for deaf- Sister and Matron's Assistant at the Royal Infirmary,
ness of greater or less degree. Medical Boards Bristol Matron of the Cottage Hospital, Warminster,
;
were instructed to recommend a course of tuition and Matron of Pare Wern Auxiliary Hospital, Swansea.
in lip-reading where this degree of deafness wr.s She has been mentioned in dispatches and awarded the
such as to render this desirable. Lip-reading Royal Red Cross (First Class).
classes were held in London at the Ministry's aural Batley and District Hospital. Miss Helen Gardner —
has been appointed Matron. She was trained at
clinic (28, Park Crescent, Regent's Park) and at
Ancoats Hospital, Manchester, where she subsequently
thirty other centres throughout the country.
held the positions of Sister, Theatre Sister and Assistant
Matron. She has been Home Sister and Theatre Sister
A
public appeal will be issued shortly for the at the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool and Matron of ;
necessary funds for a new nurses' home at the the Malton and District Hospital.
Royal Infirmary, Liverpool. The matter has SISTER.
been under consideration for some time, and it Qrosvenor Hospital for Women, Vincent Square, S. W.
is becoming urgent. Miss Mary E. Aston has been appointed Theatre Sister.
She was trained at the Middlesex Hospital, and been
Ward Sister and Theatre Sister at the Norwood
THE PASSING BELL. Cottage Hospital, and Assistant Home Sister at the
Middlesex Hospital.
A QREAT PROFESSIONAL EDITOR. Miss M. B. Johnson has been appointed Sister in
It is with deep regret that we record the death the same institution. She was trained at the Dread-
from cerebral haemorrhage, at her summer home. nought Hospital, Greenwich, and the Hospital for
Forest I^wn, N.Y., on April 27th, of Miss Sophia Women, Soho Square and been Sister at the Stafford-
;
on the chance of getting abroad to do some real book she read desperately for a few minutes,,
work. She answered it. She said there wasn't listening for a sound that never came."
the slightest chance of any untrained woman ever The nameless dread found its justification later
smelling France, much less nursing there, but if when the exhausted girl was told " My leg's,
I were a good girl and waited long enough, I kinder funny. I think its bleedin'."
CO aid doubtless do some quite good work helping The book teems with incidents grave and gay
the real nurses at home. Reads a bit funny connected with ward and staff routine. It is;
"
now, doesn't it ? brightly written and very readable. The sym-
Henson, who had been bombed in France pathies of the reader are constantly enlisted,
and torpedoed in the Mediterranean, grinned either for the patients or on behalf of the war
appreciatively. probationer, who at any rate seems to have fared,
" Quite funny, really, but thereis a side to it
no better than her civilian sister in regard to.
that isn't funny, you know, Podgie. There was creature comforts.
such lots of enthusiasm at the beginning, and The remark of Medenway, " I don't eat now-
yet everyone got so choked off that it isn't much adays, just stoke," will find echo no doubt ins
I
wonder that they have to appeal and appeal all more than one hospital
the time for more V.A.D. 's. They're all gone The V.A.D. uniform comes in for its share of
to do other kind of war work where they aren't opprobrium. ,,
treated like pariahs." Then she proceeds to utter " Cheap and nasty, the rest of the outfit,
like
a bit of sound common sense. " It does seem as said Henson. "I'd like to get hold of the woman:
if the War Office people ought to have had a bit
who invented this rig and ring her yellow neck."
more foresight. Then they could have worked Presumably the author is " demobbed."
at some plan for a definite war-time training Candid cricitism is always refreshing and for
* By E. Chivers Davies. John Lane, Bodley this reason and others the book is to be commendedL
Head. H. H.
May 29, 1920 ^bc Brttlsb 3ournal o( mursing.
— ; — —
able and interesting, and which, while it does free agents, and need not undertake more arduous
not confine itself to any one field, but comments duties than necessary, for any prolonged period ;
on or records any events of passing interest, yet that is to say, if they work on the co-operative
takes special notice of certain matters hitherto principle, which they should do."
slightly neglected. The chairman of the Board I can assure you that private nurses are in no
Twelfth Annual Dinner. Nurses' Home, Guy's eight hours a week. The public will not employ
Hospital. 7 p.m. them but will make shift, perhaps to their detri-
—
;
May 2gth. Royal British Nurses' Association. ment, with a less skilled attendant, especially as
Lecture on " Civic Duties and Responsibilities," only well-to-do people can now afford private
by Councillor Beatrice Kent. 3 p.m. Presenta- "
nurses. A
really comprehensive scheme of sick-
tion to Miss Margaret Breay. Tea. ness insurance must first be organised for the
—
June ^th. Society for State Registration of middle end upper classes before private nurses
Trained Nurses. Annual Meeting. 431, Oxford can do j ustice to their patients and work for only
Street, London, W. 4.30 p.m. forty-eight hours a week. This is the opinion of a
—
June ^th. Royal British Nurses' Association.
" Grind " on " The Procedure of
very large majority of private nurses whom we
Conducting have consulted on the question. At the same time,
Business Meetings." Mrs. Bedford Fenwick. there is little doubt that the majority of Nurses'
3 P-m. Co-operations are so only in name. Ed.]
—a — —
SHOULD WE BE TAXED TO BRINQ GERMAN < - ..nies. We ask again, who is paying for this
CHILDREN TO ENGLAND? extensive campaign of publicity ? The cost of it
has now run into thousands of pounds. Ed.] —
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
MISREPRESENTATION SHOULD BE
—
Dear Madam, Seeing that we have been taxed CORRECTED.
to starve German children for months after their
fathers and brothers had stopped fighting, we
To the Editor o/The British Journal of Nursing.
must surely, even those of us who are " mothers —
Madam, I am very glad to see that attention
of the dead," be willing to pay taxes .to succour has been drawn in the Journal to the mis-state-
and show what hospitality we can to the sur- ment in the Daily Telegraph referring to powers
viving children. stated to have been conferred by Parliament on
I am sure it must be painful to many readers of the " College " as a Registration body. I wrote
your admirable paper to see that you take the to the Minister of Health when I read the
—
opposite view a view which at one time we might,
" un-English "
article, and his reply showed that the position
in our conceit, have called or had been mis-represented. No disclaimer from
" un-British." the " College " seems to have yet appeared, such
Yet, perhaps, we have no right to show hospita- as one would have expected.
*
St. John, whose work for the improvement of our has drawn attention to the misleading statement
prisons and penal system has our warm admiration. in the Daily Telegraph with regard to the College
But we do emphatically differ from his views on of Nursing, Ltd., being the registration authority.
the question under discussion, and moreover, with In a reply from the Minister of Health I am
few exceptions-, we express the opinion of the informed that the General Nursing Council is
'
readers of this journal. We are of opinion that responsible under the Nurses' Registration Act,
"
there has been deplorable mishandling of the TQig, for the formation of the Register.'
—
Germans since the futile Armistice not altogether
" British," either in its inspiration or application
[We consider it is much to be regretted that
nurses should be confrsed on this point by ignorant
journalists in the lay press. Ed.]
and that the peculiar psychology of the German
race would have responded to and benefitted by a REGISTRATION BAR.
policy robustly just and British, rather than by Miss D. E. Horn {Southsea) " I think the idea
—
any mawkish sentimentality, which is the anti- splendid for a bar for State Registration for the
thesis of generosity. We
are discussing the treat-
members of the S.S.R. of T.N. Could not members
ment of the children of a race of criminals — of the R.B.N.A. attach it by a narrow band of
people who plotted for years a holocaust of ribbon to the bar of their badges ?"
murder by fire, sword and bomb, for gain who ;
Miss Elizabeth Martin writes -As a member : —
raped " religious " debauched women and chil-
;
of the Society for State Registration of Trained
dren crucified, spat upon, starved and infected
;
Nurses, I quite agree with Sister Martha, and
helpless prisoners made crew yards of chateaux, certainly deserve some mark. Her
;
think we
and devastated by theft and mischief the fair suggestion, I think, too, is very nice namely, ;
lands of our Allies. To forget these things and that of a " Bar " etc.
their tragic results in a twinkling of an eye is by
Miss M. bavies [Cardiff) —
" I should love to
no means commendable it is proof of lack of '
;
have a Registration bar I thank Sister Martha '
The Midwife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES' BOARD. ticularly mentioned in the letter) the advisability
of midwives inserting in their Registers of Cases all
cases attended by them whether as midwives or
The monthly meeting of the Central Mid wives' as monthly nurses.
Board was held in the Board Room, i, Queen It was resolved that the County Medical Officer
Anne's Gate Buildings, Westminster, on Thursday of Health for Essex be informed that the Board,
May 20th, Sir Francis Champneys presiding. having carefully considered the proposal, regrets
that it feels unable to recommend the change
Report of the Standing Committee.
suggested by him.
In the Standing Committee, which met, A letter was considered from the Director of
previously. Dr. Fair bairn raised the question of Lands and Accommodation with reference to the
reconsidering the conditions on which approval question of the Board removing its offices to the
of midwives as teachers is granted, and also the Fourth Floor of No. i Queen Anne's Gate Buildings.
question of arranging for courses of training for It was further resolved that the Director to
midwives seeking approval as teachers. Lands and Accommodation be approached with
The Committee recommended, and the Board a view to the Board being permitted to continue
agreed, (a) that the Approval Sub-Committee the occupation of the Fifth Floor at the present
be asked to consider and report on a scheme rent, and otherwise on the terms contained in the
for the further instruction of teachers (b) that; Agreement for the lease of the Fourth Floor as far
Dr. Griffith be added to this Committee for this as they are appropriate to such occupation.
purpose.
A letter was received from Mr. E. H. Phillips Applications.
of the Ministry of Health, enclosing a copy of a The following applications were granted :
THE
lElSUOIliMP'llilSiO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
and points out that medical treatment, while unusual difficulty from Secondary and Primary
becoming more effective, tends at the same time Health Centres,
to become more complex,, so that it grows in- The need for a new type of local health autho-
creasingly more difficult for the individual prac- rity to administer the scheme in each district is
titioner to administer the full range of treat- pointed out, on which body it is proposed that
ment. the medical profession should have due repre-
The Council lays it down that any scheme of sentation, assisted by a Local Medical Advisory
medical service must be open, though not neces- Council. In our opinion it is also essential to
sarily free, to all classes of the community the success of such a scheme that the nursing
that must be such as can grow and expand
it profession shouW similarly have due represen-
and adapt itself to varying local conditions, and tation.
that, in each locality, it must comprise and pro- The alternative of a whole-time salaried ser-
vide for all the medical services, preventive and vice for all doctors, which has been carefully
curative, necessary to the health of the people considered, is not approved, the Consultative
all these agencies being brought together in Council being of opinion that the public would
close co-ordination under a single health autho- be serious losers, as the clinical worker requires
rity for each area. knowledge, not only of the disease, but of the
patient. It believes " it is a true instinct which
Itpointed out that at the centre of the
is
demands free
'
choice of doctor. In no
medical service of the country lies the treat- '
that this domiciliary medical service should con- whole-time State salaried service, which would
tinue, but that all such service should be brought tend by its machinery to discourage initiative,
into relationship with a Primary Health Centre, to diminish the sense of responsibility, and to
which would serve as the rallying point of sM the encourage mediocrity."
—
AND TREATMENT. ;
PRIZB PAPER.
— no force should be used in this proceeding.
The external end of the tube should be placed
Flatulence (word derivation L. flatus, a blow- in a bowl of water to observe if flatus is passed.
ing), an excessive formation of flatus, is a col- Flatulence is an important symptom of com-
lection of gas or air in the stomach or intestines plications liable to occur after abdominal
causing distention of those organs. section.
Excessive flatus may be the result of dys- In peritonitis and intestinal obstruction there
pepsia, deficiency or excess of hydrochloric acid, isan arrest of the passage of flatus from rectum.
or deficiency of pepsin. Neurosis of stomach Vomiting after operations may be caused by
and bacterial fermentation are other causes. flatulence and distention, and not be due to
Med'icinal treatment may have to be employed post-anaesthetic effects.
in these cases. Where it does not interfere with the operation
Tympanitis is the term used to describe the area it is permissible to give frequent drinks
distention of the abdomen by the accumulation of hot water, § vi, with sod. bicarb. 3 h ^nd
of gas and air in the intestines. aqua menth. pip. 3 i to iii. If retained it assists
In of>eration cases, particularly in abdominal the eructations and neutralises acidity, and if
section., flatulence is usually relieved when the vomiting is produced the patient thus washes
bowels are open, and a simple soap and water out his own stomach. In some cases the sur-
enema is invaluable. geon may give a stomach wash out.
Some surgeons recommend the administration Drugs which have a slightly stimulant action
ofa turpentine enema, ^ oz. to i oz. turpentine, and expel gas from the stomach and intestines
thoroughly mixed with grue'l or sitarch, given are known as Carminatives. These include :
but as a general rule it is found that there are Dorothy James, Miss P. Thompson, Miss M.
no ill effects to the parts involved in major Steevens.
operations if the bowels are opened within
Miss H. T. Inglis writes
—
" Flatulence
:
of the Devon Nursing Association at Exeter at Bingley Hall in the spring of 192 1, and it is
sliowed that although thirteen new branch asso- hoped the movement wiil!l have the sym-
ciations had affiliated during the year, bring-ing pathy and support of three counties.
the total to 128, and that there had been no We hope, as the public are to find the funds,
lapses, the work was greatly handicapped by a that the club will be open to ail trained nurses,
scarcity of village nurses. Ten nurses com- and that they will not compulsorily be members
pleted their training, and are at work in the of the College of Nursing, Ltd. Birmingham
county but twenty-one left forvarious reasons nurses should have this point cleared up before
— nine
;
to be married'. Eleven pupils are in they get their friends to support Mrs. H. S.
training. Richards' appeal.
The hopes that V.A.D. women, relieved of
war duties, would take up village nursing were Sir A. Beattie, D.L., trustee, presided at the
not, realised. Women who were keen to become annual meeting of the King Edward Corona-
nurses were more inclined to take hospital train- tion Fund for Nurses, Dublin, when the fifteen
ing for three years, and were then unwilling, as a members of the Council! were ret-elected for
rule, to settle in countrv districts. This scarcity T 920-2 1. The annual report, read by Miss
of nurses made the task of Miss Bell, the Super- Boland, showed that during the year eighteen
intendient, exceedingly difficult and anxious. nurses in distress through sickness, accident,
Thanks to the liberal assistance of the County old age, or other cause, had been assisted by
Council, the committee reported a sobstantial grants amounting to £1 19, besides the Countess
improvement in the nurses' salaries. Every of Pembroke annuity, which brought £12 7s.
328 ZTbe. »rttt0b Journal of fluretna. June 5, 1920
to the holder. The balance to credit was £2)S- THE GUY'S HOSPITAL NURSES
On the motion of the chairman, an alteration
was made in substitutingf " two
Rule 31, LEAGUE.
referees" for "two g-overnors, " on the
life THEI ANNUAL DINNER AND MEETING.
rooommendation of applicants for assistance. The Annual Dinner and Meeting of the Guy's
At a counoil meeting- held subsequently, Miss Hospital past and present Nurses' League was
Boland and Miss M'Donnell were re-appointed held on Friday, JMay 28th, in the Nurses' Home,
hon. secretaries; Sir W. Fry and Miiss Boland, the members and their guests receiving a cordial
hon. treasurers and Mr. W. H. Baskin, hon.
;
and charming welcome from Miss Margaret Hogg,
C.B.E.. R.R.C., Matron of the Hospital and
auditor. Grants were made to urgent cases.
Hon. Secretary of the League.
Every place was filled in the beautiful dining
Miss Clarke, a nurse and certified midwife, room, where the sun glinted through the great
is standing- as a Labour candidate for the bow window on to the golden buttercups, and
Board) of Guardians of the Poor of Dublin blue cornflowers (the Guy's colours) which were
Union, and has issued an excellent address, in employed with delightful effect in the decoration
which she emphasises the necessity for scheme of the tables. It was rumoured, indeed,
Children's and Mothers' Pensions, Health, that a good many late applications for tickets haa
and Efficiency and Economy. had to be refused, for lack of room, and certainly
the attendance was a record one.
We always admire the celerity and deftness
The benefit to a profession of a strong- Asso- with which the domestic staff wait on these
ciation which will watch and protect its interests occasions, and this year they added to their
is exemplified in the Supplementary Report of laurels by quickly removing some of the tables
the Council of the British Medical Association, to the " Park," where coffee (as hot as coffee
in the British Medical Journal of May agth. always should be) was served in the grateful
The Council reports under the heading- coolness of a perfect evening, and we noted the
" Establishments for Massage and Special walls of the new block of the Nurses' Home well
on towards completion, so that 42 more nurses
Treatment " that " the L.C.C. (General Powers
can be accommodated, and the hours of the
Bill) has been considered by the Council, and
present staff consequently shortened.
representations made to the L.C.C. that Then a move was made to the dining room, of
Clause 17 (odd Clause 24) of this Bill should be noble proportions and rich and satisfying colour-
modified, so as to remove therefrom certain ob- ing, where, awaiting the opening of the business
jectionable features as to the certification of meeting we were entertained by some of the
medical practitioners who dfesire to set up members of the nursing staft, who, in their present
establishments for massag-e, &c., thereby to strenuous life, have kept up their accomplishments
of playing and singing delightfully. Incidentally
some extent duplicating the powers already
exercised by the General Medical Council. The
we wondered whether any nurses would be ill-
advised enough to desire to " live out," with the
attention of the Committee of Medical Members inevitable discomforts attendant on the daily
of Parliament and the General Medical Council journey backwards and forwards in bad weather,
was also directed to this matter." and, for the most part living on modest incomes,
The result of this action was that " the L.C.C. which usually means cramped quarters and
ag-reed to amend the Clause so as to remove indifferent cooking, instead of enjoying a life of
its most objectionable features, and the Asso- comradeship, in spacious quarters planned for
ciation has acoording-ly withdrawn its opposi- their convenience and comfort.
tion. The old Clause demanded that any The Business Meeting.
practitioner desiring* to carry on an establish-
The meeting was opened by Miss Hogg, who
ment for massag^e or special treatment said what a real pleasure it was to welcome those
should obtain a certificate signed by two present. Only a short time ago they were remem-
practitioners to the effect that the estab- bering daily in the hospital those engaged in
lishment would not be carried on for immoral war work ; now they were assembled there^
purjxuses, and that he was qualified to carry on representative of nursing in all parts of the world.
an establishment for massag-e. It was a real Peace Celebration.
Under the ameqded Clause, all he will have To-day, nurses were faced by serious problems.
Substantial progress had been made, and we had
to g-et is a certificate signed by two practi-
got State Registration of Nurses, and the General
tioners saying that he is a suitable person to
Nursing Council had been established, but there
carry on such an establishment."
was need for greater unity in the nursing profession.
Now that trained nurses have leg-al status, In the hospital, the nurses' salaries had been
their organisations will be able to wield much increased, and their hours decreased. When the
greater influence in professional affairs. new wing was completed, it was hoped to institute
; — — •
a working week of 56 hours. Increased massage for election asHon. Treasurer at the next Council
accommodation had been added, a new shampoo meeting. Miss Smith then announced the result
room, and a room in which nurses could do as of the ballot for the election of members of the
they pleased, with facilities for washing and Council for the ensuing year.
ironing blouses, and other small oddments. The
new Infant Welfare Centre had also been com- The Chairman's Address.
pleted, and opened. Miss Todd then gave a most interesting address,
Miss Hogg then introduced, as chairman, gracefully expressing the very great charm that
Miss Constance Todd, R.R.C., M.M., whose there was in coming back to Guy's. She spoke of
magnificent work in the war was, she said, well the work at the Brigade Hospital at Etaples and
known to those present. its vivid interest, and of the credit due to those
who carried on in the hospitals at home. She also
Report of the Year's Work. told a tale of a dour old Scotch prize fighter who
Miss Hogg, as Hon. Secretary, presented the had been badly wounded, and who seemed so dis-
report of the year's work, which shewed amongst contented with everything to do with the war,
other items that 346 week-ends, and days off, had that the question was put to him why he had
been spent at the Cottage during the year, and volunteered, as he was over age ? His reply was :
over 1,000 short visits paid for tea, etc. Six " A man needs to be a bit of an 'ero now-a-days
hundred volumes had been taken from the Nurses' to stop at home." Miss Todd paid a high tribute
Library during the year. The Swimming Club to the British soldiers and said she had never
held a most successful tournament in August. realised before how wonderful our men were.
The Photographic and Needlework Exhibitions, She told also of the Flight Commander of a
on view in adjacent rooms, had not received as German aeroplane, which bombed the hospitals
much support as usual. In the case of the Photo- at Etaples, who was brought down and, as he
;
graphic Exhibition, it was due in a great measiure was wounded, was brought into the hospital.
to the high prices of materials and in regard to
; He loudly demanded to be sent to England and
the Needlework Exhibition, to the stipulation not be left in a hospital which would assuredly
that the work should be sent in unwashed. be bombed again by his compatriots She described
.
The new edition of the Nursing Guide had been also the events of Corpus Christi, 19 18, when it
sent out to members. seemed as if the Germans were absolutely deter-
The building and furnishing of the extension mined to wipe out every hospital in Etaples.
of the Nurses' Cottage was nearly completed The meeting closed with votes of thanks, after
a new grass tennis court had been made and the which the photographs and needlework were duly
garden freshly laid out. They owed this to the admired.
generous gift of ;^3,ooo from Mr. Cosmo Bonsor PRIZE WINNERS.
and Lord Revelstoke, who gave this extension to PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION.
commemorate the work done by Guy's nurses at The prize-winners in this section were as follows :-—
home and abroad during the war. Class A. —•Photographs which are the entire work of
Miss Hogg then enumerated the many honours Exhibitors who have won an award at a previous Exhi-
which had been won by Guy's Nurses for War bition. First Prize, Miss H. M. Edmonds. Second
Service, and recorded with much regret the deaths Prize, Miss M. Smith.
of several members since the last meeting. Class B.—Photographs which are the entire work
of Exhibitors who have not won an award at an Exhi-
Financial Statement, bition. First Prize, Miss E. Macmanus. Second
Prize, Miss F. Nicholls. Third Prize, Miss J. R.
In the absence of the Hon. Treasurer (Mrs. Wadlow.
Cameron), Miss Hogg also presented the financial Class C—Photographs which have been taken by
statement, which showed that the amount of the Exhibitor, but not printed or developed by her.
income over expenditure was £t-'2S ios. id. and ; First Prize, Miss F. Edmonds. Second Prize, JVIiss F.
with the balance brought forward from the Brooks. Third Prize, Miss L. G. Mannell.
previous year, £^6,^ 13s. 4d. The cost of printing
the new Register was, however, so heavy -nearly — NEEDLEWORK EXHIBITION.
— Class A (i) Plain Needlework. First Prize, no
;^400 -that the whole of this balance was swal- award. Second Prize, Miss L. Dixon and Miss K. I.
lowed up, and there would be a deficit at the end
of the year if they were not very careful. Part of
Somerville (tie). (2) Darning. — Miss R. Dreyer.
Class B, Fancy Work ( i) Embroider^'.— FiVsf Prize,
the cost would, however, be defrayed by advertise- Miss E. Bond. Second Prize, Miss J. Lewin. Highly
ments and members had been so good in respond-
; commended. Miss J. Hills, Miss E. New. (2) Drawn
ing to her appeal for a small donation that it was Thread Work.—-Fi>s< Prize, Miss R. Ford. Second
hoped they would have very little deficit to show. Prize, Miss J. Hills. Special Prize, Miss J. Lewin, for
The cost of the upkeep of the cottage would be a very beautifully worked tablecloth.
very much increased, but the Governors had come
—
Class C.-~Highly commended Lace, Miss R, Dreyer.
Crochet, Miss J. M. Richardson, Miss M. C. Allen, and
to their help by giving a grant each year for the Miss D. Lane. Knitting. First Prize, Miss C. Barker,
purpose. Second Prize, Mrs. Church. Highly commended, Miss
Miss Hogg reported with much regret the V. Tebutt and Miss S. Weiss.
resignation of Mrs. Cameron, and announced that Class D, Miscellaneous.— Pn^es, Church Embroidery
Mrs. E. C. Hughes had consented to be nominated and Worked Banner, Miss M. Yeaxlee.
abe »riti6b 3ournal of fluretna. June 5, 1920
330
Carter, who was present, gave to Miss Breay a Ladies, it is impossible adequately to express my
—
lovely sheaf of flowers pale mauve irises, yellow thanks to you for your kind words and most
snapdragons, roses, pink carnations and other charming gifts. In the campaign in which we
—
exquisite blossoms a feast of beauty. have been associated together each has had her
The chair was taken by Miss Henrietta J. own particular bit of work, and the making of
Hawkins, M.R.B.N.A., P.L.G., who said :— —
speeches has never been mine -indeed, on one of
In accepting this position which you have so the few occasions when I made an effort in that
kindly asked me to fill I do so with a sense of roy —
direction one of my relations whose candid
own inadequacy to do justice to the subject. We criticisms are so good for one — advised me to keep
are met to do honour, where honour is indeed due, for the future to things I could do, and not attempt
to the guest of the afternoon, our dear friend Miss those I could not. (Laughter.)
Breay, and to offer for her acceptance this gift, So I will not attempt a speech, but just talk to
which friends who best know her tastes have my friends of whom there are so many in this
selected. The gift, I venture to think, is singu- room. First, of course, Mrs. Bedford Fenwick,
larly appropriate, apart from the niche for which who, as Matron of St. Bartho'omew's Hospital,
I believe it is destined in Miss Breay' s charming gave me my chance of becoming a probationer in
Surrey cottage. A mirror symboHses truth, and that grand institution when the Matrons of other
truth, as we know, has been the root principle of large London hospitals told me to come back in
our friend's public and private life. It needs no six years' time. From that day to this I have
words of mine to set forth Miss Breay's worth, it is struggled after the " banner with a strange
apparent to all who know her. But, as Mr. device " held aloft by our great leader.
Spurgeon once said, " Put flowers in your mother's There are present also members of the Matrons'
bonnet and not on her grave," and as I rather Council (which did such splendid work and meant
admire that advice, I hope Miss Breay will forgive so much to those working for State Registration of
me if I pin a few flowers in her bonnet this atter- Nurses) and of the Society for the State Registra-
noon from the posy of her many fine qualities. tion pi Trained Nurses, by which its spade work
Her splendid natural ability, her well-informed for the Bill was carried on. The National Union
mind, her infinite capacity for taking pains, her of Trained Nurses and the Fever Nurses' Asso-
unselfish devotion, her boundless energy have been ciation, represented here, have also been valuable
unstintedly poured into the building up of The allies, and, ultimately, all the Societies promoting
British Journal of Nursing of which we are so the State Registration movement have been
justly proud. On this soUd foundation, so well affiliated in the Central Committee, members of
and truly laid, has arisen slowly and painfully the which are present this afternoon.
Registration Act, the fruits of which will be It is a peculiar joy to me that this presentation
enjoyed by generations of nurses long after we has been made in the rooms of the Royal British
ourselves have passed away. Nurses' Association. It was my first love, and I
I lately heard Bishop Gore say in St. Paul's was present at the meeting at St. George's Hall
Cathedral that next to the salvation of his soul he in February, 1888, when it was publicly founded
prayed that God would allow him to leave behind with high hopes.
—
I cannot find words to express the pleasure Journal we offer Mrs. Pain and her husband the
your kind gifts will give me. Some of those good wishes of her fellow Members.
present know a cottage on a Surrey heath where
there is a place for just such a mirror, but I never
OBITUARY.
expected it to have one half so beautiful. I thank It with very deep regret that we have to
is
you all very much. report the death of Miss Rosamund Fowler, a
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick said: I must add a word Member of the General Council and one who was
of appreciation of all that Miss Breay has done held in great esteem by her fellow Members. Miss
for the benefit of the nursing profession throughout Fowler was a Diplomee of the Corporation.
her professional career. I very much doubt if
without her devoted work for the organisation of NOTICES OF MEETINGS.
nursing, the Nurses' Registration Act would ever
Members are asked to note the following
have been passed in its present satisfactory form. fixtures :
recent conference it has been ascertained that these reform, raises a notable difficulty. To maintain
bodies would consider their requirements met if there the efficiency of the hospital's work it is plain that
were on the Consultative Council of Medical and Allied the working hours cannot be reduced without the
Services a qualified nurse who is also a qualified mid-
wife, and who at the same time should represent the
employment of additional nurses.
masseuses and sanitary inspectors. As the accommodation of the existing nursing
Whilst aware that you have recently stated in the staff is already taxed to the utmost further
House of Commons that the Consultative Council in accommodation will have to be provided. The
question is limited to twenty members, my Executive committee of the hospital is therefore appealing
Council feels sure that when the importance of the for funds to extend the Nurses' Home. A
contract
matter is brought to your notice you will find means of for the building of this extension has been made
overcoming this difficulty.
which, together with the furnishing and other
Whilst thanking the Federation sincerely for extensions which will have to be undertaken at an
its kind interest in the question of the representa- early date, will cost about ;^i 2,000. The sum of
tion of nursing and other allied services on the ;^8,500 has already been received, but a balance
Consultative Council of Medical and Allied of ;^3, 5 00 remains to be raised. Donations should
Services of the Ministry of Health, we cannot agree be addressed to Mr. Lyon H. Maxwell, the hon.
that the requirements of all these branches of treasurer, at the Royal Southern Hospital.
women's health work will be " met " by placing
on the Consultative Council one woman to repre-
sent them all.
Trained Nursing having now attained profes- A PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT.
sional status by Act of Parliament, has a right Sir Arthur Stanley, Chairman of the Joint
to representation on the Consultative Council " off War Committee, referring to the recornmendations
its own bat," as we may say, without making it of the Consultative Council of the Ministry of
compulsory that without a midwifery qualification Health, which will entail a considerable increase
a registered nurse is ineligible. One might as w;ell in the work of transport of the sick and injured
claim that the representative medical practitioners in this country, and the special attention directed
on the Council must also hold diplomas as dentists to the necessity for an Ambulance Service, states
and chemists. No such principle is enforced that the Joint Council of the British Red Cross
dentists and chemists have representation on the Society and the Order of St. John has been able
Council as such, and we claim the same privilege to anticipate this demand and has, during the
for registered nurses and certified midwives. last twelve months established over 300 irotor
The claims and requirements of services allied ambulance stations throughout the country.
to medicine might be " met " by three seats on Although a large proportion of the ambulances
the Consultative Council, but not by less. have been in service for only a few months, they
As it is, in the interim report of this Consultative have already been the means of transporting over
Council, " nursing " is apparently "to be 12.000 cases.
supplied" along with the lint and the bandages!
Governors of the Royal Liverpool Country Hos- Bar to the Royal Red Cross.
pital (which we regret to note has an over-draft Miss Rachael Cox-Davies, Territorial Force Nursing
at the bank of £8,jgj) it was explained that the gervice.
meeting was purely an informal one, and that The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
when arrangements for amalgamation with the Vera, Mrs. Scholtz, Queen Alexandra's Imperial
Liverpool Children's Infirmary were completed, Military Nursing Service and Miss Esther Isaac,
;
claims of its nursing staff for better conditions British Red Cross Society. -^Miss Emily Edwards,
finds itself faced with a problem which involves Miss Colette Parker, and Miss Margaret Riddell.
a considerable capital outlay. The establishment Civil and War Hospitals. -^Miss Mary Cochrane
—
of a higher scale of remuneration although that and Geraldine, Mrs. Gould.
—
Civil Hospital Reserve. -Miss Florence Broome (also
will add largely to the expenses of the institution
received the Military Medal).
is a comparatively simple matter, but the lessening
of the hours of duty, which is an equally necessary
—
Voluntary Aid Detachment. Miss Beatrice Murga-
troyd and Miss Isabel Patton.
334 Zbe Briti0b 3ournaI of IRuretno. June 5, 1920
United States.
Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House
the members of the Military and Civil Nursing Services Miss Helen Scott Hay, of the North Western
who have been awarded the Royal Red Cross and the Academy, Illinois.
Military Medal, subsequent to the Investiture at Miss Florence Merriam Johnson, trained at the New
Buckingham Palace. .
York Hospital Training School a director of the
;
Miss A. B. Smith, R.R.C. (Matron-in-Chief, Queen nursing department of the Atlantic Division.
Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service), was Miss Martha M. Russell, trained at the New York
also received by Her Majesty. • Hospital Training School also with the Atlantic
;
at Boston.
The first awards of the Florence Nightingale Medal Miss Alma E. Forster, trained at the Presbyterian
have now been made by the International Red Cross Hospital, Chicago; served in Russia 19 14. the
Committee at Gen eva. American Red Cross in Rumania in 19 17, and Russia
The medal was instituted by the International 1918.
Committee in 1912 in memory of the work of Miss Miss Mary E. Gladwin, trained at the Boston City
Florence Nightingale, to be distributed annually to Hospital served at Nisch in 19 14, and 19 17 to 19 19.
;
Belgium.
HOW ABOUT IT?
Miss Astley Campbell, an English nurse, matron of We received so many interesting and useful let-
the Ocean Ambulance at Brussels. ters in reply to to our enquiry if Private Nurses wish-
Mile. Kate Schandeleer, of the Edith Cavell School. ed to be included in the Hours of Employment Bill,
we should like to hear their views on the " Living
Denmark. Out " question that is, the for and against a
;
Mile.Magdalene Tidemane, worked with the Danish system of Sisters, Staff Nurses and Probationers
Ambulances in France and with the American Red living outside the gates of the hospitals to which
Cross at Belgrade. they are attached.
— —
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. Section 6 (i) Any person who proves to the
—
Madam, I am instructed by my committee to satisfaction of the Council that he has been regis-
forward the enclosed copy of a resolution which tered either generally as a nurse for the sick, or as
they sent to the General Nursing Council on a nurse of some special class in any part of His
May 31st, 1920. Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom,
Yours faithfully, being a part of those dominions to which this
C. H.' McAra, Hon. Sec. section applies, shall be entitled, on making appli-
" Scottish Members
deplore the action of the cation in the prescribed manner, and paying such
General Nursirg Council (Scotland) in offering the fee, not being greater than the fee payable on
post of Registrar to other than a trained nurse. ordinary applications for registration under this
They strongly recomrdend that the appointment Act, as the Council may demand, to be registered
be limited to a trained nurse with administrative in a corresponding manner under this Act.
ability, and conversant with the standards of (2) This section applies to any of His Majesty's
nutsing education. Further, they recommend Dominions as respects which the Council are
that the appointment be advertised in the Nursing satisfied :
Press as well as the daily Press and the Medical {a) is in force therein an enactment,
That there
Press." or a provision of any kind having the force of law ;
thanks and congratulations that have been (c) That the standard of training and examina-
showered on you, but you must feel confident that tion required for admission to the register of
you have the admiration and gratitude of the nurses established under the said enactment or
nursing world- provision is not lower than the^tandard of training
" registered nurse "
I am anxious to become a and examination required under this Act.
in England as soon as possible. Could you please We advise Australian Nurses to insist upon their
let me know, perhaps through the medium of the Registration Bills receiving attention from their
journal, how to go about accomplishing this ? The Legislatures. They have been turned down for
information will then be useful to others.
I am a life member of the R.B.N. A., also the
—
several sessions and as nurses have the vote, they
must rise up and use it. Ed.]
A.T.N.A. Will that be any help ?
I regret to trouble you and perhaps had I read
PREVENTION OF VENEREAL DISEASE.
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
The British Journal of Nursing intelligently it
would not be necessary to make these inquiries. —
Dear Madam, May I suggest to the Society
There may be others"though as stupid as I. for the Prevention of Venereal Disease, and
particularly to the Portsmouth Health and
With many thanks,
I remain, yours truly, Housing Committee, that in impressing upon the
Mary K, Coleman. men of the borough " their duty to the com-
munity in this matter," they should not lose their
No. 8, Australian General Hospital,
golden opportunity to eradicate the evil by also
Fremantle, West Australia.
impressing on the men that physical disinfection
[We have already received several letters from is merely tinkering with the horror, unless it be
Nurses in Dominions Beyond the Seas, making accompanied by mental and moral disinfection.
enquiries on " How to register." This pleases us Doubtless the National Council of Public
greatly, proving that we must have reciprocal Morals would provide a convincing leaflet on this
registration with the nurses in such Dominions as point.
soon as possible to knit up British nurses through- I am. Madam,
out the world. Yours faithfully,
In New Zealand, in the Canadian Provinces and Mena M. G. Bielby.
in States of United South Africa, systems of State Cranford, Middlesex.
— — — —
will quite agree with your expression of opinion is being done to save innocent children of other
'
that during the preliminary stages of drafting mothers from misery, starvation, and death."
[This is not the point, but that if necessary
the Rules, the General Nursing Council must " something should be done " to help the children
have time for free discussion with as little publicity
of alien enemies in their own countries, and not
as possible but a straw shows wh^ch way the
' ;
in England. Ed.]
wind blows, and I was delighted to read the
advertisement for a Registrar, as it will, I feel " A Mother of the Dead." " I witnessed the —
sure, strongly commend itself to the profession arrival of the 500 children of enemy aliens last
throughout the country, that this important week. Anything more banal couM not have
official sna^l be one of us,' and highly qualified
'
been imagined. They appeared in much more
at that, and that our Council is evidently in robust Ijealth than thousands of our own half-
touch with Our wishes and is looking after our starved children (orphans of patriot fathers and
interests." overworked mothers). To hear these children
Miss C. Matthew. —
" All very pleased in this (taught to be hypocrites by the pacifist and
hospital that our Registrar is to be a nurse it
will make all the difference in the atmosphere of
— foolish old women who welcomed them) actually
singing " God Save the King " made me more
the office." indignant than ever. I thank you very sincerely
—
C.F.T., Dundee. " I hear of Scottish nurses for permitting an expression of the truth in your
applying for registrarship in England, though unbribable journal."
apparently we are still in the dark ages here as (This correspondence must now cease. May
Our Council is not advertising for a thoroughly we advise our readers to read the " Peak of the
trained woman. As we nurses have to pay the Load," by Mildred Aldrich, which rounds off her
excellent salary of ;^400 a year, why is all that lovely " A Hilltop on the Marne," and " On the
money to be given to a person who may not know Edge of the War Zone." In it she sums up the
one certificate from another ? I very much situation with consummate accuracy and truth.
approve the wording of the English advertisement." Ed.)
[We hope you have sent this expression of SCIENTIFIC NURSING.
opinion to your Council we have had several
; Miss Rosa Green. " I have attended several —
private letters to the same effect. Ed.] conferences on health of recent years never a —
SHOULD WE BE TAXED TO BRING GERMAN
word about scientific nursing everything else —
under the sun I hope our General Nursing
CHILDREN TO ENGLAND?
!
—
Health Missioner, Middlesex. " May I neartily
Council will buzz along and teach the B.P. that
you can't play Hamlet without the Prince
'
'
THe Midwife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES' BOARD. Miss Nellie Mackenzie, Miss Henrietta MacLeod,
Miss Catherine Macpherson, Miss Catherine E.
Macpherson, Miss Margaret M. Mann, Miss
At the Examination held by the Central Mid- Margaret Matheson, Miss Jean MiUer, Miss
wives Board in London and the Provinces on Elizabeth F. Milne, Miss Christina A. Moffat,
May 4th, 816 candidates were examined and 660 Miss Janet E. T. Montgomery, Miss Annie
passed the examiners. The percentage of failures Moreland, Miss Isabella S. McD. Morrison, Miss
was 19. 1. Mary A. Nimmo, Miss Margaret Paton, Miss
Margaret McE. Paton, Mrs. Annie Reid, Miss
Anne J. Roy, Miss Susan Sime, Miss Annie F.
Sinclair, Miss Ethel Smith, Miss Helen McPherson
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD FOR Smith, Miss Kate Smith, Miss Mary Smith, Miss
SCOTLAND. Myra E. Smith, Miss Grace R. Stevenson, Miss
Diana L.M. Stewart, Miss Frances E. S. Sutherland,
Miss Margaret A. W. Thompson, Miss Jane L.
The Examination of the Board on May 3rd Titilah, Miss Annie Traynor, Miss Mary E. Watson,
and 4th, held simultaneously in Edinburgh, Miss Mary C. C. Wilson, Miss Nellie W. Wilson,
Glasgow, and Dundee, has concluded with the Miss Georgina C. Young.
following results:
Scott, Miss Harriotte D. Smith, Miss Anne V. 1 What are the sources of severe bleeding
Stewart, Miss Elizabeth D. Swinton, Miss Mary during and immediately after the third stage of
A. Tuffs, Miss Margaret J. Weir, Mrs. Elsie B. jabour ? Describe the treatment.
F. Whipp, Miss Agnes Wilson, Miss Katherine
2. Describe in detail the bathing of a new-born
Wishart.
infant, and state under what circumstances it
Glasgow. should be omitted. For what diseases of young
Miss Jennie R. Barkhouse, Miss Jemima Baxter, infants is the hot bath recommended ?
Miss Jessie Baxter, Miss Elizabeth Buchan, Miss 3. Describe the two forms of ante-partum
Mabel A. Burch, Miss Jeanie B. Christie, Miss haemorrhage and state the risks {a) to the mother
Margaret H. Connell, Miss Elizabeth Corooran, and (6) to the child.
Miss Margaret M. Craig, Miss Louisa C. R. How may the lying-in woman become
4.
d^ Crawford, Mrs. Elizabeth Daly, Mrs. Rose A. infected, and what precautions would you employ
Dillon, Miss Jane A. Dunbar, Miss Elise M. after infection
{a) to guard against infection, (6)
Egger, Miss Agnes M. Ell wood. Miss Agnes C. had occurred ?
Finlayson, Miss Helen Green, Miss Betsy M.
Hodge, Miss Hannah O. Hunter, Miss Henrietta 5. What do you understand by Asphyxia
T. Inglis, Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine, Miss Florence Neonatorum ? What are the varieties, and
Irving, Miss Annie Kerr, Miss Nora Lanaghan, what treatment should be adopted in each ?
Miss Jeanie Lang, Mrs. Catherine McAnulty, 6. What does the Central Midwives Board
Miss Margaret P. McClunie, Mrs. Helen McDonald, direct you to do if you find a patient with a
Miss Mary C. McDougall, Mrs. Isabella McCarrigle, temperature of ioi° F. on the fourth and fifth
Miss Margaret C. McGregor, Miss Grace McHafifie, days of the puerperium ? Mention the possible
Miss Jane Mcintosh, Miss Katherine E. Mclver, causes of such a rise of temperature.
^ THE eSi^^
THE REGISTERED NURSES' PARLIA- 2. The securing of. rank for naval and mili-
MENTARY COUNCIL. tary nurses. ;,
the oxygen of the air in the lungs and the D'Oyley Watkins, Miss Adeline Douglas, Miss
tissues requiring it. Dorothy Jean, Miss F. N. Cotter, Miss P.
Haemoglobin is a chemical compound con- Thompson, Miss H. E. Inglis.
taining the element iron, it forms when com- Miss D'Oyley Watkins writes " When in:
—
bined with oxygen, oxyhaemogl6bin. The the body fibrinogen in the blood is in solution,
colour of the blood is due to the haemoglobin but when blood is shed a ferment is formed
present in the red corpuscles. from broken white corpuscles. This ferment
The white corpuscles or leucocytes are com- changes the fibrinogen into fibrin which co-
posed of a mass of IKving tissue called proito- agulates. Fibrin is a soft elastic substance,
plasm, in the centre its substance becomes and during the shedding of blood the cor-
denser, and forms a nucleus. puscles become entangled in it."
The white corpuscles much resemble the OUBSTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
lowest form of animal life, the Amoeba thev ; Give instructions how to clean a bathroom.
— !
Aicoording to the evidence, this nurse ob- anv, expert nursing opinion, or it would not so
tained the drugs by presenting what appeared elibly refer to these rarer than rubies
**
domes-
to be a doctor's prescription, marked " Not to ticated women." Home helps by all means
be repeated." The prescription also mentioned would not the averag^e housewife welcome these
wool, gauze and bandages, and she asked that rarce aves —
^but from whence are they to be
these, instead of being given to her with the procured ?
.drugs, should be sent to an address in Beau- We
presume the Welsh Consultative Coun-
mont Street. Incidentally, she mentioned that cil seldom
realises that the present-dav flapper
her patient was a very rich woman suffering dteveloDS into the tactful iewelof domesticltv
from cancer. of which they are so commendably enamoured-
—
SOCIETY FOR THE STATE recommendations were before the annual meeting
for discussion.
ReGIS.TRATION OF TRAINED NURSES. The Successful Result of the Society's
Work.
The annual meeting of the Society for the State Miss Mollett said that arising out of the report,
Registration of Trained Nurses was held at 431, and the successful result of the Society's work,
Oxford Street, London, W.i, on Friday, June 4th, she thought the words of Philip of Spain to William
of Orange were applicable to their President
.
at 4,30 p.m. The President, Mrs. Bedford Fen- :
Trained Nurses' Association, Australia, and others. The President said further .
The Executive Committee had m6t six times, The question of the future of the Society was
and a Sub-Committee had considered and reported referred by the General Meeting in January to the
on the question of an eight-hours' day for nurses. Executive Committee for consideration and
The Executive had had under consideration report, and the Committee beg to recommend that
the future of the Society and its rejport and ' the Society should be reconstituted as " The
—
Registered Nurses PaxJiamentary Council" and with Military Nurses in the demand for rank. The
that it should adopt the following objects :
recomiaendations were then adopted as a whole.
THE REGISTERED NURSES' PARLIA- In regard to the importance of watching the
application of Acts affecting nurses, the President
MENTARY COUNCIL. instanced the action of the General Nursing
OBJECTS. Council for Scotland, in issuing in the lay press,
1. To initiate, if necessary, legislation for the an advertisement for a Registrar, which contained
benefit of the Nursing Profession. no proviso that candidates for the post must be
2. To consider and take action on any proposed trained nurses. Presumably, therefore, the Scot-
legislation, or on the application of any Act of tish Council, which was financed by the registered
Parliament, affecting the Nursing Profession. nurses, merely required a clerical worker. This
3. To consider questions of National Health had given great offence in Scotland, where nurses
before Parlianient. agreed with us that what was required in a
4. To use and support The British Journal of Registrar was mainly a competent nurse
Nursing as its official organ. administrator, and a strong recommendation had
Membership. already been sent up to the General Nursing
Members must be " Registered Nurses." Council for Scotland by the Professional Union of
Trained Nurses, Glasgow " that the appointment
Annual Subscription.
be limited to a trained nurse, with administrative
;^i is. ios. 6d. for work. los. 6d. for sub- ability, and conversant with the standards of
scription to The British Journal of Nursing. nursing education."
Bills to Promote. Dealing with the guinea subscription the
Questions which the Council might usefully President pointed out that the work of the Society
consider in the immediate future, with a view to in the past had been largely carried on on the
securing legislative action. most generous donations of the few, and by
1. The enfranchisement of nurses resident in gratuitous clerical service, and Miss Mollett
Hospitals and Institutions. remarked that the finest work in the world was
2. Rank for military nurses. that done for love.
Members, please note : Lectures will be given by the College member^ put them on the State
at the Club on the third Friday in each month, Register ? Answer : The College Council were
at 7 p.m. waiting to find out what the General Nursing
June
:
i8th. — " Modern Nursing of Fevers," by Council was going to decide. A second question
Miss Stewart, A.R.R.C., Home Sister, South elicited the reply that the College would pay the
Western Hospital. guineas.
— — . — •
year ? Answer /Because it thought the Council Association had tried in vain to meet the over-
proposed was not deniocratic enough. A certain tures of the College. Unity was very desirable
proportion of those elected by the nurses had to be but the R.B.N. A. stood for certain principles,
Matrons, the College Council thought they should and they could be too dearly sold. If the College
all be nurses.* A mernber of the audience here was going to be a College let it take on the functions
pointed out that not one of the merabers of the of one. At present it was not an educational
Council defined in the College Bill need have College any more than the Nation's Fund for
been a meraber of the nursing profession. Nurses was a national fund.
Question (Miss G. Lord) What was the : Miss Steuart Donaldson, the Matron, expressed
standard required for hospitals, for their training her grateful thanks to the speakers for coming
to qualify for the College Register ? Reply : to address the nurses. It was the duty and
Forty occupied beds. responsibility of every Matron to give nurses under
Question (Miss A. Cattell) Had " Nurse : training the opportunity of hearing about, and
Juliet " been found ? Plenty of public money forming an independent opinion on, nursing
had been subscribed to permit of the relief of her politics.
necessities. Reply : Miss Sherriff-Macgregor knew The Chairman remarked that few matrons were
no more of " Nurse Juliet " than the inquirer. so impartial as Miss Donaldson, and extended an
Question (Miss Breay) Was the representative
: invitation to those present to adjourn to the dining
of the College aware that the Society for the State room where coffee was served.
Registration of Trained Nurses was so highly
organised that in 1908 it secured the passage THE IRISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.
of its Nurses' Registration Bill in the House of The usual monthly meeting of the I.N. A. was
Lords, and before that (in 1904) the appointment held at 34, Stephen's Green, Dublin, on June
of a Select Committee of the House of Commons to 5th, Miss Hezlett, R.R.C., President, in the chair.
enquire into the whole question of Nurses' Regis- There was a good attendance. The sub-committee
tration ? for the summer session was appointed as follows : —
Answer Miss SherriffMacgregor was understood
:
Misses Huxley, Carson-Rae, O'Flynn, Carre,
to say that she was aware ot it. Thornton. A letter from the Cork Nurses'
Question (Miss Breay) Were nurses who joined
:
Association was read asking the co-operation of
the College of Nursing, Ltd., informed before doing thei I.N. A. and sending full details of their proposed
so that they were liable to be removed by the scheme tor aiding Poor- Law Nurses. The National
Council from its Register without power of appeal ? Council of Women of Great Britain and Ireland
Miss Sherriff Macgregor was slurring over this wrote asking for three representatives at their
question when it was pointed out to her that she annual meeting in Bristol. Misses Huxley,
had not answered it. Carson-Rae and Michie were selected. Miss
Answer: There was nothing to say a nurse Rohde was accepted as a member.
could not appeal of course, she could appeal.
;
Miss Breay said that reference to its Memoran- VENEREAL DISEASE PREVENTION.
dum and Articles of Association would show that Lord Willoughby de Broke presided on June 3rd
absolute power was given to the College Council over the annual meeting of the National Council
to remove a nurse's name from its Register as for the Prevention of Venereal Disease, held at
it might in its discretion think proper, without I, Wimpole Street, London, W. He strongly
giving her an opportunity of defending herself. condemned the " policy of suppression " adopted
Question (A Visitor) Must a nurse have three
:
by the Government in all matters relating to
years' training before being eligible for member- venereal disease, and moved a resolution asking
ship. Reply.—Yes. that the Ministry of Health should authorise
Questions Addresseq to Miss Macdonald. chemists to supply means of self-disinfection,
Question (A Member of the Nursing Staff of which they are prevented from doing under
the L.T.H.) Could she say why the new Society
:
Act of Parliame.it. Dr. Saleeby said he believed
came into being when there were such excellent that the diseases were on the increase, despite
societies already in existence ? official statements and " explanations." The
Reply It was a question of employment and
:
resolution was carried.
labour. The Royal Association of Nurses was
in the hands of the nurses, that was why a number
MEDALS FOR NURSES.
There was a large attendance in the Board Room of
of Matrons objected to it. She has known
the Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, when the
instances of Matrons writing to nurses to advise
Chairman, Mr. E. C. Bell, presided at the distribution
them not to j oin it. The College was the empl oyers' of medals and certificates to the nurses successful at
organisation. Its government was in the hands the recent examination. Mrs. Stirling, wife of the
of persons in the control of Hospital Boards. President, distributed the honourable awards.
The awards were : Gold medal, Nurse Harrison ;
•To prove how misleading was this reply, the fact is that Certificates, Nurses
not one nurse was recommended to the Minister for nomina- Silver medal, Nurse Brocklehurst ;
tion on to the General Nursing Council by the College Bird, Skinner, Sydenham, Exoley, Symons, Richardson,
—
Council all its representatives are Matrons. Wilkins, Routley, Lembourne, Allen, Balkwill, Edwards.
; —
APPOINTMENTS. HONOURS.
MATRON. BIRTHDAY HONOURS.
Hospital for Women, Soho Square. —Miss Mabel Kaisar-i-Hind Medal.
Mehew has been appointed Matron. She was trained The King has been graciously pleased on the occasion
at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, and has held the of His Majesty's Birthday, to make the following
positions of Ward Sister, Theatre Sister, and Assistant awards of the " Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for Public
Matron at that hospital. Services in India " of the First Class :—
National Hospital for Diseases of the Heart, West- Plamondon, Rev. Mother Sacramento Clara, Sister,
—
moreland St., W. 'Miss Gertrude Morris has been in St. Joseph's Leper Asylum, Burma.
appointed Matron. She was trained at the St. Mary- Webb, Miss Millicent Vere, Lady Superintendent,
lebone Infirmary, where she subsequently held the Dufferin Victoria Hospital, Calcutta, Bengal.
position of Sister. She has also been Sister-House-
Order of the British Empire,
keeper and Assistant-Matron at St. Pancras Infirmary,
and Sister at the Third London General Hospital, K.B.E. (Civil Division).
Wandsworth. Dundas-Grant, James, Esq., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.S.,
Haslam Maternity Home and Infant Hospital, Ravens- eminent aural specialist.
—
wood, Heaton, Bolton. -Miss Clara Jane Baron has been allied decorations.
appointed Matron. She was trained at the Liverpool
British War Service Recognised.
Royal Infirmary, and has been for five years District
"The King has been pleased, by Warrants under his
Midwife at St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, has done
private nursing, one year Military Nursing as Matron Majesty's Royal Sign Manual, to grant permission to
or Sister-in-Charge, and has been for six years Matron wear the following decorations, which have been
of the Victoria Nursing Institution, Ripon.
conferred in recognition of valuable services rendered
Park Hospital, Leeds, now taken over by the Pension John Smith, Esq. (Comite Britannique Croix Rouge
Frangaise). Miss Edith Mary Pye, Directress of the
Board. She served in the same hospital throughout
English Lying-in Hospital of the Society of Friends at
the war, and has received the Royal Red Cross
Chalons.
(Second Class).
SiSTER.r FORF.ION DECORATIONS.
Haslam Maternity Home and Infant Hospital, Heaton, Conferred by the King of the Belgians.
Bolton.—Miss L. E. Evans and Miss Margaret E. Medaille de la Reine Elisabeth avec Croix
Keohanes have been appointed Sisters. The former Rouge.
was trained at Wolverhampton Infirmary, and has
Nursing Sister E. M. Pratt, Uganda Med. Serv.
experience in Infirmary, women's and Military nursing, ;
Nurse. She was trained at Firvale Hospital, Sheffield. T.F. Nurs. Ser. Matron M. McDougall, T.F. Nurs.
;
Ser.
" En Bronze."
QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE INSTITUTE Medaille des Epidemies
Staff Nurse A. C. Weller, Vol. Aid Detacht.
Transfers and Appointments.
Miss Eva Maguire is appointed to Kent C.N. A. as .
Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francaise.
County Superintendent Miss Catherine M. Williams
; Bydecree of the President of the French Republic
is appointed to East Suffolk C.N.A. as County Super- the medal of the Reconnaissance Francaise has been
intendent ; Deadman is appointed to
Miss Edith conferred, with the following citations on Dr. Noel
West Sussex C.N.A. as Assist. Superintendent Miss ; Bardswell, specialist in chest diseases, who put his
Amy H. Hyde to Somerset C.N.A. as an Assist. scientific knowledge at the disposition of the British
Superintendent Miss Ella G. Anderson to Bdsham
; Committee of the French Red Cross, and who con-
Miss Helen F. Barry to Kilburn Miss Beatrice M.
; tributed largely to the good working of the agricultural
Booth to Sheffield Miss Gertrude E. Davies to
; colony opened at the Chateau de Silley for consump-
Somercotes Miss Lilian Fairweather to Sacriston
;
;
tives.
Miss May Griffiths to Wetherby Miss Sarah E. ; The medal has also been conferred on Miss Cicely
Hutton to Winster and Crosthwaite Miss Nellie E. ; C. du Sautoy, Lady Superintendent in important
Jones to Wetherby Miss Grace M. Rider to Brighton
;
;
hospital centres from September, 19 16, to December,
Miss Eva M. Sutton to Leicester Miss Elizabeth L.
; 19 18. Has been remarked for her zeal, her devotion
Thomson to Bideford. and her competence.
Zhc »ritt0b Journal of Tlurstnfi. 347
Junfi 12, 1920
But the atmosphere of the harvest field, its TURNING THE TABLES.
ripeness and glow seemed to be still about her.
Rachel was born to attract, and, in spite of her It was very sultry, and Nurse's bag was heary
healthy occupation, incense offered at her shrine and her feet ached, and altogether she was very
was by no means distasteful to her. glad that she had arrived at her last case of the
Janet, her friend and partner, her elder by five mornirg.
years, was only tenderly amused at her. Maggie was a hip case, an elfin child that n<
All Rachel's foibles as far as she knew them, were amount of washing ever made look really fresh.
pleasant to her. They were in that early stage of And oh dear Nurse's heart sank at the lively
!
new friendship when all is glamour. Janet's company that were doing their best gymnastics
verdict was, " She is a darling, but a mystery." in Maggie's bed.
She was a greater mystery than faithful Janet " Did you give your mother my message,
had any idea of. All went well and Rachel, in after I left yesterday, Maggie ?
"
spite of that mysterious something in her life, " What you says about the fleas. Nurse ?
seemed to be heart and soul in her work until the " Yes ! Did you tell her that I said she must
disturbing element of love, the devoted love of "
get rid of them ?
Captain Ellesborough of the American Army, once " Yus I telled 'er, and she says she can't under-
more caused the waters of her life to be troubled. stand there bein' any at all, she says she never
Then the secret of her life had to be see sich a thing till you come, she says."
divulged. Not only was she an innocently No adequate reply occurring to Nurse, she
divorced wife —
which Mrs. Humphry Ward finished her work in silence, and then went home
appears to consider no bar to re-marriage but — and took a bath.
poor Rachel had at the time of her husband's
brutality put herself out of court by seeking the COMING EVENTS.
protection of another man.
This, of course, was not an easy problem for
—
June 15th. National Union of Trained Nurses.
The Viscountess Rhondda opens Club, 46,
Rachel to solve alone. She decides to tell her Marsham Street, S.W. 5.30 p.m.
lover of her first marriage and to leave buried the
other incident which she so bitterly regretted.
—
June x8tn. National Union of Trained Nurses.
Lecture. " Modern Nursing of Fevers," by Miss
There is a dramatic conclusion to the enigma Stewart, A.R.R.C. Home Sister, South Western
when Rachel, on Janet's advice, writes a full Hospital. 46, Marsham Street, S.W. 7 p.m.
confession to the man she loves.
He does not fail her and answers to the supreme
—
June igth. Poor Law Infirmary Matrons'
•
To look for the best in every man — A WORD FOR THE WEEK.
That's pep " Every
'
!
(JGM
AND
SICK
ROOM
•UISITES
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
The Midwife,
CENTRAL MIDWIVES' BOARD. Singleton, A. Tall, H J Tuddenham, S. M.
Whitehead.
'Maternity Nursing Association —
A. O. Adcock,
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. M. S. Fordyce, E. D. Grinstead, F. E. Holloway.
At the Examination of the Central Midwives' E. C. Hunt, W. S. James, E. Kearney, H. M. R.
Board, held in London and the Provinces on Korte, C. C. Morley, M. M. Nave, E. M. Parkinson,
May 4th, 1920, 816 candidates were examined, A E Smith, E. J. G. Thomas.
and 660 passed the examiners. The percentage of —
Middlesex Hospital. E. A. Browne, C. Butler,
failures was 19. i. N. M. H. Clisby, M. A. Kewley, M. A. G. Scott,
London. F. A. Stapleford, N. Wells.
British Hospital for Mothers and Babies. — Plaistow Maternity Charity. E. Baker, — J.
A. M. K. Orpen, M. Ward. Bancroft, A. Bibby, W. K. Bishop, E. Blarney,
Bury House and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson F. Bowen, J. M. Carter, P. Chambers, F. S. Clarke,
Hospital. —
J. M. Godfrey,
Hughes, W. M. Newbrook.
M. Hughes, M. L. E. H. Copley, F. M. B. Day, R. Dunn, F. M.
Dymond, M. Evans, M. A. Fancy, E. M. Firth,
City of London Maternity Hospital. A. M — A. M. Forsyth, F. E. Halliday, F. M. Harpin.
Alexander, M. S. Andrews, F. C. Angell, K. I E. M. Heugh, E. M. Hinde-Richardson, K. E,
Barnitt, J. M. Carruthers, D. Cooper, A. E Ind, J. Jolly, M. I. Kirton, E. I. Knowles, S. E.
Draper, O. M. Francis, E. C. Juniper, A. Loveless Larter, V. C. Lawes, E. M. A. Locke, D. M.
H. J. Miller, L. Millier, F. M. Muir, M. G. Neville Macdonald, S. W. Mattocks, M. L. Mock, E. M.
L B. Paterson, E. M. Powell, M. A. Sergeant, E Nelder, E. Owen, D. M. Pack, G. N. Prichard,
Smith, A. A. Spice, E. E. Squire, J. D. I. Waugh E. M. Rann, J. Ridley, A. Roberts, F. H. Rooney,
E. A. Willcox, E. Williams, A. Willson. M. L. St. George, H. L. K. Shurben, E. Silver, E. J.
—
Clapham Maternity Hospital. H. Barton, H. M Smith, E. Smith, M. Thomas, F. A. Warren, E. A.
Borrer, A. Cockshott, B. R. Cullwick, G. Dance Wheatley, F. M. Wood, E. E. Woodcock.
S. M. Davies, D. L. Earl, A. M. H. Fell, K. M —
Queen Charlotte's Hospital. E. F. Ambler,
GoodlifEe, G. L. Hayward, S. Hood, I. M. Knight B. M. Berridge, I. M. Comber, R. E. E. Comford,
H. MacWilliam, M. C. E. Trethowan, H. Walton M. Davev, A. E. Edgely, F. E. EUingham.
K. Wingrave. G. M. Flack, D. E. Flannery M. M. Fox, W.
—
East End Mothers' Home. I. S. Aldous, A. E. A George, F. M. Hancock, B Handy, E. Hunt,
Bishop, K. M. Carmody, M. Edwards, M. E A. L. Hurn, F. M. M. Huxtable, R. M. Isaac,
Edwards, E. J. Eraser, E. Greenwood, E. Heap E. C. M. Jones, M. Kilner, F. M. Kirkby, A. M.
L. E. Henderson, E. S. King, E. G. Labey, A. M Lansdown, E. Lavender, E. M. Laverick, D. Lee,
Machell, E. Matthews, G. M. Palmer, C. Thornton E. D. Ling, S. McCann, J. N. Maxted, M. Milne,
Edmonton Union Infirmary. E. Cole, K. A— E. M. Nettleship, D. H. Parkyn, M. M. Pemberton,
Fyson, J. L. Vaux. H. L. Phillips, E. Pike, R. M. Richardson, I.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. G. A — Search, V. D. Sellers, E. A. Shaw, A. M. Smith,
Allen, LA. Dumbell, G. F. Parkinson. L. M. Stratford, A. Tait, N. Taun, M. Taylor.
General Lying-in Hospital. —A. C. Aspray. C. Thomas, R. Vowler, E. J. Walther, F. S.
J. M. M. Budgen, M. G. Burtt, E. M
Brittain, K. Wattson, A. M. Webster, G. Wharton, A. E.
Doubleday, G. M. Fairhead, E. Gaskell, J. A Williams, G. N. E. Williams.
Gooden, F. M. Heany, C. C. Hillier, A. J. Hodge Queen Mary's Hospital for the East End. F. E. —
M. Jones, C. B. Lovegrove, D. Newman, S. E Aris, J. G. M. Blackmore, E. E.G. Davies.
Nunn, F. E. Peyton, J. A. Pring, M. C. Reavley Salvation Army Mothers' Hospital. G. Aston, —
C. M. M. Reeder, j! Roberts, L. K. Roberts C, Bamford, E. Blackburn, A. Clark, E. Harris,
A. Winstone, M. Young. S. Paludan, R. Saunders, A. W. Smith.
—
Greenwich Union Infirmary. ^M. B. Gillespie Shoreditch Union Infirmary.— 'K. E. Kelly, M. T.
—
Guy's Institution. V. M. Carroll, H. M. Collins Morgan.
B. M. Dearman, D. J. Dudeney, M. H. Goddard St. —
E. E. P. Campbell.
Bartholomew's Hospital.
J. H. Howes, L. G. Mannell, E. J. Monsell, W Marylebone Workhouse Infirmary. G. E.
St. —
Russell. Leveleux, B. Marlow, E. M. Tamplin.
Hammersmith, Parkside Maternity Hospital. — St. Thomas' Hospital.— K. T. Down, E. Dyer.
E. B. Welch. University College Hospital. E. J. —Browne,
Ilford Council Maternity Home. —
L. Cromack, E. L. Clarke, M. G. Gill.
M. L. Wright. Wandsworth Union Workhouse. ^A. Barbour, —
—
Jewish District Maternity Society. G. P. Asher. F. K. R. Harvey, E. E. Stanfield.
—
Lambeth Union Infirmary. H. M. Darch, W. M. —
West Ham Workhouse. L. L. Dillow, D. N.
Edgar, J. M. Linder.- Neale, M. G. Sutherland, E. Teasdale.
—
London Hospital. H. E. Cockrell, K. S. Cole, —
Whitechapel Union Infirmary. L. Corbett, M.
A. M. English, L. H. M. Fellingham, D. Hadley, Edwards.
D. E. Liley, V. A. Morley, J. W. Norton, H. B. (
To he concluded.)
35» ^be BrltiBh Journal of flureing Supplement /""« i^, 1920
CLAPHAM MATERNITY HOSPITAL. 1916 as in i860. The mothers of the nation had
been ignored.
ANNUAL MEETING. The work for some reason did not appeal largely
The Clapham Maternity Hospital held its to the educated classes. They took their b', CM
31st annual meeting on June 8th at the Hospital, as they would a certificate in music or drawing
Jeffreys Road, S.W. The patroness, the Marchion- merely as an asset. Women would not undertake
ess of Dufferin and Ava, presided. work that' interfered with their week-end or with
Dr. Annie McCall on inviting the Marchioness their nights in bed. She put this down partly
to occupy the chair, said that it was the first time to an extraordinary lack of imagination.
that they had had the pleasure of her presence in Dr. Annie McCall spoke of the good influence
that capacity. The Marchioness said that when that was felt by the mothers during their fourteen
she first received the invitation she had no doubt days in the hospital and how that she always
;
as to what her answer ought to be, and she felt impressed on the nurses and students that it was
that she must now take an active part instead of for them to see that every mother was better
being a passive patroness. The reason that she because she had been in the hospital She deplored
.
was here for the first time in all these years was that the tendency of the age was for everyone to
that she had been living in Ireland, but now she do on'y what he or she felt inclined to do. She
had come to reside in England. lamented that the 50 beds at their disposal went
She congratulated the Committee on their no way towards their requirements, and she spoke
report, which was so admirably edited. She of a possibility of having to turn the nurses out
considered the contributory system the right one, of their quarters in the adjoining house, and once
as there were thousands unable to pay the expenses more to convert them into wards.
of a nursing home, and yet felt they ought not At the conclusion of the meeting tea was served
to avail themselves of free beds." This class of on the roof, and a goodly company of visitors and
people were quite as worthy of help as any others. nurses did justice to the good things provided,
Miss Marion Ritchie, Treasurer, said that in while admiring the extensive view and enjoying
reckoning the total of patients it must be remem- the sunshine. But the grown-ups were not the
bered that with the exception of food the babies only outdoor guests for infants in various stages
cost the hospital as much as the mothers, in of " newness " were getting sun baths in every
many cases more. available spot, and if they could have spoken they
The total expenses for the year amounted to would no doubt have said " Out of the every-
:
^5,469 6s. 5d., and the total income amounted where into here ! Well it might have been a
to ;^^.3i3- In spite of this they did not owe a brass great deal worse." H. H.
farthing to anyone. The patients contributed
according to their means ; the nurses gave their THE QUEEN AND THE BABIES.
work and the price of their food. On May 31st Her Majesty the Queen visited
When, a short time since, they had to answer the City of London Maternity Hospital, City
a Government enquiry as to the amount of their Road, E.C. and, after watching the weighing of
debts they were able to answer proudly that the babies with much interest, gave great pleasure
they only owed the tradesmen for food for the
by herself placing one of the babies in the scale.
current week.
On June ist, Her Majesty also visited Queen
Mrs. Scharlieb spoke from the point of view of Mary's Maternity Home, Cedar Lawn, Hampstead.
the birthrate and infant mortality. Owing to »
THE
imSiJilllLo'llilSiG WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
TMEM FENWICK EDITED BY MRS BEDFORD
Those pioneers who have studied the history The Duty of Well-Trained Nurses.
of the formation of professions realise that
We own to sympathy with these highly
they gradually evolved through individual
qualified women, but we venture to suggest to
effort, and that, when the men who had pro-
them that it is their professional duty to come
moted and formed them desired State organisa-
forward and place their names on the Registers,
tion and protection for their work, they were
and, in overwhelming numbers, form the
invariably met by the determination of British
electorate which is to build up a highly skilled
Parliaments to protect the existing rights and
profession of nursing in the future, when the
privileges of those earning their living, by
term of grace have expired, and pro-
will
some means or other, in the various professions,
gressively efficient standards of nursing educa-
although many of these had not attained to the
tion and examination will be in force. It is
• standard of knowledge and efficiency which it
onlv by the support of the great body of highly
was desired should be the hall-mark of- those
trained certificated nurses that the General
who, in the future, should be permitted to form
Nursing Councils can effect the necessary re-
the profession.
forms, and, in the near future, the great pro-
Thus, when the Medical, Dental and Mid-
fession of our dreams take concrete form.
wives' Acts were p^laced on the Statute Book,
a period of grace was provided, during which The Advantages of State Registration.
time those who had attained a minimum, in- The most highly trained nurses must also
stead of a maximum, of skill might be placed realise that enrolment on the State Register
on these respective Registers. gives them that legal status without which their
Whether or no this policy is advisable is not work has, for so many years, remained ex-
the question. It is the policy of successive ploitable, and without consideration, and that
Governments, uninformed where standards of without the strong arm of the law, which forms
professional education and efficiency are con- nursing for the first time into a legalised pro^
cerned, and without this concession to British fession, all their individual efforts for sys-
prejudice no profession has been conceded legal tematised education, a one portal examination,
status and future rights of organisation by Act and recognition in Courts of Law (other than
of Parliament, as domestic servants), are in vain. They re-
—— —
tions owe it as a duty to oor colleagues of the (i) Malodorous breath. (2) Unsightliness
future to weld ourselves together en masse as (from irregularities, decay, long teeth). (3)
the solid foundation on which the splendid Pain (toothache, pain inflicted -by dentist, fear
edifice of the Profession of Nursing shall arise. of dentist). (4) Reflex disturbances. (5) De-
Had not the work of the explorers and fective mastication (causing indigestion). (6)
pioneers for this great nursing reform been per- Secondary local disease (abscess and cancer).
sistency opposed, the organisation which we (7) Blood poisoning (arthritis, neuritis). (8)
are attempting to-day would have been effected Economic loss (loss of time need of supplying
;
Pyorrhoea, or socket disease. stances after absorption into the general circu-
Regarding the extent of these among the lation. The second of these aspects seems to be
British, dental irregularities a'-e practically uni- the more fundamental. That the first is also of
versal among us. Some hundred million teeth importance cannot be denied, but she doubts
have been extracted. About the same number whether this is so great ais some think.
have been spontaneously shed. The decayed Mrs. Mellanby is of opinion that some sub-
teeth number some two hundred million there ; stance, known as vitamines or accessory
are about the same number of pyorrhcea food factors, is of primary importance in the
sockets finally there are some twenty million
; normal development and spacing of the teeth.
June 19, 1920 JTbe Brltieb 3ournal ot IRursmg. 355
actively engaged next u'eek. This good vicar's sister has turned up from
.British Columbia after eleven years' absence,
On Monday the Royal British Nurses' Asso-
ciation holds its annual meeting at 11, Chandos
and she is carrying him off by sea to Scotland
Street, W.,
at three p.m.
for a lovely change. She is evidently a very
sensible person, who does not relish the idea
The General Lying-in Hospital's Post
of a " holiday " caravanning among fruit-
Graduate week opens with tea at four p.m.
On Tuesday the Nursing and -Midwifery pickers or " hopping." We don't believe,
Exhibition and Conference opens at noon at however, the devoted vicar of St. Augustine's
will really enjoy rest of mind unless someone
the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square,
S.W., and continues for four days. sends more pennies for his poor people left
On Thursday the three days' Conference of behind. Many nurses know of this fine mis-
sion work in the East End, and might perhaps
the Incorporated Society of Trained Masseuses
opens at the Mortimer Hall, Mortimer Street, bring it to the notice of friends with the
W. On the same day an interesting gathering
'
wherewithal.
' Don't forget that hundreds of
'
'
Many nurses are enquiring if, and where, " My God, what waste of glorious blood to
they can apply for admission to the State Re-
keep safe and alive old women like you I"
gister. Webeg to assure them that directly
Then she whisked the dust off ber shoes with a
the conditions under which applications will be
nice clean handkerchief and departed !
more should be done, by those benefitted, to give shade the windows, and a restful couch and easy
honourable status to those skilled in household chairs, with small tables at hand invite relaxation
management, and the good care of children. The President, Miss Helen Pearse, with Miss M,
Rimmer, Hon. Organising Secretary, Miss N.
Farrant, Hon. Secretary, and members of the-
From over the country County Nursing
all Executive Committee, received the members and
Associations deplore the shortage of nurses. guests, and shortly after 5.30 an adjournment
Their system of short training and using was made to the garden. Here Miss Farrant
certified midwives as nurses under a three- presented Lady Rhondda with a lovely sheaf of
years' contract no longer appeals to conscien- carnations, and Miss Pearse, from the chair,
tious women who wish to qualify for the Nur- welcomed her to the Club, and read telegrams from
sing Profession. We
hope the General Nur- Miss Eden and Miss Marsters regretting their
when its rules are in absence and wishing it good luck. After Miss
sing Council's influence
Cancellor had given a brief resume of the history
force will do much substitute a system of
to
of the National Union of Trained Nurses, Lady
thoroughly trained and registered nurses (paid Rhondda, in a few words, declared the club open
as such) for the rural poor, for the present in- and said that she was enormously impressed by
sufficiently trained so-called " nurse-midwife." the fascinating old house in which it was located..
She hoped the Club would be a great success.
The coroner at Egham commended Nurse
Norton and an attempt to
ex-officer for their
save the life of a patient —also
an ex-officer
THE PREVENTION OF VENEREAL
who jumped through a window of a nursing DISEASE.
home. Together they gripped the one leg Weregret that owing to similarity of title, we-
until he wrenched himself free, and fell head ascribed the work as reported at its first annual
first on the stones below, and killed hlimself. meeting, of the Society for the Prevention of
The verdict on the poor fellow was " Suicide Venereal Disease, to the National Council for
Combating Venereal Diseases.
whilst temporarily insane." To judge from These two societies are both attempting to-
such reports, which are frequent, these suf-
combat the ravages of Venereal Disease, but the
ferers, to whom we should be eternally grate- Society for the Prevention of Venereal Disease-
ful, have never recovered from the terrible strongly advocates the provision of means of
strain of the war. immediate self -disinfection against venereal
disease, to which the National Council is opposed ;
Captain Ganzio Garibaldi and Captain D. and is urging upon the Ministry of Health, and
Palazzoi, on behailf of Italian soldiers, placed a local authorities, to instruct chemists to sell such
wreath last Saturday on the Nurse Cavell memo- means of immediate self-disinfection as may
be approved from time to time by the Ministry of"
rial in the presence of a large crowd, including
Health, or Medical Officer of Health.
representatives of the Italian colony in London. With this logical policy we confess ourselves,
Captain Garibaldi and others made speeches. in sympathy.
June 19, 1920 JLbc »ritt0b Journal of IJlurstna. 357
French Nurses laying a splendid floral tribute at the foot of the noble bas-relief Memorial to
the late Edith Caveil, unveiled on June 12th at Paris.
Our only regret is that the British Govern- French martyr responded the sublime example
ment was not represented by a British nurse at of the British heroine. History would link
this moving ceremony, in which the magnificent their names for ever.
life and glorious death of one of our colleagues The ceremony closed with the recitation of a
were extolled. commemorative ode by Mme. Moreno, of the
The monument is a fine work of art, and a Com6die Fran9aiSe, and the placing of a tribute
worthy memorial, and represents Miss Caveil of flowersby French nurses, whose decorations
lying on the ground in her nurse's uniform, while showed that they too had served in the field.
the author of the murder is indicated by a German Thus Paris possesses on an historic emplacement
helmet. Above the recumbent body is an alle- the image eternally living of one of Britain's
goric figure wrapped in graceful robes, floating noblest women.
—
"
GUILD OF ST. BARNABAS FOR NURSES. Taking for his text the well-worn word " Fusion
(non-political), he admirably moulded it to fit the
ANNUAL FESTIVAL. lifeand needs of the members of the Guild. The
right kind of fusion, he said, was that which knit
Following the precedent of " elder years," the the personal with the vocational, the womanhood
forty-fifth anniversan/ of the Guild was marked, of the nurse with her profession.
this year, on St. Barnabas' Day,* with the same The meeting sent a message to Mr. Bell Cox,
happy fusion of lavish hospitality, fruit, flowers and Chaplain of the Liverpool Branch, Fidei Defensor,
friendship. The festival of Tea (which is a com- who for the first time for many years was unable
prehensive word, and means much more besides) to be present.
spread itself over two hours, in the hall of the The meeting terminated with the blessing pro-
Church of the Holy Redeemer, Clerkenwell, where nounced by the Bishop of Nyasaland. The
nurses kept dropping in as it suited their con- Bishop of Grahamstown was also on the platform.
venience, to partake of tea and coffee and multi-
B. K.
farious cakes, to the tune of happy greetings and
conversations informal and unrestrained. The
special office for the anniversary was afterwards THE BABIES' HOTEL.
said in the church by the Chaplain-General the
—
Rev. E. F. Russell, and the sermon which must On June iith. Her Royal Highness Princess
—
have greatly impressed the hearers was preached Christian formally opened the American Red
by the Lord Bishop of Grahamstown. Taking Cross Babies' Home, and Training School for
his text from the Epistle for the day : 7 hen the Children's Nurses, which is situated in Glebe
disciples every, man according to his ability, deter- Place, Stoke Newington. The Home has been
mined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in running for a year, but from various causes the
Judcea, which also they did by the hands of Barnabas formal opening has been from time to time post-
and Saul, the Bishop emphasised the point that poned. This is another venture for the relief
the office of intermediary or agent was one of the of the professional classes. As the small inmates
highest importance, because the Almighty always are drawn from that source alone, applications
makes use of intermediaries when He desires to for admission are only entertained on the distinct
convey any kind of blessing. These human agents understanding that the parent or parents of the
were the carriers of temporal blessings of great children are from one cause or another unable
necessity. " Man in his completeness belongs to make a home for them. Some of the babies
entirely to God,'.' and duties and responsibilities are the children of war widows who are obliged
follow naturally upon the endowment of gifts. to earn their own living. Some of actors and
Pointing to the analogy of the mirse receiving the actresses on tour, some are motherless and their
gifts of her training and her skill, the preacher fathers abroad, and so on. The charge for
remarked that they had been given for the benefit maintenance is on a sliding scale according to
of others, and that if the powers bestowed were means, and the decision is made by a committee
used primarily for the glory of God, the profession — the minimum £1 is., and maximum-;^2 12s. 6d.
of nursing became a vocation. The friends of course provide the clothes. These
Part HI of the festival comprised the business fees are not sufficient to meet expenses (as the
meeting not entirely grave, nor yet entirely gay,
; accommodation is for eighteen only). It was
but containing the elements of both. This was hoped that the fees of the pupil nurses would cover
held in the Finsbury Town Hall, which was packed the deficit. This however has not proved to be
with an audience of probably four or five hundred the case, as a sufficient number of pupils willing
nurses. The pleasure felt by all at the sight of the to pay for their training has not been forthcoming.
Chaplain-General, recovered from his recent The committee have therefore decided to give
serious illness, and in his usual place in the chair, a free training with board and lodging, in return
was marked by deafening applause scarcely less
; for work.
was that which greeted the announcement that the Each pupil has the entire charge, under trained
—
Superior, Mrs. Gardner affectionately known by supervision of two babies, for whom she has to
the title she loves so well, the" Guild Mother," do everything and she has to take her turn
;
had been re-elected for a f urthe^term of three years. every alternate fortnight in sleeping in the room
In a few well-chosen words she responded grace- with three or four of her little charges. She
fully to her electors. Miss Wood's appearance on has to prepare their meals, wash their " woollies,"
the platform was also warmly applauded. play with them, and in fact learn and practise
The Bishop of Nyasaland spoke for a few entire " baby craft."
minutes about the work of his diocese, and told A
charming pair of old houses has been secured
how readily the Guild nurses always responded to facing on to Clissold Park.
his appeal for workers. He did not know what The day room of the tiny babies is panelled and
Miss Simpkin meant, but she had bid him ask distempered in pink, and in each panel some
the nurses to secure and send out gifts of B.I. P. talented artist has painted
in oils studies of
The popular Archdeacon of London did not animal life —bunny
rabbits, cockadoodles, moo-
fail us, which means that he did not cheat us cows, and many others of a nature to fascinate
out of the hearty laugh he always calls forth. small folk. But all in vain were the cocks crowing
June 19, 1920 JLbe 3Bntt9h Jountal ot IRurstng. 359
and the hens clucking on the afternoon of our HONOURS FOR NURSES.
visit, forthe babies " to a man " were outside in
the charming garden, lying in their Treasure Cots, The King held an Investiture at Buckingham
or toddling around listening to real thrushes Palace on June 8th, and bestowed the following
singing in the bushes. The dormitories contain honours : —
at most four cots, with a bed for the pupil nurse The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
on duty. Officers.
In the young babies' room the trained nurse Matron Edith Lyde, Queen Alexandra's Imperial
and the Matron take it in turns to sleep. Every- Military Nursing Service.
thing is simple and plain and the cots are covered The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
with pretty chintz, which in the case of the tinies Miss Emma Dodd, Territorial Force Nursing Service,
is patterned with rose-buds. and Sarah, Mrs. O'Keefe, British Red Cross Society.
The Home runs its own laundry, where anything, The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
up to a thousand pieces, is turned out weekly. Miss Nellie Thompson, Civil Nursing Service.
When one presently was introduced to the babies, Miss Helen Montfort, British Red Cross Society.
this apparently large amount became understand- Miss Enid Bazley, Miss Ermyntrude de TrafEord,
able. In the kitchen the tea for the " toddlers " and Miss Jeannette Gaydon, Voluntary Aid Detach-
ment.
was being prepared by a pupil. On delightful Miss Eliza Covey, South African Army Medical Corps.
crockery, with pictures of " puff-puffs," were spread
dainty jam sandwiches, bread and butter, and The Military Medal.
sponge fingers. The art of preparing meals is Miss Marie McGrath, Queen Alexandra's Imperial
evidently not overlooked in the training. Military Nursing Service Reserve, and Miss Katherine
Lowe, Territorial Force Nursing Service.
And then last, but not least, out in the two
gardens were the babies themselves.
His Majesty the King held an Investiture at Bucking-
At the risk of being open to a charge of flattery, ham Palace on June i ith, when he bestowed the
we say we have seldom or never seen a more ollowing Orders and Decorations.
charming collection of healthy and pretty children,
or any more beautifully kept. The Most Excellent Order of the British
Dainty cambric frocks, spotless " woollies," Empire.
bright heads, faultless finger nails, heaven —
Commanders. Military Division Matron Jane
:
It was visiting day we chanced upon and here Edith Appleton, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military
\ and there was an adoring mother making the most Nursing Service Reserve (also received the Royal Red
of limited time with her particular treasure. Cross (First Class).
Under the trees was a little child in a swing The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
gurgling with delight as his particular nurse Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing
administered this form of enjoyment. In a pram Service Reserve.— Miss Elizabeth Baillie, Miss Marion
was a small thing in a white suit with pockets new Barwell, Miss Ida Brooke, and Miss Maud Plaskitt.
to greet the Princess. —
Territorial Force Nursijtg Service. ^Miss Mary Bate,
Tea in the gardens on miniature tables with Miss Gertrude Bulman, Miss Annie Leech, and Miss
miniature chairs in position. Could anything be Ada Peppier.
more attractive on a June afternoon ? And if
Civil —
Nursing Service.- -Miss Margaret Macmillan.
# Voluntary Aid Detachment.—Ma,y, Mrs. MacWatters.
the mothers go away with an ache in their hearts,
surely it must be alleviated by the thought of all The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
the love and care with which their children are Queen Alexandra's ImperialMilitary Nursing
surrounded. Service. —'Miss Lilian Newland and Miss Jane Young.
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
The Lady Superintendent, Mrs. Paull, is not a —
Service Reserve.- Miss Mary Brown, Miss Jessie Morty,
trained nurse, though she has had much experience Miss Ada Murray, Miss Ann O'Donnell, Miss Daisy
with healthy children. Perry, and Miss Evelyn Pike.
She thinks that healthy children should be Territorial Force —
Nursing Service. 'Miss Violet
treated from a health standpoint, and not from Beamish, Miss Lucy Bowman, Miss Beatrice Brayshaw,
a sick nurse's point of view. A trained nurse is, Miss Margaret Briggs, and Miss Annie Fishwick.
however, always in residence in case of ailments, Civil Nursing Service .—M.iss Julia Armstrong.
and a domestic science mistress comes in to give
—
British Red Cross Society. -Maud, Mrs. Burridge,
Miss Amelia Cargill, Miss Barbara Jefferys, Miss Sarah
lectures to the pupils. Certainly under Mrs. Norfield, Miss Alice Phillips, and Miss May Purdie.
PauU's care the children are blooming like the Voluntary Aid Detachment.-^Edith, Mrs. FaUnce,
roses this month. Miss Rosamond Le Cocq, and Miss Daisy Russell.
There is a " but " to everything, and it is the
same "but" that applies to every institution The Military Medal.
—
nowadays the Hostel wants funds. Miss Beatrice Dascombe, Queen Alexandra's Imperial
Military Mursing Service Reserve; Miss Maude
A great opportunity to girls wishing to train as De Guerin, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military
children's nurses is offered in this Home. Nursing Service Reserve Geneste, Mrs. Beeton,
;
LETTER FROM HER ROYAL HIGHNESS sister were working.Many of the patients were
actually buried in debris, although, ultimately,
THE PRESIDENT. with one exception, all were saved. As the bomb-
ing proceeded, however, those in other parts of the
The following letter has been received from hospital were less fortunate for we learn that two
H.R.H. the President, in acknowledgement of an medical officers were killed and no less than seven
expression of sympathy from the Executive nursing orderlies.
Committee on the death of the Crown Princess' of Her fellow members of tlie Royal British Nurses'
Sweden :
Association warmly congratulate Miss Low^e on
78, Pall Mall, the acknowledgment at the hands of His Majesty
May 20th, 1920. of her courage and resourcefulness which saved,
Dear Mrs. Campbell Thomson, Many thanks — many lives under her care.
for your kind letter conveying to me the message
of sympathy from the Executive Committee and THE FIRST REGISTER OF TRAINED
the Members of the Corporation on the death of
my beloved niece the Crown Princess of Sweden. NURSES.
May I ask you to express to the Executive Commit- The Executive Committee, at its last meeting,
tee and the Corporation my sincere gratitude for came to the decision to close the Register of
their sympathy, which I value greatly. My dear Trained Nurses, although the Membership Roll'
Association has never failed me in its kind will, of course,be continued as before. Now that
interest and sympathy in my joys and sorrows. the State Register is about to be established.
Believe me, most sincerely yours, Registration under any authority other than the
Helena, St^te will be valueless to the nurses, and the
Committee consider that it would mislead both
President of the Royal British Nurses'
the nurses and the public if the Chartered Associa-
Association.
tion continued to promote a Register. Henceforth,
in the eyes of the law there will be only one
MILITARY MEDAL AWARD. official Register, and we close down an important
We are pleased to note that at the Investiture part of the work of the Corporation with the
held on Tuesday, June 8th, Miss Katherine consciousness that it is giving up a function
Robertson Lowe, M.R.B.N.A. received the which we have long desired should be undertaken
Military Medal for conspicuous bravery. The by the State itself. Looking back to the fijst
report in connection with this particular award Register of Trained Nurses, that established by
runs as follows :
for the protection of their profession and the with less than our best, but there are others besides
advancement of their own interests. Three years' myself who feel that the\?^ ov/e to her their successful
trained nurses only are admitted to membership careers, and her memory will ever be held in
of the Corporation, and scrutiny of the qualifica- strong affection and respect by the nurses whom
tions of those desirous of joining it will be as she trained at Dr. Steevens' Hospital.
scrupulous as in the past, so that the general Cecilia Liddiatt, M.R.B.N.A.
public will still continue to regard membership of
the Corporation as the hall-mark of a very highly INSPECTOR.QENERAL MACLEAN, R.N.
qualified nurse. It iswith deep regret that we have to report
the death of Inspector-General Maclean, R.N.,
MEETINGS. who was a member of the General Council of the
Corporation. General Maclean was the son of the
Members are reminded that the Annual General
Meeting of the Association takes place at 11, Rev. Alexander Maclean, D.D., of Kiltearn,
Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, on Monday, Ross-shire. He entered the Royal Navy as an
assistant surgeon in 1862, having obtained his
2ist inst., at 3 p.m.
commission on August 14th of that year. He
We also desire to bring to their notice the meet-
served first on Her Majesty's ships Severn and
ing to be held this (Saturday) afternoon, when
Pantaloon, and later on the Challenger, while on
Miss Klaassen will speak on the " Organisation of
its voyage of scientific exploration round the
Visiting and District Nursing."
world. After this he served on various ships
and in naval hospitals. In 1883, he was awarded
HAMPSTEAD COUNCIL OF SOCIAL the Gilbert Blane Medal for Naval Officers, and
was promoted to the rank of Fleet Surgeon and in
WELFARE. 1898 to the rank of Inspector-General.
We have received from Mrs. Atherton Earp, Dr. Maclean had a very varied career, indeed,
M.R.B.N.A., Educational Organiser to the above and served in almost every part of the empire.
Council, the Biennial Report for 19 18 and 19 19. One of his most treasured possessions was some
The keynote of the Council's administrative work beautiful old silver presented to him by H.R.H.
appears to have been an attempt to combine the late Duke of Edinburgh. The late Inspector-
strict economy with a steady progress in recon- General took a, very close interest in the Association,
struction. The activities of the Council are and was keenly observant of the progress of the
evidently exceedingly varied and one can think of Central Committee's Bill last summer. Although
no branch of infant welfare work which does not very reserved, his quiet courtesy and kindliness
find a place somewhere in its scheme. All kinds brought him a very large circle of friends, all of
of lectures dealing with matters of importance whom held in very high respect this very upright
to the mothers have been given, and Mrs. Earp and very perfect gentleman" of Her Late Majesty's
'
'
appears to have been particularly energetic in this Royal Navy. Isabel Macdonald,
respect, for we constantly come across her name Secretary to the Corporation..
under very varied subject headings of lectures. 10, Orchard Street, W.i
—
—
(Stand 2a). The valuable specialities of this reason to be grateful. The AUenburys " Milk .
firm (who are the British purchasers of the Food," " Malted Food," " Diet," &c., are of world-
Sanatogen Co.) are Sanatogen, the original tonic wide repute, and their Pancreatised Milk Cocoa
food, Formamint, the trustworthy mouth and is both a food and a delightful beverage.
throat disinfec ant in tablet form, releasing Messrs. Colman & Co., Wincarnis Works,
nascent formaldehyde, and Genasprin, which
.
(Stand 1 a) are showing the Marmet Baby Car, the as a restorative tonic.
many advantages of which must be seen .to be Virol, Ltd.. 148-168, Old Street, London,
fully appreciated.
Sanagen Co., Ltd., Sheepcote Lane, Battersea.
—
E.C. I (Stand 7B). Virol is as our readers are
aware, a scientific combination of foods rich in
(Stands 11 and i6a) will have, at its rose decorated Vitamines. Tlie nutritive value of Virol has been
stand, many features of special interest to nurses. proved practically for many years in the feeding
An attractive offer made by this firm in connection of infants and young children as well as adtilts.
with the Exhibition, is a gift of a week's S;ince the recognition of the paramount importance
free holiday at the palatial Redcliff Hotel, in the of Vitamines has been scientifically proved,
heart of the glorious Devon Riviera, for the Virol, Ltd., stand out as the pioneers in the use of
Matron, Sister, and Nurse who send in the three animal fats rich in Vitamines for children.
best reports of the success following the use of The British Journal of Nursing (The
Sanagen. Further information can be obtained Nursing Press, Ltd.), 431, Oxford Street, London,
at the Stand, or by post from the Sanagen Co.,
Ltd., Battersea, London, S.W.ii.
—
W. I (Stand 29B). As usual. The British
Journal of Nursing and other professional
J. G. Ingram & Co.,
Hackney Wick, E.9. publications supplied through the Nursing Press,
—
(Stand 25A.). The Ingram exhibit will comprise Ltd., will be in evidence. Do not forget that The
the high-class surgical rubber goods of this firm, British Journal of Nursing (formerly the
including their " Eclipse " hot water bottles, Nursing Record) is the only professionally-edited
seamless enema syringes, air cushions, etc., weekly Journal for nurses, and that it is the paper
which nurses are cordially invited to examine. which for 32 years fought for and eventually won
Boots Pure Drug Co., Ltd., Station Road, legal status for nurses. If you value your legal
Nottingham (Stands 37 and 3 8 a) will have a status you must logically value and support your
comprehensive exhibit. It should be noted in Journal also. No doubt you do both.
connection with the larger branches of this firm Surgical Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 83-85,
'
that in their special surgical departments a feature Mortimer Street, London, W.i. (Stands 35 and
of great usefulness is the attendance of a trained 36B).—The many advantages offered to nurses
nurse. and institutions by this firm will no doubt receive
BovRiL, Ltd., 152, Old Street, E.C. (Stand 39A). their careful consideration. As the name implies,
— Special notice should be taken by nurses and the firm not only supplies, but manufactures
midwives of Invalid Bovril, which contains all invalid furniture, and is thus able to bring very
the body building constituents of this well-known expert knowledge to bear on its construction.
preparation, but is neither salted nor seasoned. A great advantage to many customers is the
SouTHALL Bros., Saltley, Birmingham (Stand firm's practice of allowing Invalid Furniture to be
46A).— The exhibits of this firm are always most had on hire in the first instance, and afterwards
— —
purchased at the list price if paid for in the first Esq., F.R.C.S. ; "The Mother the Only Safe
month. Be sure to visit this firm at the Exhi- Environment for Young Babies," by Dr. Eric
bition. Prit chard ;
" Mothercraft and What it Comprises,
Metrical Supply Association, 167-185, Gray's as Taught by Dr. Truby King," by Miss M.
Inn Road, London, W.C. i (Stands 43 and 44B)
.
. Liddiar d.
Superintendents of nursing homes, and others, A feature of the Exhibition will be the maternity
should not omit this opportunity of studying the and gynaecological " Element " (Royal Free
merits of the " Ideal Steam Dressing Steriliser,' Hospital) sterilising drum, mask, and model dolls
;
specially designed for nursing homes, and which in uniform (South Kensington Nurses' Co-
was awarded a gold medal at the last International operation) appliances for disabled soldiers charts
; ;
Glaxo. 155, Great Portland St., London, W.i. from the Mothercraft Training Society, etc.
A prominent feature of the Nursing Exhibition
will be the Glaxo Cottage, which is again being
erected in Annexe B,as in 19 14. This cottage
NAMES AND ADDRESSES TO NOTE
will be comfortably furnished by Barkers, as a AND REMEMBER.
rest room
for nurses, where they can rest and Messrs. Garrould's, Government and Hospital
meet their friends. The feature of the cottage Contractors, 150 to 162, Edgware Road, London,
will be a demonstration of the various ways in
which Glaxo can be used, and nurses who are
—
W. 2. Call and inspect their Nurses' Uniforms,
Surgical Instruments, and Appliances, or write
especially interested in the use of Glaxo in the for Garrould's Nurse^' Catalogue, which will be
dietary of children and invalids will have an sent post free.
opportunity of testing a variety of dishes. A Messrs. Gayler & Pope, Ltd., High Street,
cordial invitation is extended by the Glaxo Co. Marylebone, W. i.— Do not forget that in addition
to all nurses attending the Exhibition. to everything for Nurses' Uniforms, this firm caters
ANNEXE B. for Nurses' Mufti. Coats and Skirts, Millinery
—
Gas Light and Coke Co. The exhibits of the and Underwear are obtainable at most reason-
Gas Light and Coke Company always attract able prices.
numbers of interested visitors now, owing to the Benger's Food, Ltd., Otter Works, Man-
;
necessity of reducing coal fires to a minimum, chester. —The special value of this farinaceous
the exhibit at the forthcoming Exhibition will be Food, in cases of critical illness, is that it contains
doubly attractive. The reason why a kitchen natural digestive principles which become active
fire is kept constantly burning in summer time is as the food is being prepared with new milk. The
to maintain a constant supply of hot water. But degree of self -digestion can be regulated.
this Can be had, day or night, if a gas Water The Yorkshire Pearl Barley Mills, Ltd.,
Heater is installed, with the least possible labour, Pocklington, Yorkshire, which supplies " Fawcett's
(a great consideration nowadays) and without the Natural Process Barley." Barley has a valuable
extravagance inseparable from keeping a kitchen place in the dietary of sick and well, and the above
range always going. Visit the Gas Light and is prepared from bright, clean Yorkshire barley,
Coke Co.'s Exhibit and see how it can be done. with no added matter, and is beyond question pure.
THE NURSING CONFERENCE. THE NURSES' BOOKSHELVES.
Wednesday, June 23RD. Members of the Nursing Profession and certified
The papers presented will " Staffing
include Midwives who desire to keep their bookshelves
Difficulties in Small Hospitals," by Miss H. P. Ind well stocked with standard and up-to-date pro-
(Matron, Stratford-on-Avon Hospital) " The ;
fessional literature should note the following
Future of Nursing and Living Out," by Frank addresses :
" The Necessity of Hospital Training for Mental H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd., 136, Gower Street,
Nurses," by Sir R. Armstrong Jones, M.D. ;
W.C. I.— Nurses should. note that this firm are not
" Poor-Law Nursing," by Dr. only publishers of new books, but that they also
J. C. Muir, and
Miss A. C. Gibson. have a large stock of secondhand books always
available, and that they have a medical and
THE MIDWIFERY CONFERENCE. scientific circulating library.
Thursday, June 24TH. Messrs. G. P. Putnam's Sons, Ltd., 24, Bedford
The paperswill include " Suggestions to Make Street, Strand, W.C. 2. —
Messrs Putnam publish
Life Easier for the Practising Midwife," by Miss " A History of Nursing," by Lavinia L. Dock, R.N.,
Elsie Hall " Infant Welfare Work," by Miss E.
; and M. Adelaide Nutting, R.N., without which no
F. Neville, Middlesex Hospital The Use and ;
'
BOOK OF THE WEEK. would consider this a liberty, and if anything was-
offered to him for which he had not asked would
A SCOTTISH NURSE AT WORK.* stop and remark witheringly, " Tiens, c'est
" Somany people have written of their doings pansement."
I'infirmidre qui fait le One of our
in the Great War that it seems as if there were own young surgeons, when he went back to take
nothing more to be said but one whose opinion ; his turn in the trenches was brought in badly
I value tells me that my experiences are in some wounded and died with us.
ways unique as being so varied." " How I loved the work, and thanked Heaven
This introduction is Miss Henrietta Tayler's daily for allowing my unworthy and half-trained
excuse for launching yet another war book. self to do it, and then the interruption came.
She goes on to I, who in more than
say : — thirty - five happy
''
Circumstan ces years had never been
had prevented me a day in bed, except
from qualifying for to have measles, fell
admission ill and did not realise
to that
finest of all services, it." Finally " I was
'
the little Flemings said he was a Boche, and would COMING EVENTS.
not play with him."
Miss Tayler was recalled from Adinkerke
June i8th. —
National Union of Trained Nurses,
Lecture. " Modern Nursing of Fevers," by Miss
and received an order to proceed to Italy Stewart, A.R.R.C. Home Sister, South Western
" nurses, even half -trained ones who chanced to
Hospital. 46, Marsham Street, S.W. 7 p.m.
be able to speak Italian being somewhat rare,
but the unexpected events in October, 19 17, June igih. —Poor Law Infirmary Matrons'
made impossible for any Englishwoman to get
it
Association. Eustace Miles Restaurant, 5.30
leave to travel at all to Italy at that time," and p.m.
so instead she was sent by the British Committee June igth. —Royal British Nurses' Association.
of the F.R.C. to a large new hospital for repatriis Address on " The Need tor Nurses Engaged in
where the conditions appeared to be more than Private Visiting Practice, and in District Nursing,
commonly trying, to judge from the parody on to consider the Municipal Organization of Home
Kipling's " If," from which we quote one verse Nursing," followed by discussion. Speaker, Miss
only :
H. G. Klaassen. 10 Orchard Street, Portman
" If you can keep your head when all about you Square, W.i. 3 p.m.
Are howling babies shrieking for their food. —
June 2ist. Royal British Nurses' Association.
And keep your temper when the big ones flout you Annual Meeting. 11, Chandos Street, Cavendish
And find them jobs to do and keep them good !
Square. 3 p,m,
If you can dress a babe in Esmarch's Bandage
And make pneumonia coats from scraps of wool, —
J'me 2ist~25'h. General Lying-in Hospital,
Can cut up twenty dinners with one penknife. York Road, Lambeth, S.E.i. Post Graduate
And get them handed round while still just cool ! Week for Midwives,
If
*
you can answer
* . * *
fifty different questions.
June 22nd to 25th. —Tenth Annual Nursing and
Midwifery Exhibition and Conference, Royal
And talk three langiiages with equal ease ;
Horticultural Hall, Westminstet. Noon to 9 p.m.
If you are never tired and never grumble
—
!
Then come out here and help the Refugees " ! June 2yrd. Central Midwives Board. Penal
Many, many times in the cold winter nights Cases. 10.30 a.m. Monthly Meeting.
did we have sad little processions through the
snow to the small mortuary chapel. This " sad
June —Overseas
24th. Nursing Association.
'
Annual Meeting. Norfolk House, St. James'
little procession is shown by a pathetic illus-
'
Square, S.W, i. H.R.H. Princess Beatrice will
tration facing page 62.
honour the meeting by being present. Chairman,
Some of the Italian and French Red Cross ladies the Right Hon. Viscount Gladstone, 3.30 p.m.
have had very little instruction, and the heroine
of the following tale gaily told the incident to June 24/A, 25th and 26th.— The Incorporated
Miss Tayler: — Society of Trained Masseuses. Annual Members'
Conference. Mortimer Hall, Mortimer Street,
She was asked by the Examiner how she would
treat a patient who had taken a heavy dose of London, W.
poison. " I should make the sign of the Cross ^June 2^th. —
" Old Nightingales' " Annual Meet-
and go away as quickly as possible," she replied. ing. Thomas's Hospital, S.W.
St.
Miss Tayler seems to have an aptitude for —
June 25th. Professional Union of Trained
languages, to which she partly owed her varied Nurses. Monthly Meeting Public Health Section.
experiences. 17, Evelyn House, 62 Oxford Street, W.i. 5.30
" I have heard of globe trotters in peace time p.m.
who boasted they could ask for hot water and
clean towels in eleven different languages. I
A WORD FOR THE WEEK.
feel that after nursing the Allies one inevitably " —
Duty. This truth comes to us more and
knows the words for pain, hunger, thirst, &c., more the longer we live, that on what field or in
and quite a useful handbook could be compiled what uniform or with what aims we do our duty
not too large for anyone's pocket of the absolutely matters very little, or even what our duty is,
necessary hospital "shop" in the languages of great or small, splendid or obscure. Only to
all the belligerents." She gives many interesting find our duty certainly and somewhere, or some-
incidents of her work in the French Ambulance how, to do it faithfully, makes us ^ood, strong,
in a little Italian town during the stress of the happy and useful men, and tunes our lives into
most terrible epidemic of Spanish influenza. some feeble echo of the life of God." Phillips
From thence she went to work among the Austrian Brooks.
prisoners among the hills quite near the real " When anyone has offended me, I try to raise
mountains, Monte Pasubio, &c. my soul so high that the offence cannot reach
We have not space at our disposal to quote it." Descartes.
more from this interesting volume, and we do not
pretend to have exhausted Miss Tayler's varied OUR ADVERTISERS.
and enviable experiences. Do omit to buy, as far as possible, every-
no!;
We note with sorrow that one English Sister thing you need from " Our Advertisers'" and
was supposed by a patient to " 'ave 'ad her to recommend them to your friends. They
training in a dog's 'ome." H. H. are all first-class firnis.
. — —
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. though nominally on " time work," is, in reality,
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
on " piece work," for her " jobs " nuist be accom-
plished, at whatever cost to herself. When work
^11 subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
is heavy she must work overtime, or at an increased
distinctly understood that we do not in any way
speed, for nothing can be neglected, and for what
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
she cannot find time she must " make time."
by our correspondents.
A VOICE FROM AFAR. We feel confident that, in spite of the long silence
in which members of the nursing profession have
To the Editor 0/ The British Journal of Nursing. buried their convictions, every nurse can corro-
—
Dear Editor, To-day on a small island, in borate our view of this question from her own
Lake Nyasa, I am reading the January papers, our experience. Yours faithfully,
latest news I feel compelled to congratulate The
! M. Mortishep, Secretary.
British Journal of Nursing and the League of Irish Nurses' Union, Dublin.
St. Bartholomew's Hospital Nurses on the fact that
at last we are to have State Registration of Nurses.
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
"Whenever I think of this, one personality fills my Voluntary Worker " At a Red Cross meeting at
.•
mind, that of Isla Stewart R.I. P. How she Brighton we were recently told that V.A.D.s must
would rejoice over this, for which she worked so be trained to do useful work for the civil popula-
hard in her leisure hours, which were very few. tion. They could do work in connection with the
r can hear her voice now telling her nurses. Ministry of Pensions, and now the V.A.D. charter
1 To hear both sides of the question. had been enlarged they could work among the
civil population in infant welfare centres, in dis-
2. To think the matter over carefully, and to
decide for themselves whether they were for or pensaries, in school cUnics and invalid kitchens.
Health visiting, too, would do much towards the
against State Registration and if in favour to do
;
Emphatically we maintain that it is continuous June 26th. —Name the diseases you know
all
work, and as continuous work it must be gauged which may be disseminated by insect carriers,
and paid and recognised. Never have the advo- mentioning in each case the insect which is
cates of an eight hour day for nurses placed them responsible, and stating how the infection is intro-
" on a par with the ordinary artisan or builder's duced into the human body.
labourer," because nurses, in their calling, combine —
July ^rd. What are the causes of swelling of
the responsibilities of the manager with the the legs (i) during pregnancy, (2) after labour ?
fatigues of the labourer. The nurse, moreover. How would you deal with such cases ?
•
The Midw^ife.
GENERAL LYING-IN HOSPITAL. CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES AT MAY EXAM.
EIGHTH ANNUAL POST-QRADUATE WEEK {Continued from page 351.)
FOR MIDWIVES, JUNE 2Ist-25th
(INCLUSIVE), 1920. Private Tuition.
O. M. E. Beadle, F. J. Calvert, E. Campbell,
The following is the list of fixtures of Post-Graduate
B; E. Charles, I. Charlton, H. Clough, A. Davies,
Week at the General Lying-in Hospital, York Road,
Lambeth, S.E. J. C. Davies, L. A. Davies, C. Dutton, M. J.
Gameson, I. Gelderd-Somervell, A. M. Gough,
June 2ist, Monday. C. Graham, E. Harrington, D. I. Harris, E.
4 p.m. —Reception by Matron and Staff. Tea. Herington, E. M. Henshall, A. L. Jenkins, M.
5 p.m. —Lecture by Dr. Fairbairn, " Preventive
Johnson, E. E. Jones, E. Jones, M. Kennedy,
Medicine in Relation to Midwifery."
E. Kenyon, M. Letheren, B. Lewis, M. L.
June 22nd, Tuesday. McKenzie, M. Martindale, A. I. Moore, H. D.
II in the Wards, conducted by the
a.m.— rClinic Morris, E. Paul, L. J. Pearce, D. M. J. Phillips,
JHouse Physician. R. N. Price, E. A. Sanger, M. Smith, L. M. Spence,
2 p.m.—'Meet at the Hospital York Road Infants'
:
N. B. Spence, F. D. W. Stock.
Clinic, or visit Queen Charlotte's Hospital
or the Royal College of Surgeons. Private Tuition and Institutions.
6. p.m. —
Lecture by Dr. Eardley Holland, " Injuries —
Mary's Hospital, Manchester. 'B. Almond,
Si.
to the Foetal Head during Labour." C. C. Armishaw, G. Coxon, N. Doyle, E. Fair-
June 23RD, Wednesday. clough, M. A. Ogden, M. Walshe. The Lady
II a.m. —Clinic in the Wards on " The Baby," con- —
Holland Maternity Home. H. F. Barry, D. M.
ducted by the Ward Sisters. West, E. S. Williams. General Lying-in Hospital,
3 p.m. — Clinical Lecture by Dr. Stebbing at Lambeth — N. Bellett, E. G. French, G. Jones, M. E. Payne,
Infirmary A. B. War die. Nottingham Workhouse Infirmary.
5 p.m. —Lecture to Pupil Midwives by Dr. Fairbairn.
p.m. — Clinic on Abnormal Cases by Dr. Fairbairn.
— M. A. Brindley, E. Whalley. Liverpool Maternity
6 Hospital. —
E. Egan. Jewish District Maternity
—
June 24TH, Thursday. Society. —
S. Katz. Kensington Union Infirmary.
F. L. Maddison, M. E. Stewart. Birmingham
II a.m.— Demonstration on the preparation of Arti-
ficial Feeds, &c. —
Maternity Hospital. J. Anderton, M. A. N.Mason,
—
R. Milward. Fulham Midwifery School. D. Moore,
Demonstration Lecture Hall on the
in the
preparation for Obstetrical Surgery, Induc- M. Yates. East End Mothers' Home. L. Peleg- —
tion of Labour, &c. shorl. Ormond —
House, Chelsea. C. E. Pine,
2 —
p.m.^ Visits to Burroughs Wellcome Museum, City
Road Hospital, Sanitary Institute.,
A. Pemberton Nursing Institute. E.
Plurnmer. —
Adams, M. C. Soar, A. A. Stay, M. J. White. Lock
p.m. —Lecture by Dr. Eric
6
and Management
Pritchard, " The Hospital. —
M. Urwin. Greenwich Union In-
Difficulties of Weaning."
firmary. —
A. Garton. Monmouthshire Nutsing
1 1
June 25TH, Friday.
a.m.— Demonstrations in Milk Kitchen and Lecture
Association. —M. Vaughan.
Hall. {To be concluded.)
2 p.m.—-York Road Infants' Clinic.
3 p.m.—Lecture by Lady
nancy and the Puerperium."
Barrett, " Diet in Preg-
SUGAR FOR CHILD WELFARE CENTRES.
5 p.m.— Test Paper (optional) Prizes given. The Ministry of Health, after consultation vnth
—
7.30 p.m. ^Lecture at Midwives Institute (Tickets the Ministry of Food, announces that whereas
6d. each). Subject and Lecturer to be under the present system an extra ration of 4
announced later. ounces of sugar can only be obtained for children
Ante- Natal Clinic daily, 9 a.m. (numbers limited). between the ages of six and eighteen months
Subscription for Course, 6s. Those who wish to join attending Centres who are certified to be in need
are requested to send in their names as soon as possible of an additional supply, under the new procedure
to Sister K. V. Coni, Hon. Secretary. the extra ration can be obtained for all children
under two years cf age who may be certified to
be in need of an additional supply of sugar. The
ROBINSON'S "PATENT" BARLEY. certificate may be issued by the Medical Officer
importance when infants
It is of the highest or the Superintendent of the Centre, as is done
are hand-fed to use a suitable diluent for cow's under the present arrangements, or by a duly
milk, no matter whether fresh, dried, or condensed. qualified Medical Practitioner, and should then
Nothing is better for this purpose than Robinson's be sent to the local Food Office for the necessary
" Patent " Barley, which has an established permit to be issued granting the extra ration,
reputation of nearly 100 years to its credit. It which can then be purchased direct from a retailer
is supplied by J. & J. Colman, Ltd., Norwich. instead of through a Centre as at present.
—
^^ ^ THE mnp
The little bronze cross, of no great intrinsic govern the conferring of the Victoria
rules to
value, bearing- the words " For Valour" in- — Cross, in an Order published in the
and,
London Gazette of June i8th, it is ordained
stituted by Queen Victoria on January 29th,
1856 as the decoration of the Victoria Cross that amongst those eligible to receive this
is probably more coveted than any othier; for coveted decoration are —
"Matrons, Sisters,
:
sick and wounded sailors, soldiers, and others same regulation were enforced in regard to the
with the Army in the field, on board ship, or award of the V.C. to members of the Nursing
in hospitals." It was only rarely awarded, and Profession under similar conditions, it would
conferred real and well-merited distinction on afford the best giaarantee of a right selection
its possessor. The South African war to some under difficult circumstances. To be selected
extent, and the Great War still more,
cheapened by one's peers, under such conditions would be
the value of this decoration, both by the in- an honour to be worn modestly, but proudly,
stitution of a second gfrade, and also because by a nurse all her life long.
itspossession does not, at present, necessarily In the name of the Profession of Nursing we
imply initiative, resourcefulness, or special beg to offer to His Majesty the King its loyal
bravery. Probationers, and V.A.D.s who had and dutiful thanks for the great honour he has
-
served a few months in a military or civilian conferred upon it in making its members
hospital where wounded sailors and soldiers eligible for the Victoria Cross, and in the re-
were received, were elig-ible for, and in many cognition of the value of their work that such
instances received, this decoration, as well as an honour implies. should stimulate every
It
many Matrons, Sisters and Nurses who, while member of the Profession to walk worthy of
doing admirable and valuable work for the sick the vocation wherewith she is called.
— ;
(6) General depression and lack of energy, affected, boracic lotion applied from a
weak
(7) A great deal of irritation of eyes and nose, glass eye bath for the purpose is of value. The
(8) Inflammation of the conjunctive mem- constitutional treatment consists in a liberal
brane, causing the eyes to be bloodshot. diet, as it is a very exhausting compilaint from
Under the headling- " Wayside Tales," a were four districts in which they had no nurses ;
pleasant little story is told : and no money to pay them with if they had the
" Public Health, Work is often an uphill nurses. The society did not know what to do,
climb. Discourag-ements come thick and fast at but if it did not receive some fat donations it
times, and it takes considerable pluck, faith was in dang-er of having to close down. Per-
and vision to keep g-oing-, and waiting- for the haps the city would then realise the value of
occasional encouragfement that does come, these nurses. The outlook was exceedingly
usually from almost unexpected quarters. black."
" In Halifax a little incident occurred lately This appears a grave reflection on the
which g-oes to show that it is all worth the effort. generosity of a city so wealthy as Birmingham,
A mother in very ordinary circumstances, being- and surely the industrial classes, now so highly
outside the city limits, came into town to be paid, should hand a bit on, in support of work
cared for by the Victorian Order. vShe left two so excellent. The good district nurse is a pearl
littlechildren at home in care of their daddy, of great price.
the oldest not over five years of ag^e. The five-
year-old and the three-year-old had for some
The Mr. Nathaniel P. Blaker, of Cheri-
late
time been saving- their pennies until between
ton, Sussex, bequeathed an annuity of £2*^"^ to
them they had amassed two dollars all in — his nurse, Miss Ethel Caroline Parker, " who
coppers. The V.O.N.s received a little pack-
has nursed mc with the greatest care, and I
age, and a tiny note, and when they opened it
attribute my recovery in no small degree to her
they found these two hundred pennies which the '
great care and attention.
note said were to be given to The nurse who
*
nurse forg-ot all about cold nig-hts. long walks, There is sure to be a big muster of nurses
overwork, and felt that she had been amply re- trained at the Hendon Infirmary (now the Colin-
paid, and that baby is likely to be a Better
' dale Hospital) on July 2nd, for the unveiling
Baby because he is so welcome in the family.
' in the Nurses' Home of the Memorial to mem-
bers of the nursing staff. This unveiling cere-
We regret to note that at the annual meeting mony is to be followed by tea, and then the
of the Birming^ham District Nursing Associa- League Meeting is to be held. It will be a very
tion, Mrs. Beal, who has been a member of the special meeting, for it was originally convened
committee for forty years, spoke in a minor for the end of March, and was postponed on
key. She said " They had often been in tigfht
:
account of the very serious illness of its much-
places, but never had they met with so many loved President, Miss Elma Smith, who is now,
difficultiesas they had to encounter now. Those happily, on the high road to recovery.
difficultieswere such that the courag-e of their
devoted superintendents was strained almost
to breaking point. She often thoug-ht the pub-
PROFESSIONAL UNION OF TRAINED
lic did not know the position held by the district
nurses in the city, and what it would mean to NURSES, GLASGOW.
the suffering- poor if they were withdrawn.
Those who had had trained nurses in their own The first Quarterly Meeting of members of the
homes knew what it meant to the patient and above Union was held on Friday, June i8th.
the latter's friends to have a skilful trained By request the members agreed to open the
first part of the meeting to nurses interested
woman in attendance. If that was of such im- in the activities of the Union, in order to give
portance in those homes, where there were so non-members an opportunity of getting informa-
many what must it mean in the
alleviations, tion and joining in discussion. The Secretary
homes where ignorance and pre-
of the poor, gave a short address, and drew attention to the
judice prevailed and where there were not even work the Union was undertaking, and the progress
the slig-htest essentials for nursing-? Very already achieved in various directions. The
often, when a nurse arrived to attend a case, discussion which followed shows that nurses are
she had to send back to the Home for a bed and taking an energetic interest in their own affairs.
the elementary appliances for nursingf. The Chairman then asked non-members to
The retire, all of whom applied to join the Union
society began with one nurse in one district,
before leaving. The Secretary then read the
and gradually increased the number, and in the quarterly report and the members expressed
days of its prosperity had the satisfaction of their satisfaction with the progress that had been
knowing- there was a nurse in every district, made in the short time. The membership is
when the old boundaries prevailed. Now there increasing every week.
—
THE COLLEGE OF NURSING, LTD. Miss Burgess considered that new members
should pay a subscription of 5s. per annum.
The Chairman said that the Report and
THE ANNUAL MEETINQ. Accounts should now be adopted and then this
The Annual Meeting of the College of Nursing, question could be discussed. This having been
Ltd., was held at the House of the Royal Society done, he asked for an expression of opinion on the
of Medicine on Thursday, June 17th, at 3 p.m., the question of an annual subscription. It was only
Chairman of the Company, the Hon. Sir 7\rthur fair that those who came in now that the College
Stanley, presided, and proposed that the Report was an established thing should contribute some-
and Accounts which were in the hands of the thing.
meeting should be received and adopted. A member expressed the opinion that nurses
Sir Arthur Stanley said that last year was one of would be unable to pay five shillings a year as well
the greatest possible importance not only to the as the initial fee of ;^i is.
College of Nursing but also to the Nursing profes- The Chairman said that whatever was now
sion generally, as 19 19 saw the Act for the State passed could not be forced upon existing members.
Registration of Nurses placed upon the Statute If they chose to pay a subscription the Council
Book. The College had set itself to build up a would be glad to receive it. All they could do
membership of 20,000 so as to strengthen the force now was to advise the Council that steps should be
behind the Registration movement, but " it came " taken to alter the Articles of Association so as to
before they had got that number. It was repre- enable an annual subscription to be paid.
sentative not only of individual nurses but also of Mrs. Jones considered it vital that an annual
the great training schools. He then dealt in detail subscription should be paid.
with the activities of the College. It was agreed that the question should be referred
In regard to finance, which was the bedrock of to the Council for consideration and report.
success " we," said Sir Arthur, " established the Dame Sidney Browne here took the chair, and
Nation's Fund for Nurses to meet two needs to — Miss Rundle announced the result of the ballot
provide an Endowment Fund for the College of for election of members to the Council in place of
Nursing, and a Tribute Fund for necessitous those retiring in rotation, and being eligible for
nurses in sickness, distress and old age, who were re-election. They were :
amount, and the Bulletin Iz^o. Thus they had A. H. Turnbull, R.R.C., Superintendent District
had exceptional expenses. On the other hand, Visitors, Edinburgh, Scotland and Miss A. Michie,
;
he had never known a society which did not have Superintendent Q.V.J. I., for Ireland.
exceptional expenses annually. Miss Cox Davies invited those present to re-elect
Referring to the foundation of the various Sir Arthur Stanley as Chairman, and to give him
College Centres and to the fact that the nurses a very warm welcome. He would come back to
themselves had found something over ;^5 1,000, Sir them not as a nominated member, but as one who
Arthur said that here indeed was a token that the belonged to them, because they had put him there
great nursing profession had found itself at last. themselves.
Mrs. J. M. Jones said that she belonged to This was" seconded by Miss Gibson and carried.
several societies and each had an annual subscrip- On resuming the chair. Sir Arthur Stanley
tion. She asked how the College proposed to go thanked the members for re-electing him as their
on living ? There was the cost of living, and the Chairman. Referring to the elected members, he
cost of salaries, and it had been asked why they said that Dame Sarah Swift had retired volun-
were trying to raise the salaries of nurses and yet tarily as she thought they wanted new blood. He
paid their own officials so badly. They had was glad to welcome Lord Knutsford, though he
advertised for an Organising Secretary at ;^200 might not always have seen eye to eye with nurses
a year, and everyone knew that no woman could, in the past. Lord Knutsford was a man whom he
in these days, possibly live on that sum. She would rather have with him than against him.
begged to propose that members should pay an The meeting concluded with the usual votes of
annual subscription. thanks.
374 CTbe Brittab Journal of fluraina. June 26, 1920
MEETINQ AT THE PRINCE OF Sheldon has said in support of unity, she is not more
WALES' HOSPITAL. anxious than I am to see unity in the profession, but
unity can be bought at too great a cost. So long as
At the Prince of Wales' Hospital, Tottenham, on the the College is out to grab everything for itself there
21st inst., speakers from the Royal British Nurses' can never be unity. If Miss Sheldon is so anxious for
Association, the College of Nursing, Ltd., and the unity let her see that her hospital (Guy's) treats the
Professional Union of Trained Nurses, addressed the nurses' organisations with the same fairness that
members of the Nursing staff, and a considerable the Prince of Wales' Hospital has done to-night, and
number of other nurses not connected with the hospital grants the hospitality of its platform to the three
also attended. Mr. Carson, F.R.C.S., was in the organizations represented here, which it has refused to
chair. do. The College has sought only its own interests frr m
The remarks of Miss Macdonald and Miss Sheriff- the beginning. It has attempted to govern the whole
McGregor (representing the R.B.N. A. and the College profession— it has tried to become the law-making
respectively) were very similar to those given in our authority for the profession by asking for incorporation
report of the meeting at the Temperance Hospital, through a Nurses' Registration Act it has tried to be
;
except that at the close of her remarks Miss Macdonald the almsgiving authority through the Nation's Fund ;
pointed out that, although the Membership Roll of it claims to be the educational authority, and to be
the Association would still continue, it had closed its the body in relation to nursing analogous to the General
Register because it would not be for the benefit of the Medical Council in the medical profession. If, with
State Register to run any voluntary Register, and to do an immense power of money behind it, it had been
so would tend to mislead both nurses and the able to achieve all this for itself it would have gained
pulilic. such a drastic monopoly of power as to make the
Miss MacCallum pointed out that a Limited Compaijy, members of the profession literally its serfs. Again,
such as the College, was a Trade Union of Employers it has used pledges which it had no right to give in
and it was therefore inevitable that, if such a federa- order to swell its membership and Register ;
pledges
tion were formed in the Profession, a Trade Union unfair to organisations adopting more scrupulous
of the workers must follow. She stated the reasons methods.
why she, a College Member, had with her friends Again, it uses methods to obtain its money of which
started the Trade Union, and spoke of the benefits we strongly disapprove. Take, for instance, the
which membership of the Union could give. " Juliet " case. Supposing you went to the next
house from here, said you had a sister", formerly a
DISCUSSION. manequin, who had gone to the war as a V.A.D., was,
Free discussion followed. Councillor Beatrice Kent as a result of this, in a broken-down condition of health,
strongly deprecated the methods of the promoters of with no money, was going about with goggles and a
the College in appropriating the laurels which belonged shawl over her head, presumably for need of clothes ;
by right to those who had led the nurses to victory in and for these reasons you begged for money to help her.
the long fight for State Registration, a reform to which Supposing, when challenged in the Press, you could
many of those, now sitting on the College Council, had not produce that sister ! Where would you be likely
offered, in the past, the strongest opposition. Her to find yourself then ? If it is wrong for you to take
adherence to the old motto " Steadfast and True " money through a faked appeal, is it less wrong for a
of the Association to which she was so proud to belong, Company to do it ? I say it is infinitely more wrong
caused her to feel that she must ever protest against for it to set such an example to the nursing profession.
the lack of truth with which the College constantly A^o, while such things happen there never can be unity
claimed that there was no organisation in the profession in the profession. For there are other money changers
until it was founded. besides those in the Temple at Jerusalem, and we
Miss Jessie Holmes was not in favour of a Trade should be false to the Christian faith if we did not
Union for Nurses, but Mrs. Paul said that she was con- imitate the example set to us there and fight for all
vinced of the necessity for one if the nurses' intere.sts we are worth to overthrow the tables of the money
were to be adequately protected. Miss Sheldon changers who introduce such methods of obtaining
pressed for unity in the profession, contending that money into the profession of nursing false, too, did
;
there was room for all the existing bodies. we not fight with all the strength that is in us to keep
Miss Carter enquired whether the College only our profession clean and true, and its honour above
admitted nurses with a three years' certificate of reproach." (Loud applause.)
General Training, and another member of the audience At the end of this free expression of opinion the
enquired as to why the College provided nurses, guests were entertained with coffee, and left well
removed from the Register, with no right of appeal. satisfied with the opportunity for an exchange of
Miss Sheriff McGregor explained the existing regula- ideals.
tions governing the admission of nurses to the College
Register, and with reference to what other speakers Mrs. Campbell Thomson, O.B.E., presided at the
had said in connection with charity, stated that if their Annual meeting of the Roj^al British Nurses Asso-
methods of raising money were not right the Charity ciation on Monday, June 2 ist, at the rooms of the
Commissioners would interfere. There was a right of Medical Society of London. A report of the pro-
appeal for the College nurses. ceedings will appear in our next issue.
A Monopoly of Power.
The Annual Conference of the I.S.T.M. is being
Miss Macdonald said " There is no right of appeal.
:
held inLondon this week, from June 24th to 26th
By an act of grace your Council might permit a nurse inclusive,opening at Mortimer Hall, 93, Mortimer
to appeal, but there is no right of appeal. I will read Street, at 11 a.m. on June 24th, with an address
to the meeting a clause in the Memorandum and on " The Art of Healing," by Professor Arthur
Articles of the College to prove what I say." The Keith.
June 26, 1920 ^be iBritteb Journal of IRureinQ. 375
Miss Ruth E. Darbyshire, R.R.C., Chief Lady tion Hospital, Derby, and served in France throughout
Superintendent, in the report she submitted for the war, being mentioned in despatches by Sir John
1919, states that the year has been one of satis- French. She has also received the Royal Red Cross,
factory progress, and, on the whole, one of less
and the Croix de Guerre.
first class,
Maternity Home, County Borough of Eastboume.--
difficulty than the previous year. It was hoped Miss Catherine Macintosh has been appointed Matron.
by March, 1920, to have a sufficiency of English She was trained at Sheffield, Royal Hospital, and at
trained Nursing Sisters. During the year 19 19, Queen Charlotte's Lying-in Hospital, London.
28 Sisters arrived from England, and 5 Sisters
trained in India were appointed to the permanent
HEALTH VISITOR.
staff. During the year, 25 Sisters left the Associa- Wiltshire County Council,—Miss Gertrude M. Jackson
has been appointed Health Visitor. She was trained
—
tion for the following reasons : Expiration of
at the Guest Hospital, Dudley, and worked in Rangoon
contract, 12 ;marriage, 8 ; released at own as a member of Lady Minto's Indian Nursing Asso-
request, 2 ;invalided, 3. Five temporary Sisters ciation.
remained at the close of. the year. Miss Darby- NIGHT SISTER.
shire ^reports that for the past three years the
Throat Hospital, Golden Square, W.—Miss Ida Berry
Association has been mainly dependent upon the has been appointed Night Sister. She was trained at
^ services of the temporary staff, and its thanks the Royal Infirmary, Oldham, and has held the position
are due to many of these nurses who have done of Sister at the Children's Hospital, Birkenhead in the ;
excellent work
in its service. Military Wards at the Royal Infirmary, Wigan, and the
The Report of the Chief Lady Superintendent Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, and of Night Sister at the
gives a brief account of the work of the various Children's Hospital, Nottingham.
branches and centres, and concludes " The
:
QUEEN VICTORIA'S JUBILEE INSTITUTE.
Lady Superintendents and Nursing Sisters have Transfers and Appointments.
done everything in their power to successfully
Miss Dorothy M. A. Bale is appointed to Warwick ;
carry on the work, and I should like to convey
Miss Edith Gallon to Widnes Mrs. Jessie A. Clarke to
my sincere thanks to them for their loyal and Sleaford Miss Lilian C. Coleman to Brixton
;
;
Miss ;
devoted service. I feel that we can look back Louisa Hogarth, to Skegness Miss Jane B. McFadden,
;
on 1919 with gratitude for the good services to W arwick Miss Catherine Mackenzie, to Bolton as
;
rendered, and that many patients would join Senior Nurse Miss Annie Mindham to Barnsley Miss
; ;
me in my appreciation of the work of the staff." Edith A. Morris to Reading Miss Elizabeth A. Morris
;
At home, Miss M. E. Ray, late Matron of to Kingston as Senior Nurse Miss Jean Toll to ;
Patent
' '
lamp, the white linen cap worn by the nurses simply unspeakable.
when at work, &c.
Yet Frances could not call herself unhappy.
Wehope to describe next week the bed for a
She now saw that hitherto she had been mercilessly
fractured femur shown by the Edmonton Mater-
nity Hospital, and other professional exhibits. *By Lucas Malet. Collins & Sons, Ltd., London.
June 26, 1920 (Ibe Brttiab 3ournal ot fluratng. Vll
BOOTS 1^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
i^
—
clamped to the social wheel. But the tall villa, She sat at the piano and gave herself to the
now she came
fairly to dwell within its ridiculous weaving of dim-coloured pensive harmonies, and,
portals, through its isolation, not to say ostracism, when at the end of half an hour the doors on to the
freed her effectively if somewhat ironically from gallery silently opened, and as silently shut, she
the wheel. took the strange event calmly.
It gave her leisure and the accessibility to Just perceptible through the mournful, now
impressions which in persons of temperament fading evening light she saw an upright shadow-
leisure confers. that of a man tall in height —-standing behind her.
She felt delicately alive, delicately aware, in At the same time she a chill draught of air
felt
every nerve, at every point. shiver her transparent drooping sleeves and stir
There was a " sly " atmosphere about the the small stray curls upon the nape of her neck.
villa. The gist of this remarkable story is that Frances
Her husband became aware of a subtle differ- became enamoured of her ghostly visitor as he
ence in her. He had been explaining to her that more and more divulged himself to sight and
he thought he saw a way back to Grosvenor sense.
Square, and all that it stood for. He lifted his The rumours of her husband's unfaithfulness
head sharply and nervously, catching the distant abroad barely troubled her as she became absorbed
howl of the wolves in the Zoo. in this spiritual love. She sets herself to obliterate
" Confound the brutes " he said in sudden
! the unhappy past which caused the S9ul of Alexis
anger, and " For goodness sake. Fan, give up to roam.
watching for things that aren't there Pray
! She finally begs him not to come back until he
don't let it grow upon you. I tell you I don't has permission, to lead her across the bridge
like it. It gives me the creeps." while it still bears.
He could when he chose be a vastly engaging " Will you
try, most beloved," she tenderly
person. She acknowledged as much, " but to- you try ? "
insisted, " will
night he had interfered with an atmosphere which He came back as she asked.
she had begun to recognise, and to anticipate Frances, without any shock of surprise, not only
with half fearful delight. A presence felt rather saw the figure of Lord Oxley, but for the first
than seen." time distinctly saw his face. " Ah, our bridge
When Morris announces his intention of going still " she cried.
carries then !
" Will it bear us
"
abroad for six months to seek his fortune, she < both ? Can too cross it ?
I
was by no means displeased. " You have already crossed it," he told her.
Would she accompany him ? She would While she stood close beside him, her ghostly
willingly. The offer was regretfully by Morris hands in his, his ghostly lips on hers, the silver
declined, to the relief of both. grey clad woman still rested happily smiling, her
" Let me have my own way," Frances said, mothlike eyes wide open, in the gilt arm-chair
her mothlike eyes strangely alight. beside the fireplace. H. H.
" And aren't we both just bluffing ? " she
thought to herself. " How very hateful
" COMINQ EVENTS.
!
While on a visit to her relatives, in Morris' June 25/A. —Professional Union of Trained
Nurses. Monthly Meeting Public Health Section.
absence she had learned of an ancestor. Lord
17, EveljTQ House, 62 Oxford Street. W.i. 5.30
Oxley, who had lived with his mistress, a certain
p.m.
beautiful Flora Cressidy in the tall villa.
" She had been too deeply dipped," according —
July 2nd. Colindale Hospital, The Hyde,
Hendon, N.W. i. Unveiling of the Memorial to
to Lady Liicia, to get a divorce, and Lord Oxley
was madly infatuated with her. She vanished Hendon Nurses in the Nurses' Home. Tea.
Meeting of the Nun es' League.
one fine morning with one of her former lovers
and he could not make up his mind to live National Association for the Prevention of
without her. Infant Mortality and National Baby
—
" And so shot himself," Frances said very Week Council.
softly. Conferences on Maternity and Child Welfare will
This then, was the answer to the " sly " attitude be held in connection with Baby Week celebrations
of the house. " Her thoughts flew forward with as follows :
a splendour of tenderness to the tall villa and to Leeds, in the Philosophical Hall, on Wednesday,
Alexis, Lord Oxley, whose soul was. she believed, June 30th.
held there in thrall." Manchester, in the Mayor's Parlour, on Thurs-
When the taxi came first in sight of the house day, July I St.
after the happy grandeur of Napworth and the Brighton, in the Permanent Art Gallery, Church
quiet dignity of Allenby Lodge, she seemed to Street, on Friday, July 2nd.
detect a grimacing smirk as though it mocked her Bradford, in the Queen's Hall, on Tuei.day,
high souled fervour. July 6th.
Not to-night, but to-morrow at five o'clock Wrexham, in the Church House, on Wednesday,
—
and not till then having made herself ready in July 7th.
body and soul, she would enter the drawing-room Crewe, in the Council Chamber, on Friday,
and wait. September loth.
— —
the last numbers have given much food for isreported in the Daily Mail to have said at the
thought : unveiling of the Edith CaveU Memorial at Paris that
" Tyranny, whatever colours it wears cannot
(i) The unprofessional advertisement of the
Scottish Nursing Council for a Registrar Who !
exist side by side with a free Press." Proof
can know nursing standards but a nurse ? Besides, positive, if true, that his organ the Daily Telegraph
why should any but a nurse get the salary offered ? is not a paper which can be placed in that category,
It is nurses' money and would any other apply if to judge by the merciless manner in which he
the salary offered were the usual pittance ? excluded our letters repudiating his shilling doles
(2) The alertness of the Professional Union of
for nurses a very tyrannical proceeding."
;
delegates must have been over-ruled yet surely ; some reason did not appeal largely to the educated
the members do not accept the theory, that in classes.' She gave as the reason that women '
Scotland no nurse is to be found with sufficient would not undertake work that interfered with
brains or acumen to fill the post the English their week-ends or with their nights in bed.' In
Nursing Council is offering to her professional my opinion they are quite right not to do so.
sister ? Scottish nurses must refuse to accept Of course, in single-handed posts where the calls
this " lay " stroke or more trouble will follow. I are infrequent, the midwife must be prepared to
await the next B.J.N, with impatience. answer a call at any time, but where several
Yours truly, midwives work from a centre the irregular night
]-. B. N. Paterson. work which is so trying, and so prejudicial to a
Ardenhurst, midwife's health might be greatly lessened if not
West KUbride, abolished altogether, by proper organisation. It
Ayrshire. is a foolish and wrong policy to conserve the
[As Miss Paterson knows this journal was the health of one section of the community by breaking
first to point out that the position of Registrar down that of another, and that is what happens
to a Nursing Council authorised by Parliament to when midwives have constantly broken nights.
organise nursing education, examine and register Where the midwifery work is of any oize there
trained nurses', and to maintain discipline through- should be a regular day and night staff, and the
out the profession, could only be adequately filled day staff should only be called up when there is
by a highly trained nurse with administrative an exceptional rush of cases. Nurses and mid-
ability, and this opinion is, we believe, shared by wives who know something of the laws of nature
every nurse representative on the English Council. know that if they defy them they will eventually
We sincerely hope that the nurses on the Scottish have to pay the penalty, and consequently do
and Irish Councils will take a determined stand on not take up work under conditions which court
this principle, and insist that a well-qualified a break-down."
professional woman shall be appointed to the
position of Registrar if not, with all due deference
;
The
POST-GRADUATE WEEK, BABY WEEK.
" Baby Week " appeals to us all, and is
once
AT THE GENERAL LYING-IN HOSPITAL, more upon us, and will be held for the fourth
time
YORK ROAD, LAMBETH. at the beginning of July, and conferences will be
The eighth Annual Post-Graduate Week at the held not only in London, but at Leeds, Manchester,
General I>ying-in Hospital, York Road, opened on Brighton, Bradford, Wrexham and Crewe. The
Monday, June 21st, with its usual 6clat. The National Baby Week Council has done much to
weather, which on the previous day had threatened increase infant welfare centres, from 800 to 1,700
"
to spoil the fun, changed its mind, and the " week in England and Wales, and it has also identified
started with its usual good luck. As our climate, itself with the new movement known as the
however, is uncertain, coy, and hard to be even Children's Era, which has the physical and moral
with, it was thought prudent to have the tea welfare of young school children much at heart.
indoors, and the " ball was kicked oflE " from the The special subjects to be discussed are [a) :
entrance hall of the hospital, which was charmingly Widows' Pensions [b) The home and its sub-
;
adapted to the occasion. stitutes The care of young children in the home
:
York Road is second to none in hospitality, and as compared with their care in institutions ;
the guests were received by the Matron with her (c) Infant Welfare work A retrospect and a fore-
:
usual graciousness. The tables were loaded with cast ;{d) The decay of parenthood and its menace
good things (including sugar), which Sisters and to the race and the speakers will include Mrs.
;
pupils alike were assiduous in pressing upon their H. B. Irving, Mrs. H. A. L. Fisher, Dr. C. W.
guests. Saleeby, Dr. H. W. Pooler, and Miss R. Smith.
The decorations of the tea tables were particu-
larly pretty foxgloves, wild parsley, lupins, and
;
snapdragons translated smoky Lambeth for the DENTAL DISEASE AMONG NURSING
time being into the atmosphere of a country
garden. AND EXPECTANT MOTHERS.
The popularit}'^ of Post Graduate Week shows Dr. Harold Waller, speaking at the recent
no sign of waning, for upwards of one hundred Dental Conference at Manchester, emphasised the
midwives from all parts of the country have single clinical fact, which has come to light in the
enrolled this year. And a merry company round study of infants, namely, that diseased teeth in a
the tables they proved. There could be no doubt nursing woman are capable of disturbing the
as to the nature of the gathering, for above the health of her baby at the breast. The extreme
clatter of the cups and the ripples of laughter importance of breast-feeding has now become
could be heard generally acknowledged.
" She had triplets, my dear." Many disorders of health in young children
" Oh, of course, she would "
! —
point to a common source of origin some inter-
Whether this perversity was ascribed to the ference with nutrition in the early months of the
mother or the midwife was left to conjecture. first year of life.
The difficulties of breast-feeding, the bad luck Long-standing sepsis in the mouth has been
of " all night cases but two, my dear," interspersed found to be a widespread cause of ill-health among
between bites of bun and cress sandwiches. working-class women in country districts as well
The genera;! air of enthusiasm among the post- as in towns. It assumes various forms and lowers
graduates was most inspiring and accorded with their general health much below normal.
the " make-yourself-at-home " atmosphere of the There is at present a state of tolerance and
hostesses. indifference to the existence of disease of the teeth,
The guests having done full justice to the fare, and a reluctance to part with those decayed or
drifted one by one into the sitting-room, where diseased. Most people are not aware that bad
bookings were eagerly made for the fixtures of the teeth are responsible for a loss of general health.
following day, and earnest discussions took, place Careful investigation is advisable before attributing
as to their relative attractions. ill-health to the condition of the mouth. The
Since it was obviously impossible to be in two Conference should be of value in spreading a truer
places at once, the decision as to superior merit knowledge of dental hygienics.
had to be arrived at. A case described of a breast-fed baby unable to
This first successful day of the Post-Graduate digest its mother's milk was found to be due to
Week concluded with a lecture by Dr. Fairbairn, oral sepsis on the part of the mother. After ex-
on " Preventive Medicine in Relation to Mid- traction of the teeth, the infant's condition rapidly
wifery." improved. This case also showed that it is the
It seems desirable that the example of a Post- presence of unhealthy teeth, not their absence
Graduate Week should be widely followed in general which makes for harm. A second child was subse-
hospitals for the benefit of trained nurses. quently successfully fed.
.
by'the Chartered Society of Massage and) Medical connective tissue is left. The surgeon does not
—
Gymnastics until recently the Inoor|X)rated say " I can mend that muscle," but " I can
Society of Trained Masseuses at Mortimer — help Nature to mend that muscle." The
Hall, W., on June 24th, listened to a lecture stitches he puts in are not going to hold the
from Professor Arthur Keith, extraordinarily wound together that is done by the connective
;
those concerned with the treatment and care of John Hunter understood that the surgeon was
the sick study the methods of Nature, they are Nature's assistant. He realised that the red
working on sound lines, that success is best tissue was his and studied it as a
friend,
attained by assisting her, but that, without any gardener studies his garden. Then Pasteur
assistance, Nature's powers of healing and re- and Lister came along and demonstrated that
pair are very great. Professor Keith instanced the great enemies to the healing of tissue are
the teeth as parts of the body over which Nature minute organisms, and that the great assistant
has no power of repair. Why did Nature so to the art of healing is cleanliness.
forget herself as to give the teeth no power of No doubt, said Professor Keith, the brain
healing? The enamel was so dense that she has a very direct influence on the body, and can
could not afford to put into it the minute nests help or retard Nature. Results depend largely
of bone cells in which the virtue of healing lies. upon how far the body can enlist the sympathy
But such cells are provided with nerves, and of the brain, and that is often how the quack
Nature knew what she was about. What would gains his successes. Such success as has
one's position be on cracking a nut, or attended Christian science hangs on this.
eating the foreign meat supplied to us at the This knowledge (which is utilised by the
present day, if the enamel of the teeth were quack) also stands by those w^ho are conducting
provided with nerves? a rational, not a quack, practice. It increases
When a muscle, such as the biceps, is torn, your confidence and makes you study each case
blood oozes out, and fills the gap then mys- ;
much more closely, so that you may learn what
terious messages, the origin of which we do you can best do to help. Those who carry on
not understand, are sent out to the white cor- work on these lines will have added something
puscles, and they come crowding in from all to the good of mankind.
parts of the body to clear away the debris. Then We wish all nurses could have heard every
the real workmen begin the work of repair. word of this lecture, and hope that they will
The on each side of the rupture change
cells study and practise the principles which it in-
this reason there was far less domestic stress, the Lancaster County Lunatic Asylum was called
anxiety, and strain, to get a livelihood. Every- the Lord Derby War Hospital, the Middlesex
body found a job and everybody was well paid, County Lunatic Asylum became the Napsbury
and although the prevailing anxiety about rela- War Hospital,^ the L.C.C. Lunatic Asylum at
tives and friends at the front brought their quota Horton became the Epsom War Hospital. Over
of nervous breakdown and insanity, yet the worry 20,000 men suffered from mental and nervous
—
of financial inadequacies^ ^the concern about res breakdown during the war, but these were not
angustce —
domi were practically non-existent. certified unless and until they had been nine
During the last two years of the war there was still months or more under treatment. These, or many
—
a decrease of notified insanity even a greater one of them, would probably, under the old conditions,,
—
than in the first two years but this was due to the have been certified at once as insane, had not the
heavy and appallingly high death-rate in institu- Director-General of the Army Medical Service
tions for the insane, which has brought them into made such preparations with the civil authorities,
undesirable public notice, The insane in the to receive the soldier who had failed mentally and
asylums suffered, as did the sane outside, from the nervously from the strain and stress of army
limitations of food and warmth, but owing to the service into these special " war " hospitals. It is
failure of their nervous system they were less able unsatisfactory to realise that, in addition to the
to withstand the hardships implied by rationing, excessively high death-rate (which has never
and in consequence of which the death-rate before been paralleled among the civilian insane)
amounted to 200 per thousand (in one asylum 382 during the last year of which we have a record,
per thousand) of the daily average resident in all the recovery rate for the insane has also decreased
institutions, i.e., more than ten times the death- considerably.
rate among the normal population outside, In regard to the enormously high death-rate
although the latter included deaths from zymotic allowance must be made for the absence on active
and other diseases as well as the high death-rate service of many of the male staff of the asylums,
from infant mortality Such an incidence of illness as also of some members of the female staff who-
as is implied in this high death-rate among the left for specific duties in connection with the war,
insane demonstrates the need for the best possible so that both the male and female nursing staffs in
trained nurses to look after. mental patients. The many of the asylums were compulsorily depleted.
analysis of this high death-rate included tuber- Add to these factors the overcrowding the
culosis on an extensive scale, amounting to 52 per ordinary patients, so as to make room of the
1,000 organic heart disease, 16 per 1,000
; renal
; soldiers, and here we have some of the chief
disease, 10 per i,000 pneumonia, 17 per 1,000
; ;
factors which have contributed to the high
other causes being epilepsy, general paralysis, mortality rate, but great dissatisfaction has been
dysentery, enteric fever, influenza, and organic •felt about this point, and a feeling of marked un-
brain disease, conditions which call for the best easiness has gradually grown up in the public
and most careful nursing The rate of mortality mind about our methods of dealing with the
among the insane in asylums was so high during the insane ; suspicions were felt that the insane
last year of which we have an exact knowledge generally were not under the best condition for
July 3, 1920 TTbe Britieb Journal of Wurstng.
recovery, and special representations were made to light the hospitals by night and no preparations
by the Board of (Lunacy) Control to the Com- whatever are recorded for cases of mental ill-
mittee sitting to consider the question of " re- nesses. For five days the wounded never left
construction " that the legal treatment of the their wagons, which served as beds as well as
insane in this country might be considerably transport carts. At the taking of Spires in
improved. The Medico-Psycliological Association 1792 the wounded were delayed from 24 to 36
of Great Britain and Ireland, consisting of medical hours before removal, and the greater number
men who are entrusted with the care of the insane, of the sick and wounded perished, as certainly
also appointed a special committee to consider did the mental cases: After "Waterloo, the
this matter and how to improve the care and wounded were conveyed to Antwerp in boats to the
treatment of mental disorders. This committee places appropriated for them along the Arsenal
recommended the early care of mental cases in the Quay, but everything for their care and comfort
ordinary general hospitals as well as the establish- was wanting there was no lint, linen, bandages,
;
ment in thickly populated urban districts of what pillows, sheets, nor blankets. The complete
they described as " psychiatric clinics " for early absence of medical comforts was responsible for
unconfirmed cases of mental and nervous disorder, the dysentery, cholera, diarrhoea and other
such hospitals, for instance, as the Lady Chichester sickness that occurred in such numbers during the
Hospital established at Brighton through the Crimean War, for at the battle of Alma the
public spirit of Lady Chichester acting upon the wounded men were left exposed for two whole
advice and under- the direction of Dr. Helen days and nights on the battlefield. Even in the
Boyle, and we have the potential " psychiatric last great war carelessness in regard to the sick
clinics " in our splendid Poor Law Institutions was in some instances barbarous, and the impro-
throughout the country. The fact that many of vidence in regard to medical nursing was most
the mental and nervous cases which have occurred culpable, as anyone may read who has seen the
among our soldiers have been those of wounded strictures passed upon those in authority in
men, and that the breakdown of some was caused regard to the early campaign in Mesopotamia
either by serious injuries to the head or that yet the medical and nursing care of the sick,
many of them suffered from debility brought taken on the whole, a glorious record throughout
on by malaria, dysentery, influenza, chronic the war. Neglect of the sick in war has been
wounds, or from tropical diseases of various previously described as the crime of high treason
kinds, point out the great need there is for against humanity and it led a great military
mental nurses who are also fully trained hospital medical writer. Dr. Chenu, to state that if the
nurses so that the supervision and nursing care honour and the defence of any State should
of those who have broken down in military employ —
require of every family from the most noble to
should be in competent hands ; more and more
does it appear necessary that a mental nurse should
—
the most humble the separation from and the
sacrifice of a son, a brother or a father, as was
also be a fully trained and properly equipped the case with our own country in this war, such
hospital nurse, accustomed to deal in a skilled a sacrifice as is implied in conscription, must
way with all the conditions of bodily disorders. be only on the positive understanding that the
It may be truly said that the war has given State shall take the place of the absent family
all thoughtful persons an immense impetus to and shall assure to its defenders prompt and
secure adequate sick nursing for the mentally ill. efficient assistance whenever this is required.
There are very few women who have not shown The State must itself undertake those duties
ardour and patriotism in helping our sick and which the absent family would themselves at any
wounded soldiers during the war, and the wonder- cost have fulfilled to soothe pain, to save life,
ful support given to the Red Cross movement or to lessen the agony of any one of its members.
demonstrates how everyone not only sympathised As stated, we know that during the past war the
with affliction but gave his or her practical help medical services rendered to the sick and wounded
in the relief of sickness ; but the evolution of soldier, as also to the nervous and mental sufferers,
the feeling of charity and pity for the sick and were, with the exceptions mentioned, of the
wounded soldier is not of recent date. It began most humane kind, and of the very best, and
as far back as the early days of the Order of S. what we provided in war we desire in the name
John of Jerusalem in the time of the Crusades, of humanity to secure for the civilian in peace
although in those days it was more of a religious times.
f^j^^ ^^ concluded.)
duty and a sentiment. In our days it is the
practical appeal of sentiment to science. Every
war from that of Cyrus to Napoleon has demon-
strated the insufficiency of ordinary measures of HELP FOR OUR OWN POOR CHILDREN.
relief in war-time, and in previous wars the The Secretary of the R.B.N.A. will be glad to
wounded were often abandoned to the convents hear from nurses who will give a few hours on
and to charitable persons. At the siege of Dantzic Flag Day, Tuesday, July 6th, to sell " Blue Birds "
there were 1,600 wounded and 2,000 sick, yet for the Waifs and Stra5''S Society. Last year
not a single straw mattress was provided for them several were kind enough to do so with the result
to lie upon, there were no basins to wash their that a very substantial sum was sent from the office
wounds and no nurses to attend them. There to Prebendary Carlile for this most deserving
was no linen, no food, and there were no candles charity.
—
lebone Infirmary, Notting Hill, invites ajll £6^ Assistant Nurses, £2^ to £^0. War ser-
;
Marylebone trained nurses to a g^arden party vice is counted towards increment in all ranks.
and the First Annual Presentation of Prizes to
the Probationers, on Wednesday, July 14th, at In the House of Commons, on June 17th,
3 o'clock. Any nurse living at a distance who Mr. Lyle asked the Minister of Pensions
would like to be put up for the night, and those whether alternative pensions are alUowed to
who have not yet received an invitation card, officers and not to nurses whether these pen-
;
are requested to write to the Matron as soon as sions permit officers to be placed in the same
possible, when one will be forwarded. This financial position as they enjoyed before the
should be a delig-htful reunion after the war. war, plus an increase if they are thereby bene-
;
brate the grant to the Society of a Royal Char- sions have not hitherto been allowed for nurses
ter. The g-uests, who numbered some 450, by the Royal Pension Warrants. The question
were received by Miss Bliss (the Chairman), of extending the benefits of this class of pension
Miss Lucy Robinson (founder member), looking to nurses is at present under consideration, but
very happy, though very tired, and it added to I am not yet in a position to make any an-
the pleasure of the gathering that five of the nouncement.
original founders of the Society, besides Miss
—
Robinson, were present Mrs. Dove, Miss June 27th being- the anniversary of the death
Maclean, Miss Manley, Miss Rosalind Pag^et of the Rev. Herbert Aitken, late Rector of
—
and Mrs. Palmer and Miss Terjiplleton, the Haslemere, who three years ago g-ave the beau-
Secretary, who has worked so capably and in- tiful house and g^arden of Coombe Head to the
defatigably. A beautiful suite of rooms were Edith Cavell Fund for a Home of Rest for
crowded, and little parties foregathered over Nurses, it will interest the 300 who have been
ices, fruit salads, cakes and, of course, tea tea — guests there to know that special thoug-ht for
hot and delicious, such as masseuses, as well as their generous benefactor was included in the
nurses, love. services at the par^ish church, the choir singling
The musical programme was arranged by Tennyson's beautiful lines, "Crossing- the
Mrs. Robinson-Smith, and the finished andde- Bar." His g-rave was covered with a mass of
lig-htfuil sing-ing of Miss Dorothea Webb, Miss perfect roses, some of which were sent from
Nina Robinson, Mr. John Adams (tenor) Coombe Head. Others were distributed to the
gave unqualified pleasure tO' all music lovers. women of Lambeth by Mrs. Aitken, he having
Mr. Ulph Smith gave a most clever and amus- been their rector the latter years of his life.
ing- musical sketch, " How I obtained the post The Aitken Memorial Fund report that
of orgfanist. " The I.S.T.M., which has done ;^i,22o 14s. has been collected, and that another
:
such good work in raising the standard of mas- ^55 5s. has been promised. Half of this sum
:
sagfe and the status of masseuses, is to be con- has been sent to Lambeth, while the remainder,
gratulated on obtaining the prestige coinferred allotted to Haslemere, will be sufficient to place
by a Royal Charter, and on its manner of cele- a memorial tablet in the church, and, in
brating' the event. addition, will go a long- way towards purchas-
ing a cottage for the parish nurse. Three
A moveinent is being supported to establish generous friends have guaranteed the balance
a Club for members of the Naval and Military to complete the purchase.
—
elsewhere !
the Hon. Secretary had sho\vn how well justified
Miss Spann ends her " Foreword " with a had been the heavy expenditure.
little sound advice to those she has helped to Dr. Stewart warmly acknowledged Miss Mac-
train — and more particularly to those in training donald's services. It was due to her persistent
— which may be appreciated by a wider circle. care that the financial report was so satisfactory,
although they had spent some capital. The
She says " You are getting shorter hours on
:
duty, —
more recreation recreation arranged for money was given for the good of the nurses, and,
—
you more comfort in the Nurses' Home. All
in the exceptional crisis last year, it was felt that
so long as it was there, and was well spent, it must
these you deserve, but shall we, who are re-
be spent, but it was owing to Miss Macdonald that
• sponsible tor your training, get better service? the reduction in capital was so small. (Applause.)
I think so, I am sure we shall. Any woman Miss Beatrice Kent, in seconding the report
who takes up nursing is adopting a profession said there was one part of it which gave he
in which she can find occupation for all that is special satisfaction, and that was the fact tha
in her. It has been my privilege to know not it showed that the Royal British Nurses' Associa
a few whose work has been just splendid, but tion's share in the great struggle of the past year
there has never been a nurse who' was a perfect had been financed by the nurses and not by the
nurse in the sense that she knew all there was
money of a charitable public. The following were
declared elected Members of the Council as a
to know about nursing. So work hard, aim at result of the ballot :
for which there would be many openings in the good to the Association, which he had never been
future, without further training. able to understand, it had withdrawn from the
" Stealing the Thunder " of the Super- negotiations. He considered the organised
societies of Nurses should publish the names and
Women.
addresses of their members as the College of
The Chairman at the Evening Session was Nursing had done. He concluded by congratu-
Dr. J. Kay
Jamieson, Dean of the Medical Faculty lating those present on having had a " rollicking
Leeds University, who said that six years ago he
evening."
knew nothing of the nursing profession, and he We are usedto the College of Nursing usurping
was there not to give but to get information credit for the work of the nurses' self-governing
but he fell in charge of a big war hospital, where
societies, but when it permits the functions of the
he met a large number of nurses. For a short General Nursing Council to be publicly assigned to
time after that the Nursing Profession had no
it without disavowal, it is a serious matter,
organisation, then the College of Nursing was
especially as an obsequious Press circulates these
founded, which would exercise the sanje functions
inaccurate statements. If individual members of
in relation to Nursing as the General Medical
the General Nursing Council (and several were
Council did to Medicine.
present in the room when this was done) do not
"When discussion was invited at the close of the correct misstatements in this connection, an
speeches, the last person to speak was Miss
appeal might well be made to that Council for an
Margaret Breay, who said that the Chairman in his official pronouncement.
opening remarks had said that he had come to get
information, and she had been waiting for a member
of the College of Nursing, Ltd., to inform him of the THE GUY'S NURSES' LEAGUE COTTAGE,
existence of other Societies before the College was
founded in 1916. She was sorry it devolved upon The Guy's Hospital Nurses' League gave a
one who was not a member of the College to do so. very pleasant garden party at Honor Oak Park
The British Nurses' Association was founded in on Wednesday, June 23rd, when the extension
1887 by some of those super- women of whom Dr.
of the Nurses' Cottage, which was given to
Lane-Claypon had spoken. It received the title
of Royal -in 1892 and a Royal Charter (the most commemorate the work done by Guy's Nurses
honourable form of incorporation possible to both at home and abroad during- the war, was
obtain) in 1893. opened by Lord Revel stoke and Mr. Cosmo
She also referred to the work of the Society for Bonsor. The initial ceremony was performed
the State Registration of Trained Nurses which by Lord Revelstoke, who rang the front door
drafted the first Nurses' Registration Rill in this bell. The Matron, Miss Margaret Hog-g,
country in 1904, secured an unanimQus report in C.B.E., ofKined the door and bade him welcome
favour of State Registration of Nurses from a
in the name of all Guy's Nurses. The guests
Select Committee of the House of Commons in
gathered on the verandah, and Mrs. Lauriston
1905, and the passage of its Nurses' Registration
Bill through the House of Lords in 1908. It
Shaw, the first Hon. Treasurer of the Nurses'
would be more just, she did not say generous, but League spoke, and recalled the small be-
just, if the College of Nursing acknowledged that ginnings from which the present membership
these Societies had not only been in existence but of over 1,600 Nurses had sprung. She asked
had been forceful enough to do all this work before Lord Revelstoke to declare' the Cottage open.
the College of Nursing was founded. Lord ReveLstoke, in passing, paid a warm tri-
The General Nursing Council the Governing bute to all those Nurses who sei'ved their coun-
Body of the Nursing Profession. try untiringly during the late war, and to the
Again, the Chairman of the meeting had said memory of whose work the new extension is
that the College would be charged, in regard to dedicated. Mr. Cosmo Bomsor spoke of the
Nursing, with the functions assumed by the real pleasure it always gave him to add to the
General Medical Council in regard to Medicine. comfort and relaxation of the Nurses with
That was not the case. whom he had been associated for so many years.
The duties analogous to those performed by the
General Medical Council had been placed by Par-
The Matron gave the very warmest thanks
of the Nursing Staff tO' both Lord Revelstoke
liament on the General Nursing Councils estab-
lished by the Nurses' Registration Acts. and Mr. Cosrno Bonsor for their unfailing kind-
ness and generosity. A bouquet of pink carna-
Red Herrings.
tions was presented to Mrs. Cosmo Bonsor.
Sir Arthur Stanley, referring in the course of pro-
posing a vote of thanks to the Chair, to Miss Breay'
Tea and strawberries were served in the
remarks, did not attempt to answer or controvert grounds and indoors to the large number of
them, but said that the College of Nursing had guests, Sisters and Nurses present. There was
approached the Royal British Nurses' Association music on the verandah and a tennis tournament
in regard to Amalgamation as the Royal British in progress on the hard court. Everyone
College of Nursing, but for reasons which seemed seemed as happy as could be.
July 3, 1920 (The »riti0b 3ournal of •Rurelng.
between such hospitals and the larger schools." outpatient department of a hospital was more
suitable, and more thorough than that obtainable
Fever Nursing at Home and Abroad. in a polytechnic or an university. You were not
Dr. Muller read a paper on " Fever Nursing in qualified to teach prevention by listening to a
India," and what struck her audience was the course of lectures, or by standing about a Welfare
enormous difficulties which existed for those Centre or a Tuberculosis Dispensary.
engaged in this particular branch of nursing in Unfortunately the Ministry of Health allowed
India compared with the splendid arrangements themselves to be dictated to by a body of amateurs
at the Fever Hospitals in England. instead of studying their own Health Departments.
They drew up regulations first, and sent inspectors
The Future of Nursing and Living Out. round afterwards, and in consequence drew up
Mr. Frank Briant, speaking on the living-out regulations which could never be put into practice
system for nurses, emphasised the necessity for without causing the Ministry of Health to lose
making nursing a more attractive profession than the respect of the people.
it was at the present time. The deterioration in The regulations proposed that a girl of twenty
the class of women entering the profession was should act as a Health Visitor, providing she had
to be regarded as a national disaster. He gave had two years' training at a polytechnic, and that
the reasons which he regarded as responsible for a graduate with one year's training should be
such falling off, and said that they had proved recognised as a Health Visitor.
at Lambeth that the living- out system attracted The girl of twenty should be ruled out of public
a better class of women. The only hope of getting health ;she ought to be training as a nurse, or
educated women into the profession was to do a teacher, or doing domestic work.
away with the Avicked hours and the very grinding It was an absolute insult to send a girl of
work which had been the rule in the past. twenty (in the capacity of Health Visitor) to the
mother of an infant, or a school child, or a tuber-
The Trained Nurse in Public Health Work. culous soldier, and it was nonsense to spend
When the Conference reassembled at 5 o'clock public money on salaries for girls of that age.
the Chair was taken by Mrs. Paul, and the first By laying down the general principle of three
speaker was Miss C. Margaret Alderman, who, years' training, and selecting nurses with special
in dealing with the progress of the trained nurse experience in addition, preventive work would
in public health work said it was necessary to take be helped on tremendously and medical officers
a short survey of the history of public health would be supplied with qualified assistants.
nursing. For the first few years no definite Miss Alderman concluded by appealing to
qualifications were laid down for public health those interested in the question to uphold the
appointments, then, as local authorities developed ideal that one must serve one's country by train-
one or more branches of the work, they found ing in hospital before assuming the position of
that the most useful qualifications were three a teacher in preventive work. They would have
—
Nursing Service— the finest in the world. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Miss Eleanor Barton suggested that nurses
gained a very intimate knowledge of the very
Military Division. —MissMary Stewart, Q.A.I. M.N.S.,
Commander.
poor in poor law infirmaries, and Miss Alderman
agreed, but said, " The Ministry of Heali;h does Bar to the Royal Red Cross.
not recognise our poor law. The Ministry hasn't Miss Elizabeth Wilson, T.F.N.S.
the sense to utilize that training."
In reply to a question as to the age limit for The Royal Red Cross (First Class).
Health Visitors, she elicited applause by expressing Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
the opinion that it was as long as you are fit for Service.—Miss Amy Fielding, Miss Alice Gilmore,
work. Miss Katharine Lowe.
Various nurses at the back of the hall asked Queen Alexandra's
Imperial Military Nursing
questions as to what " the women of the educated Service Reserve. —-Miss
Elizabeth Downie, Miss Mabel
and cultured classes " were to do at twenty years Hobhouse, Miss Janet Livingston.
of age.
The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
Miss J. H. Macdonald (Registered Nurses'
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
Society) propo^d that nurses should make a —
Service Reserve. -Miss Jean Crawford, Miss Rose Davy,
start here and now, and should have done with Miss Annie Falconer, Miss Louisa IFox, Miss Louisa
the unskilled (whether cultured and educated or Hanson, Miss Ellen Harris, Miss Mary Linton, Miss
not) let the women with the best brains, the
; Millicent Perry, Mrs. Georgina White.
best hands and the best skill have the best chance. Territorial Force Nursing Service. ~Mts. Gwendoline
(Applause.) Arnold, Miss Julia Comyns-Berkeley, Miss Emilie
Cottle, Miss Esther Farmer.
The Professional Union of Trained Nurses. Civil Nursing Service. —
Miss Aimee Densham, Miss
Miss Maude MacCallum, the next speaker, said Jane Hammick.
that the and crying need of the nursing
first British Red Cross Society.— Miss Helen Ander.son,
profession to organise.
is It was the duty of Mrs. Gertrude Clenshaw, Miss Marjorie Hamilton-
every nurse to belong to some organisation to — Dalrymple, Mrs. Ethel Darley.
the Professional Union of Trained Nurses if she Civil Hospital Reserve. —Miss Ada Rushforth.
felt so inclined. Civil and War Hospitals. —
Miss Ellen Clarke, Miss
The Professional Union of Trained Nurses Ethel Forster, Miss Elizabeth Gordon.
differed from other
society of nurses in
ever}'^ Voluntary Aid Detachment. —Miss Grace Currie,
England, Scotland and Wales in being registered Miss Katherine Evans, Miss Dorothy Field, Miss
Catherine Forrestal, Miss Gwendolen Glossop, Miss
under the Trades Union Acts. This necessitated
Silvia Glossop, Miss Margaret Greatorex, Miss Mary
its being governed entirely by its members. The Hudson, Miss Olga Nethersole, Miss Kathleen Roberts.
Labour clauses of the Peace Treaty between
the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany The Military Medal.
stated that the High Contracting Parties agreed Miss Edith Hounslow, V.A.D.
" to the right of Association for all lawful purposes
Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House
by the employed as well as by the employers." the members of the Military and Civil Nursing Services
Now that Trade Unionism was recognised by who have been awarded the Royal Red Cross and the
international law it seemed futile for associations Military Medal, subsequent to the Investiture at
of employers to fight against it. Members of a Buckingham Palace.
trade or profession should band themselves Miss A. B. Smith, R.R.C. (Matron-in-Chief, Queen
together to protect their own special interests, Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service), was
and to protect the weak amongst them from being also received by her Majesty.
trampled on and crushed. She invited them
to join the Professional Union of Trained Nurses
(17, Evelyn House, 62, Oxford Street, W.i), and to
do now.
it
THE PASSING BELL.
By the tragic death of the Countess of Dudley,
Questioned on the subject of strikes. Miss
drowned while bathing on the Connemara coast last
MacCallum said the Union had no Strike Clause. Saturday, the sick poor of Ireland have lost a warm
Strikes were out of fashion, and Arbitration friend, with a genius for kindness and discriminating
was now the recognised method of settling helpfulness. Lady Dudley realised the need for
differences. trained nurses in the outh'ing districts of the West of
Ireland, and in making provision for this necessity
Hours of Private Nursing.
insisted that the nurses should possess the qualifications
Miss Sheldon, in the absence of Miss Bremner of fully trained Queen's Nurses. She was one
read her paper on " Hours of Private Nursing," of those who used the opportunities of her high
on which there was quite a brisk discussion. position to benefit humanity, and can ill be spared.
July 3, 1920 (The Britleb 3ournal of "Wureina. IX
for communicating the Rules framed by the charge of a district had at least one trained nurse pupil
working with her, a forty-eight hour week could be
General Nursing Council to the Executive Com-
arranged.
mittee before approval by the Minister.
Dr. Addison considered the point, but decided
(3) Private Nurses Under Contract. To remain—
on duty as long as is necessary for patients' welfare,
that such a provision was in this case unnecessary and to be paid overtime for hours over and above
as the rules in question do not purport to " regulate forty- eight per week.
the practice " of nurses, but deal mainly with
The Cdllege of Nursing, Ltd.
details of administration. Moreover such rules
have, unlike those for midwives, to be laid before The College of Nursing, Ltd., has drawn up the
Parliament prior to approval. The Minister, following scheme, and sent it to the Ministry of
accordingly, did not favour any amendment of Labour, recommending that nurses excepting —
the Bill in the sense suggested, and the Lord maternity nurses, shall work for 56 hours a week ;
President concurred in his view. that is, an eight-hour day for seven, instead of six,
days a week.
Scheme Suggested by the College of Nursing
THE HOSPITAL WORLD, TO BE Included in a Special Order.
r—That all Registered Nurses and other persons
From this week all adult patients at the London actually engaged in rendering services in direct con-
Hospital Avho can afford it will contribute a guinea nection with the nursing of the sick, excepting mater-
a week towards their expenses. It is hoped that nity nurses, be included in the provision of the Special
/20,ooo a year will thus be secured. Order.
The National Hospital for the Paralysed and 2.- —
-That for nurses in institutions for the sick,
including those where probationers are in training,
Epileptic in Queen Square is now closed, but the
for nurses in District Nursing Institutions, and those
Out-Patients' Department remains open.
employed by District Nursing Associations, and for
It is not improbable that the London Fever nurses engaged in Public Health Work, the maximum
Hospital will have to close its doors. working hours be 56 per week, taken over a period
. —
of 4 weeks, the time on duty not to exceed 10 hours LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
in 24 hours. Any time worked in excess of the
maximum to be compensated by extra off duty, given
during the nurse's normal working hours, and if extra Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
off duty time due to the nurse exceeds 48 hours,
all subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
board and residence to be provided, or the monetary
equivalent, preferred by the employer.
if
distinctly understood that we do not in any way
3.— That the Institutions for trained nurses on the hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
CO operative system, and other Institutions supplying by our corresPond£nts.
nurses for private cases and in Nursing Homes, the
maximum working hours be 56 per week, taken over a NATIONAL UNION OF TRAINED NURSES.
period of 14 days any time worked in excess of this THE
;
"
whole profession. Now that Nursing is a Profes-
'
There are many ways in which men deal with
sion it must rise to a certain degree of dignity, and
what is called the problem of pain. It is best
no longer be content to be done for. Each member
approached by unaffected response to the impulse
should pay a moderate fee for advancement and
of sympathy which the sight of suffering evokes in
protection. This is a lesson registered nurses must
Our hearts. Then it will be found that it is through
learn. Self-support means self-government, and
the sorrows of the world that the purest joys are
there is no chance of either without a free orgau
found, not only in the relief which comes to the
in the Press. The subsidised Press is the bought
sufferer, but also in the fullness of life attained by
Press, always commanded by the employer, and
those who render him the service of their works of
the workers' journals for the future must aim at
mercy. It is in this service that we learn best how
meeting the huge cost of production ; this they
the world is kept by sorrow from falling into
can do by a little self-sacrifice. We are glad to
corruption,and how the presence of pain brings know that Political Enfranchisement and Rank for
itsown moral strength to humanity. Blake's Service Nurses have Miss Paterson's warm
poem, " The Two Songs," expresses this fact with approval. We
hope she will open up the demand
the weird force of his strange genius .
— for them in Scotland. Parliamentary propaganda
I heard an Angel singing
needs much time, special gifts of persuasion and
When the day was springing ;
experience that is our reason for advocating a
" Mercy, pity, and peace ;
The Midwife.
NATIONAL BABY WEEK, contained to the contrary the number of midwives
on the Board shall at no time exceed five.
JULY lst=7th, 1920. Exclusion of Representative of Royal
MESSAGE TO THE NATIONAL BABY WEEK British Nurses' Association.
COUNCIL FROM H.M. THE QUEEN. It will be noticed that in the proposed constitu-
" I note with pleasure that the National Baby tion of the Board the Royal British Nurses'
"Week Council enters upon its fourth year of work Association, which has had representation on the
on July ist. I have followed with much interest Board since its formation in 1902, is eliminated.
the work of the Council, of which I am Patron, This would exclude representation of trained
and I send my earnest wishes for its future success. nurse-midwives qualified to supervise maternity
— ^Mary R." hospitals, homes, and wards.
There will be no central celebrations in London We observe with satisfaction that the Board
this year, but celebrations are being held all over recommends the appointment of four certified
the United Kingdom. Information as to the hours midwives on the re-constituted Board. The
at which visitors are welcome at Day Nurseries present constitution of the Board does not secure
in or near London may be had from the Secretary, one seat to a midwife, and to organise a pro-
National Society of Day Nurseries, 20, Berkeley fession without representation of its members
Street, W.i. ('Phone Mayfair 2100) the hour
; on its governing body is an obsolete method
at which centres are open may be had from the which requires drastic re-organisation.
National Baby Week Council, 27a, Cavendish We wish, however, that the Central Midwives
Square, W.i. ('Phone Mayfair 2977). Board had recommended that the certified mid-
National Mothercraft Competitions. wives should elect their own direct representa-
tives, as the registered nurses are to do, instead
Display of articles sent in for the Competitions
of disfranchising all who are not members of the
at Cosway Street L.C.C. Schools, W.i, Saturday,
Midwives Institute, and we most thoroughly
July loth, 3 to 5. Entrance 6d.
disapprove of the proviso that the number of
midwives on a Board of fourteen members shall
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. at no time exceed five, firstly because nominating
At the Monthly Meeting of the Central Mid-
bodies should not be limited in their selection,
wives Board, held at the Board's Offices, Queen and secondly because the midwives ought to be
Anne's Buildings, S.W.i., the question of a repre- in a majority on their governing body. We
sentation to the Ministry of Health with regard hope, therefore, that due weight will be given to
to modifying the Constitution of the Board these points before the new constitution of the
was considered, and in connection therewith Board is adopted.
a letter was read from the Ministry of Health. At the same meeting the Board approved a
The Board agreed that a representation be made scheme providing for a course of forty hours'
to the Minister of Health under Section i (i) of instruction in one week for approved teachers,
the Midwives Act, 1918, that it is expedient to and those desiring to be approved teachers, drawn
modify the Constitution of the Board as indicated up by the Midwives Institute, and resolved to
by the Memorandum now approved by the notify the London County Council of such
Board and signed by the Chairman. The follow- approval with a view to an education grant being
ing is the Memorandum referred to :
made in support of the scheme.
MEMORANDUM. We wonder what proportion of such intensive
instruction will be retained after a short time by
(Number of Representatives, 14.) However, the proposition is an
its recipients.
Four persons appointed by the Minister of " opening wedge," and we hope that the scheme
Health, of whom two shall be certified midwives,
will be developed so that aspirants for approval
on the English Midwives Roll.
as teachers may have a course of practical training
Four registered medical practitioners appointed
in teaching under instructors versed in educa-
as provided by the Midwives Act 1902 Section (3) i.
Two certified midwives on the English Midwives tional —
methods we could mention midwives
Roll appointed by the Incorporated Midwives
eminently qualified to give such instruction and—
be required to give a practical demonstration of
Institute.
their ability to teach, before appointed repre-
One person appointed by the Queen Victoria's
sentatives of the Board, prior to receiving its
Jubilee Institute for Nurses.
approval as teachers.
One person appointed by the Association of
County Councils.
One person appointed by the Association of THE MIDWIFERY CONFERENCE.
unicipal Corporations. Several very interesting addresses were given
One person appointed by the Society of Medical at the Midwifery Conference at the Royal Horti-
Officers of Health. cultural Hall last week, to which we hope to
Proviso. —Notwithstanding anything herein refer in a future issue.
—
of whose ignorance from the physiological fort caused to the''^tient, there is no need for
standpoint there is no doubt. We
sympathise worry. The patient should be advised not to
with their demand for a high moral stand- stand about more than is necessary, and, if
fvoint, and of course —
with the means of self- possible, to rest once a day with- her feet
—
disinfection to hand^ this high moral standpoint raised.
should always be persistently inculcated. b. Kidney disease may prove to be the origin
'I'he vehement opposition should be met by of the swelling, when the urine, on being
an explanation of the reason for the course tested, will be found to contain some albu-
adopted. The opposition to what was known men. The patient will then be carefully ex-
as the " State Regulation of Vice " was oppo- amined for swelling in other parts of the body,
sition to one sex being humiliated and penal- particularly of the hands and face. If there is
ised for the self-indulgence and protection of found to be puffiness of the face and hands,
the other. That policy failed as it deserved severe frontal headache and gastric disturb-
to fail. ances, the " pre-eclamptiic state" may be
The present proposition is that those feared, and medical advice should be sought
whether men or women —who expose them- immediately in time for the patient to be treated
selves to infection shall, in the interests of the before the convulsions appear.
community, have the means to disinfect them- Should the swelling of the lower extremities
selves at the earliest possible moment. That result solely from the albuminuria, the patient
policy should commend itself to sensfble should be put to bed, kept on milk diet till the
people. 'urine has cleared, kept as warm as possible, and
To come down to bed-rock. One human the pores of the skin kept open.
beifig is not permitted to poison another with- c. Heart disease might be the cause of the
out paying the p>enalty of the law, for either swelling of the legs, and if there is nothing else
manslaughter or murder. And when a man in the patient's condition to account for it, and
or woman deliberately or ignorantly poisons the swelling does not disappear after the night's
another with the virus of venereal disease, rest, then medical advice should be sought.
causing untold suifering and perhaps death, 2. After labour, swelling of the legs is one of
the law should take the matter in hand. the symptoms of " phlegmasia alba dolens,"
The only remedy for this crime for crime — commonly called ** white leg," so rarely seen
it is —
is that the Government should bring in
now-a-days, and the more common complica-
a Bill making the communication of venereal tion of the puerperium femoral thrombosis. In
disease by one human being to another, a both cases the swelling, which is accompanied
criminal offence. In our opinion, the sooner
by fever, pain and tenderness of the leg, occurs
this is done the better.
during the second week of the puerperium.
In cases of " white leg," when the swelling"
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. first commences it pits on pressure with the
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SWELLING OF THE finger, but later on the swelling becomes too
LEGS (1) DURING PREGNANCY, (2) AFTER LABOUR? hard. This combined lymphatic and venous
HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH SUCH CASES?
obstruction is, however, scarcely ever met with.
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this Femoral thrombosis, or clotting in the
week Miss Reda M. Wilson, Queen Mary's
to femoral vein generally follows some septic
Maternity Home, Cedar Lawn, Hampstead. trouble, or severe ante or post partum bleeding.
PRIZE PAPER. The swelling commonly begins in the parts
I. One always asked by a
of the questions farrthest from the trunk, and the side of the foot
midwife at an ante-natal examination is directed or leg lying on the bed will show it first. The
to finding out whether the patient has noticed midwife will advise that a doctor be sent for,
—
any swelling of her legs or feet if so the cause and until he arrives she will keep the patient
must be carefully investigated. in bed with the affected limb at rest on a pillow.
a. If the patient reports that her legs are
HONOURABLH MENTION.
swollen at night, but that the swelling has dis-
The following competitors receive honourable
appeared after the night's rest, then this swell-
ing is purely mechanical, and results from the
mention : —
Miss R. Thompson, Miss M. James,
Miss J. Taylor, Miss T. Robinson.
pressure on the veins from the enlargement of
the uterus. This will naturally be more marked QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
in cases of hydramnios, or twins, or where the What do you understand by anti-t>'phoid in-
pregnancy is complicated by pelvic tumours. oculation? What is its value? Mention the
There will be no accompanying swelling in other principal abdominal complications of enteric
parts of the body and apart from the discom- fever, and state how they should be treated.
July lo, 1920 Jlbc Britifib Journal of flurelnfl. »7
irregularity of meals and constant liability to cold reflects a great credit on the nursing skill of the
and damp and wet, so that shortly after the com- staff. The number of recoveries may also be taken
mencement of hostilities cases of mental and as an indication good nursing, and the fact that
of
nervous breakdown began to occur, and some many " service patients " who have been wounded
reached this country as early as September, 1914. in the service of their country are now patients in
Insanity henceforth became a question of the our asylums and requiring massage and electrical
utmost pubUc importance, and special accommo- treatment calls loudly for the help of hospital
dation became necessary, much feeling was training for mental nurses. As a further example
kindled as to its treatment and many questions of the need for an extension of hospital training in
were asked in Parliament about its relief, care and our asylums may be mentioned the fact that many
cure among our soldiers. The purely nervous women are admitted in a state of pregnancy, and
cases were sent into the 4th London Territorial many within a few days of their confinements ;
Hospital, or into the Red Cross Hospital at Mag- all this shows the necessity for a specially trained
hull (formerly built for an asylum) and to the nursing staff. Outside the asylum in private
Springfield War Hospital —
an annexe of the nursing there is a great preference expressed for
Middlesex County Asylum at Wandsworth, whilst the mental nurse who has received hospital
the mental cases were received into the Napsbury training, and it is this fact of training that helps
War Hospital (formerly the new Middlesex to encourage a feeling of confidence on the part
Asylum) but none of the mental cases was certified;
,
of the public in the administration of our large
they were detained under Army orders. As is well mental hospitals and in the special care and treat-
known, these special institutions were soon ment of the insane who are received into our
extended in numbers in this country (as well as in asylums.
Scotland and Ireland), until 19 asylums and Insanity is an illness of so disabling a character
annexes thereto in England and Wales had been and so cruel in its results to the individual and
vacated of their ordinary population, and with the to his dependents, its effects upon the home are
help of the Board of Control (Lunacy) 30,000 beds so far-reaching and the reflections that are cast
were eventually placed in England and Wales at upon his family are so deep and permanent, that
the disposal of the military authorities for the care it is incumbent upon the State not only to
hasten
and treatment of the soldier who was sick either in its cure, but to lessen its incidence. It cuts the
mind or body. At the same time, a general move- sufferer off from all his domestic ties, it deprives
ment of the working classes towards securing him of his financial, civil and social rights, it
better recognition of their work, more remunera- disfranchises him and cuts him off from all his
tion for their services, and shorter hours of labour former privileges, and removes from him all the
have begun to be made, and since the war all these advantages of a free man, for his liberty of action
have been considerably changed for the staff in has gone. When, insanity occurs in a family it
asylums. The authorities responsible for the creates a terror and a consternation which is almost
management and direction of the public mental worse than actual death. In such a predicament
hospitals throughout the country realised that the a fully-trained mental nurse with a complete
comfort, welfare, and health of the patients —
knowledge of sick nursing one who has a com-
depended upon a well-qualified and contented staff, bined knowledge of hospital and asylum work, is
and the conditions of life and the services of the a " godsend," but she is a rare combination of
staff were greatly improved. The recognition of endowments. She is an inestimable help to the
their claims has been further publicly extended sufferer, because she is able to hasten his con-
by giving mental nurses an acknowledged place in valescence, and she has a most beneficial influence
Council under the Nurses' Registration Act. upon his friends, because of her skill, as also upon
Also, the staff of all the public mental hospitals is those with whom she works, because she has
now being specially trained in mental nursing, secured their confidence. The application of
* Read at Nursing Conference, R.H. Hall. trained sick nursing acquired in the hospital is
—
the best " first aid " treatment in all cases of recommend that the salaries of the nursing
nervous and mental breakdown, and they can be staff increased by a sum approximately
be
secured by " reciprocity " i.e., by the recognition equal to 30 per cent, of the permanent salary
of asylum work by the hospitals, as is now done
of each grade, war bonus remaining un-
by asylum authorities of the time spent in the
changed and that the working week for the
general hospital. A well-trained mental nurse ;
with a full knowledge of sick nursing has been nursing staff be in future 50 hours, with four
taught to be observant and practical ; she is weeks annual leave.
accustomed to note from her training in the As the Matrons and Assistant Matrons are
hospital the signs of injury and disease and their not affected by the 50 or 48 hours week or
reUef ;and from her training in the asylum she —
payment for overtime they are considered
has learnt to impart sympathy, to encourage
confidence, to allay suspicion and to relieve mental
worse off than their juniors it is theref(jre—
recommended that the annual leave of Matrons
unrest. Like the quality of mercy, she is twice shall be six weeks, and that of Assistant
blessed, the mind and the body both respond to
Matrons five weeks. The cost of the above
her aid and tact. She realises that the efforts of
proposals is estimated at ;^47,ooo per annum.
a good nurse are to assist Nature in her own work
of healing. She helps the body to regain its
normal functions, and by suggestion, persuasion A formal debajte took place at a recent
and her own personal example she helps the mind meeting of the Camberwell Board ofGuar-
to its permanent restoration. In the possession dians on a recommendation from the Infirmary
of skill born of experience in the hospital and the Committee " that permission should be given
asylum she is qualified for the highest place which to the Nurses to play tennis in the Infirmary
any institution can offer. We desire to see our grounds on Sundays between one and six
asylums not only custodial establishments for
o'clock in the Several of the
afternoon."
mental disorders, but also curative hospitals in
Guardians opposed this sensible suggestion by
the best sense ; we want them to be schools of
re-education for our patients by means of which speech without consulting the nurses them-
life may be rendered more useful because health selves, and fifteen voted against it, to thirteen
has been rendered more perfect, and the essence for. Weagree with the Poor Law Officers'
of this process is " reciprocity." Journal that if the Guardians desire to ad-
minister rightly in this matter they will leave
the question to play or not to play with the
NUKSING ECHOBS. nurses, who, having reached years of dis-
Miss Margaret Huxley, so long a leader of cretion, are fully able to decide what is right
nursing organisation in Ireland, has been for themselves. The Medical Officers enjoy .
—
marriage be in readiness also the small We wonder if the " new poor" have been
guinea fee put aside to cover the cost of regis- consulted ! The stigma of pauperism must be
tration, to be sent in with the official Form removed from these institutions before they can
1920
so Xibe »rttl6b 3ournal of IJlurelno. July I o,
(2) the exercise of healing by spiritual means, in stationed at the 24th Stationary Hospital, Kantara,
complete loyalty to scientific principles and Egypt, who have been in Egypt for more than
methods ;(3) united prayer for the inspiration of
three years without leave, and whose contracts
the Holy Spirit in all efforts to heal the sick ;
have expired and whether arrangements can be
;
hindering factor in disease, but the speaker laid ment propose to take to look after the injured
great stress upon the fact, that it is at once a Service and ex-Service men in that district ?
dangerous factor, and a great cause of disease ;
Sir A. W^illiamson replied "I have been asked ;
anything that nurses can do to get rid of fear will to reply. My attention has not previously been
enormously help in nursing the sick. Continuing, drawn to this matter, but I have now called lor a
the speaker earnestly impressed upon his hearers report."
the necessity for all who attend the sick to empty
their own minds of all negative thoughts. The NURSES AND CHARITY.
mind must be attuned to the conditions necessary
for healing, namely, good thoughts. From the following Resolution was passed unani-
The
physiological standpoint, the speech of Dr. A. L. mously at the Annual Delegates' Conference of
Ash, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.S., was not less interesting the London Constitutional Labour Party :
Service for India, and for officers of the Royal lis. 4d. Miss I. Bedwell, los. 6d. Misses E.
; ;
Indian Marine will be issued ? Freer and M. Tait, los. Misses Conroy Moore,;
Mr. Montagu replied that the revision of the Thorley and Watts, 5s. Miss E. Duncan, 4s. 6d.;
;
pensions of the classes referred to is still under Miss E. M. Swainson, 3s. Miss M. Coates, ;
consideration, and it is hoped that a decision will 2S. 6d. Miss M. E. Sinclair, 2s.
; Misses Burr and ;
members, as to whether the subscription should together but the woods, the cliffs and the shore
;
be increased to 5s., and two numbers of the were the places that saw us most. Sometimes
League News be issued annually, or whether it going further afield, we think of the day at Whitby,
should remain at 3s. 6d. with one annual issue of Kettleness and Runswick Bay, and for some the
League Nelvs. row back in the evening. What walks What !
The General Secretary, Miss H. T. Baines, freedom to do just as one liked What renewed
!
presented an encouraging report showing that friendships from our training school days, and new
ones formed.
47 new members had been elected, and that the
members now numbered 1,055. What a meeting-place it was —^Matron, Sister and
Mrs. Matthews presented the report of the Pro., private and district nurses, health visitors
Benevolent Fund showing a balance in hand of and those returned from the mission fields of Jeru-
£^2 14s. id., and in War-saving bonds of /loo, salem, Africa, India and China. What talks we
and Miss Ethelle Campbell discussed the ques- had of the nursing out-look all over the world !
tion of putting the Fund on a more solid founda- The problems at home and the nursing associations
tion. There had not, so far, she said, been of India and China !
—
many calls upon it ten in nineteen years and — One realised what a unit of a tremendous whole
no applicant had ever been refused assistance. one is, and rejoiced that our nursing ideals are
The question was referred to the Executive to being carried so far, when we heard of the coloured
present a detailed scheme at the next meeting. nurses, male and female, who are taking their
Lady Baddeley, Miss Kennedy (Sister Mary), public nursing examination after a three years'
Miss Maw, and Miss M. Riddell, R.R.C., were training, and the midwifery examination for girls
elected members of the Executive Committee, in and the positions of responsibility they have
place of the retiring members. been able to take up after this. We heard the
The President then presented to Miss Beatrice —
other side of the hospitals that had to be closed
Cutler, who for six years acted as General Secretary for lack of nurses, the doctors who had to do their
of the League, a beautiful little ornament of opals work unaided by any British nurses, and the cases
and tourmalines mounted in gold, and a cheque who could get no other nursing than that of their
for ;^35, and Miss Cutler, in warmly acknowledging own relatives.
the gifts, said that her interest in the League would As we heard of the world's need, both at home
always be deep and unabated. and abroad, our longing was that we might be sent
Miss Cutler then gave a very interesting account " not where we were needed, but where we were
of a recent visit to Belgium, showing how splen- needed most."
didly the Belgian people were working in the The time seemed all too short days seemed to
;
restoration of their country. The members then fly, as they always do when one is enjoying life to
adjourned to the Great Hall for tea, where they the full, and one wished that every nurse might
had the pleasure of meeting some of the members enjoy this glorious holiday with us.
of the General Nursing Council for England and Yes, we were a jolly family together, and were
Wales, and Miss Huxley of the Irish Nursing able to realise the bond of union of our profession
Council. The tables were beautifully decorated better without the restraints of hospital etiquette,
with flowers, given by Miss Hurlston and her and before we parted realised the meaning of our
friends, and brought by her from the country ; and family connection in a more real way. Heaven
the music arranged by Sister Hope (Miss Maymam) seemed very near as we saw it reflected in the
and provided by members of the nursing staff, beauties all around, and there were those talks on
was greatly appreciated. Miss Firth presided at higher things, Prayer, Discipleship, Vocation,
the piano, and Miss Holme delighted everyone which made us realise more of our responsibility to
with her lovely voice. God and to our fellow-man, and we gave Him
Everyone was very pleased to see the President thanks for leading us into a closer communion
greatly improved in health, and to welcome her with Him and with one another in that never-to-
back to her official duties. be-forgotten holiday.
•
in France for five years during the war. She has committee presented her with a handsome travelling
also done duty as Matron at the Cottage Hospital, bag. The Committee has settled on Miss Cann a pension
Felixstowe, as Housekeeper at the Royal Infirmary, of /i per week. Miss Cann has two fisters in the
Hull, and has had experience in private nursing at nursing profession, one being Matron of the Norfolk
home and abroad. She has also been mentioned in and Norwich Hospital.
dispatches.
King George V. Hospital, Rotorua, New Zealand.—
Miss Thurston, late Matron-in-Chief New Zealand HONOURS FOR NURSES.
Expeditionary Force, C. B.E. R.R.C., has beenappointed
,
^:
has been appointed school nurse and health visitor.
She was trained at the Eastern Hospital, Dundee, and The Royal Red Cross (Second Class).
has held the position of Health Visitor at Littleborough Queen A lexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.
and of district nurse at Halifax, Gargi'ave, and Clayton. — Miss Dorothy "^cott-Erskine.
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
SISTER. Reserve. —
Miss Annie Nicoll, Miss Jean Roy, and
• Dispensary for Women and Children, 15, Portland St., Mrs. Christabel Thomson.
Glasgow.— Miss Laura Frisby has been appointed Territorial Force Nursing Service.- Miss Alexina —
Sister. She was trained at the Royal Infirmary, Glas- Cameron, Miss Catherine Matheson, and Mis^ Margaret
gow, and has been on the Staff of Queen Charlotte's Walker.
Hospital, and is a certified midwife. British Red Cross Society. —MXs^ Isabella Dodds,
'*
Rochefoucauld
'
ciation, asking them individually and collectively " Character is stronger than intellect a great ;
to discourage the employment of any but qualified soul will be strong to live as well as to think." — .
had become during the years of Lady Mary's people who are with me are not old, but young
inability to move something between a household and bold and bad, many of them, and dear and
shrine and a market place. The other dramatis delightful, and, oh my deau: Charles, so many
!
personae are Lily, the widowed daughter of ofthem make love to me."
Lady Mary's only son her two children, Jim
;
The strong affection existing between Lady
and Picotee and Charles Thorn, the old lady's
;
Mary and her old servant Bruno, is touching and
nephew, and Jim's tutor. convincing.
At the opening of the story the peace of this He makes bold to tell his lady of his dislike
extremely happy and interesting circle of people and distrustof Aghassy. " Shall I tell your
is threatened by the expressed desire of the Excellency what I mean ? Mr. Aghassy frightens
musician, Jacques Aghassy, to marry Lily Dam- the Signorina Lily I believe she's sorry she
;
nearly all the other persons mentioned. furbissimo, he is, Signor Aghassy !
In spite of imperious old Lady Mary's in- " Furbo " repeated Lady Mary under her
!
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed mentioned in despatches, and was decorated,
by our correspondents. found, after taking up her previous work,
that she would have to undergo a serious
HAY FEVER. operation. The consequent drain on her finances
was considerable, and having no pension to help
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
her along, she applied to the Fund for the Disabled
Madam,— In reading the paper in the June 26th to see if it could do anything for her. They were
issue of the B.J.N, on hay fever I noticed that no sympathetic and sent her a form to fill up, one of
mention is made of an almost certain preventative. the questions being something like
Hay fever is rarely cured, though it is sometimes " Are you in receipt of any other pension ? and
outgrown. It can, however, be prevented by use the answer, of course, was " None."
of a homoeopathic preparation, " Tincture of " The reply to this was that they were sorry,
Authoxanthum," a few drops pvit in the palm of but had she had a pension they could have helped
the hand and inhaled up the nose. I have her : as it was they could not. Had she had one,
recommended this to many sufferers from hay of course, they would not have been troubled.
fever and it has never failed. A
friend of mine' But then, unto every one that hath shall be
'
onl}'- last week told me that this was the first given,' and so the matter ended."
spring or early summer she had enjoyed for 21
years, and she was a real martyr to hay fever. THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
Yours obediently, Sinn Fein Sister, Ireland.-—•" Matters over
A
Mary Dempster. here are very quaint. Troops and guns and
50, Thurloe Square, S.W. 7.
bombs and tanks, and aeroplanes still pour in.
The English Government fancy that by their
help, and through
their excesses, they are govern-
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. ing the country. The reverse is the case.
INDIVIDUAL ACTION BY MATERNITY Our county and district Councils, with few
NURSES. exceptions, recognise no authority but that of
The Midwife
THE MIDWIFERY CONFERENCE. the revolting description of the conditions pro-
duced must surely have realised that it should
never be had recourse to except under very
Afternoon Sessions.
exceptional circumstances, and explicit medical
Miss Grace Vaughan presided at the first
directions. It is not surprising to learn that
Session of the Midwifery Conference at the Royal
there is a consensus of medical opinion against
Horticultural Hall, on June 24th, when the first
paper, " Plain Words to Mid wives," was pre-
its use, and that it is dying a natural death. We
sincere ly hope so.
sented by Miss Olive Haydon, who strongly
maintained that post-certificate education is one {To be concluded.)
of the most urgent needs of their profession.
Miss Elsie Hall followed, and urged midwives
to organise with a view to improving the con- IRISH MIDWIVES AND FEES FOR
ditions under which they work and their inade-
CERTIFICATES.
quate pay, and expressed the view that organisa-
tion and better training would beget a better Mrs. Marie Mortished, the Secretary of the
status for the midwife. Irish Nurses' Union, warns Dispensary Midwife
At 5 o'clock Miss E. F. Neville (Infant Welfare Members, in the Irish Citizen, to be ready to act
Centre, Middlesex Hospital) read an interesting at once on any instructions the Union may have
paper on " Infant Welfare Work," in the course to issue.
of which she enlarged on the suffering alleviated There is trouble because the Irish Local Govern-
by skilled training. She referred also to the ment Board have fixed a maximum fee of 2s. 6d.
valuable training in mothercraft given at 29, for signing maternity benefit certificates, and have,
Trebovir Road, Earl's Court, in Dr. Truby King's without replying to a letter from her Union
methods, where trained nurses are received for concerning this limitation, again demanded of
a three months' course, and spoke of the good Nurse Collins (of Athy) that she should refund
which can be achieved by infant welfare workers payments made to her for this service.
in cases of difficult lactation of the district, by It will be remembered that the system in regard
instructing the mother daily until she understands to dispensary midwives in Ireland is to pay them
the method to be adopted. what may be regarded as a retaining fee for it —
Evening Session.
—
cannot be regarded as a living wage for attending
the poor law outdoor midwifery cases in a certain
Miss Blomfield (Matron of Queen Charlotte's area, and to permit them to eke out their livelihood
Hospital) presided at the evening session when with such private practice as they are able to
three very interesting addresses were delivered. secure.
THE
WITH WHICH rS
IFllISiC
INCORPORATED
1. " If, therefore, you are on the College Register ceipt of a letter from a member stating that she
you will automatically and without further fee be placed joined the College in this belief, " the Council
upon the State Register when the Nurses' Registration is willing to pay such initial fee, not exceeding
Bill is passed." one guinea," when her name has been entered
2. " Because every nurse who is placed upon the on the State Register,
College Register ipso facto and without further fee
a member
is
to members of the College, stating that " a Bill the second pledge" given by the College Council,
for the State Registration of Nurses was namely that they are, ipso fado, members of
drafted by the College, in which it was provided the College, and entitled to vote for the elec-
becoming an
that in the event of the College Bill tion of the Council. This is not affected by the
Act of Parliament, all the Nurses on the College Council discharging its legal obligation to pay
Register would automatically become State the fee required by the General Nursing Coun-
Registered Nurses without further fee." cil for registration by the State.
Members of the College must not confuse the It is not the " financial loss " which will have
purely tentative provision included by the Col- the most damagiing effect upon the College in
lege Company in 1919 in a Bill which had little this connection, but the example set to every
chance of being approved, and was not ap- member by its Governing- Body —the Council
proved, by Parliament, with the definite pledge in attempting to repudiate its written word of
above-mentioned, given by it in 1916 as an in- honour.
—
men, and when the disease develops mortality begin to granulate, but healing is slow, and
is considerably smaller than amongst the un- they leave no contraction in bowel wall.
inooulated. The two most to be feared of abdominal com-
Undoubtedly the more perfect the sanitary plications are haemorrhage and perforation,
arrangements, particularly with reference to particularly in the third week.
water supply, drainage and removal of sewage, Symptoms of haemorrhage are :
—
the less likely the occurrence of enteric but it
; I. Sudden drop in temperature. 2. Increased
is important for those unable to avoid risk of pulse rate. 3. Aspect anxious and very pale.
exposure to the infection to diminish sus- 4. Cold, clammy sweat. 5. Melaena. 6. Physical
ceptibility by inoculation by injecting a vaccine collapse.
of dead bacilli Typhosus, subcutaneously, or Treatment. —Stop food by mouth, elevate
a!ll
intra-muscular'ly, with all antiseptic precautions, foot of bed, ice cap to abdomen, morphia or
usually into the abdominal wall or the upper ergotin hypodermically, or opium per rectum,
part of the arm. may be ordered and sometimes doses of chloride
To secure immunisation twO' doses are given, of calcium. Absolute rest and warmth are im-
the first consisting of 500 million bacteria, the perative. Rectal salines and feeds may be
second, seven to ten days later, of 1,000 million ordered in collapse.
bacteria. Some authorities recommend a third Perforation symptoms :
If diarrhoea is excessive, bismuth and opium patriots for whom we shall always entertain
or lead acetate and morphia, or an enema of the profoundest veneration. To have come into
starch and opium may be ordered. Enemas personal touch with the inimitable " Poilu "
may be given every other day for constipation. during this searching test of character was to
No purgatives after first week. If motions are realise the height of human dignity. Further
offensive an intestinal antiseptic, as salol, is — —
reward though gracious is superfluous.
sometimes given.
For bacilluria and cystitis, and for prevention Nurses of both sexes are eligible for the new
of infection of others, urotropine mist, is used French War Medal in commemoration of the
as directed during course of fever, and for three war, which is to be awarded to all soldiers and
weeks of convalescence. sailors ser\'ing with the Colours or in the Navy
Peritonitis, with or without perforation, may between Augnst 2nd, 1914, and November nth,
occur. The liver, the spleen and mesenteric 191 8. The medal will be of bronze.
glands may be affected. In high fever the anti- Under these conditions all Sisters of the
pyrin group is dangerous to the heart, but French Flag Nursing Corps will, we presume,
aspirin (5 gr.) four-hourly may be useful, also be eligible for the medal.
the use of quinine and tepid sponging; the
object of keeping temperature at even level is The Queen Mary's Hostel at 194, Queen's
to relieve excessive waste and to tranq-uilise Gate, S.W., to be placed upon a permanent
is
the nervous system and lessen liability of com- basis, and a meeting of the friends and sub-
plication. Attendants must strictly adhere to scribers will be held at the Hostel on July 28th.
general principles of typhoid nursing and dis- It is hoped to provide holiday hospitality in
infection and absolute cleanliness, with faithful London, through its agency, to both military
observance of doctors' instructions. and civilian nurses. There are still a number
HONOURABLE MENTION. of Sisters and Nurses with the Armies of Occu-
The following competitors receive honourable pation, to whom a hostel is a much appreciated
mention —
Miss Kate Ellis, Miss Dorothy Jean,
: convenience on their return to England for a
Miss M. James, Miss P. Thompson. time, as well as nurses working in connection
QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK. with the Serbian Relief Fund, the British Com-
What do you know of the methods by which mittee of the Russian Red Cross, and others.
tuberculosis is transmitted from one person to It is also open to nurses employed by the Minis-
another, and the measures necessary for the try of Pensions, to Queen's Nurses, and to
prevention and eradication of the disease? members of the Colonial Nursing Service. The
Chairman is Captain Sir Harold Boulton.
the industrialworld made better educated we hear, been admirably adapted for an up-to-
women anxious to enter a profession, and
less date nursing home, which will compare
the nursing" profession not having been very favourably with any private nursing home in
well paid, or much considered in the past, was London or the provinces. The home is fur-
now suffering from lack of candidates willing nished throughout in a most tasteful style, and
to join as nurses. The Council gratefully nothing has been forgotten which would add to
acknowledged the grant of ;^3,ooo from the the comfort and welfare of the patients. One
British Red Cross Association. of the features is a thoroughly equipped
In our opinion it is quite indefensible to per- operating theatre.
mit midwives to assume the responsibility of Most of the doctors practising in this district
school and tuberculosis nurses. The majority were present at the recent opening, and the
are totally unqualified for this important work. arrangements and conditions received their un-
We are glad to hear there is a shortage of qualified approval.
women willing to assume the responsibility of
The nursing staff is an exceptionally capable
undertaking nursing duties for which they have The Lady Superintendent, Miss W.
one.
not been efiticiently trained.
Lankester, is a lady of very great experience,
We regret to hear that the Kingston Guar- who has earned the golden opinion of everyone
dians have felt compelled to call for the resigna- with whom she has come into contact during
the few months she has been here superintend-
tion of the Matron for using their motor ambu-
lance, without leave, to go to the " Derby," as
ing the equipment of the home. This institu-
tion will undoubtedly meet a great need in the
she has been working very hard since her ap-
district, as people find it more and more im-
pointment in February last. Nevertheless, the
possible to be really ill at home owing to lack
use of this ambulance, which is reported' to have
of domestic service.
been required for the sick, when not available,
was a very serious offence, which could not be
overlooked by the Board.
The National Asylum Workers' Union took
further steps to improve the position of its
The following " ad." is from the Daily Mail, members at its sixth annual conference, held
July 3rd :— recently at Durham. It was reported that
WANTED for
woman,
women's
college in Oxford, a
undertake parlour and
during the year the membership had increased
reliable to from 13,905 to 17,720. The contribution was
portress work one with some knowledge of nursing
;
increased 100 per cent, to strengthen the funds
preferred ; age 30-45 wages to be arranged.—
;
Is it any wonder that probationers are at a week. Rural areas minimum, £2 15s. per
:
centres to adopt that system, but since then it wished for, was a very satisfactory termination of
had been practically adopted throughout England. the difficult and long-continued struggle on behalf
During the past year there had been created of the nurses of the country. Dr. D. J. Mackin-
by the Government a General Nursing Council tosh, honorary secretary of the Association, read
for the administration of the Nurses' Registration an account of the work accomplished. Professor
Act, and she had been nominated to sit on the Glaister moved that, as they had come to the end
Council. Registration in the future would be of their usefulness as a body, the Association be
more difficult. Their difficulty had been that dissolved, and the credit balance be handed to the
many young nurses did not care to go in for treasurer of the King Edward VH
Memorial Home
district nursing unless they could see their way to for Nurses in Scotland. This was agreed to.
work up to the higher branches of the profession.
Their idea in the Council was that the work of
districts should be first considered and that PRESENTATION OF MEDALS AT THE
district nursing should be a stepping-stone for
some of the higher branches of the profession,
WESTMINSTER INFIRMARY, FULHAM.
notably the branch that went in for health An interesting little ceremony took place on
visiting. •
Wednesday, July 7th, when the Chairman,
Alderman WooUey Walden, C.B.E., J. P., and
Lady Hobhouse may have been misquoted, but several members of the Committee, met in the
we feel sure we truly represent the opinion of the Recreation Room of the Nurses' Home of the
working nurses on the General Nursing Council, Westminster Infirmary, Fulham, to present the
when we affirm that they would firmly oppose silver and bronze medals to the two nurses
any suggestion to recognise the obsolete Plaistow who headed the list in the final examination,
scheme of classing experience in cottages as which was conducted by Mr. L. S. Burrell, M.D.,
efficient training,such as can only be acquired M.A., M.R.C.S. The pretty recreation room was
by systematic teaching in hospital wards, and gay with flowers and plants when the Matron,
we at once qusstion the statement that it is Miss E. J. Booth, and a large gathering of the
" the idea in the Council " to recognise any such nursing staff assembled there to see the presenta-
retrograde step. The duty of the General Nursing tions. Alderman Woolley Walden spoke of the
Council is to organise an efficient curriculum of good results of the final examination twenty —
education, constituting trained nurses safe attend- nurses out of a possible twenty-one being successful
ants on the sick, and to carefully provide that the and gaining their certificates. He congratulated
poor shall have available in their cottages the the staff and spoke most encouragingly of their
same standard of nursing care as kings in their work. The silver medal was gained by Nurse
palaces. There is only one basis for such profes- Margaret Jane Moore, who obtained 271 marks
sional efficiency, and that is sound theoretical and out of 300, and who got full marks for her viva.
practical teaching in hospital wards, on which to Nurse Annie Allen, with 261 marks, gained the
base special courses of experience in the district bronze medal.
for public health nursing, and it is the duty of The two nurses were enthusiastically congratu-
the well- trained members of the nursing profession, latedby the staff with hearty clapping of hands.
especially the Queen's Nurses, to keep the General
Nursing Council straight on these principles, if
it is the " idea " of the lay element to attempt to THE HOSPITAL WORLD.
evade them. Following are some of tlie chief grants made
by King Edward's Hospital Fund in aid of London,
THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE hospitals :
EIGHT-HOUR DAY. they could know of all the hard cases " (including
that of the elusive " Juliet," we presume)
The Secretary of the Irish Nurses' Union states " that are now being helped by the Nation's '
that an Enghsh Matron has asked her to help her " Many aged whose prospects are decidedly
nurses,
in securing 70 probationers, so that the eight-
gloomy, unfortunately no longer enjoy the help
hours' scheme can be put into practice, and she
" The hospitals must find means to meet of the Nation's Fund,' the limited money at its
'
adds :
by the Daily Telegraph, writes on the 7th inst. 15 probationers, and 21 assistant nurses passed the
to the editor of the Leicester Mail, whose readers G X3, mi ncrs
have contributed ;^57o 5s. id. in response to the The MedaUists were as follows :—Go/rf Medal,
ot a
Miss S. Flynn. Park Hospital, 558 marks (out
now notorious appeal possible 600) Silver Medal, Miss M. Hartnett
N ortn
" I should like to thank you most sincerely, ;
on behalf of the nurses, for your more than Linton, Park Hospital, 511 marks. Thus the
Gold
generous help to our fund. I am sure those who Medallist obtained 93 per cent, of full marks. A
so generously subscribed would be gratified if very high average.
— ' ! — '!
ing Collection. This collection will consist of " Dearest Dynamo,- ^How wonderful — ! What
books, prints, pictures, and all kinds of material a dreanj — a living melodrama
like sensation of !
on the history of nursing. It will be housed in I really think your experience in making your
Teachers' College, and will be particularly for long untiring pioneer search, and in seeing its
the use of students in the department ; but it results won, and in knowing yourself set upon the
will also be open to other nurses who wish to First Nursing Council, and in having pubhc
consult it. recognition brought to you in the very same
We are proud to know that the whole file of house and room where the first quest was launched,
sixty-four volumes of The Nursing Record and so long ago is very remarkable, is very unusual,
British Journal of Nursing have been secured and is dramatic in the extreme. Not least
for Teachers' College, so that the weekly history dramatic isthe removal of Sir Henry Burdett at the
of English nursing from the year 1888 is at the very moment when, in a novel, or on the stage,
disposal of American nurse students, together with he would depart. I hope in these words there
the twenty volumes of the American Journal of is.no malice towards the dead. I was just getting
Nursing. We have returned the compliment by ready to forgive and forget all !
securing the eighty-four volumes for English " I venture to guess there were good things
nurses interested in the history of their profession. at that tea !
'
When those of us who have helped to make nursing Miss Dock loves our English teas. How we
history have passed away, the "silver lining"
' '
to our crimes may shine forth from bourgeois and of that delectable beverage with all her affection-
brevier. It was a very merciful judge who said, ate old friends !
OUR FOREIGN LETTER. what may, the trustees can no longer be urged to
sell Bagatelle.
We shall be able to do such wonderful work
FROM DR. ANNA HAMILTON, MAISON DE there. We shall have a great many more patients,
as we are- to have 200 beds our hospital will
SANTE PROTESTANTE, BORDEAUX. always be full, as we
;
dren's Department. We all enjoy so much having This spring we made an experiment with six
her with us. lectures on the " History of Nursing " on Saturday
In the B.J.N, of April 24th you very kindly nights. The nurses mended their stockings
mention the American Nurses' Memorial Fund listening, and then they had a nice tea. They
which is being collected in America to be given were greatly interested. Next year we hope to
to us to build our Nurses' School, and that it was have a fortnightly lecture, and a much extended
voted with enthusiaspi at the Atlanta Convention programme all through the winter. In the .
to reach 50,000 dollars (^10,000) with which at report I am sending you you will see the statistics
present rate of exchange we shall be able to build about the nurses' work and also my report on
a fine school, with 50 small rooms for pupils and my visit to the United States."
12 for the staff, a splendid hall, the Amabel
Roberts' Library (memorial to a nurse of the We warmly congratulate Dr. Anna Hamilton
Presbyterian Hospital, N.Y., by her Alumnae), that after arduous years of struggle her dream of
a large lecture room, a big dining-room to hold a Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, placed
small tables. There will be two terraces on the on a sound financial basis at Bordeaux, has come
roof. true. We have told our readers of the spirited
Miss Clara Noyes, President of the American pioneer work of this wonderful woman, whose
Nurses' Association, has instructed me to have school we have often visited. We have told them
the architect prepare the plans because as soon of the romance of Bagatelle, and now, once more,
as the whole sum will have been collected, we those wonderful Powers influenced by longing and
must be ready to show the plans to Miss Alice will have responded, and Bagatelle is safe. We
FitzGerald and Miss Helen Scott Hay, who will do hope we get an invitation to the opening of the
be responsible for approving them. I am sure new school, made possible by the unity and co-
when our nurses are in the beautiful home at operation of American nurses, as a memorial of the
Bagatelle, a great many will come to train with us. 284 nurses of the American army who died during
I have never told you of the splendid donation the war. We think it would be very fitting that
of 250,000 francs given by the father of one of our our National Council of Nurses should make a gift
nurses. The Committee were asked to sell Bagatelle on that great occasion. Moreover, if MUe.
(the beautiful estate left by the late Mile. Bosc Minot would take domestic pupils, what a grand
to the Maison de Sante Protestante) for that sum. opportunity for an Isla Stewart pupil to be initiated
I was in despair and told many people about it. into the menage of a French hospital and nurses'
. . Thus the father of a nurse heard about it,
. commissariat. As the Isla Stewart Memorial Fund
and wrote he would give the same sum of money now has an income of £^0 per annum, we must
on condition the estate was not sold. He lost a see what can be done in the future. Never shall
— —
son killed in the war and the other became we forget the Bordeaux menus !
and whose disputes ended in tragedy, which left ha' you got to ? " Then when the truant emerged,
their only child, elfin little Sally, an orphan. self-contained and unhurriedly from the darkness,
Bob took her in along of his youngsters for a note of endearment crept into the tones. Why, '
'
a time. " Liddy will let her slip into her bed." there you be Come along, old gal."
! H. H.
Another aged inhabitant of the village was
Luke Medlar. With his weathered face, his old
blue eyes, and the fringe of snowy whiskers
A WORD FOR THE WEEK.
which surrounded his face and chin like an inverted Believe in yourself, believe in humanity ;
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The laying on the electric light installation will
cost ;^53 los. 4d. If we can get this done in six
To the Editor o/The British Journal of Nursing. for, for so many, many years. The money could
be sent to me through our Secretary, Church of
—
Dear Madam, There are twt> departments of
England Zenana Mission Society, 27, Chancery
Salvation Army Service, which, I behave, may be Lane, London, W.C. stating that it is for the
unknown to many of your readers who might be water and electric lighting at Rainawari Medical
glad to take advantage of the facilities offered. Mission, Srinagar, Kashmir. If readers of the
(a) For the convenience of relations wishing to
B.J.N, can help ever so little we shall be grateful.
visit the graves of their loved ones laid to rest in
The bedsteads for the hospital have arrived and
France and Belgium, .a department has been the blankets are on their way, a free gift from
opened under the direction of Mrs. Commissioner Queen Mary's Needlework Guild. ;^i50 is a large
Higgins, which is prepared to assist in securing
sum to ask for, but we feel sure it will come in some
the location of the graves, to arrange the passports, way.
issue the tickets from London to nearest railway
Yours,
station to the cemetery, meet passengers in
E. M. Newman.
London and at ports of embarkation and landing, C.E.Z. Mission Dispensary,
and, if necessary, arrange motor transportation
Rainawari, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.
to cemetery.
The department has hostels in London, Bou- KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
logne, Calais, Arras, Ostend, Ypres, Amiens,
Rouen and Havre. The rates are the cheapest NURSING AND HEALTH NOT PARTY
QUESTIONS.
possible —
no profit is made.
Miss Isabel McClymont, Lawmuir, N.B. —
Full information can be obtained from Mrs. " It
Commissioner Higgins, International Headquar- seems advisable, now that the Registration
Society has dissolved, that a Parliamentary
ters, loi. Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C. 4.
Section be formed in one of the existing Societies
{b) Lieut. -Colonel Ewens of the Widows' Coun-
sellors Department at the same address, will
—
or the Professional Union a political wing
often forms part of a trade union already Miss
be pleased to help, up to the limits of our power, ; .
any widow who is in difficulty irrespective of MacCallum has been using persuasion in the
lobbies with good result. Many of those from
creed or circumstances. Amongst those who
have already been helped are many war widows the old Society have strong T.U. sympathies,
for whom pensions, increases and adjustments
they might with their past experience develop a
strong political wing by joining the Professional
have been secured.
Union. Of course nurses must pay for their
I am, yours sincerely,
Theo. H. Kitching, Commissioner.
—
independence the fact that they have formed
a successful T.U. is proof that they realise this ;
loi. Queen Victoria Street, E.C. 4. but it behoves them to make the money go as far
as possible and use existing societies and offices."
FOR THE SAFETY OF THE SICK. [The Registered Nurses' Parliamentary Council
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. will be, as the Society for the State Registration
Dear Editor, — You may remember my writing of Trained Nurses was, entirely free from Party
to you in 19 18 about the awful catastrophe to politics, and trades unionism is associated with the
our hospital, which was destroyed by fire. We
are Labour Party. Nursing is not, in our opinion, a
rebuilding under very difficult circumstances, Party question at all. It is the duty of every
owing to the adverse rate of exchange, and the Party to promote the efficient nursing of the sick
high rate of labour and building materials. The and the health of the people, and it will be the duty
night of the fire the pressure of water was so low, of the Council to instruct all political parties in
the firemen could not get the water up to the this matter, so far as trained nurses are concerned,
flames. The outside buildings are now finished, as the State Registration Society did so success-
but no fire insurance society will take over the fully on the Nurses' registration question. Ed.]
buildings unless the water supply is sufficient,
which it is not. The engineer of the Public Works
Department has examined the pressure and says
the water supply can be improved, but at the OUR PRIZE COMPETITION.
cost of ;^ioo. Also the electric station has been QUESTIONS.
brought to Rainawari, and we do not want oil July 24th. — State
what you know of uraemia.
lamps again, after the awful experience of the To what are the symptoms due ? What are the
-drum of oil- being upset and the lamp broken. essential points in the management ?
—
THe Midwife
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. Devonport : Alexandra Nursing Home. E. L. —
Franks, B. E. Liddy, A. E. Liley, F. M. Phillips,
[Concluded from page 351.)
E. H. Pope, L. Scott, D. L. Woodhouse.
The following candidates from provincial train-
ing schools were successful at the examination of
Essex County Nursing Association. F. Alger, —
D. M. Anderson. E. Craddock, M. S. Edwards, A.
the Central Midwives' Board, held on May 4th :
Knight, A. M. Sadgrove, A. A. Whitlock, M. A.
Pkovincial. Wraith.
Aldershot : Louise Margaret Hospital. —N. Gateshead Union Hospital and Newcastle-on-Tyne
—
Union Hospital. E. M. Burgess. I. Kirk.
Cowpe, F. B. Goodall, G. D. Shephard, D. M.
Staniland. Gloucester District Nursing Society. M. M.—
—
Aston Union Workhouse. S. K. Hardy, E. M. Davies. L. A. Hopkins. A. Lewis, C. Williams.
—
Halifax District Nursing Association. E. Whit-
HoweU, C. Williams.
—
Birkenhead Maternity Hospital. M. L. Appleton, ton.
Hastings District Nursing Association. ^M. C. —
M. Barlow, M. E. E. Hillsdon, M. E. M. Parsonage,
S. Wood. Kirk. I. B. Roy.
Association. —A.
J.
Birmingham Maternity Hospital. F. E. L. — Herts. Countv Nursing
Bishop. S. F. Cooper, D. E. R. EUis, P. H. Feather-
M.
Berry, A. M. Bowen, G. Clark, C. Donnelly,
A. V. M. Edwards, G. M. Eslick, R. M. Evans, ston. A. J. Pierce. S. K. Peck.
M. Johnson, L. M. Jones, H. Little, M. McCaskell, Huddersfield District Nursing Association and
B. S. Martin, E. Ogram, I. M. E. Parkerson, M. H uddersfield Union Infirmary.—M. E. Green.
Pedley, E. M. Richards, E. Ryan, C. F. Stewart, Huddersfield District Nurses' Assooiation.—K.
E. Tomlinson, Gi Wilding. Jackson.
Bradford Union Hospital.—M.. Livingstone, —
Hull Lying-in Charity. M. A. DaJes. M. C.
J. Mowat, D. C. Wall. Merrylees. A. E. Thomas. E. M. Wonters.
Brentford Unian Infirmary. —
E. Bowen, E. —
Hull Municipal Maternity Home. E. Fletcher,
Williams. M. A. Webster.
Bridgwater District Nursing Association. K. A, — —
Ipswich Nurses' Home. L. A. Bowyer. M. J.
McGirr. Brooks. R. G. Moffat. M. Partington, E. White.
—
Brighton Hospital for Women. E. M. M. Alex- Kingswood District Nursing Assooiation. —N.
ander, L. A. Auld, M. T. Brameld, D. Chadwick, Allen, M. E. Thomas.
C. E. L. Cooke, L. M. Gardner- Brown, L. M. —
Leeds Maternity Hospital. A. Campbell, A.
Heam, B. R. MUler, B. M. Smyth, D. M. Spencer, Harvey, F. Gates, M. Rogerson, E. A. Rowat, M.
V. M. Verity. Scott, I. L Smith. A. Wier.
Bristol : Eastville Workhouse Infirmary. — ^M. Leicester Maternity Hospital.—-C. E. Beamish,
Hammond, E. A. Williams. H. B. Davies, E. K. Elliott. J. M. Owen, M. J.
Bristol General Hospital. —
E. F. Complin, P. Stuart, D. Vernon. M. Winter ton.
Levy. P. F. Morton, M. A. Walters, S. WiUiams. Leicester Union Infirmary. —
C. Blackledge, G. E.
Bristol Royal Infirmary.—E. R. Byrt, C. M. M. Jarrett, B. M. PhiUips, E. Wilford.
• Messenger, H. A. Pattiillo, C. C. Wiseman. —
Lincoln City Maternity Home. A. M. DuffiU.
Carlisle District Nursing Association. —
M. Gillam, F. E. East. A. Pickford.
M. E. Johnston. Liverpool Maternity Hospital. —
R. Babbs, M.
Cheltenham District Nursing Association. M. — Bocking. E. Carr, L. A. Carroll, I. Corrin. J.
Griffiths, A. A. Hemmen, N. E. Jones, V. M. Dawson. A. Done. A. R. Furber. M. Gaffney, A. H.
Pearson. Harris, B. Hosker, A. G. Jones. M. E. G. Jordan.
Chester Benevolent Institution. —
E. E. Deacon, E. M. McCormick. A. C. Piatt. E. Pogue.
L. M. Thompson. I. Shingler. E. Sturdy, L. E. Warrior.
Coventry Union Infirmary. — D. F. Hutchings. Liverpool Workhouse Hospital. A. — M. Enuett,
Croydon : St. Mary's Hostel. —^M. Britten, C. Leacy.
V. L. H. Reakes, M. Reilly, D. L. Rollo. Manchester, St. Mary's Hospitals.—L. M. Austin,
Darwen District Nursing Association. S. A. — E. Clarke, M. Dearden, E. Flack, C. E. Fletcher,
O'Connor. F. Hilton, E. Hughes, D. D. Johnson, M. M.
Derby : Royal Derbyshire Nursing Association. — Johnson, L. Moodie, S. A. Moody, J. C. Perrie, M.
D. A. Albon, F. E. R. Beynon, E. A. Bowler, A. Swindells, F. N. Taylor, E. Todd, L. Waterhouse.
Cousions, A. D. Crocker, F. East, S. M. Goadby, —
Manchester Union Workhouse. W. France.
C. M. Hayes, M. Jarvis, M. B. Livingstone, E. Manchester Workhouse Injirmary and St. Mary's
Nicklin, K. A. Peat, A. S. Wilson. —
Hospitals, Manchester. ^M. E. Shaddock. M.
Devon and Cornivall Training School. E. Bees,— Williams.
—
R. E. Carter, B. J. Dayman, G. H. Denslow, R. E. Newcastle-on-Tyne Maternity Hospital. ^M. H.
Fry, C. H. Ham, E. L. Hopper, M. Howaurth, Brogan, E. Douglass, M. Henderson, E. T. Hogg,
G. M. M. Irons, A. Kershaw, M. A. O'Leeiry, E. M. A. McDonald, P. A. Melvm, E. M. Plater, E.
Pearson, L. Tomlinson. Robinson.
42 ^be Britiab Journal of Hursino Supplement juiy 17, 1920
—
Newcastle-on-Tyne Union Hospital. E. Haxri- MIDWIFERY CONFERENCE.
son, S. T. Lawson, E. Lowerson, E. P. Phillips.
[Continued from page 28.)
Northampton. Q.V.N. I. —E. G. Gregg, K. E.
Harrison, L. M. Jeans, E. Moss, K. Rosser, E. The Mother the only Safe Environment for
Spillane, S. A. Tideswell. Young Babies.
—
North Brierley Inf. -E. E. Barker, E. E. Dixon. The concluding speakers at the Midwifery
Nottingham Workhouse Infirmary.—A. E. Allen, Conference at the Royal Horticultural Hall, on
G. F. Berridge, N. Bennett, K." Tunnicliffe, L. June 24th, were Dr. Eric Pritchard and Miss M.
Wetton. Liddiard. Dr. Pritchard prefaced his remarks
Norwich Maternity Institution.- M. Turle. —
on his own subject the environment for young
—
Oldham Union Infirmary. M. H. Holroyd, L. A. —
babies by referring to Dr. Gordon Ley's address
Watson. on " TwUight Sleep." Looked at from the point
N: Preston Union Workhouse. — E. CoUinson. of view of the infant he could not agree that it
^ Royal Hants County Hospital.— E. D. St. J. was not detrimental to the child. There might
not be many babies born dead, whose mothers
Camies, J. T. Scott. W. J. Vigar, S. F. Wright.
Selly Oak —
Union Infirmary.- L. Bailey, E. were under the influence of twilight sleep, but they
were born with morphia in their systems, which
Fisher, T. HoUingworth, M. W. Monk, M. H.
Watts. was detrimental to them both at birth and after.
Sheffield, Jes^op Hospital. — ^M. Ash, J. McA.
In regard to the safest environment for the
Brown, A. Compton, J. S. Gunn, H. A. Hunt, D. young infant, Dr. Pritchard stated that babies
Lee, L. D. Rowntree, E. R. Wallbank. are born absolutely sterile, but when launched
—
Sheffield Union Hospital. L. V. T. I. Coward.
into the world they are bound to meet infection.
Staffs Training Home for Nurses. -E. M. — The majority of babies who die in the first few
Addison, F. Davies, A. Davies, E. Frost, E. M. months of hfe do so because they are unable to
Johnson, L. Marshall, C. Munro, H. C. Smith, withstand infection, which may enter their
S. E. M. Smith. systems through the skin, the mucous membrane,
—
Sunderland Union Workhouse. S. G. Milner. the mouth, the nose, the anus, the vagina, and
the stump of the umbilical cord.
Sunderland District Nursing Association and
—
Anita Richardson Maternity Home.- N. E. Scott. Everyone, said Dr. Pritchard, is infested with
—
Tynemouth Union Hospital. M. Cowell, A. E. millions and millions of micro-organisms, and
the reason why people do not become infected is
Hutchinson, L. Wignall.
Wakefield Maternity Hospital. —T.O'Brien. because they cannot penetrate the skin, or if
Walton, West Derby Union Infirmary. L. G. — a few do they get killed when they get through
the first layer. The blood is full of anti-bodies
Bishop, M. E. Donegan, M. Duncan, I. Fowler,
L. McNair, G. Riding. to microbes. The newly- born infant has not
Windsor, H.R.H. Princess Christian's Maternity learned to kill microbes, and is protected because
it carries in its system its mother's blood. There-
Home.—A. H. Ivin.
—
Widnes, Queens Nurses' Assoc. E. G. Jones. fore, so long as the infection it has to meet is that
—
West Riding Nursing Association. E. Glover, which the mother has to meet, it has in its blood
anti- bodies which enable it to resist the particular
E. Hawksworth, T. H. Worth.
Wolverhampton District Nurses' Home. B. V.
Higgs, A. E. Knowles, A. M. Perry.
— infections to which it is exposed, and it is safest
when it remains close to its mother, nestled up
Worcester County Nursing Association. L. H. — against her.
As the infant grows it uses up the blood supplied
Harris, A. Johnson, A. M. Nightingale, A. E.
Whitehouse, A. P. Williams. to it by its mother, and has to manufacture its
—
York Maternity Hospital. -K. Duncanson, M. E. own blood supply therefore it becomes less
;
—
Dublin, Rotunda Hospital. V. M. Brindley. [To be concluded.)
THE
'MnSMJOIllillLo'lliifflC
WITH WHICH INCORPORATED IS
THEEDITED
miRSIHC RECORD
BY MRS BEDFORD FENWICK
"A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY." those employed in the care of the insane are
strictly prohibited from striking' or maltreating
When the nation takes into itS' charg^e classes
them, under the regulations of the Lunacy
of persons, who have thus no means of self- Board of Control.
protection, it rig-htlyenacts laws to safeguard It is, therefore, inexcusable for a nurse to
those for whose welfare it assumes respon- use physical force in dealing with a refractory
sibility — infants, minors, feeble-minded, and patient, as in the case of an unfortunate woman
especially the insane. For the tragedy of the
at Brookwood Mental Hospital Recently,
the
last class is that while, for their andown benefit
the was the prosecution, at
sequel to which
that of the community, they are placed under Woking Police Court, by Mr. K. G. Thomas,
care, they are removed from public observa- acting for the Surrey County Council, of Anna
tion, and therefore from the protection afforded Elizabeth Matthews, a former nurse at the hos-
by public opinion, and, at the same time, from pital, for alleged ill-treatment of this patient.
the nature of their complaint, arising from a The defendant admitted having smacked the
disordered brain, they are often difficult to deal patient's face, but denied ill-treating her.
with, requiring- sympathy, tact, wisdom, and Evidence was given? by the chief nurse that she
patience. Indeed, patients suffering from saw the patient sitting on a form, her hands
mental diseases require the very hig-hest type being held by a nurse, while Nurse Matthews,
of men and women to attend them, both as who was standing behind her, struck her three
regards personality, and trained skill. or four blows in quick succession on the head
This fact was not always appreciated. There and neck. The medical superintendent, Dr.
are now in the museum at Bethlem Hospital a J.A. Lowrie, deposed that he found bruising on
collection of implements formerly in use in that the back of the patient's neck, and there was
institution, which are instruments of torture blood on her glothing.
rather than remedial agents for the treatment The Chairman of the Bench said they would
"
of the sick in mind. The words " asylum be failing in their duty if they did not impose a
and " keeper " indicated the attitude of mind substantial penalty, and fined the defendant
of the public to these poor people. Remedial which appears to us totally inadequate in
;^5,
treatment was not the object of institutions for view of the gravity of the ofl'enoe, especially
the insane so much as their restraint. Even as this is only one of several similar cases
in the highest circles the keeper had almost which have been reported in the press recently.
absolute power over his unfortunate patient, If sentences of imprisonment were passed when
and it is on record that when George III. trans- helpless patients are cruelly assaulted, it might
gressed, his keeper knocked down that unfor- have a deterrent influence and protect other
tunate monarch " as flat as a flounder." patients from such assaults.
The present stagfe of evolution is one of Wedo hope that the General Nursing
Attendants and nurses Council will do all in' its power to raise the
remedial treatment.
are trained to g-ive mental patients nursing standard of mental nursing in every way.
—
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this than vessel provided, and handkerchiefs not to
week to Miss Henrietta Ballard, Sister, be placed elsewhere.
Northern Fever Hospital, Winchmore Hill, In the case of bed patients it is better to have
the ordinary mug with detachable lid, and a
N.21.
clean dish on the table for the handkerchief.
PRIZE PAPER.
All rooms used by patients should have floors
The germ of Tuberculosis, known as the and furniture that can be well washed and
*'
Bacillus " is present in excretions of those disinfected.
persons suffering- from the disease, in Pulmon- Utensils of patients, especially those used
ary Tuberculosis the sputum contains many of for feeding, must be kept scrupulously clean,
these germs, which are very minute, red, rod- and used for no other person, boiling for
shaped bodies, so that infection may be con- twenty minutes or disinfecting after use is most
veyed by the act of spitting, and once the essential, and feeders with spouts need
sputum become dry and mingles with the dust sp>eciaUy cleansing with brushes.
of the road or house, many persons may be Clothing of patient and bed should be soaked
infected through the air. Other parts of the in strong disinfectant for at least an hour
body may be infected with the disease, spine, before washing.
long bones, brain and internal organs, frequent- Hands of all in attendance must be scrubbed
ly causing the formation of large abscesses
well in soap and watei" and disinfected after
which secrete an enormous amount of pus, con- attending to patient.
taining the germ, and, in intestinal tuberculous, Food and vessels used for same should be
diarrhoea, causing incontinence of the faeces, kept as far from patient as possible, and
isoften present. protected from the greatest of germ carriers,
Contact. —
The hands of the person attend- the common house fly.
ing such cases may convey infection, either by Milk Cans, if left dirty, give a delightful
contact with dressings, soiled linen and feeding ground for germs, and should be
clothing, and the patient himself. immediately emptied, cleansed thoroughly, and
Kissing and inhalation of the patient's turned upside down till again used, and then
breath must be regarded as infectious. kept covered with a clean cloth to prevent con-
Clothing must always be suspected, whether tact with infected air.
from patient's body or bed, as the germs may.
HONOURABLE MENTION.
be transmitted by patient coughing up sputum
and using a handkerchief instead of spittoon, The following competitors receive honour-
and thus infecting everything coming in able mention Miss A. M. Burns, Miss S. F.
:
patient.
Thompson, Miss M. James.
—
Food. Milk is very quickly infected by the QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
air-borne germs, which contaminate its cream. State what you know of uraemia. To
Any food having been in patient's room must what are the symptoms due? What are the
be destroyed to insure no other person partakes essential points in the management?
thereof.
Prevention of Infection.
Allpersons suffering from Tuberculosis must A TRIBUTE TO TWO HEROINES.
be giv.en plenty of fresh air, and should not be In the presence of the Queen of the Belgians,
allowed to sihare a bed or room with a healthy the British and United States. Ambassadors,
person, or any other, if possible. M. Jauson, the Minister of National Defence,
Pulmonary Tubercular patients should.be the Burgomaster of Brussels and the local
provided: authorities, a monument was unveiled 00 Fri-
(i.) with gauze or paper handkerchief, and day, July i6th, at the Belgian Nursing Insti-
these must be burnt after use. tute in Brussels in memory of Nurse Cavell,
(ii.) With a spittoon,* irt which carbolic 1-20, and Mme. Depage, who perished on the
or its has been placed, and this
equivalent, " Lusitania." M. Jauson paid a tribute to the
must be emptied two or three times daily arid two heroines on behalf of the Belgian Govern-
contents burnt if possible and vessels sterilised. ment.
' —
The Dowager Lady Airlie held an "At The League News, of the Bradford Royal
Home," on July 15th, at 3, Grosvenor Place, Infimary Nurses' League, for 1920, appears in
supported by Dame Ethel Becher and Dame a dainty buff" cover, and is full of interesting
Maud McCarthy, to discuss a scheme for matter. The late Matron, Mrs. Meredith,
establishing a United Nurses' Services Club. writes the Foreword, in which she says :
Lady Airlie said that the idea was a response " We are justly proud of the splendid service
to the wish expressed by nurses. who worked of the Nurses during the war, and the true his-
in France, and she was convinced that Queen tory of all the help they rendered, and the
Alexandra would do everything in her power hardships that many of them uncomplainingly
to forward it. Sir Alfred Keogh supported the endured', can never be told. It Is
. . .
proposal, and Sir Anthony Bowlby said that if more than ever necessary that Nurses should
thje club could be started free from debt it proceed with their work with the same energy
would run itself. Other speakers urged that and high ideals as dur^ing the war, and on
such a central meeting place was badly needed every side the field widens. The schemes
by nurses, and should be run on the lines of a introduced by the Ministry of Health should
first-class residential ladlies' club, and at least open many fresh avenues of nursing employ-
twenty bedrooms would be required. ment, and our Nurses will require to be
No doubt such a ckib would be very popmlar. thoroughly well equipped with greater know-
The only question in these days is the matter ledge if they are to take up successfully the
of expense. To run it on the lines of a first- greater responsibiilities that the future will
'
class residential ladies' club vwuld in London bring.
necessitate an annual subscription of from ;^4
to £6. Men pay £10 to ;iC20, and pay for
sm.okes and wine. We are glad, however, to
The President, Miss Jessie W. Davies^ so —
wellknown as an expert trainer of nurses
hear an effort i,s to be made to organize such a
announced that the nursing staff, with the aid
club for nurses, and wish it all success.
of the Ladies' Committee, are organising a
grand bazaar, to be held early in November, in
John Bull asks Who' is responsible for
:
'
'
aid of the funds which are so much neede<^ for
holding up the nurses of the 24th Stationary the extension of the Nurses' Hostel at Field
46 dbc »riti0b 3ournal of BuremG. July 24, 1920
House ;the proposed enlargement will provide tion that certifiedmidwives with a smattering
additional accommodation for 66 nurses, and of nursing are trained nurses a standard—
will thus enable the whole staff to enjoy the accepted by the laity running county and rural
necessary extra off-duty hours. The League Nursing Associations for the poor on the cheap,
hopes to make its fancy stall the stall of the and we are looking forward to the time when
function, and 75 pver cent, of the takings are our Registration Act will protect us from this
to be allocated to the League funds. All the injurious system, i rained Nursing and Mid-
help possible is invited from members. This wifer}' are equally honourable professions for
stall is sure to be a great success we all know — women, but they are dlistinct professions at
what nurses can do when they have a mind to ! present, and should not be confused in the
The extracts from members' letters are full public mind with one another. Nor should one
of information. They fly home from
. cover the other with the resulting economic
Montreal, Northern Rhodesia, Wellington, competition. How about male midwives being
N.Z., and Baghdad, Royal Infirmary associated with general medical practitioners?
Bradford Sisters are carrying their skill far Unthinkable, of course. This is just where
—
and wide greatly to the
we have no doubt.
benefit of mankind, the finesse of professional opinion counts.
mercial, lay edited home nursing papers as plans for the immediate establishment of an
professional opinion Ihis by the way,
!
emergency hospital if required.
but on the whole we recognise that our medical
confrere has the good of our profession at
heart. The question of whether midwives The Hours of Employment Bill is not likely
who are not general trained nurses have any to be debated in Parliament until the autumn,
right to be members of the South African and we learn that it is probable that the
Trained Nurses' Association has cropped up Minister of Labour will call a conference of
again. Some nurses disapprove of it, but the representatives of the Nurses organisations to
Editor, referring to a nurse's letter on the hear what they have to say as to being in-
question, writes " Another letter in this issue
: cluded in the Special Order. The College of
claims a word from us. It is that dealing with Nursing, Ltd., together with the British Hos-
the subject of midwives and the T.N. A. It pitals Association, are, we believe, working
again is eloquent of the split that threatens to together against an eight hours day or 48 hours
nullify all our efforts. It is utterly impossible week, and urging that 56 hours weekly work
to think of running two Associations. We should be the minimum for nurses. This is
must have only one, complete and undivided. the result of so-called nurses' societies managed
We do again plead for unanimity and for har- by powerful employers and their senior officials.
monious working. No useful purpose can Not that we are a very ardent advocate of
possibly be served by any two nursing sections nursing by the clock-:—but such questions
getting up against each other, and we, as should be settled by the workers themselves
Editor of this journal, and neither a nurse nor in consultation with employers —
^^and not by the
a midwife, are in the posiition to appreciate the employer and his foremen for the worker.
grave danger of any such split."
helped so materially to win this victory for of these " stars " and to be associated with
Army Nurses in the States, reports in the them, through honorary membership, in their
American Journal of Nursing :
— National organisations.
" The Jones-Raker Bill for Rank for
Nurses is now law. On May 27th the Con-
ference Committee reached a final agreement HIGHER PENSIONS FOR NURSES
on issues of Army re-organisation, and
all DISABLED IN THE WAR.
made report, which contained the fol-
their ROYAL WARRANT.
lowing sentence The provision for the rela-
:
'
A new Royal warrant, dated July 2nd, has been
tive rank of nurses was agreed to, it being con- issued for the retired pay of officers (Army)
tained in both Bills. The report was agreed to
' disabled and for the pensions of the relatives
by the House on May 28th, and by the Senate on of officers deceased, and for the pensions of
May 29th. On June 4th the Presiident signed nurses disabled and of the relatives of nurses
the Bill,which, went into effect immediajtely. deceased, in consequence of the Great War.
" The Conference The warrant is published as a command paper
Committee used the
(Command 811) and as a special Army Order,
phraseology of the original Jones-Ral<;er Bill
and is obtainable from His Majesty's Stationery-
with the exception of the last clause. For Office, price 2d. net. It takes effect as from
this it substituted the sentence 'The :
April ist, 1920.
Secretary of War shall make the necessary In the case of such persons whose claims to
regulations prescribing the rights and retired pay, pensions or gratuities have been dealt
privileges conferred by such relative rank.' with or arose under previous Warrants the terms
Such language occurs frequently in Army and of the new Warrant may, if more beneficial to
Navy legislation, and I am advised that it is them, and subject to the provisions of the Fifth
hardly likely to be construed unfavourably to Schedule, be applied with retrospective effect
from the above date.
our interests.
" Toi the hundreds of persons, nurses, Nurses Disabled or Deceased.
doctors and lay persons, who by their unsel- A member of Queen Alexandra's Imperial
fish and spirited co-operation have made this Military Nursing Service, of the Army Nursing
law, the National Committee to secure Rank Service Reserve, and of the Territorial Force
for Nurses proudly acknowledges its indebted- Nursing Service, who retires on account of medical
ness and gives unmeasured thanks." unfitness certifiedas either attributable to or
Once again we have a splendid object lesson aggravated by military service during the war
resulting from the unity of the Nursing profes-
and not being due to her serious negligence or
misconduct, may be granted the pension shown in
sion in America. In their great professional
the Third Schedule to the Warrant which corres-
sisterhood there is no room for "pundits"
ponds to the degree of her disablement as certified.
and "superior persons." Superintendents A Principal Matron, or Matron-in-Chief, totally
are chief —
nurses and associate themselves disabled will receive a pension of ;^2io, a Matron
with whole-hearted zeal with their fellow ;^i8o, a Staff Nurse or Sister /150, if not entitled
nurses for the common good, and with un- to Ser\dce Retired pay. The addition to Service
failing instinct the rank and file pick out their Retired pay if entitled to such is ;^90.
leaders and honour them accordingly. When a permanent pension has been granted
This roll of honour now includes the names it willnot be altered on account of any change
in the nurse's earning capacity, whether resulting
of a long list of women who' have devoted their
from training or other cause, with certain ex-
great talents to the common good, without
ceptions.
thought of reward or distinction, and whose Pensions or gratuities may be awarded to the
selfless work is known and appreciated relatives of deceased nurses in accordance with
throughout the world Linda Richard's, Isabel
:
the terms of Articles 18 to 22 of this Warrant so
Hampton-Robb, Anna Maxwell, Lavinia L. far as they may be applicable, and under such
Dock, Isabel Mclsaac, Sophia Palmer conditions as the Minister may determine.
y
speak too highly of her appreciation of the work If nurses fail to take interest in the matter they
of the Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute. The will be organised by the doctors and consumers,
voluntary nursing associations had provided and have little voice in their own affairs.
July 24, 1920 Zhe Brttieb 3ournal of IRursiufi. 49
A long discussion took place at the close of as it gives us every reason to believe, the day may
Miss Klaassen's excellent address. yet arrive when its members will look back with
There will be no further Saturday afternoon gratitude to the societies for their efforts to stimu -
meetings at Orchard Street until the holidays are late its directorate to a more robust and inde-
over, but we hope to commence these meetings pendent standard of conduct.
again in October and we shall be very glad to hear Wewere struck by the remark of one working
from nurses who will be willing to address them. nurse, on the interview above referred to, " Surely
all members of the College Council cannot approve
of its disingenuous methods. If only each person,
CATFISH. each member of the profession, would fight each
Alively argument recently took place on the bit of evil as it meets her, there would not be so
steps of the hall leading to the Midwifery Con- much left for us to fight." But they don't hence ;
ference between a strong supporter of the College the catfish There are in the nursing profession,
'
of Nursing and some members of the organised as in the community generally, those so developed
societies of nurses. The former told us that she that they consider one standard of ethics as the
was sending us a letter setting out views on the only legitimate one, while there are others who
necessity for unity, and although the postman has, claim that, for the group, a lower is permissible, or
up to the present, neglected to deliver the missive, at least they permit the world to believe that they
courtesy presses us to proceed with its reply. do. Doubtless each member of it feels that she
During the conversation alluded to the College may shift her responsibility on to her neighbour,
member, whilst stating that she was quite in favour and, when the catfish probes, would fain plead with
of a Trade Union for Nurses, and thought it a good it to keep to its own corner of the tank and allow
thing, held strongly to the view that all hope for the peaceable cod to keep still in theirs that peace
the profession lay in " unity," forgetting that in and unity may reign in the tank. But this may
this very imperfect world there must of necessity not be, for, percolating through the soul life of the
be destruction as well as construction, that you universe, bringing its strange psychic force to bear
cannot build good out of evil, and that, to use the now here and now there, is ever " the queer, un-
words of one great writer, " all progress is strife to pleasant, disturbing touch of the Kingdom of
the end." With infinite perseverance she advo- Heaven."
cated her view that each society " should keep to
its own work " and should refrain from inter-
ference with, or criticism of, the College of
QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S HOSPITAL FOR
Nursing, Ltd. She was evidently quite blissfully OFFICERS REUNION.
ignorant of the fact that her College, instead of very delightful evening was spent at 9, Upper
A
proving itself an educational body, had not merely Wimpole Street, on July 8th, when Mrs. Herbert
interfered with the functions of the organised Paterson, the wife of our popular Hon. Medical
societies but had tried, backed by social influence Secretary, was at home to old patients, and to
and the so-called Nation's Fund for Nurses, to those who had been on the nursing staff of Queen
usurp those functions altogether with such amend- Alexandra's Hospital for Officers, Highgate, during
ment as would secure a sort of feudal domination the years of war. About eighty patients were
for the employers over the workers. As to criti- present, many having come to London from
cism it was pointed out that, if methods of raising long distances in order to attend among them ;
,^ money such as some which had been introduced one from the extreme north of Scotland.
into the profession by the College supporters, were The entertainment was exceedingly varied and
persevered with, the profession could not hope to as was fitting, several artistes contributed who
hold the respect which it formerly has had from had been well-known and much appreciated on
the British public generally. Various delinquencies somewhat similar occasions in the old days at
were enumerated by the independent nurses, Highgate. Miss Varrick's songs were as amusing
among them " the Juliet appeal." " Ah, but that as ever, but none of her new ones surpassed in
was a mistake," pleaded our friend apologetically. popularity that old favourite of the Q.A.H.O.,
" Yes, but you thanked Lord Burnham for making " Mike's Bike." Miss Glover's singing also met
the mistake in your Annual Report," came the with the old hearty appreciation and Mr. Stan-
quick retort. '
nard's topical song, narrating supposed episodes
Thinking over the episode later, we were irre- in the lives of the two chief pundits of the Q.A.H.O.j
sistibly reminded of a paragraph in one of the excited great amusement. There were a number
works of Charles Marriott, where he tells of an of lightning drawings by Mr. Todd and a display
ingenious North Sea fisherman who, finding that of lantern slides showing various aspects of the
the cod in his tanks arrived at the market in a hospital and a gallery of hospital photographs in
flabby condition, hit upon the expedient of intro- the large consulting room. Dancing lasted from
ducing into each tank a catfish, with the result 1 1 .30 p.m. till 2 a.m., the music being supplied by a
— —
that its fellow-travellers the cod always arrived contingent of the band of H.M. Royal Horse Guards.
at their destination with their muscles in good
order owing to continual stimulation by their un- (Signed) Isabel Macd on ald,
welcome ccmipanion. If, therefore, the ethics of Secretary to the Corporation.
the College of Nursing are inclined to grow flabby. 10, Orchard Street, W. i.
a
and the first anxiety of the Ministry was to secure business, now that it was dealing with matters
the country from invasion by them. affecting the Lunacy Board of Control, to try to
In regard to tuberculosis, in no disease was it secure the development of a system designed for
easier to spend money unwisely than in combating the early treatment of mental disorders.
tubercle. A large number of people went into
sanatoria, were maintained there at great expense The Necessity for Trained Nurses and
for a long time, and went back to home surround- MiDWIVES.
ings where they became re-infected, and who In no matter was it more important to have
then tried to enter the competitive labour market a trained personnel than in questions affecting
and broke down. The result was a disappoint- the charge of mothers. Hence the importance of
ment to them, loss of public money, and sorrow maternity and infant welfare homes. Early in
to all concerned. We now had a dispensary the year the Minister said it was clear to him that
system developed to a certain extent, but no the thing necessary for success was to have
dispensary system would be successful in prevent- trained personnel at their command in the way
ing tubercle, and no sanatoria would wipe out the of nurses, midwives, &c. Therefore, it was
disease, whilst people had to live crowded in arranged with the Board of Education to have
unhealthy dwellings. We had to bring the additional grants for training for health visitors,
conditions of the home within the scheme, other- midwives, &c. They had been taken up very
wise it was quite useless to expect the eradication extensively. At present there were 700 mid-
of the disease. wives under training under the scheme, and the
It was also essential to provide training centres number of centres where this supervisory work
in connection with the sanatoria, and as it was use- was carried on had increased from 1,400 to 1,600.
less to expect the patients when trained to enter The development of these services throughout
into competition in the ordinary labour market, the country, in nursing, midwifery, and other
to establish village colonies. Dr. Addison gave facilities, and the combination of the whole, big
two instances of such colonies where the men work effort had been able to reduce the infant mortality
at trade union rates and very largely support in 20 years from 151 to 78 per thousaild. It
themselves. was a striking performance.
Venereal Diseases. But this was only an index figure. It was
Another set of diseases, of an exceedingly lament- to the good not to lose so many, but the point
able character with which the Ministry was was that those who survived were better nourished
dealing energetically was venereal diseases. There and more likely to be useful members of the
was no branch of service in which it was more community hereafter. The fall in the child death-
necessary than in this to have a trained rate had been continuous, and it was still falling.
personnel. It was not enough simply to have
centres for the treatment of venereal disease, and The Medical Examination of School
it was in order that the Ministry might keep
Children.
abreast of progress in this matter that he asked This improvement had not yet made itself
Colonel Harrison, who did brilliant work during sufficiently felt in the children who go to school.
the War, to join his staff, with others, and to help Although the Ministry was developing the medical
to organise this Service. There had been a sub- service as energetically as possible, of the first
stantial increase in the persons attending venereal 750,000 children examined in our schools last
centres. The total had gone up from 460,000 year, 40 per cent, were still found to be physically
to 843,000. It meant that people were begin- defective. That would drop as the diminished
ning to realise the necessity of going to the centres infant mortality rate made itself felt. But it
early. The scheme was, so far, only at the was an appalling figure that nearly 50 per cent,
beginning. of the children aged five were physically defective.
There was a tendency amongst certain pro- We saw the expression of it in adult life during
tagonists to fall upon one another in regard to the war. It was all one continuous process, and
the method of dealing with this disease. He this was where they had to begin.
exhorted them to fall upon the disease.
A System of Preventive Service.
The Early Treatment of Mental Disorders. The Minister said further that the Ministry
The war had shown that properly directed had passed through the House measures affecting
a great number
efforts could cut short of cases Nurses' Registration, &c., and they had now
that would develop into mental
otherwise before them various other matters which had
permanent kind. It was necessary,
deficiency of a given the Department a lot of work, but were all
and the Ministry was working out plans clearly part of the scheme to promote a system of pre-
to provide, that in any future arrangements the ventive service, which it was essential to get
authorities should be able to deal with mental —
well paid nurses, for example before they could
cases while they were at an early stage, to avoid expect to meet the needs of the masses of the
their being labelled lunatics. The war had people in this matter. That was why the Nurses'
shown conclusively that this could be done Registration Act, and the Dentists' Bill were
with conspicuous success, and it was the Ministry's essential ingredients in any health scheme.
;; — —
was one of the privileged guests. On the dais, Bandaging. Phyllis M. Hunt, Prize Lilian ;
which was gay with scarletand green cloth, Meehan, Certificate of Merit.
large vases of gladiolas, ox-eyed daisies and ferns, Best Essay on Economy as Applied to Medical
sat the Mayor who presided, the Mayoress, Mr. Practice and Hospital Administration. Violet —
Frank Morris, J. P., Chairman of the Board, Miss L. Thornton, Prize.
Broadbent, Chairman of the Ladies' Visiting —
Best Collection of Charts. Lilian Meehan, Prize.
Committee, the Medical
Superintendent, Dr.
Gold Medal.
Hood, and many guests of honour. With
charming courtesy, the Matron, Miss Cockrell, The Gold Medal was instituted by the Board
received her numerous guests. The main business in 1918, in recognition of the good work performed
of the meeting was preceded by an interesting by the Nursing Staff, both past and present, in
and concise record, given by Miss Broadbent, of the Great War. It is awarded once a year to the
the work done during the strenuous years of the best nurse in her final year of training. Three
war by (a) the 220 who were on Active Service, and things are taken into consideration ward work,:
(b) the not less glorious work of those who " carried general character, class and examination results.
on" while very short-handed, in the Infirmary. The first was awarded to Marion Duncan Walker,
The record included seven nurses who died who died of influenzal pneumonia during the
during the terrible epidemic of influenzal pneu- epidemic of 1918-1919. Her mother received it.
monia.* Space will unfortunately not admit Phyllis M. Hunt was the recipient for 1920.
of giving details of work done, and the rewards The very interesting ceremony terminated by a
gained, by those on Active Service. The Matron's cordial vote of thanks to the Mayor, proposed by
share was large. She first served under the Mr. Frank Morris, seconded by Mr. M. C. Walshe.
Territorial Force Nursing Service, as Matron of A generous and dainty tea was afterwards
the Refugee Camp at the Alexandra Palace, hospitably served to the guests in the garden.
later at the Maudsley Hospital for Neurasthenics, B. K.
and finally she superintended the 54th General
Hospital in France, when she passed through
many exciting experiences. PLEDGE MUST BE REDEEMED BY
The Infirmary was opened in 1881, by King
Edward (then Prince of Wales) A few years
.
COLLEGE OF NURSING COMPANY.
later a training school was started under the
guidance of Florence Nightingale. It has good Wehave received many letters from members
reason to be proud of its history, its nurses and the of the College of Nursing, Ltd., who are astounded
excellent training given, as the following list of at the attitude adopted by its Council and Chair-
prize and certificate winners will prove. man in reference to their guinea Registration
Fee. One and all, of course, repudiate any
Prizes.
suggestion of mistake. The pledge given that
1919. automatically they were to be placed on the State
—
Medical Nursing. ^Maitland M. Sills, Prize Register without further fee if they paid the
Daisy A. Shepherd, Certificate of Merit. College a guinea^—wa,s definitely made in print,
—
Surgical Nursing. Maitland M. Sills, Prize and the suggestion that there was any ambiguity
Doris Turner, Blanche Marlow, Certificate of Merit. in the contract is indignantly repudiated. More-
Practical Nursing. —
Maitland M. Sills, Prize. over, many Sisters say that their Matrons urged
—
Anatomy and Physiology. Maitland M. Sills, them to join the College /or this benefit, and that
Prize Blanche Marlow, Certificate of Merit. War Office-Matron officials used endless pressure
;
—
Bandaging. -Catherine McLennon, Prize. in France to make them pay up also and that —
For Essay on Economy as Applied to Medical " pressure under military law, especially with
Practice
Norman,
and Hospital Administration. —T. J. the '
serf clause in force, was very difficult to
'
Prize. resist." We
can believe it.
The Best Collection of Charts. —Doris Turner, It is not the money which members of the
Prize. College appear to count so much as the breach
1920. of contract, and being treated as imbeciles
—
Medical Nursing. Beatrice M. Smith, Prize and this is the inference gathered from the
Phyllis M. Hunt, May- A. Findlay, Dorothy G. Chairman's letter that "
a certain number of the
Dowty, Louise T. N. Meldrum. Certificate of Merit. nurses joined the College may possibly
who
Surgical Nursing. —
Phyllis M. Hunt, Prize be under the impression that whatever Regis-
Margaret Hardie, Dorothy G. Dowty, Louise tration Bill became law, they would automatically
— . —
without further fee, be placed upon the State issue a truthful statemtot as an antidote to the
Register." ambiguous document sent round in their names,
The pledge ran as follows " If, therefore, :
— and to insist that the seventeen thousand guineas
you are on the College Register, you will auto- entrusted to their care by trusting nurses for
matically and without further fee be placed upon their State Registration Fee, shall be set aside
the State Register when the Nurses Registration for that purpose. The audited Balance Sheet
Bill is passed." There is no ambiguity about presented with the Fifth Annual Report of the
this statement. The people who originally gave College of Nursing, Ltd., shows that ;^42,5o8 5s.
this most indefensible pledge to induce nurses has been invested up to March, 1920, and that
to join the College, and who are legally respon- ;^5.793 8s. 8d. was expended on salaries, printing,
sible, together with elected mem,bers of the and expenses during the past year in Eng-
office
College Council, that the thousands of guineas land ;^485 17s. o|d. in Scotland and;^459 los. 6d.
subscribed shall be forthcoming when required, in
;
Ireland —
making an
;
expenditure of
are :
—
£6,6^S i6s. 2|d a huge sum in our opinion for
any benefits the nurses have received in return
The Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, Chairman.
but proving the College has the cash to pay this
Miss A. B. Baillie,R.R.C., Matron, Royal
just debt; Moreover the Chairman has announced
Infirmary, Bristol.
that a further ^30,000 is available.
Miss E. Barton, R.R.C., Matron, Chelsea
This matter is now being very widely discussed
Infirmary, S.W.
not only in. the hospital world, but by the public,
Mr. Comyns Berkeley, M.C., M.D., F.R.C.P.,
and will develop into a very^ serious scandal
Hon. Treasurer unless the policy of evasion is' at once discon-
Col. Sir James Cantlie, K.B.E.
tinued and the debt honourably acknowledged.
Miss R. Cox-Davies, R.R.C., Matron, Royal
Mr. Comyns Berkeley, the Hon. Sir William
Free Hospital.
Goschen and Dame Sidney Browne, as Joint
Miss A. C. Gibson, late Matron, The Infirmary,
Hon. Treasurers of the College Company, cannot
Birmingham. ^
afford to permit any further ambiguity con-
Miss A. W. Gill, R.R.C., Lady Superintendent, cerning it. They must reassure the nurses that
Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh. they are entitled to the payment of this fee, by
Professor Glaister, M.D., Glasgow University.
right and not by courtesy, and that without delay.
Miss L. V. Haughton, R.R.C., late Matron,
Guy's Hospital.
Miss Amy Hughes, late General Superintendent,
QV.J.I. AT LAST!
Miss A. Mcintosh, R.R.C., Matron, St. Bartho-
lomew's Hospital. " My dear Stanley " an(^ "My dear Burnham,"
Miss J. Melrose, R.R.G., Matron, Royal Infir- have, to speak figuratively, fallen upon one
mary, Glasgow. another's necks, through the medium of the
Mr. W. Minet, Governor, St. Thomas's Hospital. Daily Telegraph, and mutually congratulated one
Miss E. W. Mowat, Matron, Whitechapel another upon the closing up of the shilling
Infirmary. campaign for the Nation's Nurses. We feel sure
Miss E. M. Musson, R.R.C, Matron, General their joy is infinitesimal in comparison with the
Hospital, Birmingham. sense of relief experienced by the Nation's Nurses.
Sir Cooper Perry, M.D., F.R.C.P., Hon. Secre- The news seems too good to be true. To be able
tary.- to take one's walks abroad without being met on
Miss M. E. Ray, R.R.C, late Matron, King's every hoarding by a half naked woman embracing
College Hospital. a wounded soldier upon one's behalf (the ferrule
Miss M. E. Sparshott, R.R.C, Lady Superin- of our umbrella has chastised many of these
tendent, Royal Infirmarj^ Manchester. shameless Delilahs !), to open the morning pa,per
Miss A. Lloyd Still, R.R.C, Matron, St. knowing that no longer will one find oneself held
Thomas's Hospital. up as a wretched pauper, dependent upon the
Dame S. A. Swift, R.R.C, Matron-in-Chief charity of patients, and service men thankful —
Joint War Committee.
Dr. H. G. Turney, M.D., i^.R.CP.
-
LEGAL MATTERS. The appeal was allowed, with costs, both in the
High Court and in the Court below.
"The Mental Nurses' Association, Ltd., is to be
MENTAL NURSES' ASSOCIATION, LTD., congratulated on obtaining, for the first time, a
V. DOWN IE.
decisive judgment, which will be quoted in future
A judgment of the highest importance to private similar actions as that given in a leading case.
nurses and private nursing associations and co-
Probably all Associations supplying nurses to
operations was delivered in the Divisional Court,
the public have suffered financial loss in their
King's Bench Division, High Court of Justice, on
business connections from the dishonourable
July 15th, by Mr. Justice A. T. Lawrence and Mr. action of nurses, who, having been sent to a case
Justice McCardie, when the Mental Nurses'
by an Association, sever their connection with
Association, Ltd., 8, Hinde Street, Manchester
the Association and retain the case. Such conduct
Square, London, W. appealed against the decision
is specially reprehensible in connection with a
of His Honour Judge Bray at the Bloomsbury
co-operation of nUrses, whose members build up
County Court on April 26th, when the Association a business for their mutual benefit. Those
sued Miss Mary Downie in that Court for breach of
Associations which insert a protective clause in
agreement.
the agreement signed by their nurses have now
The breach complained of was that within a the assurance that they will have a legal remedy
year of leaving the Mental Nurses' Association
against such dishonourable conduct.
she returned to the service of a person to whom she
was introduced by the company, contrary to
Clause 4 of her 'Agreement.
His Honour, Judge Bray gave judgment for CHELSEA HOSPITALS NURSES* CLUB.
now been
the defendant, but this judgment has
reversed in the High Courts.
An interesting development has just been
THE JUDGMENT IN THE HIGH COURTS. started amongst the nursing staffs of five of the
"We regret space does not permit us to give the Chelsea Hospitals under the name of the Chelsea
'
'
follows :
She was trained at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, and instruct them in district nursing. Have I
where she was Sister, She has also been Sister and any right to refuse ? It seems most unfair. I
Night Sister at the Military Hospital, Bethnal Green, drudged through four years' hard hospital work,
London. Miss Jeffrey holjds the Certificate of the and then six months' district work before I was
Central Midwives' Board. considered worth ;^3o a year (now raised)
! If .
Edith Garratt-Jones to Accrington as Senior Nurse claim it, but we presume your committee will do so
;
THe Midwife.
PRACTISING MIDWIVES. work would be higher than that of the woman
who only specialises for six months, and is apt to
The suggestion that women shall be compelled drift back to unscientific methods after leaving
her midwifery training school.
to undertake to practice midwifery for a definite
3. The trained nurse who is also a certified
period as a condition of receiving- the certificate
of the Central Midwives Board would, if carried
midwife would competent to give nursing
bje
care, as well as to act as a midwife in rural areas,
into effect, be most unfair, and in the case of a
profession of men would not be tolerated for one
and would thus be a much more valuable unit
moment. Imagine the result if the General than the one whose knowledge is limited to
Medical Council issued a ukase that no medical the practice of midwifery.
student would be registered by that Council
until he had put in an extra year of midwifery
work after he had had the required number of CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD.
cases and passed the required examination.
After the manner of medical students the Houses PENAL CASES.
of Parliament would be bombarded, and the A Meeting of the Central Midwives
Special
reigning President of the G.M.C. would, in all Board was held at Queen Anne's Gate Buildings,
probability, be burnt in efifigy in Trafalgar Square. Westminster, on June 23rd, for the hearing of
District midwifery is unpopular for two reasons, charges alleged aga,inst eight certified midwives
(i) It is usually associated with patronage from with the following results :
lay persons which the best qualified and most Struck off the Roll and Certificates Cancelled. —
self-respecting women
resent, and (2) it is run Midwives Harriet Boddice (No. 2605), Dinah Fair-
on the cheap, the salaries offered in the past, in brother (No. 18439), Annie Taylor (No. 16932).
relation to the responsibility and strenuousness Sentence Postponed (report of the Local Super-
of the work have been, as a rule, disgracefully vising Authority to be asked for in three and six
inadequate. —
months' time). Midwives Ellen Marshall (No.
If midwives are to be required to practice as 20,242), Lilian Emily Teagle (No. 12291).
such then posts must be guaranteed to them Cautioned. —Midwife
Betsy Richardson (report
at adequate salaries under professional super- of L.S.A. in three and six months' time).
vision. To attempt to drive them into a branch Of the other cases one was adjourned, and in one
of work in which the conditions of service are no action was taken.
unpopular, and the pay below the poverty line,
as a condition of obtaining a certificate which
they prize, would be indefensible. The empty GUARDIANSHIP OF INFANTS BILL, 1920.
ranks of district midwives can never be satis- This Bill, " To amend the Law relating to the
factorily filled by this method. Guardianship and Custody of Infants," presented
There is, however, a. method which merits the in the House of Commons by Colonel Greig, M.P.
serious consideration of the Minister of Health proposes that the mother is made joint guardian
in his considered policy of consolidating the with the father, and has equal authority, rights,
various health services and giving them a common and responsibility with regard to the child in
direction and a common purpose instead of every case.
simply blindly increasing them.
There are many trained nurses who desire to
qualify as certified midwives, but are not able THE MIDWIVES' ACT COMMITTEE, L.CX.
to afford the required fees. At the instance of The Midwives Act Committee of the London
the Ministry of Health the Board of Education County Council have nominated Mr. H. de R.
are giving grants to women to train as midwives. Walker, a member of the Committee to fill the
If it were provided tliat preference were given to vacancy consequent upon the resignation of Her
trained nurses in awarding these grants, and that Grace the Duchess of Marlborough.
a condition of receiving them was an undertaking
to practice midwifery for a definite period, the
benefit would be threefold.
REGISTRATION OF MIDWIVES IN
1. The grant need not be so large as that given BHOPAL.
to an untrained woman, because to conform to It is interesting to know that under the enlight-
the Midwives' Act' three months' training suffices ened rule of the Begum of Bhopal, the registration
for a nurse holding a certificate from a general of midwives is in force in that State, and further
hospital of not less than 100 beds, whereas it is that if any woman acts as a midwife without
six months in the Case of a woman without holding the necessary certificate she is fined.
previous training. Tlie Begum, or Nawab, of Bhopal, is one of the
2. The standard of the nurse when trained native rulers in India, who, within the boundaries
would be higher and, therefore, the quality of her of herown State is entitled to a salute of 21 guns.
THE
restfulnesis to mind and body as the boat wends most people to see things of interest to them
its way, revealing new beauty at each turn, as in their own work, and many nurses during
the colouring of sky and land is faithfully re- their holidays take pleasiure in collecting in-
fiectedj i|n the clear water, are an unending formation concerning it, visiting institutions,
delight. The pleasures of such a holiday are acquainting themselves with new movements,
manifold. In the rush of work we look forward and by these means keeping themselves abreast
to the time when the everlasting hills shall once of modern methods.
again enfold us in their peace, and the mere During the last six years the delight of
remembrance seems to sustain, comfort and foreign travel has been dtenied us, but now,
strengthen us. Then there is the actual en- for those who are not deterred by the prelimin-
joyment amounting 'to exultation when once is no
ary trouble of obtaining passports, there
again our feet tread the familiar spots. We change so complete, and probably no enjoy-
revel in the long days amid the glories of lake ment so keen, as that obtained by visiting
and mountain, and enjoy the good North foreign countries.
Country fare, and hospitable welcome, at little However our readeirs elect to spend their
vvayside inns, the quiet journey home in the holidays, we wish them happiness, refreshment
evening simlight, the limpid air caressing, and invigoration as the result.
58 ^be 3Briti9h 3ournal of *flur0in0. July 31, 1920
The cause
PRIZB PAPER.
of uraemia is the retention in the
mention : —
Miss Henrietta Ballard, Miss M.
Jameson, Miss P. Thompson, Miss N.
blood and tissues of some of the toxic excre- Matthews, Miss F. Jackson, Miss Alice M.
mentitious matters that oug-ht, either them- Burns.
selves or in some chang-ed form, to be excreted QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
by the kidneys. What are some of the reasons for the shortage
Analyses of the blood in uraemia have not of nurses to-day?
generally shown a large proportion of urea ;
may last from one to three days, and frequently New Research Laboratories, named after
passes off entirely. Deafness may also be the late Sir Alfred Jones, who, during his life
noticed. took so great an interest in the pioneer work
The chronic symptoms are headache, twitch- done at Liverpool in the investigation of
ing of the muscles without loss of conscious- tropical diseases, have been opened in that
ness, recurrent attacks of dyspnoea, anxiety citv. Sir Alfred made provision in his will for
—
treatment of lepers by "ethyl ester," the " Nothing but ill-health would have taken her
active constituent of chaulmoogra oil. Fol- from us, and we miiss her greatly. Her deep
lowing a course of treatment by the new interest in all that concerned the health and
method extending over a year, 48 lepers were well-being of the poor was an inspiration to
paroled in October last by a special parole all, and her gentle influence earned for her the
Tx>ard, not officers of the Public Health Ser- love that outlives such a parting, and makes us
vice, and up to the present they have remained feel her spirit still amongst us."
free from the disease. It is indeed good news The whole staff, about eighty-five nurses and
that there is hope for sufferers from this ninety Mission Workers, meet at Ranyard
dreaded disease. House on the last Friday in each month, and it
Lung Motors. is then that the workers who live in their dis-
Dr. Waldo, the Southwark Coroner, recently tricts in various parts of the Metro}X>lis specially
referred in the Coroner's Court to a ** lung realise the help of being members of an army
motor" which is to be found in every hospital of nearly 200.
in New York and Chicago, and suggested that The financial aspect looms large, as the year
it should be carried in all L.C.C. ambulances. closed with a deficit of ;£2,8oo on the Nurse
By its means, when artificial respiration has Fund, due largely to the very necessary in-
been tried unsuccessfully, a mask is put over crease in the salaries during the year. In one
the mouth and nostrils, and the passage to the or two of the disitricts where the local Associa-
stomach plugged. Oxygen is then forced into tion is organised on the provident system
the lungs by mean® of a piston. the total cost is raised locally. In other districts
Recent years have brought to light many papers are left by the nurses with their patients
methods of treatment formerly unknown, and asking for contributions. This, the Report
which by a former generation would have been points out cuts across the former poJicy of free
regarded as impracticable. nursing, but circumstances have so altered that
6o dbe »riti9b 3ournal of IRursiUG. July 31, 1920
Motor lorries are overcoming the transport difift- other things I had forgotten, and the rest had no
culties, which looked insuperable at one time, power to hurt me. At the end of a year I opened
the remaining envelope, but by that time I had
^ and developments are on foot. learned to overcome my habit of worrying, for
We have now a small library for our Gaelic
League members." like most bad things it proved to be only a habit.
I wish to say that there is a lot of happiness
in every human being if he will only give it a
We know with what frugality Miss Brodrick chance to come out. If necessary, scrub your
adjusts her personal needs, where her fine work memory every morning and start each day with
is concerned, and when last in Ireland we heard
a clean, white page. Don't fret over your mis-
takes, but learn to profit by them. Happiness
an amusing story in this connection. The Hon.
must be cultivated, it is not acquired by chance
Albinia deigns to dine in the houseplace with
or accident. If we can learn to forget all irritating
her little maid, on potatoes (and Irish potatoes things and smile, we shall not have a chance to
hot from the pot are food for the gods). It worry.
was thus, on this humble fare, that a very im- Furthermore, worrying brings on all sorts of
portant clerical big-wig was entertained when nervous troubles and in time will make the victim
he paid a chance visit to Ballincoona, and, low positively ill. It breeds unhappihess and dis-
be it spoken, to the surprise of his hostess, this content, and creates an atmosphere that is likely
clerical dignitary (to say nothing of his inner to poison one's whole life. Face life bravely,
learn to smile.
man) was greatly perturbed. We can imagine " Learning to forget, and to overcome the
the scene, and the smiling and brilliant sally
habit of worrying," in ten lessons, would be one
with which this daughter of Erin would bring of the finest courses that men or women could
home to the father in God the beauty and duty take, and one of the most beneficial to one's
of abstinence ! health. American Journal of Nursing.
62 nbe «riti6b 3ournal of IRuretng. July 31, 1920
'
'
If you are on the College Register you will
to do everything that is fair. As the College is '
automatically and without further fee be precluded (to put it courteously) from automatic- '
tions and amendments, endeavoured to prepare. if demanded by a large number of members, will
The rejection of this complicated measure was, entail a heavy financial loss to the College. As
however, apparent from the first. It has you are aware, the programme contemplated by
ensured the fate also of the promise contained in the College goes far beyond State Registration^
the prospectus of 1916. Sir Arthur Stanley and for its fulfilment requires ample financial
(Chairman of the College) has therefore incor- resources. The Council, therefore, earnestly hope
porated in the third or July number of the College that those members who can afford to pay the
Bulletin a long letter addressed to the College feefor their State Registration will not think it
members and marked important,' in which he
'
necessary to claim back that amount from the
refers to the attempts made by the College to College, but will allow the fee that they have
draft a satisfactory Bill for the State Registration already paid to the College to remain in its funds,
of Nurses and also to the other Bill prepared by to help forward the movement for the improve-
the Central Committee for State Registration. ment of the nurses' status and conditions of work,
But. as he says, The Bill which actually did
'
which, under the auspices of the College, has made
become law was a third Bill introduced by Dr. such a satisfactory beginning, and which promises
Addison on behalf of the Government, and in it, no such imiportant and far-reaching results.' This
special provision was made for the registration of may all be true. But would it not have been
College members without further fee.' His let- much more applicable to the situation if such an
ter proceeds to say that a certain number of nur-
'
intimation with regard to the needs of the College
ses, however, when joining the College, may pos- had been sent as a covering letter accompanying
sibly have been under the impression that, the return of a fee which had been obtained under,
whatever Registration Bill became law, shall we say, a misapprehension? It is one thing
thev would automatically, without further fee, be to retain a sum so obtained and to plead that
placed on the State Register.' retention may be permitted it is another thing to ;
be abandoned. The marvel is it was ever enter- accommodation, subject to provisions of fire exit.
tained unfortimately, however, a site was
;
French Hospital, ;^2,ooo Enlarged nurses and"
:
bought from the late chairman, which, let us servants' quarters, and out-patient department,
hope, will be disposed of without loss. additional beds and other improvements.
Great Northern Central Hospital, ;^ 15,500 New :
To commemorate his seventieth birthday. Sir accommodation, improvement in isolation ward, &c.
Jesse Boot has made another addition to his list of
Middlesex Hospital, £2,700 New Night Nurses'
:
Home.
princely benefactions to his native city of Not-
Middlesex Hospital Cancer Charity, /300 : New
tingham by giving _^5o, 000 to the General Hospital, Night Nurses' Home.
the money to be invested in Nottingham housing. Mildmay Mission Fire escape stair-
Hospital, £2,500 :
The gift could not have come more opportunely, case, enlarged Nurses' Home, new operating
theatre,
for, as everyone knows, the institution is sorely and other improvSments, on condition that the stair-
pressed for funds. case is put in hand immediately.
Thus within a montli Nottingham has received Miller General Hospital for South East London,.
gifts of the value of ;^350,ooo from Sir Jesse Boot,
£15,000: Extension new Nurses' Home, kitchen and
out-patient, casualty and pathological departments.
the others being :
Nelson Hospital for South Wimbledon, £2,50^ :
A site purchased at ^20,000 for a pleasure park Extension, additional Nurses' rooms, &c.
with a crescent of houses, campanile and winter Prince of Wales' General Hospital, £10,000 Exten- :
;^30,ooo for the building fund, and ^20,000 for the New Nurses' Home and in-patient operating theatre,,
endowment of a chair for Chemistry. subject to the submission of block plan for ultimate
utilisation of complete site.
The citizens of Nottingham will be justly proud Royal Free Hospital, £8,500 Nurses' Home and
:
Home.
The Great Northern Central Hospital has St. John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin, £400 :
charges are to be made for dressings, medicine, Removal to Regent's Park, improved Nurses' accom-
and minor operations. modation at Regent's Park, and reconstruction of out-
It is hoped by means of the new system to patient department at Welbeck Street. Of the grant
of £2,500, £5oo_ is subject to the carrying out -^ a
obtain from patients about ;^20,ooo.
scheme for the provision of a new Nurses' Home at
Regent's Park.
MACCALLUM v THE EDITOR, PRINTERS AND Wimbledon Hospital, £1,500: New Nurses' Home
PUBLISHERS OF THE NURSING MIRNOR AND and resident medical officer's quarters.
HOSPITAL,
As the Courts, which are crowded with cases, The Editor thanks all the F.F.N.C. Sisters who
riseon Thursday this week, it is not probable that have sent her their kind congratulations. She
the above case will be taken until after the looks back on her association with them during,
vacation. the war as a very great privilege.
66 Jlbc 36rtti0b 3ournal of fflurelng. July 31, 1920
Territorial Force —
Nursing Service. Miss Edith Uganda Nursing Service. —Miss Ethel Pratt.
Denison, Miss Amelia Dobson and Miss Olive Green-
well. Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House
Civil Nursing Service. —Miss Mary Whyte. the Members of the Naval, Military and Civil Nursing
British Red —
Cross Society. Myfanwy
Lady Hoskins, Services who had been awarded the Roval Red Cross.
Miss A. B. Smith (Matron-in-Chief,' Queen Alex-
Miss Agnes Ormiston and Miss Dorothy Philpott.
—
Civil Hospital Reserve. 'Miss Bessie Reid. andra's Imperial Military Nursing Service) was also
Voluntary Aid Detachment.— Miss Ida Fyson, Miss received by Her Majesty.
Joan Husey, Miss Maud Kirk, Miss Jane Leresche,
Nora Mrs. McLellan, Miss Millicent Norton and Miss
Dorothy Ridley. SKETOFAX.
Queen Alexandra received at Marlborough House A NEW CULICIFUQE.
the members of the Military and Civil Nursing Services After exhaustive experiments with a wide
who have been awarded the Royal Red Cross, subse- range of materials, Burroughs Wellcome & Co.
quent to the Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
Dame Maud McCarthy (Matron-in-Chief, Territorial have issued the particular combination which
Force Nursing Service), was also received by Her proved itself to possess the most effective and
Majesty. persistent properties as a culicifuge under the
________
title, " Sketofax antiseptic cream.
'
QAeen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Sketofax which not only affords protection
'
(India).—'Miss Winifred Aldridge, Miss Phoebe Exshaw, against bites of insects, but is a very effective
and Miss Edith Marshal). preparation for soothing the pain and reducing
Q leen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service the inflammation after an attack.
—
Reserve.- Miss Ethel Beloe, Netta, Mrs. Dunlop, Miss " Sketofax " is supplied in portable, collapsible
Elsie Evans, Miss Mary Gregory, Miss Maud Hopton, tubes, and is easy and convenient to apply, being
Miss Winifred Hughes, Miss Emily Middlemist, Miss smeared over exposed surfaces. It is a preparation
Hannah Henderson Smith, and Miss Edith Stanton.
—
Territorial Force Nursing Service.- Phoebe, Mrs
which is evidently based upon careful research
Balmforth, Mi.ss Martha Reid- Morrison, and Miss and experiment as may be inferred from its
Katherine Todd. source.
—
Civil Nursing Service.- Miss Lucy Ellis, Miss Lucy « » «
Reserve.— Miss Margaret Houston, Miss Jessie Mac- she kept repeating, " chickens, larks, raised pies,
Queen, Miss Nina Maling, Miss Edith Marshall, Miss
Christina McDonald McLennan, Miss Alice Rennison,
Wiltshire bacon, hand-made butter, Stilton
and Miss Edith Smith. • cheese."
Territorial Force Nursing Service. ^-Miss Nellie Then she twinkled at me " Ain't I a greedy
—
Hayes, Miss Hilda Purse, Miss Eliza Robertson, Miss "
little pig ?
Violette Rutter, and Miss Maud Stainton. " Well, in these hard times " I began.
—
Civil Nursing Service.- -Miss Annie Gardner, Miss
Agnes Greenshields, Miss Mary Millar, and Miss
" Usual address, madam ? " enquired the
Florence Whitley. shopman.
British Red Cross Society .—Miss Ethel Florence,
" Same as usual," she replied, " care of the
Miss Hannah Gobbett, Miss Emma Jay, Amy, Mrs. matron. Palace Green Hospital for Officers,
Skinner, Miss Bessie Smith, and Miss EHen Surman. Kensington."
Civil Hospital Reserve.— Miss Elizabeth Riach. Then I remembered the appeal in ilae press for
Civil and War Hospitals.— Miss Olive Plummer. gifts of dainties for shell-shocked officers, and
—
Voluntary Aid Detachment., Miss Gladys Bell, Miss expressed remorse.
Violet Collett, Miss Kate Firth, Ellen, Mrs. Hardiman,
Miss Mary Harding, Miss Gertrude Morris, Mary, Mrs.
" Now you shall lunch with me for your sins,"
Peat, Miss Winifred Spencer, Miss Mary Stout, Miss said the little tyrant.
Mary Tracy, Miss Charlotte Walker, Miss Selina I did.
Watson, and Miss Eileen Webber. I was ready for my tea ! S. T. .
—
"THE PEAK OF THE LOAD.'* So I named it Jeanette, and it came to live at the
farm.
The two former books by Miss Mildred Aldrich, I was eternally catching it in my garden standing
•"
The Hilltop on the Marne," and " The Edge of the on its hind legs nibbling my rose bushes. But it
War Zone," will make her many admirers eager was so fascinating on its stiff wooden peg-like legs,
to read her last volume relating her most interest- and it side-stepped so gracefully when I was
ing experiences in the war zone in France. It will catching it,, and danced on its hind feet and butted
be remembered by many that Miss Aldrich, an at me sideways, that I could not get cross."
American lady, no longer young, a resident on Miss Aldrich finishes tliis charming chapter with,
the Hilltop on the Marne, elected to stay in the " You can't call this a war letter, can you ? "
house which had been hers in time of peace, She was able to gratify Mademoiselle Henriette's
during the whole of the eventful years of the war. desire (who had served in the ambulance) to see a
This last volume covers the period from the big modern war hospital. " She thought the
entrance of the Stars and Stripes to the second American girls so handsome and smart," and they
victory on the Marne, and like its predecessors it were, but most of all at tea in the huge white
takes the form of letters written to an intimate refectory she was impressed by the cameraderie
friend, vividly describing the stirring happenings between the men and women as they sat there over
of that time. their tea." She goes on to tell her friend, " You
It is frankly enthusiastic as to the coming into will not see the pretty picture which we saw from
the war of her compatriots. the window of the Abbe's study, a white-robed,
" Personally, after the uplift the decision gave white-coifed nurse sitting on the pedestal of Sainte
me, came a total collapse, and I had some pretty Genevieve, with her white-shod feet sticking
black days. I had to fight against the fear that straight out in front of her, and her young head
we were too late, and the conviction that if we bent over a writing pad, while the setting sun
were really to do our part at the front, the war flecked the white figures with shadows from the
was still not to last one year, but years. But, no moving leaves of the big trees about her. Monsieur
matter from what point of view one looks at the I'Abbe remarked, She ought to be writing verses,
'
"
case, it does make a difference to think that our but I presume she is only writing home.'
boys are coming over here to go into this holo- There are many exciting and deeply interesting
caust." chapters on Gotha raids, and on the allied retreats,
The characteristic of this lady is,
delightful and the flight of refugees and of her own charming
that while she heart and soul with the Allies,
is hospitality to " the boys."
and unwearied in her efforts to do her share to The combined pathos and humour with which
alleviate in any way their sufferings, she is still Miss Aldrich relates her dramatic experience should
able to take interest and to actively share in the make its appeal to all readers. H. H.
intimately personal life of her little household,
and she most delightfully details them to her THE NURSES' BOOKSHELVES.
friend, in conjunction with the tragedies that
Messrs. J. Wright & Sons, Ltd., Colston
are happening close at her door. Avenue, Bristol, are the publishers of Lectures on
" Lovely day— so good after the terrible winter.
Surgical Nursing, by E. Stanmore Bishop, F.R.C.S.
The flower garden will not be very good this year, Eng., and other professional literature.
I lost so many rose bushes in the awful long spell
But what of that. Potatoes are the only
•
of cold.
chic thing this year. They are planted every-
A WORD FOR THE WEEK.
where. The weather is good for planting, if it Deepin the heart of the bird, the flower, the
lasts I am going to try golden bantam corn. poet, the child, and the Virgin Mother, lies that
What do you think of that for a farmer ? Hush ! mystic, fragile, fleeting thing called happiness.
Louise does the hard work and I boss it. I sit Perhaps after all it is only the power to sense
in the field on a camp chair with the seeds in a the ideal, shye the invisible, grasp the intangible,
basket and a green umbrella over my head and and build a new world from the same dream-dust
big gloves on my hands, while Louise grovels in God used when He fashioned this. -Edward Earle
the dirt and carries out my ideas. I get terribly Purinton, " The Triumph of the Man Who Acts."
tired and very red in the face, but Louise, brown
as a berry, comes out as fresh as possible."
WORK.
She is equally happy in her description of her The comforter of sorrow andjof care ;
.animals. Amelie thinks it would solve the milk The shortener of way piolonged and rude ;
she came back carrying the ciinningest little beastie The draught that soothes the mind and calms the
you ever saw." brain ;
" Why, Melie," I cried " that won't give any lifts despair's thick murk,
The miracle that
"
;milk ! When other friends would solace bring in vain :
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. [We agree with our correspondent that both
methods are wrong, and as the former practice
has of late become much more prevalent, no
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
doubt co-operations of nurses will have to protect
all subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
their business by adopting a clause, such as that
distinctly understood that we do not in any way
on which the Mental Nurses' Association won the
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
reversed judgment. It would be conducive to
by our correspondents.
honest dealing also if private nurses' fees were
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. standardised, as they are in Australia, New Zea-
land, and elsewhere, through their national
NURSING BY THE CLOCK.
—
Miss Adelaide Murray. "To nurse on private
associations, which meet from time to time and
agree what the fee is to be. Australia has just
duty by the clock would at once destroy all
' '
'
Extra duty 7 to 9 p.m. at is. oid. an hour, 2s. id. THE COLLEGE PLEDGE.
Patient helpless, needed feeding at dinner, watch- Met. Asy. Board.—" We feel we are being
Sister,
ing for haemorrhage medicine due 8 p.m.
;
;
placed in a thoroughly false position by the
patient very restless.' How could any mother, College Council. What right has it to retain our
or husband, or wife feel real respect for a nurse, State Registration Fee, unless we ask for it back
or a nurse for herself, when brought constantly again ? Is this the sort of thing the General
"
into touch with the sordid details of selling one's Nursing Council can deal with ?
work at such a price ? During the war I have [Not until the Rules are in force, but as the
heard myself described by society women posing Disciplinary Body of the Nursing Profession it
as nurses, as the hired nurse.'
'
I fear no amount will no doubt in future establish a code of pro-
of registration would wipe away the feeling upon fessional ethics. Ed.]
the part of a patient that the relations with the —
Poor Law Sister. " I enclose you an admirable
nurse were exceedingly material, when every criticism of the College latest,' which appeared
'
minute of service beyond the 56 hours suggested in this week's Poor Law Officers' Journal. Many
had to be calculated and accounted for. A nurses will not ask for their money back for fear
making out the bill,
colleague in satire suggests in of their future. The College Matrons ought to
'
Giving bedpan, 6d. bottle, 3d.
; filling hot- ;
—
protest in a body but perhaps they too are
water bottle, '2d. using feeder, id.' I suppose
;
afraid of social influence. They appear to agree
if we do not nurse by the clock after the Hours
' '
to anything."
of Employment Bill is passed we shall be hauled
THE NURSE PAYS.
up and punished for being found on the premises
'
Scottish Sister.—" I fear after all we are to have
"
with intent to commit a felony !
'
office. It appears to me most dishonourable appointed it will be the nurses' own fault. If
and unprofessional, as it is the duty of every private pressure failed, then rousing public meet-
member to help support the Association for the ings should have been held, resolutions passed in
benefit of fellow members as well as of herself. support of a Nurse Registrar, and the Government
Now let us hope this selfish conduct will be stopped. department responsible for the appointment
There is another bad system in the private nursing should have been invited to receive a deputation
world, in associations where professional ethics in support of the demand. Ed.]
appear at a discount. Tlie superintendent and
nurses agree to charge a diversity of fees so ;
THe Midw^ife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD FOR
IRELAND.
MONTHLY MEETING. The Central Midwives Board for Ireland held
L'he monthly meeting of the Central Midwives
their examination for Midwives on the
first
Board was held at the Board's Offices, i Queen 8th and 9th inst. The examination took place
,
Anne's Gate Buildings, Dartmouth Street, West- simultaneously at the Royal College of Surgeons,
minster, on Thursday, July 22nd, Sir Francis Dublin, the Queen's University, Belfast, and
Champneys in the Chair. University College, Cork.
The undermentioned 62 candidates passed
Applications. satisfactorily :
—
For Approval as Lecturer. The applications of Belfast Maternity Hospital. —
H. S. Coulter,
the following medical practitioners were R. H. Dickson, M. Emerson, G. M. Fleming,
granted :
—
Andrew Lowry McCully, M.B. Laura ;
G. H. M. Greenham, M. McPhillips, M. B. Salton,
Gertrude Powell, M.D., D.P.H. S. H. Smyth, M. J. Stewart, E. B. M. Thomas.
—
For Approval as Teacher. The applications of
Belfast —
Workhouse Infirmary. D. Drennar, C.
Galbraith, J. M. Graham, M. M. Harkness, B.
the following midwives were also granted :
McClenagham, M. McKee.
Midwives Ellen Beatrice Bullard (No. 8734),
Belfast, M alone
Place Refuge. —
E A. Kyle.
Maud Ethel Catherwood (No. 42047), Mary Birkett
Franks (No. 43255), and Mary Hurwitz (No.
Coombe Hospital. —
H. F. Brennan, N. Creyne,
T. Crumlisk, J. Frayne, M. Graham, A. Healion,
28356). G. M. Long, M. M. Macken, C. Makin, B. O'Brien,
The Secretary reported the presentation by a M. O'Driscoll, E. G. L. Rutter, A. Ryan, H. M.
candidate for examination of a certificate of birth Ryle.
which had been tampered with, and it was decided
that the candidate be not admitted to examination
—
Cork Lying-in Hospital. B. McCarthy, M.
Mason, K. O' Sullivan, V. L. Robertson.
before November, 1920.
Applications were considered from four women
Dublin, National Maternity Hospital. —
J. Arrol,
E. C. Brannigah, L. M. Casserly, M. Clancy, B.
to be certified by the Board under Section 10 of
Cooke, B. M. Doyle, A. J. Halligan, M. A.
the Midwives Act, 191 8, by reason of holding the
Hennessy, E. M. Regan, D. M. Valentine.
certificate of the Central Midwives Board for
Ireland, obtained otherwise than by examination.
—
Dublin, Rotunda Hospital. R. E. Alcock, A. E.
Burns, T. Byrne, A. W. Cameron, B. H. C. CoUett,
It was agreed that the training undergone, and
L. Dodds, A. M. DowUng, F. Drewitt, E. M.
the examinations passed, by the applicants being
Horan,^ E. Harris, M. Hayes, A. M. Mooney, N.
equivalent to the standard adopted by the Board,
Murray, M. C. Napper, M. E. Orr, M. M. Swift.
their names be entered on the Midwives' Roll, on
the payment of the fee of one guinea.
—
Lurgan Workhouse Infirmary. M. A. Flanagan.
—
For Voluntary Removal. Applications from two LONGEVITY IN SOMERSET.
midwives for the removal of their names from the
Df. W. Edelstein Bracey (Wedmore, Somerset)
Roll were granted, and the Secretary was directed
to cancel their certificates. writes in the British Medical Journal " It is—
somewhat refreshing in these days of hustle and
PENAL CASES. strain to come across long-lived families. I was
A Special Meeting of the Central Midwives recently called to a confinement, and in the absence
Board was held at i. Queen Anne's Gate Buildings, of a nurse my principal assistant was the great-
Dartmouth Street, Westminster, on July 22nd,
grandmother, ably seconded by the grandmother,
for the hearing of charges alleged against six the mother having an excellent time in being
midwives with the following results :
delivered of a fine healthy boy. Within a few
hours I was called to a similar case quite close to
Struck off the Roll and Certificates Cancelled. — the first, this case going even one better, for the
Midwives Mary Ann Richardson (No. 9519) and midwife in attendance proved to be the baby's
Martha Fogg Wilde (No. 3641). great aunt, and was assisted by the grandmother,
the great-great-grandfather being packed off to
Judgment Postponed (Report . of Local Super-
vising Authority to be asked for in 3 and 6 months' bed out of the way, while the husband and grand-
father were despatched by the great aunt to fetch
time). — Midwives Jane Anne Leech (No. 14251),
me It is a matter of some regret to me that the
Ann Jane Parrett (No. 10264), Elisabeth Coulter !
WITH WHICH
'HMj IS INCORPORATED
mmSINC
TMEIEDITED
BY MRS BEDFORD FENWICK
RECORD
No. 1,688. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1920. Vol. LXV
THE NEW ERA. ready and willing to have new hearts and
The whole world is in the crucible ; this fact
minds, renewing our strength to meet the new
abundantly apparent to all thinking minds.
is insistent demands that will be made upon us.
The great cataclysm of war has wrought "Life is real, life is earnest" now, and the
changes in our social structure of every sort practical realisation of this is the only thii^g
and kind changes both good and bad but our that brings true satisfaction.
; ;
optimism leads us to think that when the great Almost every great question is —:in the
upheaval has subsided, it will prove to be a ultimate resort — a health question, and there-
g^reat sifter of human hearts, and the changes fore an appeal to the well-trained, intelligent
will — in the main —be for the good of mankind, selfless nurse— the guardian of the nation's
for human betterment generally. As proof health. Here are some big comprehensive
of this contention it is noticeable in a marked ideas her consideration.
for The housing
degree that people of torpid minds, who usually problem, to take the most fundamental. Is
allow their minds to be controlled by newspaper- there a nurse so apathetic as to declare she
mongers, are beginning to do a little thinking takes no interest in it? Surely not. It
on their own account, to acquire a sense of cor- touches everything of the most vital importance
porate responsibility, and to realise that much of — health, happiness, morality. Our highest
the evil that is now happening is due to our aspiration in respect of Infant Welfare, and
neglect in this respect in the past. This is ante-natal care of mother and child, cannot be
a wholesome sign. realised, until a proper standard of healthy
We wonder if this good moral heart-tonic housing is established. An A.i race cannot
effect is sufficiently noticeable among trained be produced from slums. The new era will
nurses? Do they interest themselves in the not countenance slums.
wider issues of life are they stirred by the live
; To take a wider outlook
still, does not the
forces for good and evil around them? Are establishment an International Health
of
they making any contribution —small or large —
Bureau ^an important item embodied in the
— towards the solution of the many and great policy of the League of Nations interest —
problems that confront us in this country and trained nurses? It does not require any great
many others to-day — national problems, inter- stretch of imagination to realise the incalculable
national problems? Or are we still to have benefit that would accrue to mankind, by an
the dull lifeless cry : "I have no time." " I effective international instrument for the
am too busy." " I am too tired." " It does prevention and control of disease. Great
not interest me." This last excuse is selfish epidemics, spreading all over the Avorld, would
and inexcusable ; the others might be reason- be under such judicious control that the present
ably made by many other people besides resulting high rate of mortality would not be
nurses, who work quite as hard, and are quite pK>ssible. These are questions of vital import-
as busy. It will not do. A new and better ance, and nurses must wake up to a sense of
<lay is dawning we are on the threshold of a
; their responsibilities concerning them.
;
position and large means. By these the fully are prematurely broken down by overwork
qualifiednurse of long experience has been during their hospital training, insufficient
flouted as a" paid nurse." Naturally the edu- nourishment, endurance of cold, unnecessarily
cated and cultured women among nurses have laborious tasks for which they are unfitted, and
deeply resented this attitude. They express an atmosphere of worry or petty tyranny.
their feelings on the subject to their friends, There is no real reason why nurse training
and so, ever widening circles, the opinion
in schools should not offer the advantages of col-
spreads that nursing as a career offers no leges in the matter of intellectual interests,
inducement to the best class of young women, libraries, games and amusements. There should
particularly as there are now many other good be a levelling up on these lines instead of the
openings. levelling down that too often obtains at present
In the case of the less educated, who are fre- amongst hospital nurses.
quently not only entirely dependent upon their HONOURABLE MENTION.
earnings, but have to assist in the support of The following competitors receive honourable
relatives, the low rate of hospital pay, and com- mention —
Miss P. Thompson, Miss J. Gordon,
:
paratively short working life constitute a bar. Miss M. Jameson, and Sister V. H. Hedges.
Here again better openings are now supplied by QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
other occupations. What is Vincent's Angina, or " Trench
The old sense of vocation regarding nursing Mouth," and how is it treated?
appears to be dying out. Other times, other
manners. Nursing is now a scientific profes- MEDICAL MATTERS.
sion, protected by State Registration. If
hospitals are to obtain the needful supply of
Cancer in Rats.
probationers, adequate pay, and attractive Professor Leipix, of the London School of
conditions generally, must be offered in the Tropical Medicine, is investigating the worms
place of the hardships and limitations of the which have been shown by Professor Fibiger,
past. If the sick public desire the best skill, and of Copenhagen, to be a cause of cancer in rats.
generous service, they must be prepared to While it is not believed that these particular
treat private nurses as professional women worms are concerned with cancer in human
there are still many who refuse to consider them beings, there is a possibility that there may be
as other than upper servants; and the obso- other worms, with similar powers, capable of
lescent idea still rules in the higheir ranks of
producing new growths.
—
society ^probably based on the essentials laid The Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
down for presentation at Court ^that the— An interesting report was presented at the
woman who earns her income otherwise than by annual meeting, on July 22nd, of the Imperial
wifehood, or by her pen or paint-brush, is Cancer Research Fund, at the Examination
socially outside the pale. Hall, Queen's Square, Bloomsbury, when the
In general hospitals much progress has been Duke of Bedford presided. Sir William
made regarding the nursing staffs during the Church, in moving the adoption of the Report,
last two decades but in too many there is still
; said that, " before we could plan a rational
the objectionable autocratic rule by laymen and method of treatment it would be necessary to
matrons. It is just the type of woman who is know more of the vital processes in cancer
equal to the manifold demands of nursing who cells and the nature of the very delicate
will not tolerate tyranny, either during her differences between them and the normal.
August 7, 1920 Jibe 3Briti9b 3ournal of fluremfl. 73
THE ASSOCIATION OF TRAINED NURSES is priceless a nation of such would leaven and
;
Misb Kent then presented her paper on lived more than 1,400 years before Ctirist (2) ;
CIVIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. the Spartan Lawgiver, the Prince Lycurgus, who
lived between 800 and 900 years before Christ.
I am optirpist enough to think that, out of all
the turmoil and chaos and gross materialism of the We are perhaps more familiar with the useful
present day, and which we hear ad nauseam — laws governing health laid down by Moses, than
we are with those ot Lycurgus. The latter was
is the result of the great war, a new and better
world VI ill emerge indeed, it is already emerging,
;
—
an infant welfare worker his laws were much
in advance ot those of Moses. Indeed, tie seems
like a new growth struggling through a hard and
inhospitable soil. to have been much in advance of his own time,
A greater sense, and more lofty conception of Lycurgus was the first to make laws for the
citizenship is going to be the redemptive power preservation of the life and health of the mother
of all civilised countries I think, and it is this
and child. He also laid down laws for the ante-
—patriotism, at
force best and highest which
its — natal care of the mother. The most tender care
had to be given to the expectant mother. The
isgoing to restore the lost equation. With this
vision, which I trust you will share with me, pregnant woman was regarded and treated as
we can " greet the unseen with a cheer." A something sacred. But Lycurgus went further
writer on the subject of civics has said: "If
— than that, he was a Eugenist, he would not allow
interest is sufficiently strong, it will bring know- any but healthy people to marry. This then is
ledge ; without interest, the so-called citizens are the secret ol tne traditional health and beauty
of the Spartan race.
a fluid mass, drawn hither and thither by any tide
of chance feeling, if they are moved at all Indeed,
.
Now compare this fine sense of civic responsi-
the right to vote should be dependent on the bility with the barbarism of our own country less
elementary qualification of having some personal than 100 years ago. When Queen Victoria came
care for public affairs." Tnis is a fine expression* to the throne in 1837 there was not a single Act on
of the writer's earnest sense of civic responsibility. the Statute Book in the interests of the child the —
I will ask you to listen to one more quotation. child had no rights whatever. It is on record that
Professor James Ward in his " Personality tne — a little girl ot nine was sentenced to death for
her offence was that she nad oroken
Final Aim of Social Eugenics," gives utterance burglary ;
\vas the product of a master mind, with a sense four years ago by the National Organisation of
of civic responsibility. Public Health Nm-sing.
One wonders if it is our country's poor apprecia- I ask your indulgence for referring very briefly
tion of education which has caused the break in the indeed to the League of Nations. I anticipate
continuity of these obviously necessary reforms, your objection you are going to tell me perhaps
;
suggested by great minds of the past. Of course, that it is not cogent to the subject. Pardon me,
we have had our many great and grand philan- I am going to prove to you that it is.
—
thropists to mention just two, John Howard You perhaps know that an international health
—
and Elizabeth Fry but our rulers for many bureau is to be set up by the League of Nations.
centuries have shown a deplorable lack of the Sir William Collins has written an article on
civic sense. ? Why
Well I venture to say there the League of Nations and health questions. He
is just one answer to that, namely. Departmental reminds us that " under Article 24 of the Covenant,
jealousies and vested interest. Those two accursed various International Bureaux may be placed
vices strangle the soul and sear the conscience. under the League, if it is desired by the parties
However, there are many signs that a new spirit concerned." Some of these bureaux have among
is manifesting itself. their objects the promotion of the physical welfare
There is no more important branch of Civics of children and mothers, and of general hygiene
than Public Health nursing in all its various reforms. There is no more important body
branches and as we stand on the threshold of a
; that should have representation on such bureaux
new era we are proud ot the dignity of our new than our International Council of Niurses. We
position. We have the Parliamentary franchise, shall only have to make application. All inter-
and we have our professional franchise. We are national bureaux created in the future will have
now statutory " persons " for the first time. to be under the League.
This dignity carries with it responsibilities and I think we should do well to establish something
duties of citizenship in a way we never had it in the nature of a Central Committee on Public
before. How are we going to use this power ? Health Nursing. We want greater co-ordination
One can scarcely emphasise the importance of in this work of many branches, and a strong
Public Health Nursing too much, because it would co-operative sense among the members. From
be true to say that there are no conditions of life a strong recognised body of this sort, we could
which do not bear some relationship to health. pass resolutions urging Local Government bodies
The care of the sick is closely related to all com- to give their attention without delay to such
munity problems. things as bad housing conditions, and for playing
The thing ot primary importance for the hour is centres tor children, unclean distribution of
quite obviously greater standardisation in Public milk and other food, well-paved and well-watered
Health Nursing, a universal curriculum. The streets which are essential to health.
need for it seems to be particularly needed in The future is full of promise and potentialities.
Infant Welfare Work. Svirely there ought to be I have a vision of a great Commonwealth of
one standard of education, and one standard only, Nurses throughout the civilised world, who being
for all Infant Welfare Workers. I will not venture skilled and State Registered will take a leading
to elaborate this point, for two reasons. In the part in all branches of Civics which are in any way
first place, there are ladies here who can speak allied to Public Health.
with greater knowledge and authority than I can. We have our Royal British Nurses' Association,
Secondly, this matter will be ably dealt with by the only body of women in the Kingdom possessing
the new General Nursing Council. Miss Kent a Royal Charter. With the powers we possess
then referred to the Standard Curriculum for under this Charter, together with those recently
Schools of Nursing published in 19 18 by the conferred by the Nurses' Registration Acts, we
Committee on Education of the National League can remove mountains.
of Nursing Education, where provision is made for In conclusion, let me say that we can never
a course of instruction in Public Health Nursiig. forget that this great battle for emancipation
She said :
" The exact reading of the section is, has been fought under a noble standard, the
'
Introduction to Public Health Nursing and Social standard of justice and truth and moral courage,
"
Service {Elective).' unnaarred by any stain of commercialism and
In the U.S.A. it is now recognised as necessary self-interest. It is up to us to keep it at this
for a complete curriculum for the Public Health height. May I claim the privilege of an older
Nurse that instruction be given in such modern woman, and say to you young niurses who are
social problems as Labour Conditions, Immigra- going to reap where others have sown : have the
tion, Prostitution, Housing, &c. An intelligent courage of your convictions, and don't be afraid
understanding of social problems, other than those of other people, whoever they may be. Instead
of sickness, is now generally recognised by experts of grumbling at what you know to be wrong,
in the Nursing world, to be necessary for the protest openly against it, and fight it. Craven
Public. Health Nurse, " in order to promote the fear does infinite harm in the world ; it stultifies
Civic betterment." effort, hinders progress, and vitiates the souL
I believe that only graduate and registered The future of our great profession lies in your
nurses are now eligible for Public Health Nursing hands, upon you will large'y depend the health
in the States. At least it was under consideration of posterity— a great civic responsibility.
—
Cross Hospital. We send her all good wishes for Minister would be glad to have the advantage of
her venture. the opinion of the General Nursing Council as to
DONATIONS. whether in their view it was desirable that the
THE HELENA BENEVOLENT FUND. training of probationers should commence before
The Treasurer acknowledges with thanks the 21, and if so at what age it might properly be
following donations :
begun, and what, if any, special safeguards were
required. If the Council had not yet considered
Misses Bickerton, Bird, Bratton, Neighbour, and
Tait, 5s. Misses Cowle and Stephenson, 2s. 6d.
;
the Rules to be framed under Section 3 (2) {a) and
;
swept away, and it will not rest content until physically and 'morally strong enough to begin
all old shapes of foul disease have been exorcised
'
' training ?
and England has become as healthy as she is free." It was for the Council to decide whether an
— Sir Malcolm Morris. answer should be sent to the letter that day or
later.
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick proposed that the com-
munication should be referred to the Education
CORRESPONDENCE. Committee for consideration, and this was carried.
The Chairman then said there was a further
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND HOMES letter from the Minister of Health transmitting a
FOR WAIFS AND STRAYS. letter from the Ministry of Labour in regard to
To the Secretary R.B.N.A. the provisions of the Hours of Employment Bill,
Old Town Hall, as they affected nurses. The Minister would be
Kennington, S.E., glad if the Council would consider the scheme sub-
mitted by the College of Nursing, not only with
July 15th, 1920.
—
'Dear Madam,' ^May I be allowed on behalf of
reference to the Scheme itself, but generally with
reference to the nursing profession in all its
the Executive Committee to express our sincere
branches. The Minister of Labour had asked for
thanks to you for the collection which you have so
observations, from the Royal British Nurses' Asso-
kindly made on the Society's behalf. I realise how
ciation, the National Union of Trained Nurses, the
much its success was due to your splendid work and
Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute, the Nurses'
self-sacrificing efforts. I would ask you to convey
Co-operation, and the British Hospitals Asso-
to your helpers our best thanks for their valuable
ciation.
assistance under most trying circumstances. Your
help in these difficult times has been a great
The proposal of the College of Nursing was that
all Registered Nurses except Maternity Nurses
encouragement to us.
should be included in the Bill, and that their time
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) W. Fowell Swann. on duty should not extend to more than 56 hours
a week, or exceed 10 hours in the 24 in any one day.
Miss I.Macdonald,
10, Orchard Street, W. i.
It was agreed that the letters of the Minister of
Health should be circulated so that the Members of
The above was received in acknowledgment of the Council might have an opportunity of con-
the work of our members in connection with the
sidering them.
Flag Day for the Waifs and Strays Society.
The Chairman presumed, in reply to a question,
(Signed) Isabel Macdonald, that the replies received by the Ministry of Health
Secretary to the Corporation. from the Associations above mentioned would be
10 Orchard St., London, W.i. available for the consideration of the Council.
. — •
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick proposed that con- question of nurses who began their training before
sideration of the letter should be deferred until November ist,19 19. " Existing Nurses " were
after the vacation, and considered at the next those who finished their training up to that date.
meeting of the Council, as the Hours of Employ- There would be a certain number of " Intermediate
ment Bill could not possibly be considered by Nurses " who began their training before November
Parliament till October. ist, 1919, and were certificated after. It would
Lady Hobhouse seconded Mrs. Fenwicks meet the necessities of the case if the Council
motion. were satisfied that such nurses should be placed
Miss Villiers that the nurses in some of
-said on the Register at its discretion.
the Metropolitan Asylums Board Hospitals were The Chairman said it was desirable to get the
already working 50 hours and less per week. way perfectly clear so that the Register could be
The resolution was carried. got ready for Existing Nurses.
REPORT OF SPECIAL MENTAL NURSING Dr. Bedford Pierce hoped that the Council
COMMITTEE. would make a pronouncement that day as to
" Intermediate Nurses."
Dr. Bedford Pierce,
as chairman of the Men-
tal Nursing Committee, moved that its report be He then moved that the Report be agreed to.
received. The Committee had met twice, on the The Council agreed with and adopted the
1 6th and the 30th July. It suggested that the Committee's Report, the consideration of the
terms "Registered Mental Nurse," and "Registered question of " Intermediate Nurses " being deferred
Nurse for Mental Defectives " should be approved. till a later stage in the proceedings.
one of the qualifications for existing nurses during " That the names of Miss Peterkin, Dr. Goodall
the period of grace. and Dr. Bedford Pierce be added to the Education
In regard to the recognition of institutions the and Examination Committee."
Committee was not at present in a position to make This was agreed.
recommendations For the remaining vacancy on this Committee
The Committee had had under consideration Miss Cattell proposed the name of Miss Isabel
the position of " intermediate " nurses, i.e., those Macdonald, and it was seconded by Miss Swiss.
who were not in a position to claim registration Miss Cattell said that Miss Macdonald had
as " existing nurses," because they fulfilled the special qualifications for a seat on the Committee.
requirements defined for nurses who were at She had a wide knowledge of health and sanitary
least three years before the first day of November, questions, and was a most able teacher.
1919, bona fide engaged in practice as nurses in Miss Lloyd Still proposed that Miss Cox-
attendance on the sick, but who completed their Davies should be added to the Committee. This
training before the Rules for future nurses became was seconded by Miss Seymour Yapp.
operative. It was of opinion that their position Miss MacCallum said that there were already
needed defining. five matrons in active practice on the Committee,
It recommended that Miss Tuke's name be and only one working nurse. «
added to the Mental Nursing Committee. Miss Yapp asked whether Miss Macdonald was
Commenting on the Report, as presented. Dr. in active practice.
Bedford Pierce said he was of opinion that it Mrs. Fenwick said that every one recognised
would be an advantage to recognise the certificate that nursing education was primarily a Matrons'
of the Medico-Psychological Association as a question, but if she might say so without offence,
qualification for Registration on the Mental it was not so much a question of active practice
Nurses Register during the term of grace. He as that Miss Macdonald was not a Matron. With
did not wish to pledge the Council any further, herself there were already seven Matrons on the
nor did he wish to ask that the names on the Education Committee.
Register of the Medico-Psychological Association There were wide educational questions in con-
should be transferred en bloc to the State Register, nection with National Health and other branches
but that its certificate should be recognised as of nursing which found no place in the hospital
evidence of training. curriculum, concerning which Miss Macdonald's
He moved that the Report be received. This special knowledge would be of value to the
was seconded by Mr. Christian. Committee.
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick said that the Regis- Upon these names being put to the Council
tration Committee had recommended that the Miss Cox-Davies was elected to fill the vacancy
certificate of the Medico-Psychological Association by a majority of one vote.
should be recognised as evidence of training in
mental nursing during the period of grace, and INTERMEDIATE NURSES
without prejudice to the future. She moved The Chairman then read the following Resolu-
that this be added. tion regulating the admission of nurses to the
Dr. Bedford Pierce seconded the recom- General Part of the Register :
mendation, and it was tarried unanimously. " Nurses who produce a certificate of not less
Dr. Bedford Pierce then again raised the than three years' training from a General Hospital
— ——
or Poor Law Infirmary, recognised by the Council mittee as amended and added to this day be
for training for the General Part of the Register, agreed to."
which has terminated at any period after November Mrs. Fenwick said that the Committee had met
ist, 1919, but before the Rules to be made by the on July 26th, and the Draft Rules had been care-
Council for the education, examination, and fully considered. Certain verbal amendments
training of nurses become operative, shall be had been made, and a letter considered from Dr.
admitted to the General Part of the Register." Bedford Pierce in connection with the admission
This was proposed by Sir Jenner Verrall, of Existing Nurses to the Supplementary Part of
seconded by Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, and agreed. the Register for Mental Nurses; She moved that
Similar provisions applicable to the admission of the following recommendations from the Registra-
Intermediate Nurses to the Male, Mental and Chil- tion Committee be received :
dren's Supplementary Parts of the Register were ( i) That the Certificate of the Medico-Psychological
proposed respectively by Miss Cox-Davies, Dr. Association be accepted by the Council as evidence of
Bedford Pierce, and Miss Worsley, and agreed. training and experience for admission of existing nurses
In regard to admission of Intermediate Nurses to the supplementary part oJ" the Register for Mental
to the Supplementary Part of the Register of Nurses. This to apply to the period of grace only,
Nurses trained in the Nursing of Infectious and without prejudice to the future.
Diseases, Dr. Goodall proposed that the standard (2) That it be recommended to the Council that the
certificate of the Fever Nurses' Association and of the
should be two years' training and certification, and Metropolitan Asylums Board be accepted by the
one year's further service, as that was the standard Council as evidence of training and experience for
at present in force. This was agreed. admission of existing nurses to the Supplementary Part
PENAL CASES AND DISCIPLINARY of the Register for Fever Nvirses. This to apply to the
COMMITTEE. period of grace only, and without prejudice to the
The Chairman then moved item 7 on the future.
Agenda :
(3) That it be recommended to the Council that the
" That the Rules approved on Friday, July 23rd, first fee payableby an existing Nurse for admission to
the Register shall be one guinea, and the further sum of
as to the removal of names from the Register, and
half a guinea for admission to any and each further
restoration of names to the Register be received part of the Register to which he or she is admitted.
and agreed to."
Mrs. Fenwick reported further that the Com-
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick drew attention under
" Restoration to the Register of Name Removed " mittee had also agreed (i) that a paragraph should
(Rule 3) to the provision that application for be added to the covering letters to be sent by the
Registrar to the Referees, intimating that all
restoration to the Register must be supported by
information received would be regarded as strictly
certificates from at least two persons, being Justices
confidential, and (2) that schedules sent to
of the Peace, or Ministers of Religion, or Registered
Medical Practitioners, who were well acquainted Referees should be marked confidential.
with the applicant before, and since, the removal The Report of the Registration Committee
(including the amendments to the Draft Rules for
of her name. She moved that the words " or
Registered Nurses " be added, as it appeared an Existing Nurses previously received) was agreed
anomaly th^t young curates, or hospital chaplains, and adopted.
and young house physicians and surgeons were ADVERTISEMENT OF PAID
held to be responsible persons in this connection, APPOINTMENTS.
whilst the Matrons and other members of the Mr. Christian then moved :
Nursing Profession were excluded. " That all paid appointments in connection
There was a fundamental principle involved in with the work of the General Nursing Council
this recognition. The intention of the Nurses' shall be advertised in the public Press, and such
Registration Act was to raise the status of the appointments made by the Council."
trained nurse not only in her own profession, but This was seconded by Miss Tuke.
in thebody politic. The Chairman, after referring to the cost of
The motion was seconded by Miss Villiers, who advertising, said that whatever decision the
considered the inclusion of Registered Nurses, as Council arrived at, he hoped it would not include
persons eligible to support applications of nurses the solicitor. He should not like to advertise for
for restoration to the Register, most important.
a solicitor as he was quite sure the best people
Dr. Bedford Pierce expressed the opinion would not apply.
that one of the certificates should be endorsed by Lady Hobhouse said that they were all rather
a Registered Nurse. afraid on the question of finance. If it was
Miss Cox-Davies agreed that an important unnecessary it was a pity to spend money in
principle was involved. She supported the motion.
advertising.
In putting the Resolution which was agreed, Miss Macdonald supported Mr. Christian's
the Chairman said that nursing feeling appeared motion. Many nurses were asking whether
to be unanimous on this point. appointments under the Council would be thrown
The Report was then adopted. open.
THE REGISTRATION COMMITTEE. Mrs. Bedford Fenwick said that nurses
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick, Chairman of the financed the Council, and she thought that the
Registration Committee, then moved : — posts for the officials it employed should be thrown
" That the Report of the Registration Com- open and advertised.
— — —
Sir Jenner Verrall, seconded by Dr. Goodall, to who is to pay the State registration fee, enclosed
moved that all full-time paid appointments should a cheque for one guinea.'
be advertised. " The result should be very gratifying
to the
This was lost. College. But is there not a possibility of further
Miss Cox Davies moved that the appointments doubts, explanations, and financial evolutions ?
of solicitor and auditors shoyld not be included Here are a Tribute Fund,' an Endowment Fund,'
'
'
in the posts advertised. This was seconded by and a sum of ;^ioo,ooo on one side. On the other
Sir Jenner Verrall and carried. '
many nurses are enclosing not postal orders, or
'
according to the Act, the Auditors were appointed financial ability, so anxious are they to remove any
by the Minister of Health, therefore they could doubts about the fees. Or is it that their anxiety
not be included in the Resolution. is with regard to registration ?
On being put to the vote Mr. Christian's " These many nurses who have sent cheques
' '
subsistence allowance of members of the General however, points out that until the Regulations
Nursing Council, and £2 14s. gd. for typing. under which nurses may have their names put on
The Bills and Claims were passed for payment. the State Register have been published, all that is
It was agreed that the Council should rise for known about the fee is that it cannot be more and
six weeks. may be less than one guinea. When the Regula-
The meeting then terminated. tions are published, members will apply indi-
vidually to the Registrar of the General Nursing
Council for application forms and all particulars,
and will pay their fees direct to her. The same
THE COLLEGE OF NURSING AND THE routine will be necessary for College members who
STATE REGISTRATION FEE. state that they joined the College on the definite
behef that that body would pay the State Registra-
The Poor Law Officers' Journal of July 30th tion fee, except that when they have paid their fees
contains the following comment :
—
Fund that part of the Nation's Fund which pro- The misconception as to the State Regis-
vides for nurses in sickness and distress has, — tration fee is evidently based on the following
extract from a circular sent out by the College
thanks to your efforts, nearly reached the figure of
^100,000 which is what we have set ourselves to in June, 19 16, of which some people remember
obtain.' only half " Every certificated trained nurse
:
" The other statement has reference to the should apply at once for registration by the
original promise to nurses that if they would join College of Nursing (i) because the Council of the
the College of Nursing they would be automati- ' College of Nursing has drafted a Nurses' Regis- '
matically and without further fee placed on the tration Bill,' which provides that the Register
State Register when the Nurses' Registration Bill already formed by the College of Nursing shall
is passed.' We
quoted last week from the letter be the first Register under the Act. If, there-
sent out by Sir Arthur Stanley on this matter. It fore, you are on the College Register you will,
is now reported that in reply to Sir Arthur
' automatically and without further fee, be placed
Stanley's letter to members of the College of upon the State Register when the Nurses' '
Nursing, the Secretary of the College is receiving Registration Bill is passed." But the Bill was
'
a large number of letters full of appreciation and not passed, and therefore the provision lapses.' "
gratitude for all the achievements of the College, This enunciation of a moral principle is worth
and many, anxious that there shall be no doubt as recognition, although there are people who would
- —
describe it as'a piece of cheap and flimsy strategy. The above patterns of -badges will be adopted
It will be observed that in order to fix determina- as from ist September, 1920, and in the meantime
tion on the Bill that was not passed, the Nurses' ' badges of the old pattern should not be made.
Registration Bill is placed within quotation
' The new pattern badges can be seen on applica-
marks, as it was not in the circular. Does this tion to E. 4 C. Air Ministry, W.C. 2.
make any difference ? The reader who is unpreju- Hat Badge.
diced will form her own reply. It would be better The R.A.F.N.S. metal badges and black mohair
still to hear the answer of any who, contributing bow in front of the hat have been abolished, and
a fee on such assurance, should happen to be instead, the members of the R.A.F.N.S. will
informed that as with the conjuror's hat the pigeon wear the same hat badges as officers of the R.A.F.,
was inside when he placed it on the table, but when with a plain black mohair band.
he lifted it the bird had flown. More humorous is P. Young.
the remark in another article which states that if Squadron Leader for D. of E.
the original (19 16) programme of the College,
'
What "
THE HOSPITAL WORLD. " is the matter with her ?
don't know. She is in great pain and we
I
King's College Hospital, having decided to don't know what to do for her. She is staying
at Crossways Farm."
admit ladies on the Committee of Management,
have now elected Lady Hambleden, the chairman Hot fomentations and the giving of an enema
relieved the acute pain of the patient till a
of the Ladies' Association in connection with the
telegram could be sent to the doctor. Too much
Hospital, and the Hon. Mrs. Anthony Henley, who
sea bathing and sitting about in a wet bathing
was associated with the Child Welfare work of the
hospital during the war.
gown was the cause of that sudden illness.
We congratulate the authorities of the hospital
One morning I enquired as usual of the woman
on recognition of the principle that woman should who comes in to do rough work for us how her
little grandchild of about three months was.
have seats on the Committee.
To my utter amazement, she burst out crying,
and said :
miles away, and we are six miles from the nearest no warm bath given, no hot flannels or anything.
doctor. Till quite recently we had no district The following year the new baby had arrived
nurse, and when a Nursing Association was formed at about the same age, when a messenger came
it was at first quite difficult to overcome the rushing in.
opposition and prejudice of the villagers. Our " Please will you come to the baby ? It's
village is so far from the haunts of men that dying."
you can find grown-up men and women who It was the plum season, and the mother having
have never been in a train, and most of the partaken of plum tart and the baby being seized
children have never seen a 'bus. We live at the with gripes, a whole teaspoonful of castor oil had
end of the seven-mile road which leads nowhere been administered with direful results. A doctor
else except to the sea, so that you might describe was staying with us at the time and took a very
our village as " the end of the sack." gloomy view of the baby's chances. It had
Before the advent of the nurse we were several collapsed, and was apparently at the point of
times called upon to render first aid. One night, death. However, one drop of brandy and the
just as we were in bed, stones were thrown up at application of hot flannels brought it round.
the window. About three months later, or less, he was ill
I went to it and called down : again. This time, as he was cutting a tooth,
"
" What is it ? he had been given a green apple to suck. A
A voice replied green apple is a favourite remedy here for teething
" Please will you come to my missus ? She's troubles. I have never met with it anywhere
bleeding to death." else.
No further information was forthcoming, and This time I gave the mother a good talking
the box of bandages and lint was got out in to, whereupon she said plaintively :
readiness for whatever the injury might prove " I can't think why my baby can't take things
to be. Fortunately, the cottage was not far like other children. There's my friend's little
away. The case proved to be a burst varicose boy, Reggie, always has had a bit of whatever
ulcer, and the only attempt the woman had they had he'd cry for cheese before he was
;
made to stop the bleeding was to put her leg up a year old, and they'd give him cockles to suck
on a chair. She was soon made comfortable before he could talk. And look what a healthy
"
and the fright of the family soothed, for the child he is !
whole lot of them were in tears. Funnily enough, some of them do survive.
It transpired that a few years ago, before I But how much bad teeth and other troubles
of the
lived here, a woman actually did bleed to death from which the school children suffer is due to
from a burst varicose ulcer. It is a pity that this early feeding, it would take someone more
no one learnt from that disaster how simple a eloquent than myself to convince them.
matter it is to stop the bleeding. Perhaps the district nurse will be able to do
Early one morning, about four o'clock, there so !
College members would do well to inquire how £^ 3s. I find in 191 7, I was engaged forty-six
* their money has been invested or, more likely, weeks at £2 2s., board and lodging, and took
expended. Sir Arthur Stanley
to the refers ^96 I2S. Last year, at £^ 3s., I was only out
thirty-nine weeks and took ;^i22 17s. but board
College programme being the nurses
spoiled if
demand their legal rights. It seems to me that a and lodging and washing for the extra seven weeks
ran away with £15, so that all I gained was £j.
programme which opens with such jugglery might
well be destroyed, and one compiled by nurses
Another point was that I nursed nearly as many
cases, but for shorter periods. If overtime has to
substituted, which would omit items (i) lay
control, sleight of hand.
' be paid patients will keep us for still shorter
(2)
periods,and this means more and more wear and
the nurses who have been " had " to
It is for
tear. do hope we shall not be interfered with
I
take firm stand and demand back money
a
by the Hours of Employment Act.
solicited, given, and received under (we now learn)
I note Miss Adelaide Murray's colleague does
misapprehension, in order to save their fellow-
not include spittoons in her extras.' To my
'
THe Midwife.
MIDWIFERY AND NURSING IN at each female prison, and there will be a reserve
at Holloway for duty at any moment at any prison
PARLIAMENT. where emergency may arise, for nursing either
male or female prisoners.
NURSINQ IN PRISONS. The report of the Penal Reform League says in
In theHouse of Commons, on July 28th, the this connection " : We
hope the Nursing Societies
Right Hon. Edward Shortt, K.C., Secretary of will press upon the Commissioners the need for
State for the Home Department, gave the follow- developing this scheme until we have a service of
ing written answers to Major Hills in reply to fully trained nurses in our prisons, not wardresses
"
his questions as to nursing in prisons : with '
a little knowledge.'
The qualification for appointment to the nursing
BAGTHORPE GAOL. NOTTINGHAM. staff at Holloway should be that of " Registered
Major Hills asked the Home
Secretary whether Nurse." The training school in the prison could
his attention has been directed to the birth and
then be utilized for giving special instruction in
death of a child in Bagthorpe Gaol, Nottingham ;
prison nursing.
whether Bagthorpe Gaol has a resident trained
and certificated maternity nurse and if she was
;
THE
WITH WHICH
iSIi€ IS INCORPORATED
THE HURfiUKI RECORD
MRS BEDFORD FENWICK
EDITED BY
all — if they will^ —make contributions to the sibilities, and if those nurses who are going to
great architectural scheme. can, if we We reap where others have sown do not rise to
will, make the well-worn phrase, " a new them and " march breast forward " they will
Heaven and a new Earth " mean something real be left far behind.
and true. But —and it is a great but —we There are many vistas opening up before
must have a great strong operative principle the nurse of to-day, and the nurse of the future,
to guide us. Very much could be said on this not only in the care of the sick but in preven-
point, but we will confine ourselves to our tive work. The prison doors are swinging
own department of it, namely, the new status in open to admit her to minister to the minds and
the nursing world. bodies of their occupants; her services are in
A new day has dawned for us, a new life has demand in the male wards of mental hospitals,
tegun. December 23, 1919, gave birth to the and in many other branches. But from what-
profession of nursing in the United Kingdom. ever branch the call comes, the quality needed
Before that date, nursing the sick ^whether by — is the same —
the best.
—
the trained or untrained ^was a mere occupa- The registered nurses of the future should be
tion. would do well to ponder over
All nurses students of nursing history, and conversant
this and ask themselves (or others) what it really with the modern reform movement those, in —
means. Those who are indifferent to a matter fact, who are possessed of the spirit of
which is going to affect their profession so Nursing, the spirit of Understanding, the
vitally, must surely lack both insight and spirit of —
Health good citizens likely to
enthusiasm, and those who are lacking in be of valuable service to the community.
enthusiasm " have no health in them." We Such nurses will be the towers of strength
needed to consolidate the profession they
had the honour and privilege of being in the ;
House of Lords on the day mentioned above will be best fitted to pass on the torch of
the Bills for the State Registration of light arid learning to posterity. Such women,
when
repositories of best and noblest in
that
TMurses (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland, all is
(c) Ireland, received the Royal Assent, and were nursing will be at once the hope and the glory
forthwith. placed upon the Statute Book. We of our beloved profession. believe that a We
new and better time is coming, not for the
are aware that the regular readers of this
members of the nursing profession only, but
know how vitally this legislation affects
journal
them, but we mention it in the hope that it will for the sick and the whole.
86 Zbc »rttl6b 3ournal of flureino. August 14, 1920
VINCENT'S ANGINA OR TRENCH gested extending to the tonsils, fauces and soft
palate. One young lady suffered from a sup-
MOUTH. posed attack of tonsilitis for almost a week
before the disease was recognised. She carried
By Irene Morton, R.N. a temperature of 102 degrees, with aching^ of the
Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A. muscles and joints, tonsils red and slightly
During- the past few months there have been enlarged, with white patches here and there.
a number of cases of Vincent's Angina or On the western battle fronts, " trench
"Trench Mouth" under treatment at this mouth " was one of the most common disabili-
office, and a great deal of it, in town. The ties of the soldiers, incapacitating them for
dentists and doctors working together with the from three days to three weeks. There vas
city health officers, are doing their utmost to some of it in the camps in this country.
prevent any further spread of the disease. One unfortunate thing about it, is that it will
Because this is strictly a tourist town during seemingly be entirely cured and will suddenly
the summer months, and hundreds of people break out anew in another part of the mouth.
come here from all over the country, it is im- While it is not pyorrhea, it may leave the gums
possible to prevent epidemics from appearing. in such an impaired condition that pyorrhea
Only by means of the strictest regulations on will readily follow.
the part of the city health department are such Thebelief that the disease was due or was
epidemics prevented from being spread present more often in uncared mouths has not
broadcast. proven true in this country. In the trenches
There are a few facts about Vincent's the men were, of course, unable to observe the
Ang^ina, that I gathered during^ the recent rules of sanitation, but here the disease is fre-
compaign against the disease that I, as a quently found in the mouths of people who take
nurse, did not know, and which I think other excellent care of their teeth at all times. One
nurses may be glad to know. Vincent's young man, who has always taken splendid
Angina is an infectious and contagious, ulcera- care of the teeth, travelled all over the war
tive stomatitis due to the activities of the zone as a newspaper correspondent for eleven
bacillus fusiformis and a long, thin spirillum months without a trace of the disease. After
easily identified by a microscopic or bacterio- he had been back at home for six months, he
log'ical examination. The two forms of develo{>ed it in a most pernicious form. The
microbes are invariably present at the same only source to which he could attribute it was
time. A microscopic examination will dis- the use of glasses at soda fountains.
tinguish the bacillus from the Loffler or diph- The treatment consists of first cleansing
theria bacillus which it somewhat resembles. thoroughly the field of infection with peroxide
The bacillus is sometimes found in healthy undiluted, then cauterizing the places of
mouths but is active only in cases of lowered attack with a solution of equal parts iodine and
resistance of the tissues. The most common phenol. In advanced cases, a saturated
source of communication is through the use of solution of silver nitrate is used, and a five per
dishes which have not been thoroughly sterilised cent, solution of sulphuric acid. Using a
after being used by one suffering from the strong solution of soda to rinse the mouth
disease. directly afterward, has been found effective.
The onset of the disease is sudden and is A mouth wash of three per cent, peroxide is
characterised by considerable pain in the gum ordered before and after eating, and a nourish-
tissues, slight fever and a general debility. ing diet of liquids and soft solids. The diet is
Surrounding the necks and between the teeth, very important, if healing is to take place
more frequently the incisors and the third properly. All mechanical irritation, such as
molars (it may be about only one tooth) may brushing the teeth or eating hard toast is dis-
be found an irreg-ular shaiped, grayish or continued until one is fully cured.
yellowish white necrotic membrane. Upon
removal, a painful, freely bleeding surface is We regret that we have received no paper to
revealed. Mastication is painful and, if a which we can award a prize in reply to our
large area is involved, practically impossible. question "What is 'Vincent's Angina,' or
The gums become a dark red and have a '
Trench Mouth and how is it treated?" We
'
puffed appearance. If not checked in an early therefore reprint the above excellent paper from
stage, there is sloughing of the tissues around the American Journal of Nursing. •
the teeth. There is a general soreness and QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
loosening of the teeth. What are the principal causes of malnutri-
The disease also attacks the cheeks, lips, tion in the school child, and what are its
tonsils and larynx. The entire mouth is con- effects ?
'
under the powers conferred by a Royal Charter. an open secret that this fund is not popular
with the best class of women, who are deeply
The announcement made by the Bradford ashamed that subscription sheets have been
Royal Infirmary, that a six months* course of sent out on their behalf to regiments and
training has been arranged in connection with ships."
its venereal department, for trained and certifi-
cated nurses, is one of which nurses should
Discussing the relation of the Library to the
gladly avail themselves, for so far the oppor-
Hospital, Miss Julia E. Elliott says :—" The
tunities of regular instruction in this branch of
library is the literary research laboratory of the
work have been very limited. At the same
hospital."
time, it is one with which all nurses should be
acquainted. They may at any time meet with
venereal disease as a complication of some other Writing on the " Progress of Nursing Edu-
illness, they may be called upon to nurse cation during 1919 " in the Modern Hospital,
patients suffering from venereal disease or one Miss Isabel Stewart, Assistant Professor, I>e-
of its complications fhe knowledge they partment of Nursing and Health, Teachers'
;
is a mistake. The wise nurse limits her out- less housework (at least after the elementary
look to the prevention and cure of disease, and period) better housing conditions
;
improved ;
has been contracted. Many of those, more- elimination of the old rigid system of military
over who have exp)osed themselves wilfully to discipline, and a greater measure of self-
'
Hall, at which the Chairman, Mr. W. D. Wiggins, differed from most Unions in this, that they had
Medical Superintendent of the Greenwich Infirm- no strike clause. They had met with a good deal
ary, Vice-President of the Union, was infiuentially of opposition on this point, but they had decided
supported on the platform, amongst others by to leave out the strike clause, because they were
Miss Parsons, of the Professional Union of Trained not going to leave sick people. The Union did
Nurses. not believe in leaving the sick untended. Very
Mr A. Lewis (Assistant Secretary) gave a most far from that if any member of the Union
;
hopeful report, and said their great purpose was chose to adopt such a course her membership
to unite the above Poor Law Service into one of the Union would probably be at once cancelled.
great, effective trade union — the policy of the They were going to try to get what they wanted
Union has always being to proceed along the lines by other methods, and leave out the strike alto-
of negotiation. They had on the previous day gether. They wanted to get, first of all, a fair
completed an agreement with the Asylum Workers' living wage for a fair and competent service.
Union Committee by which they would federate They were also out to try, through their organ-
these two great unions of public servants into one isation, to enable nurses to provide for their old
great organised body. Each to retain its identity, age and their sickness, and as one of the means
but each to have behind it the whole force of the to this end they had already set apart in one of the
other. That was a step towards the unity of the London hospitals six beds which could be used
Public Health Services. for nurses until the Union could make better
arrangements for them. They looked forward
Trained Nurses' Professional Union. to the time when they would have a nurses'
Miss Parsons, of the Professional Union of club, with living accommodation, recreation rooms,
Trained Nurses, said she was delighted to have and entertainments. There was no doubt that
the opportunity of speaking, because she felt very nurses met with serious injustice sometimes, and
strongly, after 23 years' experience in the nursing such grievances would be investigated by the
profession, that it was time nurses had some Union.
organisation. Nurses had for years been wanting Miss Parsons was thanked for her address by
better conditions, improved salaries, shorter hours he meeting, on the motion of the Chairman.
of duty. They had felt for years that they were
not giving of the best within them, because they
were getting worn out too fast. Many times during HOW MUCH WOULD YOU CALL
her three years' training she had gone supperless
to bed and cried herself to sleep after working A PART?
14 or 15 hours ;and three days out of seven she
had had to undertake twelve solid hours of duty The dispenser was rather exhausted ;
the
without a break. Those days, she was glad to say, out-patients had been more than usually trying.
were no more. Still, there was a good deal of One had produced a pint bottle for eye drops ;
ground for complaint and matter for improvement. another was annoyed that she had only four
Nurses had wakened up to the fact that there was a items prescribed. " Ain't 'e put down that
method they could themselves adopt of improving brown medicine. Miss ? " It had been difficult
their conditions and getting those conditions to drive into the mother with four children that
they felt they ought to have. Whilst a real the ointment for Tommy's ringworm was not
wrong remained they must fight to get it righted, suitable for the baby's eye, and that she must
if they could not remove it in any other way. either produce another receptacle or a penny for
Her own policy was to try the milder ways first. one provided by the hospital.
With regard to the nursing profession, this had Thanks be, the evening is nearly finished. The
always been a very difficult thing, because nurses last patient puts his bottle through the hatch.
were often treated more like machines than " Mix this lotion with four parts of water."
human beings. They were not supposed to have " Very good. Miss."
a mind of their own. After all was said and done, The footsteps which had retreated down the
everyone, without exception, was gifted with a staircase are heard returning, the head reappears
certain degree of intelligence. Now, why should at the hatch.
" Please, Miss, 'ow much would you
"
not that degree of intelligence be recognised ? call a part ? Would a egg-cup be a part ?
raised great funds for the relief of disabled members her work is belittled, she is deprived many times
— and to build a school of nursing in France (at of an opportunity for initiative. . . Can any
.
Bordeaux) as a memorial to those nurses who gave profession grow and thrive under conditions as they
their lives during the War —
a very fine record now too frequently exist ? Is a nurse necessary
of self-support. Miss Noyes adds " We find our
: in the field as a public health worker or in the
periodicals well established and our literature institution ? Is she an important adjunct to the
increasing." Hearty congratulations on this medical profession or is she not ? If she is, then
record. No
profession can rise unless it controls what can be done to interest her to enter the pro-
its own But still all is not well with nursing
press. fession and keep her there after she has once
even under the Commune system in the States. entered ? What can we do about it all ? Isn't
Necessarily some unrest prevails. The nurses this one of the questions that we, as nurses, must
who went into active service, an army 20,000 try to answer ? If it seems necessary to retrace
strong, have come back from overseas or from our steps and begin all over, then we must begin
military hospitals in this country, or from naval the education of a nurse back in the public con-
stations to which they were assigned, with a new sciousness. There seems little use of urging young
point of view some dissatisfied, it is true, some
; women to enter schools of nursing, if, because of
exalted by a broader and wider insight into the conditions within, it becomes impossible for them
wonderful possibilities lying within their grasp ; to remain after they have entered. Every pupil
some physically unfit for nursing, but equal to that does withdraw is a propagandist against the
some other form of work, ready and eligible for system. Nurses cannot alone support or endow
the re-education which the Government offers good schools. They need, as does every profes-
— —
;
HONOURS FOR NURSES. shivering on the brink before the plunge, and
AFGHAN OPERATIONS.
—
then^ well, life does not hold anything com-
parable to a swim and buffet with the waves.
The Royal Red Cross. If there is any sun to bask in, you then bask
The King has awarded the Royal Red Cross on the therein, having, of course, previously clad yourself
recommendation of the Government of India to the again in conventional clothing, and having
following ladies in recognition of their valuable nursing
disposed of your tights to dry on the bank. Or
services in the field in the Afghan War, 19 19. To be
dated January ist, 1920 :— you race down to see the fishing boats come in,
and secure a lobster straight from the sea. You
The Royal Red Cross.
watch the fishermen measuring the crabs and
Second Class.
Miss E. E. Bott, Nursing Sister, Q.A.M.N.S.J.; Miss flinging the lucky immature back into the sea
F. B. Cholmondeley, Matron, Q.A,M.N.S.I. (temp.) for a further lease of life. At lunch time you
Miss F. M. Clarke, Nursing Sister, Q.A.M.N.S.I. (temp.) wander back to your rooms, gingerly carrying
Miss A. Holmes, Matron, Temp. Nursing Service. your lobster, who has an alarming way of flapping
Australian Army Nursing Service. Miss A. Hodson, — his tail in angry protest.
Sister. In the afternoon you wander along by lovely
In recognition of their valuable nursing services woods, accompanied by a donkey and little cart,
in connection with the Afghan War, 19 19. To be which you ride in when the hills are not too steep,
dated January ist, 1920 : up or down, for the donkey does not like either.
The Royal Red Cross. It is a delightful conveyance, if the harness is
First Class. tied up with bits of string, and if the reins are
Australian Army Nursing Service. —Miss G. Davis, joined with a jagged nail that tears your fingers.
Principal Matron. Jimmy has a habit of stopping to graze when
Second Class. he observes a toothsome nettle or a succulent
Miss C. Duncan, Matron, Indian Gen. Hosp. Miss ; patch of clover, but who would have the heart
M. Warden, Nursing Sister, Q.A.M.N.S.I. to object, bless him ! And he has much to set
Australian Army Nursing Service. —Miss, L. Campbell,
off against this treat, in the weight of your person
Matron Miss W. A. C.-Gilliland, Sister.
;
and what appears to be a plague of flies.
GENERAL MONRO'S LIST OF MENTIONS. To relieve the first you walk a great deal, and
The names of the following ladies have been brought for the second you decorate his head with branches
to notice for distinguished service during the operations of bracken.
against Afghanistan by General Sir C. C. Monro, It is pleasant to sit by the wayside and have
G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., in his despatch dated
your tea brought out from a lonely cottage with
November ist, 19 19 (published in the Supplement of
the London Gazette dated March 15th) :— an obliging house mistress, Jimmy meanwhile
regaling himself with carrots.
Nursing Services.
Your return is heralded by red-haired and
Gilmore, Sen. NursingSister A. M.,R.R.C., Q.A.M.N.S.I.
picturesque, albeit squinting, little Emily, who
Lamb, Sen. Nursing Sister Miss V. I., R.R.C.,
informs her mother of your return and, incident-
Q.A.M.N.S.I. Mackintosh, Temp. Nursing Sister
;
now they have a stock of over 1,000,000 volumes, overstrain and the effect of mental and physical
effort upon maternity would need careful observa-
classified and arranged, with an expert in each
department. tion. Some people were inclined to think that
» greater freedom was tending towards increased
licence in sex relationship. He did not believe
NAMES AND ADDRESSES TO NOTE that greater freedom would lower moral standard
AND REMEAIBER. in either sex rather, he hoped that the greater
;
Messrs. Burroughs, Wellcome & Co., Snow sense of individual responsibility would raise it.
Hill, London. —The drugs supplied by this firm in Greater freedom implied greater responsibility
tabloid form are a household word. We commend upon the individual, and the nation's need at the
to the attention of our readers their " Lax- moment was for a development of the social con-
amel," a valuable jelly like laxative containing science in the individual. The diseases of to-day
80 per cent, of " Paroleine," a specially pure liquid had become less community diseases and more
paraffin for intestinal lubrication. contact diseases'; the efforts of public health
—
uporl this planet. Why was it, that at such hence the value to them of a book of reference
irregular but definite intervals as to be almost which can readily be consulted.
predictable (like the return of a comet) by mathe- Subjoined are some examples of the information
matical calculation, there should be such a which may be obtained on consulting the book :
work which is being done in the schools from a proportion of carbon and hydrogen contained in
medical man who recently told the Birmingham the wood being reduced by the production of
Hygiene Committee that in the examination as carbon dioxide and water. In other words, it
certifying surgeon under the Factory Act of a is an act of slow oxidation accompanied by a loss
number of boys and girls who had just left school, of density of the wood until the latter, as in the
he had been much struck, he said, by the improved case of hollow tree trunks, becomes rotten.
physique and general well-being of these children. —
Osmosis. The mixing of two liquids separated
He believed that we were beginning to reap the by a porous diaphragm for instance, if a bladder
;
reward of medical and dental supervision. containing alcohol be placed in a basin of water,
Referring to the housing question, Mrs. Cadbury some of the spirit will pass through the diaphragm
asked :
" Can people living in a back-to-back into the water, and some of the water will pass
house or a sunless alley possess any power of through it into the alcohol.
initiative, or will to improve ? Yet even in such It will be realised that the book contains a
places there are wonderful women, who rise above fund of useful information, which is very attrac-
their surroundings and exercise imagination and tively presented, and its value is increased by the
powers of organisation. When I see a group of excellent and numerous illustrations.
tidy children, clean, brushed and fed, coming forth
from such surroundings, I bow in admiration * Baillidre, Tindall & Cox, 8, Henrietta Street,
before the Madonna of the slum." Covent Garden, W.C. 2 Price 15s.
August 14, 1920 Zbt Britiab 3ournal of fiuretna. It
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
one," said Bufke. Their short courtship ended in Mrs. Hose," he began, taking off his hat " I have ;
a wedding, when the timid darling lady wore a heard you have been wishing for a baby, so
remarkable costume with a high bustle, her white I have brought you one."
veil reached down to the top of her stays. White " Oh hurrah," said Mrs. Hose
!
" Is it a boy ;
kid gloves, and as the sleeves of her dress were or a girl ?"
rather short her red, beef-coloured hands showed " Well, I don't know," said the doctor, " quite
;
between. Pretty white velvet boots with grass- but I'll leave yoii to find out and settle matters."
green buttons and washed-out red stockings Directly the box was opened a dear little fat
completed her attire. The " strong and bold baby rolled out on to the eiderdown.
bridegroom " was similarly unsuitably dressed, Agoverness was engaged for this treasure
and when he arrived at church his bare legs were when it was six months' old, in order that it might
not much appreciated. get used to her before it was time to be taught.
For their honeymoon they went to the south of But the tragedj'- lay in the governess herself
India and seven hours after they got there they wishing to possess a like treasure and having
had two twin babies, a boy and a girl, which they bargained in a distinctly original way with Mrs.
called Abraham and Sarah because they were Hose's doctor, she receives in due course a similar
fond of those holy saints. box from him.
" Where Love Lies Deepest " was written at the " I hope it's nice," she said, as she cut the
age of twelve and dedicated to her governess. string.
Beatrice of surpassing loveliness was not Of course it was ugly, as most babies are when
sufficiently enamoured of Laurence Cathcart to they are first born.
become engaged to him. She was poor and But this would not do for Miss Tunick, for she
he was rich and there was an element of pride in called it "an ugly little beast," and next day
her refusal. Laurence urges her to say " Yes," she threw it away.
and live in luxury and riches for the rest of her "
She was now quite satisfied that she had got
life. rid ofit, but she was more angry still when she
Beatrice soon forgets her woes in an invitation found the bill inside the box " Miss Tunick, dr. :
she receives to pay a visit in Paris. Her father to Doctor Paulin for one baby delivered as per
consents, and " I suppose," said he, " You agreement, £i."
would like a pound or two to buy dresses and hats ;
We have no space for comment, but promise
our readers many a laugh if they obtain and
* By Daisy Ashford. (Chatto & Windus.) read the book. H. H.
—
other profession.
him till he died,' not realising that had they left
The hours during which a nurse is expected to be
— — the patient alone he might not have died. Our
on duty^ -and not to show signs of fatigue ^are
only hope is that the Rules to be framed by the
often sufficient to break the spirit of the most
General Nursing Council will in time rectify these
ardent. An average duty of 68 to 70 hours per
evils."
week, with studies and lectures to fill in the off-
duty time, does not allow much leisure for visiting OUR PRIZE COMPETITION.
or recreation, and very often the end of the August
i^th. —
^What are the principal causes of
working day finds the nurse too tired to change malnutrition in the school child, and what are its
from uniform into mufti. So much for the effects ?
THe Midw^ife.
LYING=1N HOMES UNDER THE of the existing law more effectually attained.
They consider that the power to make by-laws
JURISDICTION OF THE L.C.C. should be limited to specific purposes.
It is the intention of the London County Council The proposals have been placed before the
to apply to Parliament in the Session of 192 1 for Chairman of the Central Midwives Board, who
the amendment of Part IV (Lying-in Homes) of has expressed the opinion that they are desirable.
the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1915, in order to provide that : — EDINBURGH ROYAL MATERNITY
(i) An application for registration of a Ijdng-in HOSPITAL.
home shall state the full name, address, age, At the annual meeting of the above hospital,
nationality and qualifications (if any) of the as reported in the British Medical Journal, Sir
applicant and such further information as may Ludovic Grant referred to the favourable features
reasonably be required, as regards the applicant to be found in a record number of patients and
or the premises or their equipment, in connection in the firm establishment of the ante-natal clinics
with the consideration of the application. as part of the machinery of the hospital ;on the
(ii) The power to refuse or cancel registration other hand he thought that the statistical" part of
shall be exercisable against a person who is the report afforded food for anxious thought, and
" unsuitable " instead of "of bad character." emphasized the utter insufficiency and lamentable
(iii) An additional ground for refusal or cancel- inadequacy of the hospital in relation to the city
lation of registration shall be that the applicant at present and still more to the future needs.
is under the age of 21 years. Major-General W. B. Bannerman expressed his
(iv) The Council shall be empowered to make admiration for the work which was being done
by-laws in respect of lying-in homes for the in the ante-natal department and in that devoted
undermentioned purposes to the care of the venereal diseases complicating
Prescribing the records to be kept. childbirth, and stated that in India and in other
(«)
ib) Prescribing the number of patients that parts of the world obstetricians looked to Edin-
may be accommodated. burgh Royal Maternity Hospital for guidance in
(c) Prescribing the equipment. these new developments. They had of recent
(d) Providing that all deaths of patients shall years begun similar ante-natal work in Madras.
be notified to the Council. The total number of attendances at the ante-natal
clinics during 19 19 had been 1,414, as compared
The L.C.C. is guided in this action'by a Report
with 947 in 1918, or an increase of 467. Of the
from Public Health Committee, which stated
its
1,414 cases, 701 were new cases and 713 were
that in the course of over four years' experience
revisits.
of the working of the Act the Council has had
practical proof of the inadequacy of the existing A PROBLEM FOR THE VERQER.
law, and they therefore proposed amendments The sudden illness of the vicar had dislocated
for the purpose of securing more satisfactory the church arrangements in a manner that was
supervision of lying-in homes, without disturbing highly disconcerting to the harassed verger.
the system of registration prescribed by the Act. Truly, one half the world knows not how the
The Public Health Committee further informed other half lives, and it must be explained that in
the Council that they are advised that under many a poor parish there is no one but the vicar
the existing law the Council cannot insist on the to appeal to. The regular services had been
provision at lying-in homes of obstetrical appli- arranged for, but there remained many traps for
ances such as are usually carried by a doctor the unwary.
or midwife that there is no power to fix the
; The verger was breathing more freely as the
number of patients that may be accommodated last of the catechism children disappeared, when
in a lying-in home and that there is no duty
; the door opened to admit two women, both clad
on the keeper of a lying-in home to notify the in imitation fur coats in spite of the heat of the
Council of any death occurring there. With afternoon.
regard to notification, it is true that in the case " Did you want anyone, missis ? "
of mid wives such a requirement is imposed by " Yus, I come to be churched."
the Midwives Acts, but this does not apply in " Sorry, missis, but Father Jones is took bad,
the case of keepers of lying-in homes who are and there ain't no one 'ere this afternoon."
not midwives and of 237 lying-in homes at
;
" Well, what am I to do, young man ? "
present on the London register, the number " You'd best go on to St. George's t'ain't far
; ;
of keepers who are midwives is approximately and there's someone sure to be there."
136. If the Council were empowered to make " What do you think ? I ain't goin' out of
by-laws dealing with certain matters the Com- this wivout bein' churched ; it's that unlucky,
mittee think that the supervision of lying-in and if I did, my old man 'ud bash me."
homes would be much improved and the objects Truly a problem for the unlucky verger !
WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
iiSHg
THE mm&IlIC RECORD
MRS BEDFORD FENWICK
EDITED BY
HEALTH LEAGUES FOR 5CH00L CHILDREN. nated as Class Leader and Secretary. They
We doubt not that the most thoughtfuJ meet the nurse once a week for instruction, and
among nurses sometimes reflect upon the great to report results obtained during the past week.
benefits which have accrued to our res- Each morning the class leader inspects each
pective countries by our international fellow- child in the class to determine conditions of
ship in nursing. It is precisely this which has cleanliness with reference to clean clothes,
caused such rapid progress. Charles Lamb, clean face and hands, clean scalp and well-
in his essay on "The Two Races of Men," brushed teeth,
brushes aside all distinguishing marks such as " A record of conditions is kept by the class
colour, manners and customs, and reduces all secretary, the teacher acting as arbitrator in
races to a category of two, namely, the men who case of any dispute. The nurse gives fre-
. ,
borrow, and the men who lend. see in it We quent talks to the children on personal hygiene
a principle readily applicable to the spirit of in order to stimulate them to help themselves
are know as Hygiene or Health Leagues, the Leagues, the Nurses' home visits have been
main feature of which is self-government by the reduced, physical defects have received more
children. Miss Mary Gardner, in her book on prompt attention, pediculosis has in some class
Public Health Nursing, tells us that the Health rooms wholly disappeared, and clean- . . .
Leagues as organised in New York are proving liness has increased fifty per cent, in schools
very effective. Quoting from Dr. Baker, she in which Health Leagues flourish." This effec-
says " The fundamental idea is that the chil-
:
tive organisation has been the curative treat-
dren are to be fully responsible for the govern- ment of the ignorance and utter indifference of
ment and conduct of their League, that its many of the mothers in carrying out the in-
appeal is to their self-respect for themselves, structions of the nurses, plus the weak parental
their class, and their school, and that the control, and subsequent rebelliousness of the
children, through self-government, are respon- children. Reformation through self-help and
sible for the cleanliness and health conditions self-respect —
admirable !
;
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. before the meal is the most beneficial time to
drink water. Digestion with many children
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF MAL- is hindered by the habit of '
bolting
' the
'
'
NUTRITION IN THE SCHOOL CHILD. AND WHAT food. All authorities are agreed that food
ARE ITS EFFECTS ? values are increased by the habit of Fletcherism.
We have pleasure in awardingf the prize this Far too little time is generally allowed for
week to Miss M6na M. G. Bielby, Cranford, children's meals. They should be encouraged
Middlesex. to give the minimum thirty-two bites to each
PRIZB PAPER. mouthful, the food being unconsciously swal-
" I do not wonder at what people suffer," lowed, instead of collecting it into a bolus and
said Ruskin, " I only wonder at what they
gulping it. Children should not be reproved
lose." Let us be honest on this subject, and for eating slo^yly as they often are.
admit that before the war the sole cause of Eating too much is another cause of mal-
—
malnutrition was crass ignorance sometimes nutrition ; while nervous emotional children
—
well-meaning, oftener wilful on the part of generally eat too little, though their mothers
those responsible. Since the war the often reflect on this point with pride. Not
all realise that oxygen is a necessary food and
increasing cost of the necessaries of life has
made it difficult, sometimes impossible, to that many children are starved in this respect,
living and sleeping in rooms with closed
provide adequate nourishment, especially as
—
the first essentials ^milk, butter and eggs are — windows. In the elementary school class,
now expensive articles, and every child needs quite inadequate sleep is a common factor in
a quart of milk a day. the ill-nourished child. Children should be
For the bulk of the cottage children, who taught at school that growth takes^ place during
sleep, and that their physical and mental wel-
live chiefly on bread, their diet has always been
fare at maturity especially depends on their
insufficient because the impoverished white
flour, demanded for its colour alone, is used
readiness to conform to the rule of early to bed.
It would be a good plan were a table of the
instead of the genuine staff of life, finely
ground whole wheat. Deprived of most of hours of sleep essential for all ages hung con-
its phosphoric acid, iron, proteids, fats, and
spicuously in every elementary school, thus
fitting the children for their own rule over the
its valuable ferment, all of which stimulate
the digestive tract into healthy activity, no next generation.
wonder that its etiolated residuum, when used The commonest results of all these mistakes
as a staple diet, forms the bedrock of malnu- are rickets, adenoids, anaemia, skin diseases,
all the valuable salts are boiled out and thrown waste of money and education, also unmeasur-
away. In potatoes the greatest value lies able suffering.
just beneath the skin, this is thickly peeled off To provide as nearly as possible the most
and wasted' any remaining value is then boiled
;
nourishing diet for school children should be
out, and that too goes down the sink. When the aim of those in charge of them.
one observes, analyses and reflects on the HONOURABLE MENTION.
feeding of elementary school children, one can The following competitors receive honour-
only marvel that they ever grow up at all. able mention : Miss Catherine Wright, Miss
Other causes of malnutrition are ignoring the M. James, Miss J. Bacon, Miss T. Robinson.
influence on digestion of fear, anxiety, grief, Miss Catherine Wright writes The principal
:
worry, mental or physical over^fatigue, and causes of malnutrition in the school child may
exercise immediately after a meal. Our '
be traced, in many instances, to the ante-natal
grandmothers' plan of half-an-hour on the period, where, from physiological" causes, the
back-board for the child after dinner might be child has failed to receive its complement of
revived with advantage. Undoubtedly, to be nourishment from the mother, necessary to
huddled up in an armchair, or stooping over produce a strong and vigorous infant.
lesson books is a deterrent to digestion. Many
waste the value of a meal for a child by insist- QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
ing on its drinking half-a-pint of cold water What special p>oints should be observed in
immediatelv after, unaware that half-an-hour caring for (a) the blind, (b) the deaf?
August 21, 1920 (Tbe Britieb 3ournal of 'Rureina. lOX
AN ELECTRICAL METHOD OF TREATING now he can hold his water throug^hout the night
and normal during- the day.
is
ENURESIS.
Results such as these seem to warrant a
By Neil Leitch, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.S.,
J. wider use of this form of treatment.
L.R.C.P.
Cases of incontinence of urine occurring- in We reprint from the St. Bartholomew's Hos-
children often tax the patience of the doctor, pital Journal the above article on a subject of
and after being "drowned " in belladonna, if considerable interest to nurses, as they not in-
no improvement occurs they are left to grow
'
'
frequently meet with cases of this nature, in
out of it." which children are quite unjustly blamed.
I have recently treated a good many cases by
Nurses should always recommend that
an electrical method, and if care is taken in medical advice should be obtained when cases
selecting suitable cases the method seems of incontinence of urine in children are broug-ht
almost uniformly successful. to their notice.
It is first necessary- to eliminate any possible
source of irritation, and it seems that in the
residue the cause is lack of cerebral control or MEDICAL MATTERS.
weakness of the sphincter. THE CARRIER IN FOOD POISONING.
The method adopted is to give strong The possibility of food infection by contact
" sing-le shocks " from a faradic coil. The with a carrier seems, says the Lancet, to have
" Physio " coil was used for this purpose and been well established in a remarkable case of
adjusted to give 60 shocks per minute. The food poisoning reported from Lambeth. The
. indifferent electrode, consisting of a pad, was circumstances in this case, according to the
placed either across the lumbar region or over evidence of Dr. Joseph Priestly, the Medical
the front of the abdomen, and the active elec- Officer of Health, are as follows. The out-
trode, small and button-shaped, wasi held on break was confined to one house in which
the central point of the perineum. Treatment ten persons were living, all of whom
was carried out in this manner for 20 minutes were affected. One died, and Dr. B. H.
two or three times weekly. The strength of Spilsbury said at the inquest that death
current was in each case as strong as the was due to syncope from acute enteritis.
patient could comfortably bear. Dr. Priestly ascertained that on the Saturday
The following^ two cases are quoted as a stew of steak and liver had been prepared
examples of the results obtained. and consumed, the gravy being- saved until the
Case i. A. P — ^. aet. 8, healthy. He following day and warmed up with a Yorkshire
aJways " wet his bed," and is a nuisance now pudding. On the previous Thursday the wife
he goes to school as he constantly has to ask to of the landlord, who undertook the preparation
" leave the room." Seems brig-ht and intelli- of the food, was taken ill, and the climax of
gent. Not circumcised, but no phimosis. her illness was reached on Saturday nig-ht,
^ Urine No hyperacidity or bacilluria.
: No although she continued to attend to her house-
other apparent cause. Has had prolonged hold duties. Dr. Priestly expressed no doubt
course of medicinal treatment, which was that the source of infection of all persons was
ineffective. Was treated by above method, the gravy from the liver, which was itself
and showed marked improvement after three sound. The outstandings feature of the case,
applications and quite cured after eig-ht. Now, in fact, is that the person who prepared the
four months after, he has been able to hold his food suffered from the same disease as the
water for a normal period, and has no trouble others two days before they were taken ill, and
at night. instead of going- to bed she did the cooking for
—
Case 2. W. L —
boy aet. 6, suffering from
, the whole of the household for two days, the
paralysis of left leg following poliomyelitis three result being that .the liver gravy was infected.
years ago. This has been treated with sinu- Dr. Priestly was inclined strongly to the con-
soidal Schnee baths and is improving con- clusion that this person was a carrier of the
siderably. He has had entire loss of bladder bacillus,who having previously suffered from
control, at any rate for the last two years while food poisoning, had, during culinary opera-
he has been under observation, and his bed was tions, sown that bacillus in the gravy of the
" always wet." It will be remarked that the repast. This evidence, we learn, is amply
sinusoidal baths did not improve this condition. supported by subsequent bacteriolog-ical inves-
Recently the same treatment was ordered for tigation, the causative bacillus having been
bim and gradual improvement took place. In found present in the organs of the deceased and
all' over twelve applications were necessary, and in the blood of those who have survived.
; —
fifty-eight remained in tlie Home on Decem- the highest standard of practical and theoreti-
ber 25th, 1919 (of whom twenty-two were pay- cal training, which under war conditions could
ing Probationers and fourteen Free Specials). not have been otherwise accomplished.
Fifty completed their term of service and were
awardled certificates. Sir Napier Burnett, K.B.E., M.D., writing
In the earlier part of the year the Staff of St. in the Red Cross on " The
Scarcity of Nurses,"
Thomas' Hoispital, including the Probationers says
—
" This shortage of probationer nurses
:
in the Training School, was visited for the third is not merely a hospital problem it is also a;
time in eighteen months with an epidemic of question of some national concern, for the great
influenza. But for this unfortunate beginning, majority of the nurses trained in our hospitals
the health of the School has been uneventful, ill due course pass into the service of the
and the cases of sickness unusually low, and general community, so that the diminished sup-
Dr._ Turner, in making his Rejxxrt to the Com- ply of probationer nurses in the hospitals to-day
mittee, expresses the opinion that the standard will in three years' time reveal itself in a
of physique of the School as a whole is remai'k- shortage of nurses for the private household.
ably high, as compared with that of the general With the comparative recent experience in this
community. country of influenza epidemics, I suggest that,
Miss Uoyd-StLll, Matron of St. Thomas' as a nation, we cannot lightly contemplate a
Hospital, and Superintendent of the Nightin- failure in the supply of private nurses. Every
gale School for the training of Nurses, reports medical man realises that, with a greater sup-
that classes and lectures have been continued ply of private and district nurses, the pressure
as in previous years with little change, and the O'n our hospital beds might be considerably
work of the Preliminary Training School has lessened.
been carried on In the same lines. Sister-Tutor I submit the following reasons in explanation
reports forty-nine Probationers have completed of the present falling-off in the supply of hos-
the eight months' course of Tutorial Classes pital nurses, namely :
of drudg-ery in ward work, and the low rates Nursing Education, and the Department of
of pay that have hitherto obtained in this pro- Nursing of the Red Cross are fully represented.
fession.
(4) A neg-lect on the part of the hospital
authorities, or of the community in which the THE GENERAL NURSINQ COUNCIL.
hospital is located, to offer facilities for the RULES FOR REGISTRATION.
social welfare and general training- of the We note that in his address to the South
nurses. Plenty of time and energy, as a rule, Yorkshire Branch of the National Poor Law
are expended on the professional side of her Officers Association, at Doncaster, Mr. C. A. W.
Roberts, Master of the Walton Institution,
training, byt far too little has been attempted
appears to be under a misapprehension concerning
in the way of providing- opportunities for the
the proposed Rules for the Registration of Existing
more general development of the nurse's life. Nurses, and is confusing them with those proposed
If hospitals desire to obtain a larger flow of for Intermediate Nurses. This is probably because
recruits to the Nursing- Service, then each of at the meeting of the Council to which he alludes
the following- points, as sugg^ested by a Hos- and at which the Press was admitted for the first
pital Secretary, must receive due consiidera- time, the latter rules were under consideration.
tion, namely :
Mr. Roberts is reported to have said at Darlington :
1. —
Training- theoretical and practical to — If there were any imbecile attendants and
assistant nurses present at that meeting he called
be of the highest order, as certified by an out-
their attention to a meeting of the Nursing Council
side examiner.
recently held. If they did not wake up, their
2. Salaries —adequate. livelihood might be taken from them. Although
3. Quarters shall be comfortable. these officers might have given years to the Service
4. Food—g^ood and varied.
Regular annual holidays
and be perfectly efficient, if they did not hold a
5. and frequent off- certificate they would have to look to it. That
time duty. was a matter to which the attention of the Assoc-
6. Healthy recreations and g-eneral comfort iation should be called. They should see that
should be arranged. safeguards were incorporated so that at least
those in office should not be deprived of their
office because they did not hold a certificate."
McGill University is to have a school for The draft rules for nurses in practice before
graduate nurses, opening next October, partly November ist, 1919 to be submitted to the
supported by the Canadian Red Cross and, it Minister of Health, must conform with the Nurses'
is hoped, by hospitals and other institutions. Registration Act, and the latter permits every
Two courses are proposed, one for public nurse of good character whether she holds a
certificate of training or not, to register during
health nursing, the other in methods of
the term of two years grace. But the Government
teaching and administration of schools of
did wisely in limiting this privilege to those in
nursing, enabling graduate nurses to utilise
practice before the above date. So no hardship
executive ability they may possess and train in this connection is proposed as Mr. Roberts
for positions of responsibility. McGill is the —
appears to think indeed Parliament always
• first Canadian university to offer the latter deals very tenderly with prescriptive rights
course. The nurse-director of the new school in founding professions, and usually ignores
will be Miss Madeline Shaw, R.N., of those of individual effort. To make matters
Teachers' College, Columbia University, and clear, under the Act three classes of nurses have
to be provided for (i) Existing Nurses those
a graduate of Montreal General Hospital. : ;
The American Journal of Nursing reports after that date, and during the term of grace ;and
that after the vote
of the deleg-ates at the Future Nurses who will be required to conform
Atlanta convention in favour of central head- to the standard of training and examination set
quarters in NcAV York, the committee in charg-e up by the General Nursing Council, after the term
made inquiry as to possible office space. It of grace— presumably from 1923.
Different rules must be drafted by the Council
was greatly desired that this should be found in
the building at 156, Fifth Avenue, where the for all three classes, and be agreed to by the
Minister of Health, and by Parliament before
National Organisation for Public Health
they can be enforced.
Nursing is located, and it finally has been
Those for Existing Nurses, and Intermediate
possible to secure it. Two offices have been Nurses, have been drafted, and presumably after
leased, and Miss Albaugh will be office director the adj ournment of the Council when it reassembles,
for the present. The Red Cross finances the it will set to work in earnest to consider the future
undertaking for the first year. The American organisation of Nursing Education, the most
Nurses' Association, the National Leagne of responsible duty for which it exists.
(Tbc 36ritl6b 3ournal of "Wurstno. August 21, 1920
JQ4
corpses and memories, instead of moving forward and dislikes, try to understand a thing on its
with the life stream as it flows ? We must realise own merits, through its own laws, and not through
that life unceasingly moves forward, and that any coloured glasses of your own. So will the life
only those whose thought moves forward also at of feeling be enriched and made fruitful by the
an equal pace have power to blend harmoniously blending of sound thought, and of the material
with the general stream. Those who do not so thus welded together your will, the Builder, shall
fit themselves for living must of necessity fall have good store with which to carry on for;
TRAINED NURSES' ANNUITY FUND. sick-room and not left in his sight '
in case he '
finding themselves possessed of a greater amount such little matters attended to which will go a
of leisure than they can obtain throughout the great length towards making the nurse successful
whole of the remaining eleven months of the year, with a case where perhaps another has proved a
and we, therefore, take opportunity to remind failure.
them of the sale of work which is to be held In ordinary food hygiene, this matter of pro-
for the above-mentioned benevolent fund in viding a diet which is nourishing and at the same
November. We shall be most grateful for all time economical is an all-important one. Statistics
work sent to the sale and for the help thus given to show that too many children in England are
us in our efforts to provide for the needs of sick suffering from malnutrition in fact, many children
;
and aged members of the profession. It is our of parents, whose food-bills are comparatively
desire to make this benevolent scheme self-support- large, are actually half starved, owing to the
ing for the profession by the profession, and, absolute ignorance of food values that so often
although a very considerable number of fresh exists among the women of the industrial classes
annuitants have been added to our list of recent in England. The following are among the most
years, we are anxious to make the fund a means of nutritious and economical foods in common use : —
helping still other nurses who are suffering now —
Proteins Lentils, beans, peas, meat (the cheaper
severely from the effects of the under-pay and cuts), oatmeal, haddock, herring, and eggs (during
over-work which, for so many years, was the rule the season when their cost is not too great).
in the profession of nursing. —
Carbohydrates Brown and white bread, pota-
toes and rice.
—
Fats -Margarine, dripping, and the cheaper
varieties of cheese.
SOME POINTS IN THE HYGIENE In many of the houses of the poor there are
very poor facilities for cooking, and a one-course
OF DIET. dinner is often the rule but this can be made
;
Thorough mastication is also important, because study which nurses of the present day are likely
not only is more complete digestion secured to find more useful in their ordinary practice than
thereby, but the chances of over-indulgence in
that which relates to dietetics, and this is more
eating are considerably lessened. especially the case where private nursing and
If all possible benefit is to be derived from a M.
preventive nursing are concerned. I.
meal, it is important not only that it should
be nicely cooked, but that it should be served in
the daintiest manner possible. This will have the
effect of stimulating the flow of the gastric juice,
A WELCOME FOOD FOR INVALIDS,
and, through nervous reaction, the absorption of All nurses and midwives appreciate the difficulty
the food is more complete. Therefore, particularly of presenting an easily assimilated, nutritious,
in the case of an invalid, it is advisable to take and palatable diet to patients who are kept on
trouble to see that the silver on his tray is bright, milk diet. Glaxo presents a much appreciated
the tray-cloth spotless, that only a small portion variety, and is naore easily assimilated than
of food is put upon his plate (for he can very ordinary cow's milk.
easily ask for more), that food which should be Isabel Macdonald,
hot is hot and not tepid and that, when he has
;
Secretary to the Corporation.
finished a meal, all food is removed from the 10, Orchard Street, W. i.
— —
ful holidays are to be envied and will emphasise Sister,' she said, there is no getting out of it.
'
the great opportunities of pleasyrable enlighten- You miisi be done.' I am sure if it wasn't for the
ment and experience that the war brought into pleasure of working and doing for our boys and —
the lives of hundreds of nurses, who otherwise that, I may say, is the biggest blessing we have
would never have been able to get very far from we should all be rushing to do transport work in
their immediate surroundings. From a profes- Australia. When t came back I'll be a
. . .
sional point of view, the former portion of the book walking bacteria shop."
referring to the work in Lemnos is the most As a set-off against these drawbacks she had
interesting. " The hospital is all that you would delightful excursions to the Pyramids and to the
expect a field hospital to be. Entering it by the Tombs of the Kings. " We
start at 9 a.m., cross
main thoroughfare, Macquarie Street,' with its
'
the Nile, and take donkeys or drive, as we please."
marquees and tents on either side, you would see, Delightful For lunch she owns to consuming
!
the bay, " when he delivered the King's message " Ne'er a light, and pitch, pitch dark." She
that he was very proud of them, and said to the
announces a little later. " We are not going to
officers that our boys (the Aussies) were among
be a bit happy in England." First she considers
the bravest soldiers in the world." " us hungry
the rations will be insufficient for
Sister Donnell managed to secure a snap of him,
Australians " the cook says we "92 eat more
;
We have many smiles over our experiences and of civiUsation the effect seems to me demora-
August 2\y 1920 (The BritlBb 3ournal of Ruratno. 107
Using to the one that gives and the one that THE GENERAL NURSING
takes."
COUNCIL
She speaks of the " beautiful beautiful snow " ;
FOR SCOTLAND.
and " better than anything else in England I The General Nursing Council for Scotland have,
love it." with the sanction of the Scottish Board of Health,
She is of course deUghted by the decoration appointed Mr. W. S. Farmer, SoUcitor, 13, Melville
bestowed on her friend, Sister Ball, whose descrip- Street, Edinburgh, as Registrar of the Council.
tion of the ceremony is characterised with the The General Nursing Council for England and
same simple frankness which pervades the book. Wales has established the precedent of appointing
Most amusing, too, is her account of her subsequent a trained nurse as its chief executive officer and
reception by the Queen Mother. " wereWe we regret that the principle of having a professional
all so full of adoration for the Queen Mother that Registrar has not been supported by the General
one- of the Sisters exclaimed Oh, Matron,
:
'
Nursing Council in Scotland. The legal qualifica-
isn't she just the sweetest old thing ? A tall'
tions of the gentleman appointed are no doubt
personage in a gorgeous red coat who was helping admirable.
me into my coat, looked aghast at Sister his ;
The Army Council has given instructions that 28 been appointed Superintendent Nurse. She has
days' furlough on full pay will be given to mobUe previously held the position of Superintendent Nurse
members of the Military Massage Service enrolled at the Cuckfield Infirmary.
Bramley Union.— Miss Mary Eliza Stansfield has
for 6 or 12 months who were employed in places
been appointed Superintendent Nurse. She was
other than those in which their homes were located, trained at the Leeds Township Poor Law Infirmary and
provided that their first day of service was on or has been Superintendent Nurse at the Lincoln Union
before November nth, 1918 and that in any case
; Infirmary, worked as a Sister in Military Hospitals
their last day of service was subsequent to in England and Wales as a member of Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.
November loth, 19 18. Other mobile members SISTER.
and immobile members similarly enrolled will
be granted seven days' furlough on full pay.
Quest Hospital, Dudley. —
Miss K. Cooper has been
appointed She was trained at St. Bartholo-
Sister.
These benefits in all cases will include, or be taken mew's Hospital, Rochester, and has been Staff Nurse
in aid of, any pay in lieu of notice. at the Queen Victoria Cottage Hospital, Tonbridge.
io8 Jlbc British 3ournal of Wureinfi. Augu-it 21, 1920
I;";*.
m
^••: BMB — J?>i :::n
m
,•«*
T is the body of trained nurses which has been honoured by
only iffr^
r«M Because the Association has fought for many years to have Nursing
i:-}: standardized as a Profession by the State. This victory has been won for
c::*. you and other trained nurses, but there is still need for effort to improve
the position of the nurses. Every new name added to the Roll
strengthens the power behind the Charter to press for better conditions
and better salaries for you and your fellow nurses.
K..':l
—
BOOK OF THE WEEK. the porter might be rough with his luggage, so he
usually went in his car to some neighbouring
"QUBEN LUCIA."* watering plaqe where they knew him."
Mr. Benson is so renowned for his amusing He had in common with the rest of Riseholme,
satire on the foibles of his fellow creatures, that strong artistic tastes, and in addition to playing
the present volume needs no recommendatipn. the piano made charming little water colour
Queen Lucia (pronounced in the Italian mode sketches, which he had framed at his own expense
la Lucia the wife of Lucas) ruled the village of. and presented to his friends.
Riseholme with a secure autocracy pleasant to At the period at which the story commences,
contemplate at a time when thrones were toppling Riseholme was thrilled by the advent of a Brahmin,
and imperial crowns whirling like dead leaves whom Mrs. Quantock, having abandoned Christian
down the autumn winds. science, had annexed in order that she might
"
It was she who had been the first to begin the successfully practice Yoga, and an amusing
transformation of this remote Elizabethan village account is given of this imposter, in who was
into the palace of culture that was now reared on reality a waiter, and how he very successfully
the spot where ten years ago an agricultural made fools of Riseholme Society.
population had led their bovine and unilluminated The next excitement was the purchase of a
lives in these greystone or brick and timber house in the village by the prima donna, Olga
cottages. Bracey, and the gradual dethronement in conse-
When Mr. Lucas had amassed sufficient quence of Lucia.
thousands of pounds in firm securities, she had She invites Lucia and Peppino to meet the
easily persuaded him to buy three of these cottages great Italian composer Signor Cortese, in order
that stood together, in a low two-storied bl6ck, and that they may converse with him in Italian.
had by judicious removal of partition walls They find themselves in a most uncomfortable
transmuted them into a most comfortable dwelling situation in consequence, told in Mr. Benson's
adding on a new wing running out at right angles best style, and which ended in the ignominy of
at the back, which was if anything, a shade more the composer's suggestion. " we all spick Now
blatantly Elizabethan than the stem on which English. This is one very pleasant evening I
it was grafted. Mr. Benson is at pains to describe enjoy me very much. Ecco !
the house in detail which was as blatantly Eliza- This is quite a book for a lazy holiday afternoon.
bethan within as without. Her Shakespeare Its subject is of course trivial, and in other hands
garden was surrounded by a yew hedge brought than its author's, might be banal.
entire from a neighbouring farm, which cast its We cannot help wishing that Mr. Benson would
monstrous shadows of the shapes into which it devote his great talent to more serious work,
was cut across the little lawn inside. though we are grateful to him for his charming
It was part of Lucia's form of culture to converse contributions to the lighter side of life.
in Italian, but their Italian, firm and perfect as H. H.
far as it went, could not be considered as going far.
Thus on Lucia's return after an absence, she VERSES.
was greeted by her husband with :
We cannot kindle when we will
" Lucia mia Ben arrivala So you walked
! !
The fire that in the heart resides.
from the station." The spirit bloweth and is still.
" Si Peppino, mio caro," she said, " sta bene."
In mystery our soul abides ;
never had been or ever would be the smallest We bear the burden and the heat
approach to a flirtation between them. Neither Of the long day, and wish 'twere done.
of them, she with her forty respectable years, Not till the hours of light return
and he with his blameless forty-five years had All we have built do we discern.
ever flirted with anyone at all. —
Matthew Arnold.
But it was one of the pleasant fictions of A WORD FOR THE WEEK.
Riseholme that Georgie was passionately attached " Always to one who wants to do his duty it
to her. willbecome plain in the long run that he has to be
Georgie was the type of man dear to Mr. Benson's prepared to stand alone, or at any rate to go
heart, amale old maid, and an inveterate though against the majority." Bishop Gore.
amiable gossip.
Next to Lucia he was the hardest worked COMING EVENTS.
inhabitant of Riseholme, and as he was not
—
September 2nd. Fete and Sale of Work, on
strong he had often to go away to the seaside. behalf of the Prince of Wales' General Hospital,
" Travelling by train fussed him a good deal, Tottenham, arranged by the Sisters' Hospital Aid
for he might not be able to get a corner seat, or Association.
—
September 5th to 20th. -Third Congress of Inter-
* By E. F. Benson. (Hutchinson & Co.) national Associations, Brussels.
- —
;
the 16,000. To those who have escaped, or those and insufficient for responsible posts when trained ;
caught who now realise their mistake, I would say, enormous number of rules and regulations when
—
" Save others send the Journal on to those (8)
" on " and " off " duty (9) everyone knows that
who sit in darkness.' "
;
'
further fee to be placed on the State Register, now I find I am not, nor likely to be. The" College
which the College cannot claim to have done ought to be made to deliver the goods.'
'
The Midwife.
Edinburgh.
CENfRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. Mrs. A. B. Anderson Misses E. M. Chadborn,
;
2. What is common
cause of retention of
the Williams, G. Williams, F. S. Winter, A. Woodham.
urine after childbirth ? How
would you deal Glasgow.
with it ? Why is it important to know accurately Miss I. Baillie, Mrs. C. Balshaw ; Misses I.
the amount of urine passed in the first 24 hours Bauchope, A. F. Baxter, J. Baxter, A. W. Bever-
after parturition ? idge, A. Mc Biggam, A. Borland, N. S. Boyd,
3. are the dangers to the mother and
What Mrs. M. A. M. Burnett, Misses I. J. Cameron, C.
child when the breech presents ? How would Campbell, J. Campbell, I. McF. Clarke, J. C,
you endeavour to avoid them ? Cowan, Mrs. J. F. Cunningham Misses M. W.
;
2. What measures would you take in the case Robbie, M. L. Shearer, G. B. Smart, H. D. Smith,
of a woman in labour suffering from convulsions, D. Still.
J.
pending the arrival of a medical practitioner ? ^. > .
such a case ?
should, at any rate in future, operate to prevent
such a person from securing registration under its
The Examination of the Board on August 2nd provisions for an existing nurse's registration
' '
;
following results :
not being on the register, from calling herself or
The following are the successful candidates :
pretending to be a registered nurse."
—;
aliens landing, or desiring to land, in the mometer, unless it has been tested, approved
United Kingdom, and the provision of places and marked in accordance with regulations
for post-mortem examinations. made by the Minister, under penalty of a fine
not exceeding ;£rio for each conviction.
The Supply and Maintenance of Hospitals.
In regard to the supply and maintenance of Expenses Incurred by Members of Local
hospitals. Section H. of the Bill provides that Authorities.
(i) the council of a county shall have power Under section seventeen of the Bill provision
(a) to supply and maintain hospitals (including is made to enable members of local authorities,
out-patient departments) for the treatment of or of any of their committees, to be re-imbursed
illnesses and diseases generally, or for the for any expenses they may incur in travelling
treatment of any particular illness or disease, to and from any meetings of the authority or
or any particular class of illnesses or diseases; committee, and also for a subsistence allowance
-and to any members attending such meetings,
(b) To contribute, on such terms and con- subject to regulations made by the Minister,
ditions as may be approved by the Minister, to and in accordance with a scale approved by
any voluntary hospitals or similar institutions him.
within their area and ; It is obvious that the effect of the provisions
(c) To undertake the maintenance of any poor of the Bill, if it becomes law, as it is likely to
law hospitals or infirmaries within their area do in the near future, will be of far-reaching*
and importance.
(d) To establish and maintain, or to contri- The existence of a Central State Depart-
bute towards the cost of or otherwise aid in ment under a Minister of the Crown specially
-establishing or maintaining, an ambulance charged with promoting the national health
service for dealing with cases of accident or and actively engaged in so doing, must have, a
illness within their area. profound influence for good in this relation,
It is also provided that the Councils of two and eventually raise the standard of national
or more counties -may, with the consent of the efficiency, prosperity, and happiness.
114 Zbc 3Briti0b 3ournal of 'Wuratiifi, August 28, 192a
dum to the Bill, is to g"ive effect to the recom- No person shall print, publish or distribute,,
mendations of the Select Committee of the or be concerned in any manner in the printing-,
House of Commns on Patent Medicines, who publication or distribution of, any advertise-
reported in Augnst, 1914, see Paper 414 of ment or communication relating to any article
1914. It contains no provisions which were expressed in such terms as may, or are likely
not specifically recommended by the Select or calculated to, suggest that the article may
Committee, and it includes all their more im- be used or may operate as a means of producing-
portant recommendations so far as they fall an abortion or miscarriage.
within the province of the Ministry of Health. If any person acts in contravention of this
THE ORDER OF DEACONESSES. with it. She also received a maniple, ring,,
and crown. She administered the sacra-
. . .
monopolise the nursing. their lay garments,' and a fresco from the
" The deaconess, ranking with the clergy, catacomb Hermetis, representing two widows
was ordained by the bishop, with the consent and deaconesses at the bedside of a sick person,
of the congregation, by the laying on of hands. shows them in an ample tunic, with stiff
Her duties, like those of the deacon, were bo^h headdress going round the face. The deacon-
secular and clerical. She was the first esses' liturgical dress was the diaconal alb,,
parish worker, friendly visitor, and district stole, and maniple.
nurse, and from her day the work of visiting " The deaconess likewise, at first, retained
nursing has never been unknown. Although control over her property, and a State law then
all converts to the primitive Church, more forbade her to enrich churches and institutions
especially women with leisure, regarded it as a at the expense of those having just claims ou
sacred duty to comfort the afflicted, it was the her."
special duty of the deaconess to attend the The Lambeth Decisions.
sick in their own homes. She also visited The Lambeth Encyclical Letter includes the
prisoners, assisted the needy from Church following clauses :
stole on her neck, after which she took the veil must frankly acknowledge that it has under-
or pallium from the altar, and clothed herself valued and neglected the gifts of women and
—
lias too thanklessly used their work. It is the the Office of a Deaconess in the Church of God ;
peculiar gifts and special excellences of women (c) The delivery of the New Testament by
We have recorded our approval of the revival Conference. The League had the courage of
its convictions and the faith to uphold them
6f that Order, and we have attempted to indi-
cate the duties and functions which, in our when they were unpopular and condemned by
judgment, belong to it. We also recognise many. It has merited its reward.
that God has granted to some women special
gifts of spiritual insight and power of prophetic
APPOINTMENTS.
teaching. We have tried to show how these
gifts can be exercised to the greatest benefit MATRON.
of the Church. The arrangements which we Bulwell Hall Sanatorium for Children, Nottingham.—
have suggested are not applicable to all Miss M. E. Dale has been appointed Matron. She
countries alike. Yet everywhere the attempt was trained at the Victoria Hospital, Richmond,
Yorkshire, and has been Staff Nurse at the Royal
must be made to make, room for the Spirit to Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, Sister at the
work, according to the wisdom which He will Royal Infirmary, Oldham, Sister at the Royal Albert
give, so that the fellowship of the Ministry may Edward Infirmary, Wigan, and Assistant Matron
at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Baschurch, Shrewsbury.
be strengthened by the co-operation of women
She also served abroad during the war as a member
and the fellowship of the Church be en*-iched of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing
by their spiritual gifts." Service Reserve.
The duties to be assigned to the new Order DEPUTY SISTER-MATRON.
are embodied in the Resolutions of the Con- Romford Union. — Miss Amy Phipps has been
ference. appointed Deputy Sister-Matron. She was trained
RESOLUTIONS. at St. George's Infirmary, London, E., where she was
The time has come when, in the interests' of subsequently Sister, and Night Superintendent.
47.
During the war she was Sister at a Military Hospital in
the church at large, and in particular of the
France, and Matron at a War Hospital, Deal. In
development of the Ministry of Women, the addition to her three years' certificate of general
Diaconate of Women should be restored formally training she holds certificates as a Sanitary Inspector,
and canonically, and should be recognized through- a Health Visitor, the tuberculosis certificate of the Royal
out the Anglican communion. Chest Hospital, and the sick cookery certificate of the
48. The Order of Deaconesses is for women the Universal Food and Cookery Association, and is a
one and only Order of the ministry which has Certified Midwife. She is also an approved lecturer
"
the stamp of Apostolic approval, and is for women on Home Nursing and holds the " Insignie en Argent
of the French Army.
the only Order of the ministry which we can
SISTER.
recommend that our branch of the Catholic —
Putney Hospital. ^Miss Helen McEvoy has been
Church should recognize and use. appointed Sister. She was trained at the Kingston
49. The office of a deaconess is primarily a Infirmary and has been Sister at the Bermondsey
ministry of succour, bodily and spiritual, especially Military Hospital.
to women, and should follow the lines of the —
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. Miss L. Folliott
primitive rather than of the modern diaconate of has been appointed Sister of Grifiith Ward. She
men. It should be understood that the deaconess was trained at St. Thomas Hospital.
Miss Krella has been appointed Sister of Hatten
dedicates herself to a lifelong service, but that no
Ward. She was trained at the Middlesex Hospital.
vow or implied promise of celibacy should be Miss Edith Hibberd has been appointed Sister to
required as necessary for admission to the Order. take charge of the X-Ray, Electrical and Massage
Nevertheless, deaconesses who desire to do so Department. She was trained at the Middlesex Hos-
may legitimately pledge themselves either as pital, London, and was four years in charge of the
members of a community, or as individuals, to a Massage and X-Ray Department at Bolingbroke
celibate life. Hospital, S.W., three years Sister of the X-Ray and
branch of the Anglican communion Massage Department, Coventry and Warwickshire
50. In every
Hospital, Sister-in-Charge of the Electro-Therapeutic
there should be adopted a form and manner of
Department at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and
making of deaconesses such as might fitly find a Massage Sister at the Stanley Hospital, Liverpool.
place in the Book of Common Prayer, containing
SCHOOL NURSE.
in all cases provision for :
HONOURS FOR NURSES. have been selected for the proposed extension of
the Great Northern Hospital, HoUoway. Archi-
tects who have specialised in hospital construction
The War Office announces that the following are were invited to compete, and Sir Aston Webb,
among the Decorations and Medals awarded by P.R.A., acted as assessor of the plans.
the Allied Powers at various dates to the British
Forces for distinguished services rendered during
the course of the campaign. The King has given The 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth
unrestricted permission in all cases to wear the Common, is about to cease its existence as a war
Decorations in question :
hospital. During the six years the hospital has
CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE been in existence it treated 62,708 patients, no
FRENCH REPUBLIC. fewer than 7,000 of these passing through the
Croix De Guerre. massage department. Practically every nation
that participated in the war sent men for treat-
Staff Nurse S. C. Burd, Q.A.I.M.N.S. (Res.)
ment.
Staff Nurse A. R. Colhoun (now Mrs. Crofton)
Q.A.I.M.N.S. (Res.) Late Staff Nurse M. S
:
The principal groups afifected are patients, the ANCILLARY WORK TO OUR MEDICAL
famiUes and friends of patients, and the public
at large. If we include under social management SERVICE IN FRANCE.
such varied problems as the service due to appli-
cants for treatment to whom admission is denied ; I wonder how many people know of the work
the accommodation of guests who are not patients ;
for the relatives of sick and wounded carried on in
the disposition of complaints the proportionate France during the war. I cannot give statistics
—besides
;
allotment of beds to free, part-paying and paying of it statistics are often meaningless, so I
patients the determination of dispensary fees,
; will content myself with a little account of my
their graduation and remission the regulation of
; experience of the work. I applied to go to France
professional fees in wards and private rooms ; under the Y.M.C.A. in June, 191 8, and arrived
the restoration of the mental and physical vigour in August at A^ just in time for the tail-end of
•,
and occupational efficiency of convalescents those raids which weire devastating northern
through the provision of day rooms, patients' French towns in a way that even Londoners can
libraries, or occupational re-education educa- ; hardly realise. It was at A that nine little
tional publicity, or the means by which the Waacs were killed on Corpus Christi night, and
hospital informs the public of the scope and their remains rest on the neighbouring hillside.
value of its activities, thus influencing each section The raids at Awere so bad that each night
•
of the public to contribute hospital support in most of the townspeople trekked out to the villages
—
proportion to its means if we include all of these around, and many people camped nightly in the
varied activities under a single head, the reader neighbouring forests. The Y.M.C.A. staff had
may ask just what quality or characteristic been turned out of their headquarters owing to its
they have in common. The answer is that each being bombed three times and left in a state of ruin,
topic has a definite social significance and that and had taken refuge in the Relatives' Hostel, a
the hospital's attitude toward all of them should beautiful old town mansion built round a cobbled
be determined by the single principle of social courtyard and dominated by a towering chestnut
justice. Conventional hospital organisation pro- tfee, and with a dainty garden behind in which
vides for medical administration, nursing adminis- Mdlle. de B an ancient dame of the old aris-
,
tration, business administration, domestic manage- tocracy, had formerly superintended her flower-
ment, &c., but has not hitherto given to social beds, gravel walks, and fruit trees. At this time
management the distinctive place to which it is there were no relatives visiting wounded they ;
is exceptional. Exceptional, too, is the hospital truly democratic household and extremely
which bases its dispensary fees upon a thorough interesting.
investigation of the resources and requirements The first night was enlivened by a raid, during
of its dispensary clientele. In place of an honest which we, perforce, descended to the well-built
attempt to do justice to the dispensary patient, cellar and there awaited death, or les cloches, which
• the average hospital adopts in its out-patient meant safety, amidst hundreds of neatly-binned
department the fee schedule that is traditional bottles of choice wine belonging to Mdlle. de
in the community, modifying this, perhaps, to B 's heirs. Several Frenchwomen from a
meet pressing financial needs, but doing so without neighbouring street were there wailing and beating
much regard to the fundamental merits of the their breasts with an abandonment quite discon-
• case. Throughout the list, the same tendency to certing to stolid Britishers. Others were quite
the neglect or haphazard adjustment of important silent, among them a shrivelled old woman of over
issues prevails. Such a notable community effort ninety, who lived next door.
as the current Cleveland survey of medical needs After a few days the ban against relatives
and resources is but the exception that proves coming out was removed, and I found I had to find
the rule. accommodation for, first one, then two, and then
If I were asked how to remedy the present an average of fifteen or twenty until the chateau
situation, I could only make the conventional was overflowing. In one room there would be the
recommendation that a committee be appointed. personnel enjoying their well-earned evening
The hospital which realises that the questions recreation, and in the next some poor bereaved
enumerated have a common ethical background, mother grieving over her son's death of a few
which is the first to name a standing committee hours' back.
to deal with them vigorously, ethically and This could not continue, and as soon as possible
continuously, will presently emerge from the the staff found quarters in another wonderful old
indistinguishable crowd, and will win for itself a mansion in a different part of the town.
name for exceptional achievement in the sphere I was asked which I would do— follow the
of social justice. S. S. Gold water, M.D. workers or remain with the relatives. It was a
In The Modern Hospital. hard question to decide, and I carried my diffi-
I20 ^be Brttieb 3ournal ot "Wurelna August 28, 1920
culties to the head of the Y.M.C.A. in France, to and sent for parents or wife when they thought
whom Ihad an introduction, and who was passing their arrival would give a new lease of life. And
through the town. His answer was, " I wouldn't —
the relatives who came some were women with
hesitate there are ladies in England who would
; babies in their arms who had only had time to
give anything for your opportunity it is sad work
; throw a shawl over their heads they had no
;
but worth while, and the chances of being useful luggage, and we were able to lend them change
in it are many and great." That decided me, and of clothing from our store others were fur garbed
;
for the remainder of my time I stayed with and and bejewelled, and came with leather suitcases
tried to " mother " the relatives. and dressing bags.
In some places the Red Cross took officers' One old couple, dazed and bewildered, had
relatives, and the Y.M.C.A. the people of the never left England in their lives, and had never
N.C.O.'s and privates, but in this hostel, the expected to ; again, a Scottish mother and sister
nearest one to the firing line, they were rnixed, and who had come to see a boy of 19 with three limbs
we had the Lancashire mill girl and the agricul- gone, and only kept alive by transfusion of blood
tural labourer sitting next to the titled husband from another patient. Incidentally how can one
and wife, and enjoying exactly the same treatment say enough for the magnificent work done by the
as to billets and messing. doctors, nurses and orderlies, not to speak of the
The chateau possessed fourteen bedrooms, accom- motor drivers, driving through the night in mist
modating in all about twenty-two, not including and fog along the endless poplar-lined roads of
the French maids who mostly slept out. Each France.
bedroom was kept ready for guests with clean And sometimes the patient died and then all
;
sheets, towels, &c., and was numbered, and its in the house, French maids included, turned all
number and accommodation known to the trusty their energies to trying to comfort as far as possible
orderly (an Indian cavalryman), whose duty it les parents de blessSs the poor bereaved, suffering
was, lantern in hand, to open the great gates in the in a foreign land, but what could we do ? Nothing
middle of the night and let in the travel-stained but sit with them, listen to them, throwing out
visitors. An electric bell rang in his room and all the sympathetic thoughts possible, and seeing
mine, and I quickly got up, and came down to that creature comforts such as a blazing fire,
superintend the welcome. hot tea or coffee, etc., were not lacking.
The relatives summoned to the bedside of their Then came the funeral, after a day's interval,
dear one were hurried across from any part of the and we followed the flag-covered coffin to the
United Kingdom, no matter how remote, and rnilitary cemetery on the hill outside the town.
became the joint guests of the Government and the At these funerals, most reverently conducted as
organisation receiving them. Everything was they were, I had the privilege of being able to
made easy for them, in London, on train and boat, suggest and get accepted, a reform in detail,
fares paid (except in the case of officers' relatives which though a small one, meant a great deal
who were able to afford it) and they were motored
, to the relatives present. When the coffins on the
quickly up from the Channel Port to the hospital. transports arrived from the various hospitals,
After seeing the patient, if he was not in im- they were lined up in a row just below the burying
mediate danger, they were brought to the chateau place. Now the rule of the army is that the
and given a good meal with hot drinks and put funerals take place in the following order. Church
to bed in one of the quaint tapestried rooms, of England, Nonconformist, Catholic and Jew,
with canopied and curtained beds and glorious so when the transports arrived and the padre
furniture, in one of which it was said Royalty waited, the attendants had to lift up each Union
had slept. Jack to see which denomination each soldier
Hot water was provided, but the wash-hand- belonged to. One mother turned to me and said :
basins were sadly small, often not much larger " They don't seem to know which my poor boy is."
than a respectable British sugar bowl, and every After a word to the sergeant majors of the hospitals,
drop of water had to be pumped from the court- this method ceased and the coffins were sent out
yard well. in order according to denomination The Last
The next morning, after a good breakfast, Post sounded, the gerbes or wreaths of flowers
they were motored to hospital, where they re- laid down by the grave, we drove back to the
mained until dinner in the middle of the day. chateau, and there the relatives were given lunch
and then they were taken to the hospital till before proceeding to the station armed with
supper time, tea being provided in the hospital packets of sandwiches and a beautiful coloured
hut. In the evening the great object was to print of their son's or husband's last resting place.
divert them if possible by music, books and even Though all entertainment was free, sometimes
games and the cinema, a private view of the the officers' relative or the richer visitors gave me a
last being sometimes given in the long salle 4 donation, and this I always spent in laying flowers
manger. on the graves, or more often in carrying large
A large percentage of the patients it was baskets of luscious fruit round the hospital wards.
found turned the corner on the arrival of their And now, thank God, there is no need for the
relatives, and began to recover this was due
; work of " Relatives of Wounded," but I shall
to the mental relief which was as a weight in the always be grateful I was privileged to help in
scales. For doctors did not wait until there was a small way in one of the most humane enter-
—
no hope they considered the patients' welfare prises of the war. Marguerite Fepden.
August 28, 1920 dbe Britteb 3ournal of Tluretnfl. 121
may be lost sight of that day. only have the effect of limiting attendance at the
Quinquennial Meeting to weU-to-do persons, to
The line of work which becomes theirs upon
" the detriment of its national character.
graduation is The guarding of their own interests
and the interests of others."
She goes on to sketch out some suggestions BOOK OF THE WEEK.
for a successful conduct of Alumnae, and a very
* useful one is that the younger members should THE LEOPARD AND THE LILY.
spend an afternoon once a month with graduates This new historical romance is of the middle of
of other training schools for communion and the fifteenth century, when Fran9ois II reigned in
edification. She congratulates the National Brittany.
Directors on their decision that the Alumnae, in He came to the throne in a time of peace,
order to be identified with the National body, but from the hand of Fran9ois himself came the
must be affiliated to the District. " It is a happy glint of the sword that brightening smote the
solution, for now the power to entertain national country into factions, the little quarrels that spread
questions becomes the duty of the Alumnae as into civil war, the little whispers that grew inta
does also the privilege of advancing new ideas." foul slanders, the petty jealousies and intrigues
In the chapter headed " State Registration," that became heartbreaks and miseries.
she recommends that every superintendent shall And the beginning of this was the coming to the
have first been a " graduate of the Teachers Court of Rennes, of Guy de Montauban, a penni-
Course at Columbia University, and come to the less Breton nobleman who had gradually spread
training school equipped with the necessary his influence till the Duke had become a mere
knowledge to handle not only the work of the puppet in his hands.
hospital, but human beings, with hearts and It is around these disputes and intrigues and
feelings as represented by the student body. civil war that the story is woven, and de Mont-
They have their rights too, and will measure up auban's baleful influence colours the whole book.
better when they are the better considered." Gilles, a younger brother of Francois, loves, and
The book is printed by Everett S. Dowdle, is betrothed to, Fran9oise de Dinan, by five years
" She was a poet, musician, selfish,
1417, Franklin Street, Oakland, Cal., price i dollar his senior.
50 cents. beautiful, passionately enamoured of the graces of
— — —
did you ever see such beauty, Kristopher, mon beaten into the dirt and spattered over the
ami ? " He entreats his friend to look to her horses' hoofs."
while he is away and to protect her from Mon- " Ride on," came Eugerrand's voice, " Ride
"
tauban should need arise. on !
Kristopher Fassifern was in reality Verdun of Andso they passed in a mad gallop through
Valence and Lord of Coventry, who was exiled as the forest of Hardouinaye, leaving the dogs to
a traitor from England, owing to the treachery of deal witli F.ran9oise of Brittany."
his wife for whom he chivalrously bore the blame, Miss Bowen's works are always worth reading,
but whom he had nevertheless cast out of his heart but we do not consider this romance one of her
and life. greatest achievements. H. H.
Unfortunately for his peace of mind, in which
was involved loyalty to his friend, he also felt the ROSEMARY.
magnetism of Fran^oise, and such as she knew of Singing she washed
love she gave to Kristopher. Her baby's clothes,
When rumour said that Gilles had turned traitor, And, one by one.
she would have gladly broken troth with him, and As they were done,
Kristopher does violence to his own heart when he She hung them in the sun to dry,
insists upon her faithfulness. Upon a waiting bush hard by,
" He is true ? " said Francoise in a strange voice.
" You think so ? "
A glad expectant bush hard by,
To dry in the sweet of the morning.
" Do you want me to swear to it," said
The while her son,
Kristopher, " pledge my honour on his— would
" Her little son,
you believe that, my lady ?
Lay kicking gleeful.
She raised her eyes looking straight into his
In the sun
through the dusk. " I don't want to believe,"
— Her little, naked, Virgin son.
she said "I don't love him and you know it."
;
Kristopher stared at her, the blood beating O, wondrous sight Amazing sight
!
:
in his face. " You love me," he cried suddenly. The Lord, Who did the sun create.
" By heaven you love me ! My French lily." Lay kicking with a babe's delight.
Bvit after a scene when wild words of love pass Regardless of his low estate.
between them, his true honourable nature re- In joy of nakedness elate.
asserts itself.
In His own sun's fair light !
AND
SICK
ROOM
•inSITES
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. of the Red Cross should not have been devoted
to the after care of such cases as these, which are
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon
a blot on our nation.
ull subjects for these columns, we wish it to be
distinctly understood that we do not in any way
A Passer By.
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed THE CASE OF THE ELDERLY NURSE.
by our correspondents. To the Editor o/The British Journal of Nursinq.
THE GENERAL NURSING COUNCIL. Madam, —As an member of the
influential
To the Editor o/The British Journal of Nursing- profession, to which have belonged since 1891,
I
—
Madam,^ I read with much interest the proceed- I should much like to ask you whether some posts
ings of our professional Council. I also noted where thfe age limit can be extended many years
with apprehension that the " College" element could not be thrown open to nurses like myself
seemed to vote (for the Education Committee) whose training dates back to thirty years ago.
on the principle of putting in College Matrons I cannot think that mine is an isolated case.
rather than a known authority on Public Health Since leaving the last hospital, of which I had
work. Matrons may be educational experts, but charge, in March last, when it closed, I have not
the Matron who has never spread her wings beyond found it possible to get any good professional post,
the pinnacle of hospital life is no authority on the and am now in a non-professional post where
various branches now filled by nurses " out in the the hours are long and the remuneration inade-
world." I am, &c., quate. I do not think it any use to appeal to
Public Health Nurse. the College of Nursing, as a former member of
the Council told me it " was evident my nursing
LEST WE FORGET !
days were over," and this in spite of the fact
To the Editor o/The British Journal of Nursing. that I had done continuous work since 1891
—
Madam,- While walking recently down a street (when I trained in a large London hospital) with
close to Oxford Circus, I was accosted by a man —
the exception of five years from 19 12 when I —
who carried a heavy basket filled with white took a rest. Is it possible that if workers are
heather. needed in the office of the General Nursing Council,
I was about to turn my face from this poor man, these posts may be filled by nurses up to the age
when, at the same moment, his silver badge of 55 years ?
caught my eye and his weary dejected expression With apologies for troubling you. Madam,
caught at my heart. I am, yours faithfully,
" O, please, madam, do buy I haven't sold one
; A Long-Ago Trained Member of
piece to-day." the Nursing Profession.
The few coppers I was about to offer him [An age limit is not imposed in regard to all
sneaked back ashamed of themselves into my vacant appointments we should advise our
;
purse and I stayed to hear his story. correspondent to watch our advertisement col-
He was a wounded man who had served nearly umns. Ed.]
four years, and his papers, which he showed me,
proved 40 per cent, disablement. He was an KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
engineer before the war, but his contracted hand, —
School Nurse. Health Leagues for School
scarred with many wounds, rendered a resumption Children are a capital idea. I hope they will be
of his trade impossible. organised throughout our schools. I am sure
" I suppose I don't know the way to sell flowers," they would appeal to children and that they
he said " people don't even stop to look."
; would respond to their teaching and influence.
Had
he no pension ? Yes i6s. weekly which
; — —
Ward Sister, London.- Why is it that more
he again produced papers to prove. attention is not paid to dieting of the nursing
He had married since his discharge, and hence staft's in hospitals ? It is all important to their
no provision was made for his wife and three little efficiency. I agree with your correspondent
children. who draws attention to the monotony of the
He assured me
there was absolutely no food at food provided during training. It is one of the
home, and I am going to find 7s. 6d. for
" how things which prevents the modern girl from taking
rent to-night the Lord only knows. I see my wife up nursing as a profession.
—
getting thinner every day well, same as me, if it
comes to that. I'm fair broken-hearted," he
said, weary tears coming into his eyes. " You're OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS.
the person who has spoken a kind word to me
first
Questions,
to-day. I'm going straight to the Post Office to August 28th. —What measures would you take
send this home," he said, looking down at my in the case of a woman in labour suffering from
few inadequate shillings in his hand. convulsions pending the arrival of a medical
Unfortunately, sentiment for the moment obli- practitioner ?
The Midwife.
THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA 2. How do they get into the uterus ?
'
instruments and appliances renders its occurrence My argument, then, that that method of
is
unlikely even in institutions, and still more so in infection of the canal wherein septic
birth
home-conducted labour, where proximity to organisms are. conveyed from individual to indi-
septic conditions does not as a rule obtain. vidual, has received disproportionate attention in
Now, antiseptic measures, more or less, of this the past, with the result that the antiseptic
kind, are almost universally used in obstetric work measures taught and practised to-day are framed
at the present day and have been for many years ;
and directed towards the prevention of infection
yet, when we examine the result, we find to our from extrinsic sources, whilst the prevention of
surprise that although the epidemics of puerperal the more common type of infection ^namely, that —
sepsis that were common in the days before anti- by organisms resident in the woman before the con-
sepsis scarcely occur now, yet the yearly mortality —
finement- ^has received but little consideration.
due to the disease, not only in this country but
in all countries, shows a very unsatisfactory degree
HOW DO THE ORGANISMS GET INTO THE
UTERUS?
of diminution as compared with the results
obtained by antisepsis in surgery. The most obvious manner in which the organ-
Besides the fatalities a much larger number of isms could obtain entrance into the uterus is that
grave cases short of death occur. It is impossible they should be carried directly there on hands
to compute this number accurately, but I believe and instruments. That this sometimes happens
it is not far from the mark to say that for every
there can be no doubt, and it is especially danger-
one woman who dies, four are more or less seriously ous when the introduction takes place after the
ill, and besides these there are a very much larger
expulsion of the placenta and membranes has left
number of cases of slight fever, often seen in lying-
the uterine wall bare to direct infection. But in
in hospitals as well as in general practice, nearly
far the larger number of cases of puerperal sepsis
all of which are probably due to minor degrees of
no introduction of anything into the uterus has
sepsis. taken place, the most that could have happened
The obvious deduction being the implantation of organisms into the
to be drawn from these
cervix or vagina.
facts seems to me tothat the antiseptic
be,
It is therefore certain that organisms trans-
precautions in use up to the present time have
been efficient in preventing that mode of infection planted into or originally present in the vagina
in which septic organisms are conveyed from one must in some way be transported into the uterus
patient to another, but that there is some other subsequent to the labour.
mode, far more common, for which they are THE SITUATION OF THE ORGANISMS IN
inadequate. THE UTERUS.
Faecal Infection. The situation of the organisms by the time the
Do organisms capable of producing puerperal symptoms of sepsis are produced is of the utmost
sepsis commonly pre-exist in the woman ? The importance in regard to curative treatment.
answer is Yes they can be constantly isolated
; It isquite rare, in a case of sepsis after full-
from the lower bowel and perianal skin. The time delivery, to find a definite mass of retained
extensive study of infected gunshot wounds during placenta. This does not apply to septic mis-
the recent war showed that the more virulent carriage in which retained portions of the ovum
bacteria isolatable therefrom were, in general, are quite commonly found but the point is that
;
excremental in origin— that is, they were derived uterine sepsis, taking all cases into consideration,
either from the individual's own faeces, or from both those after labour and those after mis-
the faeces of some other individual, or from the carriage, occurs quite as commonly with a com-
faeces of some animal in the form of manure. pletely as with an incompletely emptied organ.
It may be asked if it be true that the commonest I press this point because the presence of
cause of puerperal sepsis is faecal infection, why retained placental tissue has been made a great
has so simple an explanation of the continvied deal too much of in the pathology of puerperal
prevalence of the disease been generally overlooked sepsis, chiefly owing to the docile acceptance by
till now ? The answer is that the appreciation English obstetricians of the, I believe, totally
of the evil potentialities of intestinal organisms erroneous assertions of certain German observers
is of comparatively recent origin. some twenty years ago, so that to day " something
It occasionally happens that the obstetric retained in the uterus," and " the germs that
surgeon has the opportunity of observing the pro- flourish on dead tissue " are stock cliches in the
cesses of puerperal sepsis going on, so to speak, mouths of medical students and student-midwives,
—
beneath his eye namely, in cases in which a and are received as evidence of knowledge by
Caesarean section has perforce to be performed their examiners.
late in labour, when the uterus is already infected. The conclusion we reach, therefore, is that as
Anyone who has had experience of post-operative matters stand to-day, prevention is to be more
sepsis in such a case, and compares the phenomena relied on than cure. The finding of the substance,
with those undoubtedly due to infection by whatever its nature be, that is the real antidote
intestinal organisms such as may be observed after for puerperal sepsis is probably reserved for some
operations for suppurative or gangrenous appendi- laboratory worker of the future, but in the preven-
citis, cannot doubt that the processes at work are tion of the disease every practitioner of obstetrics
due to faecal infection. can take a hand.
— !
THE
secure, if the best resultsi are to be obtained. pay for, and have a right to expect. Ignor-
.She should therefore take every possible oppor- ance in the untrained is to be expected, in the
tunity of studying human nature, for in the trained it is unpardonable and dangerous. And
• .course of her work she will meet with humanity with knowledge as a basis she will spare no
at its bestand at its worst, and if she is to deal pains to acquire professional skill, including
*
r successfully with both, and with the large mass the gentle touch, deft manipulation, alertness
rof people who come into neither of those cate- in the observation of symptoms, sureness and
gories, she must be a student, and a lover, of swiftness in dealing with critical situations
the human race, realising that it finds self- and emergencies, so that her confidence is infec-
.^expression ina variety of forms, that " it takes tious, and the patient is comforted and tran-
all sorts to make a w^orld," and that her sym- quilised. Consider this as an asset in suc-
'pathies should be wide enough to include them cessfully dealing with a sudden case of
all. A real reverence for their humanity, hsemorrhage, and many similar instances
whatever its outward manifestation, willbe the could be given.
greatest lever in her possession for raising it To conclude : the essence of good nursing
to a higher level in those instances where self- is to surround the patient with an atmosphere
•respect has been wounded, and she will be wise of comfort and tranquility, and with competent
,to adopt the poet's counsel :
care based on know-ledge. No pains are too
Then gently scan your brother man, great to acquire dexterity in manipulation and
Still gentler sister woman; in the art of healing both mind and body.
—
WHAT MEASURES WOULD YOU TAKE IN THE CA5E is subbject to epileptic seizures the patient
;
OF A WOMAN IN LABOUR SUFFERING FROM CON- will often omit to tell the midwife of the latter
VULSIONS, PENDING THE ARRIVAL OF A MEDICAL
type when engaging her services. The two
PRACTITIONER?
types of fits are distinguishable in eclampsia
Wehave pleasure in awarding- the prize
the patient may complain of headache, loss of
:
urgent, I should place the patient in bed flat on though generally about ten. In epilepsy, the
her back and head turned to one side, which fit is proceeded by a cry or warning. Should
allows the saliva and vomited particles of food consciousness return, plenty of fluids should
to be posseted, safeguarding against asphyxia. be given, preferably hot milk these will ;
Remove false teeth, if any, and place a gag encourage the kidneys in their function and
between the jaws. A gag can readily be made help to throw off the toxins. Over-anxious
of a piece of wood or the handle of a spoon, relatives should be suppressed regarding
with a piece of old linen or handkerchief enquiries as to " How does the mother feel?"
wrapped round. Carefully cleanse the mouth Should the medical practitioner be a long time
when necessary, and above all, watch and keep in arriving, and the patient still unconscious,
the woman from injuring herself. Ensure a hot pack could be given, also rectal saline
absolute quietness in the room, as the least § viii. The uterus and its contents must be
noise may bring on another convulsive seizure. carefully watched; it would be well to have
Allow a continuous supply of fresh air to enter douche can and nozzle in readiness, also ergot.
without causing a draught this can be assis-
; The doctor, upon arrival, may terminate
ted withdrawing unnecessary occupants
by labour, and possibly post-pa rtum haemorrhage-
from the room. The convulsion will suggest may follow, which also lowers the vitality and
to the nurse, either enclamptic or epileptic fits. increases the risk of sepsis.
In the former, sweating must be induced, so HONOURABLH MENTION.
without delay, and with little disturbance The following competitors receive honourable
. and noise, apply hot blankets and bottles to the mention : Miss Catherine Wright, Miss Freda
patient, exercising great care to avoid burns Wilson, Miss M. Thornton, Miss Y. Bevan,
during unconsciousness. The progress of Miss J. Pepper.
labour must be watched from time to time Miss Catharine' Wright writes: "En- —
without undue exposure, and asepsis must be deavour to obtain a specimen of urine for test-
maintained as strictly as possible susceptibility
; ing, as it is in the -kidneys that the toxic poison
to sepsis is easily reached at this stage. lies, and the percentage of albumen may be a-
Be careful to note and record temperature, valuable guide to the doctor. Await his orders
pulse rate, and respiration, also' the number, for catheterization, as any undue disturbance
character and duration of the convulsions. Try may create a convulsion and increase the
tO' procure specimen of urine a. sterile catheter danger of sepsis, to which a patient in this con-
—
should be ready tO' hand should same be dition is very prorte. Do not leave the patiient
required. Notice urine, and whether the for an instant."
quantities be large or small, if passed uncon- All the competitors assume that the question
sciously, and if any evacuation from the rec- is one which concerns midwives, but we may
tum cleanse immediately for fear of introduc-
; point cut that a maternity nurse may at any
tion of germs into the vagina and uterus. time be confronted with a case of convulsions
Have in readiness a sufficient supply of hot pending the arrival of the medical practitioner,
and boiled water, in case a hot pack is pres- and should be able tO' distinguish between the
cribed by the registered medical practitioner, different types, and to decide as tO' the-
who may also require water for stomach wash immediate action to be taken.
out, large rectal saline, or intra-venous injec- QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK.
tion. A strong purgative (croton oil) or Pilocar- What are the principal drugs taken by drug
pine H.I., may be given, alsO' bromide of potas- addicts? What precautions would you take
sium but these the medical man will prescribe.
; in regard to such patients, and what are the-
The midwife should enquire tactfully from nursing points in caring for them?
— "
A meeting- of the Matrons' Council of Great most of the lady membersof the committee
Britain and Ireland will be held, by the kind have resigned ; we have no treasurer, and are
invitation of Miss Winmill, the Matron, at without a nurse. It must be for the trustees
Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshal- now to deal with the matter. I think it is far
lon, Surrey, on Saturday, i8th inst., at better for us to finish with it. It is impossible
3 p.m.
Tea will be served after the conclusion of the to continue the Association in its present form.
business meeting- in the g^arden, if the weather Ultimately a resolution was passed stating
is favourable, and the wards of the Hospital the opinion of the meeting that it was im-
will be open to the visitors after tea. Members possible to work the Association any longer on
of the Matrons' Council are asked to notify .
the lines hitherto adopted, and suggesting that
Miss Winmill whether they hope to attend. the trustees be requested to inform the com-
mittee what steps should be taken to bring the
The monthly meeting- of the London Branch work of the Association, as at present con-
of the National Union of Trained Nurses will stituted, to a close.
sel from the world's great teachers have been be ours merely to restore, but, instead, to con-
unstopped. Eyes that had been held to the serve health. All the agencies I have named
dead level of economic achievement have been as preservative of human life are means addres-
opened as on the Mount of Transfiguration to sed also to this end. For the real value of life
see visions. The thoughts of men, narrowed is conditioned upon the measure of health, and
to the concerns of self, to the insularity of these agencies represent the opening of so
national affairs, have been suddenly widened to many new fields of social endeavour for the
the embrace of humanity. The hands upon the nurse. And what concern will these larger
clock of civilisation have not been turned back, efforts for the conservation of human health
even though the earthquake shock of the most have for you?
frightful of wars has stood them still. 3. To serve well, to the help and the saving
Three Great Problems. of the lives, and the health and the happiness
of men, you must have within you the passion
Among the immediate results of this war,
for social service, the religion of social justice,^
three great problems stand out to focus the
the last of the three great Ideas which are so
attention of men and women —
problems in the
greatly engaging the interest and command-
solution of which your profession and mine are
ing the devotion of the best lovers of their
equally concerned, in which, indeed, all the
kind to-day.
agencies of human betterment are enlisted.
In itsultimate end, its highest expression,
May I ask you to think of these. They are :
yours Isa profession of service. If It Is not
(i) The worth of human life (2) the conserva-
that, then It is merely a trade, and among the
;
* An
address delivered at the Lakeside Hospital, seek to level up the scales of opportunitv which-
Cleveland, O., May 26, 1920. have swung so beneficially for the few, so.
September 4, 1920 Hbe Brttlsb Soumal of IRuremo. i3«
product have been invariably and altogether not ashamed that you should see me cry my ;
fit. The fact remains that the great majority tears came from a deep well of gratitude,"
of the schools exist still, not because their And I did not forget that it was she who, as
pupils have need of them, but because the hos-
head of the Johns Hopkins School, many years
pitals to which the schools are attached need
before, had first stirred in me a living, working
their pupils. They teach and train nurses, not interest in the education of nurses. In the
for the primary ends of education, but for the annals of the profession of nursing should be
benefit of the hospitals in which nurses are enrolled in golden letters the name of Isabel-
trained. The relationship is an abnormal one Hampton Robb who, more than any other,
and it is so because it rests upon two funda- inspired the organisation of nurses in America
—
mental mistakes the mistake that the hospital and gave to that organisation an abiding sense
is a public benefaction and as such is entitled
of the educational future of the nurse.
to private support, either in money or in service,
and the mistake that the hospital has, in itself,
a teaching function that it can fitly exercise. HEARD IN THE WARDS.
The training of nurses, whether in under- Visiting Surgeon to Patient : Well, how are the
graduate or graduate courses, needs to be eyes getting on ? Can you see nurse any better ?
standardised. Only as it is standardised Patient : Yes, Sir. She gets plainer and plainer
under recognised authority, does it afford to every day.
— .
SUMMERTIME IN THE ISLES OF THE we were to learn later that overcrowding has, on
occasions, certain advantages, for the char-a-banc,
MIST. in the character of a " returned empty " (or nearly
so) rivalled in its vagaries the behaviovir cf our
Drifting rain and a wind from the northern sea boat some days previously when it passed through
Not just the weather, perhaps, which you would what, to many an Englishman, is a sea of sad
choose to take a " joy ride," in a strange, jolting —
memories the Mull of Kintyre.
old char-a-banc, in a country where great moun- But any discomfort was forgotten before we
tain peaks soar into the clouds, peaks where had lost sight of the thatched and red tiled roofs
eagles dwell and from which wild cataracts dash. of the town of Stornoway, forgotten in the wonder
A drive over a hill road, made rough by the that lay spread before us as we climbed the
storms, a road now skirting dark echoing cliffs, long hill track, for it was little more, which lay
now crowning the steep banks of some moorland marked out for us, across the moorland, by
loch, no such expedition had been in our thoughts occasional stacks of peat set down here and there,
when we started to stroll up a street in Stornoway for convenient cartage, where the heather meets
with its low houses on one side, their windows the roadland. Once more we were in that un-
—
one and all oi them secured from within by rivalled country " where peesweep, plover and
georgeous masses of blossoming geranium, while, whaup cry dreary," where lie old battle-lands of
on the seaward side of the street, stood rows upon the Clans and the Norsemen, where hills stand
rows of herring barrels, into which strong limbed like vast giant castles of gloom, which yet, at some
fisher lassies packed the last night's harvest of the other time, when they are kissed by the sun,
sea. Then our glance fell on the rough motor reveal the greenest of grassy slopes, corries
char-a-banc rapidly filling with fisherwomen and and fells, wherein find shelter, wild flowers as
folk from the crofts which lie scattered about the delicate in form and colour as any in your
Island. Did it not offer just the opportunity for Southern lands
adventure ? On interrogating the driver we Ere we had gone a few miles we were in a veri-
ascertained that he was setting out on a drive table fisherman's paradise. No sooner was
which was to cover fifty miles, and in a moment one inland loch passed than another lay spread
we were struggling for the empty seats. A ruddy to right or to left, and every time we passed one
old Yorkshireman brought up the rear of our of those sheets of water, beneath the towering
party he was heedless of the expostulations of his
; hills and heavily fringed by its banks of heather,
daughter and her reiterated reminders of his a man, hugging a fishing rod, would look round at
proneness to contract pneumonia. With the air us with shining eyes and not one among us could
of a schoolboy intent upon some particularly refrain from an answering smile. Half an hour
reckless prank, this valiant old rebel against ago we were unaware of his existence but, thanks
petticoat government climbed jauntily up beside to his winsome companion, peeping from its old
the driver, thereby scoring over the rest of his grey case, and to those elusive feather- bedecked
party for, when the two long seats in our chariot little hooks in his hat, we were all of us friends in a
were packed, the remaining passengers, without moment. This astute looking lawyer from the
an instant's hesitation, proceeded to form two Scottish capital told us in a few words half his
fresh tiers of seats by the simple expedient of personal history. He, a Welshman, had met his
establishing themselves on the laps of those who wife first in the highlands, now she was on a visit
had first got in, refraining however, much to our to her old home and he was going to join her,
relief, from enforcing our hospitality in this there. He was to spend three weeks among the
matter. But, nevertheless, we were soon packed hills. " Did not we pity him ? " he asked with
together as closely as the unfortunate occupants a laugh, which indicated that to do so would be
in the barrels across the street, and it was indeed the last absurdity. Miles farther on he jumped
a release when, after covering a distance of from the car with a shout like a schoolboy's, and
twenty miles or so, the car began to stop at gripped the hands of a stalwart highlander at the
frequent intervals to allow first one and then door of a roadside house. All his luggage except
another of our fellow travellers to alight. But the fishing rod was forgotten ; but Jehu was equal
—
to the occasion and, very much in the tone he of an not Lewis Macleod land ? Later
alien, for is
might have used in speaking of a lunatic, explained we persuaded Jehu to allow us to explore the old
" He's but a Sassenach (south country) fisher- burial ground of the Macleods, with the ruined
body," tossed coats, bags and fishing basket into walls of an old-time church standing about twelve
the road, and without more ado we continued feet from the shore. We saw almost nothing,
our journey. however, of the ancient graves of the clansmen,
But before " the Sassenach " reached his for, with the exception of the chiefs alone, they
destination we had to cover a score of miles or were hidden in a gro^h of nettles that reached
more of the most beautiful scenery imaginable to our shoulders.
that is for those who love the wildness of the As we neared Stornoway again an argument as
highlands. Nothing could surpass the grandeur to the time of day arose with Jehu, and, puzzled,
of the hills rolling back from the purple mcorland, we inquired at last whether his was summer time.
the deep lochs, the streams rushing over their rocky " It is God's rale (real) time," replied he severely,
beds, while the thick, drifting rain seemed but to " not Lloyd George's time," and he cast upon us
add to the feeling of grandeur and desolation. Southern sinners a glance that made us hide our
Here and there we would come upon a lonely faces from him —
maybe because he had brought
shieling built of stones brought down by the home to us our responsibility for upsetting the
torrents, thatched with heather fixed on by cosmic order of things maybe because we
;
strands of rope fibre. These lengths of rope were laughed at sober things. With solemn counten-
s. couple of feet apart and kept in place by a heavy ances we strolled back to the boat for one of us had
stone hung to each extremity at the eaves. remembered the confusion of a Sassenach who,
Occasionally a flock of wildfowl would fly screaming strolling through Stornoway on a Sabbath morning,
overhead as we reached the wilder districts, and was " warned " by a policeman and on inquiring
many a rabbit scampered by, overcome by the wherein he had transgressed, was told " Ye're
fearsomeness of our noisy chariot. Now and lookin' happy an' this is the Sawbathday."
again dimly out of the mist a horse and cart would .^t^ ~ IM.
come in sight on the crest of the road and it was
the business of its driver to choose the first oppor- CORRESPONDENCE.
tunity that offered to back his horse into the
PRIVATE NURSING.
heather at some point where the bank of the road
was less steep than usual, in order to allow our To the Secretary. R.B.N. A.
bulkier vehicle to pass by. More than once, as —
Deau Madam, I suppose that we shall com-
we rolled along the road we were suspicious that mence having conferences again in the autumn.
Jehu took a secret pleasure in running the wheels They were most interesting last year, but I
of the car as close to the precipitous banks of the noticed that among the varied subjects on which
roadway as possible until, when our car flew round papers were read Private Nursing did not have
a corner, in close proximity to one of the lochs, a place. Would it be possible to arrange to have
our Yorkshireman sprang to his feet in protest, an address and discussion on such a subject in
imploring the driver to " have a care." Before the coming autumn ? I am sure that it would be
the latter could answer the car came to a standstill helpful to many nurses. We liked very much a
and refused to move. Then did Jehu turn to us paper on Private Nursing which was read at a
with unmoved countenance. " Ye'll a' hae tae big Conference held by the Corporation a few
» get oot. She's sinkin'," said he. " My friends years ago, but many developments have taken
warned me that I might sink in the Mull of place since then, and there are points about the
Kintyre," said a Glasgow lady, " but forgot to employment of Registered Nurses and in connec-
warn me of a similar risk on the King's highway." tion with the Hours of Employment Bill which
However, Jehu literally put his shoulder to the it would be useful to discuss either after the
wheel and we were off again through a small paper is read, or over one of our Scotch teas after
hamlet with peat smoke rising from primitive the meeting. Please see what you can do.
chimneys and we admired the clean and lively little Yours sincerely,
*
bare-footed children who came to stare at us from
C. LiDDIATT.
the low, dark doorways. The way home lay over
miles and miles of road winding rather mono- [We shall have pleasure in arranging a Con-
tonously over the moorland this time, for the ference on the subject suggested. It ought, as
hills were now in the. far distance and not a tree Miss Liddiatt indicates, to prove most useful,
did we see in all the fifty miles. Sometimes our and there is need for private nurses to turn their
kindly Jehu would stop and give " a lift " to a attention to the matter of fostering this very
wayfarer, most often a woman carrying her boots important branch of their Profession. shall We
in her hand, as the custom is in Lewis. One be glad to hear from any nurse who will undertake
rosy youngster climbed up with his mother and, to read the paper, and also from others prepared
by way of making conversation, we asked what
" He has not the Gaelic,"
to take part in the discussion. I.M.] —
his name might be.
Isabel Macdonald,
explained his mother, " but his name it will be
Colin Alastair Macdonald." Highland enough it Secretary to the Corporation.
was, but nevertheless Colin Alastair was something IG, Orchard Street, W. i.
134 Jlbc British 3ournal of "Rureina September 4, 1920
the Hostel has a considerable waiting list. went over it with the representative of the British
Such a good work as this is deserving indeed Drug House who made no comment on it. She
of the support of the charitable, and it is an had no knowledge of these compounds of barium,
example which benefactors might well copy, which were ratjier out of the line of an ordinary
as we believe Homes in existence for this purpose chemist. She must have-noticed in the catalogue,
are very few and far between. that it was sulphate which was marked for X-ray
diagnosis and not carbonate.
Mr. Moss, head porter of the Suffolk and Death fro.m Poisoning.
Ipswich Hospital has been made a Governor of Dr. James Lee deposed to finding the deceased
that Institution. He has served it faithfully very ill on the afternoon the photograph had been
and well, and has won deserved popularity with taken, and to calling in Dr. Prichard in consulta-
the thousands of patients who have attended tion. They decided that the only chance of
it during his term of office. For many years he saving his life was an operation, and this was
has had the ambition to become a Governor, begun at St. Elizabeth's Nursing Home. The
and he has collected and handed over to the patient died shortly after the operation had
authorities a sum exceeding ^^50. commenced. He was then prepared to certify
;
staff of the hospital were consulted before it was what is known in the vernacular as the " Frozen
-decided by the dispenser, on the recommendation Limit."
of the representative of a drug company, to order After sorting, with the aid of Denny, the nume-
a substitute for bismuth on the score of cheapness. rous replies, he decided to enter into negotiations
In the first case under consideration the Sister with a corresp>ondent who, among other things,
•stated in evidence that she was directed to give a said she was " up against it, and for a girl I have
bismuth meal, she did not notice that the bottle bitten off more than I can chew. Will you come
•did not bear the label bismuth, but barii carbonas, to the Carlton to tea to-morrow afternoon? I
.and added that if she had noticed she would still want to look at you and see if you are genuine."
If the reader has been able in these few lines
have used it because she did not know the
to get even an inkling of Hugh Drummond's
•difference.
The accurate administration of prescribed character, it is needless to relate that he kept the
•drugs is often, as in the present instance, a matter appointment punctually. His rhapsodies to James
of life and death to patients. as to the probable pleasing personality of his un-
It is highly desirable that nurses should have an
known correspondent were not exaggerated.
elementary knowledge of the drugs they are Her eyes, he could see, were very, very blue
handling, but, whether or not, it is inexcusable and she had great masses of golden-brown hair
when one drug is prescribed to administer another, coiled over her ears. He glanced at her feet,
and the terrible results of so doing in the present being an old stager she was perfectly shod.
; It
instance afford a lesson which we hope all nurses was sufficient to make him bless the moment
will take to heart. when, more as a jest than anj'thing else, he had
sent his advertisement to the paper.
From that moment onward Hugh is involved in
Dr. Letitia Fairfield has succeeded Miss S. A
Villiers as Chairman of Executive of the League * By " Sapper " (Cyril McNeile). (Hodder &
• of the Church Mihtant. Stou^hton.
September 4, 1920 ^be »riti6b Sournal of IRurglno. Vll
(ML
AND
,, .SICK
feOOM
OISITES
BOOTS I^ requirements
CHEMISTS make every provision
surgical
the
of the medical profession and
for
friend, our legs are being pulled till they will myself, who would like to work in a modern
never resume their normal shape, or that adver- hospital for a short period in order to rub up some
tisement has answered beyond our wildest dreams. special treatments. I took my midwifery training
" The maiden lives with her papa at a house
ten years ago, and should feel most grateful for a
called the Larches, near Godalming. Not far
fortnight's instruction in a midwifery ward any
away is another house, called the Elms, owned by time between September 2otli and December xst.
a gentleman of the name of Lakington a nasty — Do you know of any institutions which would be
man, James, with a nasty face. willing to open their doors to any of us in the above
" Miss Benton accuses Mr. Lakington of being
way, who still feel they have something to learn ?
the complete IT in the criminal line."
1 am, &c.,
"Indeed, more coffee, sir?"
sir;
" Will nothing move you, James? " said 'his An Up-to-date Back Number.
master plaintively. " This man murders jx^ople
and does things like that, you know. Keep quite
REPLY TO CORRESPONDENT.
or I shall get it wrong.
still, Three months ago An Inquirer. —We shall be glad to answer
there arrived at the Elms the most dangerous Inquirer's question if she will send us her name
—
man in England the IT of ITS. He owns a and address, not for publication, but in accordance
daughter. From what Miss Benton said I have with our invariable rule.
doubts about that daughter, James grave doubts — !
COMINQ EVENTS.
—
September nth. Mention any two surgical
conditions which may follow infectious diseases.
—
September nth. National Union of Trained Describe fully one of them. If an operation
Nurses. Monthly meeting. London Branch, 46, should be necessary describe in detail how you
Marsham Street, S.W.i. 3 p.m. would prepare the patient.
September 4, 1920 z\)c 'BvHiBb Joumal of l^urefiia Supplement. 13^
TKe Midwife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. Lock Hospital. —
D. M. Lewin.
—
London Hospital. F, G. Bloomer, J. M. Clancy,
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. D. M. Clark, E. J. Clark, E. Goodenough, M. L.
Mitchell, E. Philpot, O. M. Russell, B. M. Smith,
At the Examination of the Central Midwives
P. M. Willis.
Board, held in London and the Provinces on
August 4th, 1920, 867 candidates were examined, —
Maternity Nursing Association. I. M. Akerman,
and 717 passed the examiners. The percentage of A. L. Brown, F. M. V. B. Brown, R. Buckland,
failures was 17.3.
H. Collins, A. Deasy, C. D. M. Hunt, A. A. Jacklin,
L. E. Jones, M. A. Moggie, M. Parry, L. A*
London.
British Hospital for Mothers and Babies.
Keys, E. Shepherd, L. B. Wigan, A. Wilkes.
L. — Peacock, A. M. Stace, D. M. Upjohn.
—
Middlesex Hospital. ^M. V. Boddy, H. P.
Buncombe, R. G. Burnett, L. A. Clement, E.
City of London Maternity Hospital. —
E. Barton,
Douglas, D. M. Hartley, C. C. V. Matthews,
J. C. Berkeley, E. M. Halliday, G. Jeffery, J. D.
R. W. Maxwell, H. M. Row.
Jones, M. B. J. Maggs, M. E. Read, C. L. Shann,
E. Thomson, E. E. WooUer. —
Ormond Home for Nurses. E. Grummitt, H. M.
—
Clapham Maternity Hospital. M. J. Andrew, R. Phillips.
—
Plaistow Maternity Charity. ^M. G. Battle,
V. C. Chambers, E. A. Coleman, E. K. Conner,
E. Bebb, M. Cawley, A. B. Church, M. A. B.
R. E. Decosterd, F. E. Eager, E.»Elsley, C. Hill,
Corrie, R. E. Downing, K. A. Fogden, E, M.
J. E. James, J. Notman, A. Pearce" B. M. I. Poole,
Eraser, L. M. Furney, A. S. Green, M. J. Green,
R. Preston, C. M. Prothero, G. Roberts, F. J. Starr.
—
East End Mothers' Home. R. A. Butler, J. M. L. F. A. Gidley. L. G. M. Griffin, E. Griffiths, M. C.
Groves, A. Hardy, M. Heath, M. Hill, E. Hodgson,
Edwards, L. G. Hughes, C. McKenna, F. R.
A. Hughes, E. K. Jackson, J. Jones, L. M. Jones,
Morgan, A. M. Murray, M. W. Parker, J. Scar-
borough, C. A. Stanier, M. F. Thomson, F. Ward, A. C. Joyce, R. E. Kemp, M. E, Kenny, H. J. G.
Kirby, N. Mace, H. J. Magee, E. A. Marcroft,
M. A. Ward, M. W. Wilkinson, H. Wood, E. Young.
—
Edmonton Union Infirmary. A. Blakesley, M. E. Owens, C. M. Phillips, W. M. Poole, A.
Preece, M. Roberts, M. A. Ruddle, A. D. Short,
E. J. Huggard, M. N. Smith.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. —
P. L. A.
F. Stevens, F. E. Wade, E. E. Wainwright, A. G.
Watson, S. WUding, H. J. Williams, P. A. Williams,
Comyn, K. Field, A. E. Powers.
Fulham Midwifery School.—A. Cadogan, K. E. M. Witney.
Gloyn, G. V. Porter, B. A. Squier, M. J. Tyson, Pemberton Nursing Institute. —A. M. Scott,
R. B. Worsfold. A. Vaughan.
—
General Lying-in Hospital. M. Bargate, E. Queen Charlotte's Hospital.—ID. F. A. BUzzard,
A. Boyton, N. L. Bradley, M. M. Brash, D. E.
Baxter, A. E. Burley, M. Byrne, M. B. Christie,
M. A. Cornes, E. E. de Grouchy, D. K. Ducker, Cook, A. S. Cowell, C. E. Cunningham, A. W.
M. F. Eason, M. E. Francis, D. Gale, M. Garron, Deane, M. A. V. M. de Gruchy, K. E. H. Duff,
C. P. Hobson, L. Hughes, C. M. Mackinley, E. M.
E. Duffy, A. A. Easton, A. G. Ewins, M. Fane,
• Montgoniery, J. E. Morgan, C. G. G. Palmer, L. B. Flemons, B. M. Flood, V. B. Freeston,
E. Pike, P. I. Pisani, F. M. Riley, C. R. Seth- B. E. Fynn, D. E. Grantham, G. Harrison, M.
Smith, M. M. M. Smith, P. E. Stubbs, M. E. Haughton, E. T. HiU, M. A. Hunting, K. A.
Tribick, D. L. Webb. Marsh, E. M. Maxwell, A. M. Moseley, J. E.
—
Greenwich Union Infirmary. D. E. E. Hall, E. Musto, J. Norris, E. F. Perry, R. M. Renwick, C. M.
Roberts, E. Shallcroft, A. Sirakian, L. M. Smith,
McCarthy, C. M. Nation.
—
Guy's Institution. M. Bentham, D. W. Gower, C. M. Snow, C. ThewUs, I. I. Wallace, R.
Walther, F. E. Westoby, D. J. Williams, E. S.
D. F. Hopson, J. L. Milne, D. R. Palmer, D. M.
Pawson, E. M. Pickard, E. B. Strain, F, Taylor, Wright.
A. Verinder, D. W. Woods. —
Salvation Army Mothers' Hospital. L. Atkinson,
—
Hackney Union Infirmary. -A. M. Bennett, I. Cook, L. Hambridge, C. E. Hamilton, A.
Meester, E. M. J. Reading, A. A. Ritchie, W. M.
M. E. Capon, M. McKenzie, M. T. Morrison, L. E.
Rickles. Tope, F. Turner, M. Tyson.
Hammersmith : Parkside Maternity Hospital. — Shoreditch Union Infirmary. —
H. Evans, A. E.
Leaton, K. E. Thomas.
L. C. Davison, N. O. Henderson, F. W.
Redknap.
Jones, L. E.
St. Bartholomew's Hospital. —
E. Spackman.
Jewish Maternity District Nursing Society. — St. Marylebone Workhouse Infirmary. —
K. Ken-
drick, L. A. Rowson, J. L. Wray.
V. Barugh, E. Patchell, A. Waterman.
—
Kensington Union Infirmary. L. Cooper, B. M. St. Pancras Workhouse. —
A. F. Chismon, V. E.
le Fevre. Milson.
Lady Holland Maternity Home. A. R, E. — St. Thomas' Hospital. —H. Higgins,- I. R. C.
Ford, V. L. Gee. Ward.
—
Lambeth Union Infirmary. M. Forde, E. G. University College Hospital. — ^A. Elliott, L. B.
Wilson. Greig, V. M. J. Pardee.
•
liss, L. Dennis, L. Dunstan, S. Jenkins, L. Jones, and' (5) Convalescent Homes. All Institutions
M. E. Medway, E. M. Morgan, I. St. J. O'Neill. of tlie kind known to tlie Ministry are included
Devonport : Alexandra Nursing Association. — in the list, witla the exception of some which have
M. G. Flexman, N. C. Gibbins, M. M. Hall, M. been inspected and found unsatisfactory.*
;
Nurses will doubtless have read with inter- Sanitary Inspector; National Health
est the first public report of the deliberations of Society's Diploma; South Kensing-
the General Nursings Council, which we pub- ton Certificate of Hygiene.
lished in a recent issue. It cannot be too (b) Miss S., Sanitary Inspector and Health
frequently emphasised, that the new Registra- Visitor; Certificate of Sanitary In-
tion Acts imply hig-her educational standards. spectors' Examination Board; Na-
To those nurses wholly Lacking in lawful tional Health Society's Diploma in
ambition (if there are any !) this may be a Hygiene and Physiology, Nursing
sinister portent but to those imbiied with the
! and First Aid.
spirit of nursing progress, it will bring hope (c) Miss A., Health Visitor; Certificate of
and aspiration. Public Health Nursing is Royal Sanitary Institute (for Health
likely to become wholly the province of the Visitors and School Nurses) Sanitary ;
sometimes that the salaries they receive as in nursing; First Aid and Home
Health Visitors are insufficient, while the Nursing.
salaries paid to Health Visitors who are with- It will be seen that a little amateur nursing
out hospital training are considerably higher. does not come amiss The salaries of these
!
The complaint seems justifiable at first sight, ladies are : (a) and (b), ;^383 14s. ;
(c),
and we are in sympathy with them ; but there £3ig X4S. The reason for this discrepancy
is another side to the question which thev is not apparent. The scale includes bonuses.
appear to overlook. Now, we have in our list two trained nurses
In the first place, nurses must remember, as Health Visitors, employed as Infant Welfare
that trained nursing before December, 191 9, workers, who receive only £^7*^ including
has had no status; the memorable statement bonus. Another, with a two-years certificate
of Mr, Lloyd George, that there was no such of the Evelina Hospital for Children, one
thing in law as a trained nurse, was correct. year's training S.t the Battersea Polytechnic,
There was no standard, no guarantee of fitness and ten years' experience in Infant Welfare
to fill a well-paid post under a Public Body. work, receives the same.
We have lately made enquiries concerning the The moral is obvious; namely, the highest
qualifications and salaries of Health Visitors qualifications are essential in order to fill the
and Sanitary Inspectors appointed and paid (in best-paid posts. a healthy and en-
This is
part) by a certain Metropolitan Borough couraging sign. The Public and Public
Council, and the information gained is very Bodies do not yet realise that the Nursing pro-
enlightening. We give below three examples fession has been raised to legal status, and
of the qualifications possessed by ladies trained nursing does not at present command
engaged in Public Health work : the attention and respect that it merits. But
142 ITbe British 3ournal of "Wureina. September u, 1920
this will not last. In the meantime, however, treatment may include resistive movements as
nurses who want to take up any branch of soon as the masseuse has control over her
Public Health Nursing- must not rely solely patient if given at night, the massage must be
;
upon their hospital certificate ;they must soothing, to induce sleep. Plenty of fresh air
qualify for one or more of the certificates is desirable, and the patient interested in some
granted by the Royal Sanitary Institute. By outdoor occupation, such as gardening, botany,
doing- so, they would find favour in the eyes of sketching, photography, care being taken that
the Minister of Health, who, having- piloted the patient does not get overtired or bored.
our Registration Act throug-h Parliaxnent, The same applies to indoor occupation for both
would probably give preferential treatment to sexes. These cases rarely amuse themselves
''
registered nurses," plus other qualifications. with reading, but if they can be induced to
In our opinion, w^hen Nursing education occupy themselves with needlework, knitting,
been defined, a State examination passed, and netting, cutting out or making up, jig-saws,
the Certificate registered by the General rug-maljing, &c. they often appreciate being
,
Nursing Council, it is not imiprobable that read aloud to for hours at a time. Sometimes
hygiene, sanitation and midvi'ifery will be they can be persuaded to take up music in
included in the curriculum and " Registered some form, probably studied in school days.
Nurse " come to be recognised as an all-round Plenty of good and varied food, digestible and
trained —
and efficient practitioner with a served in an appetizing manner, is most essen-
knowledge of preventive, as well as curative, tial. If morphia or bromides have been taken,
nursing. there is often a craving also for stimulants, in
which case good coffee may be given for break-
fast and after lunch, but avoided later in the
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. day, when plenty of milk, lemonade, barley
water, soda water, &c., should 'be taken. The
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPAL DRUaS TAKEN BY DRUG
ADDICTS? WHAT PRECAUTIONS WOULD YOU TAKE bowels must be kept well open, and plenty of
IN REGARD TO SUCH PATIENTS, AND WHAT ARE raw and cooked fruit given in preference to any
THE NURSING POINTS IN GAINING FOR THEM? aperient, when once a daily action has been
We have pleasure in aw.'irding the prize this established. The patient should have a hot
week to Miss M. A. Jaoomb Hood, Barden blanket bath daily until he is well enough to
House, Tunbridge Wcli'>. take a bath. 'When the drug habit has been
PRIZE PAPER. indulged in largely, the patient usually becomes
The principal drugs taken by those with the indifferent to his personal appearance, and
" drug habit " are morphia, bromides, lau-
takes no pride in wearing suitable, or even
danum, opium, chloral, cocaine, aether, sul- dlean, garments. The nurse must endeavour
phonal, veronal, trional and aspirin may be
;
to stimulate the patient to take interest in his
included, as it is taken so extensively as to be or her clothes, and if well enough, must per-
mentioned as a drug to be avoided. In the
suade them to meet their friends and as soon
treatment of these cases, the first point to be as possible lead a normal life, giving up all
considered is the removal, if possible, of the drugs and any invalid habits. Care must be
cause for which the drug was first prescribed, taken to give no drugs whatever, unless
and a complete change of air and surroundings ordered by a medical man, and the patient
arranged, if possible. It is an essential point The
should never see the prescriptions.
that the nurse in charge of the case should be greatest wratchfulness must be exercised with
one with whom the patient has interests in all drug cases, but as unobtrusively as
common and one who 'has a strong and attrac-
;
possible, as they should never get the impres-
tive personality' is more likely to be able to help sion, whether rightly or wrongly, that they are
the patient to obtain the desired control over his not trusted.
craving. She must ascertain how the drug HONOURABLE MENTION.
is procured, and find out if the patient has a
The following competitors receive honour-
stock in his possession, secreted in the house Miss Mar>' Green, Miss Jane
able mention :
Years.
144 CTbe British 3ournal of TRureuifi, September it, 1920
nursingf, and is one of the most potent factors HONOURS FOR MEMBERS OF THE
resulting in the shortage
probationers.
of
These Homes we know to be well manag-ed,
FRENCH FLAG NURSING CORPS.
although a certain number of women are ad-
mitted who should not accept public charity. MEDAILLE DE LA RECONNAISSANCE
FRANCAISE.
The reunion and present nurses
of the past By decrees the President of the French
of
of the FirvaJe Hospital, Sheffield, took place RepubHc, dated April ist and 30th, and May ist
recently, when they were entertained by the and 5th, 1920, issued on the recommendation of
matron, Mrs. A. C
Lawson, R.R.C., in the the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
and on the advice, in conformity with this, of
nurses' home. The entertainment took the
the Committee dealing with the Medaille de la
form of a garden pairty, supplemented by Reconnaissance Fran9aise (Medal of the Gratitude
music, games and dancing. Many of the of the French) dated March 6th, 12 th, 19th, and
guests were the first probationers of the 24th, and April 14th, 21st, and 23rd, 1920, the
matron, who has held that office for 26 years, Medal has been conferred on the following members
and whose term of office has been of the utmost of the French Flag Nursing Corps :
—
value to the hospital and the nursing school. CITATIONS.
SILVER-QILT.
The late Mr. William H. Anderson, of Hano-
Addison, Clementine, of British nationality,
Miss
ver Terrace, London, left ;£2oo to Nurse Made-
certificated nurse; served from April, 1915, to April
line Anne Brown, of Newry, Ireland, and ;;^ioo 19 16. Contracted blood-poisoning during her service
to Sister Mary Pulham, of the Nurses' Co- and died two months after. Was highly appreciated
operation, 22, Langham Street, W. and is deeply regretted.
Lind, Miss Lily, of British nationality, certificated
nurse ; served from October, 1914^, to October, 19 16
The Liverpool Queen Victoria District Nurs- a devoted, zealous and most capable nurse. Went
;
ing Association gets a legacy of ;^5oo under the through the artillery bombardments at Bergues in
will of the late Mr. Ralph Langton Neilson. 19 15, While engaged in nursing infectious cases
contracted pulmonary tuberculosis returning to
;
September 6th to loth, in order to discuss the proof of great self-denial and courage in the various
sections to which she was attached. Head nurse at
questions of an eight-hour day, co-operation the Hospital of Talence helped with the surgical
;
between the northern countries, and nurses' service. She suffered aerial bombardments with
salaries. It is now eight years since trained calmness. When engaged in nursing the gassed,
nurses held an International Conference in she contracted pulmonary tuberculosis.
Cologne in 1912. Then delegates from Nor- SILVER.
way, Sweden, Denmark and Finland fore- Bennett, Miss Ellen, of British nationality, certifi-
—
gathered with the representatives of twenty cated nurse served from November, 19 14, to the end
;
—
other countries a meeting which, it is to be of hostilities. Very devoted and very courageous,
bore with sang-froid the violent bombardment of
feared, will not be equalled in sisterly spirit for
Fismes and at the retreat of Jouaignes, was an example
many years to come. of self-sacrifice. Attracted the sympathy of all
around her.
Burn, Miss Florence, of British nationality, certifi-
INTERNATIONAL NEWS. cated nurse: served from November, 19 14, to the
end of hostilities.In this long period of service,
Miss Dock, Hon. Secretary of the Inter-
proved herself very devoted, very kind and generous.
national Council of Nurses, reports that appli- Siiifered several bombardments in the region of
cations for affiliation have been received Dunkirk. Gained by her praiseworthy conduct the
from National Associations of Trained gratitude of her superiors.
Campbell, Miss Jean McQlbbon, of British nation-
Nurses from Norway, Belgium 1 Italy and ality, certificated nurse served from July, 19 15, to
;
China. This is most hopeful, as evi- the end of hostilities. Carried out with courage and
dence of the renaissance of international devotion the various tasks with which she was en-
sympathy in the Nursing World, and trusted. Acquired a great influence over the wounded
and lavished upon them great moral support. Preserved
of the determination of trained nurses to govern
an invariable sang-froid in the midst of the bombard-
their own international relations a wise de- — ments of Compi^gne, Royalieu and Rezon-sur-Matz.
cision. Hallam, Mrs. Sarah, of British nationality, certifi-
The enlargement of the mind, and the expan- cated nurse ; served from November, 1914, to the end
of hostilities. In this long period of service, was
sion of the outlook, which comes from inter-
very devoted, very kind and generous. Suffered
national association is limitless. several bombardments in the district of Dunkirk.
146 JlbC »riti6b 30UrnaI of "HUretnO. September n, igao
Won by her praise- worthy conduct the gratitude of of hostilities gave proof of indomitable courage
;
organisation in her position as matron. of devotion and self-sacrifice, attached to the ambulance
of Vauxboin, took part in the French retreat ; fulfilled
Jamard, Mrs. Rosemond Cliristine {nSe Hendrie), of
British nationality, certificated nurse served from with zeal her voluntary work of nursing infectious
;
cases.
November, 19 14, to December, 19 17, gave proof of
devotion to her task very kind and very persevering
; ; BRONZE.
was esteemed by all gave effective and very capable
;
assistance to her ambulance bore courageously the Carmichael, Miss Isabel, of British nationality,
;
certificated nurse served from October, 19 14, to
;
bombardment of Fismes.
December, 19 16 made herself appreciated by the
;
Macaulay, Miss Jane, of British nationality, certifi- devotion and zeal which she showed in consecrating
cated nurse a model of devotion and self-sacrifice,
;
herself to the service of typhoid patients bore with ;
attached to the ambulance of Vauxboin, took part in sang-froid the bombardment of Fismes (Bergues).
the French retreat, fulfilled with zeal the work she
Conway-Qordon, Miss Margaret, of British nationa-
had undertaken in infectious cases served from
lity, certificated nurse; served from November, 1914,
;
November, 1914, to the end of hostilities. to the end of hostilities with zeal and devotion. Her
Mitcliell, Miss Cliristina Tait, of British nationality, courage during the retreat of Coinzy gained for her
certificated nurse served from November, 19 14, to
;
the congratulations of her superiors.
the end of the war always showed unlimited devotion
; ; Hawthorne, Miss Gladys Mary, of British nationality,
took part in the retreat of Chateau-Thierry attached ;
certificated nurse served from May, 19 15, to Septem-
;
to the neurological service ; showed herself kind and ber, 19 18. During her work in nursing infectious
generous. cases, her disinterestedness and perseverance were
O'Leary, Miss Catlierine, of British nationality, noticed by all bore the evacuation of the ambulance
;
certificated nurse, served from April, 19 15, to the end of Jouaignes rendered services which were highly
;
hostilities, attached to the surgical service gave ; 19 16, to the end of the war, rendered greatly appre-
proof of courage in various bombardments was with ; ciated services attached to the ambulance of Epernay,
;
the ambiilance of Verneuil at the time of the French nursed infectious cases.
retreat in April, 19 18 voluntarily endured an arduous
; Mann, Miss Louise, of British nationality, certificated
life in an ambulance in the devastated regions. nurse; served from November, 19 14, to the end of
Rictiard, Miss Mary Catlierine, of British nationality, the war. During four years rendered devoted services
certificated nurse served during four years, from
; at the hospital of Caen very gentle and untiring, ;
November, 19 14, in an ambulance at the front went ; she won the admiration of the wounded whom she
through the retreat of Jouaignes, where she showed nursed.
remarkable initiative, fulfilling her task with unfailing Mooney, Miss Louise, of British nationality, certi-
disinterestedness. ficated nurse; served from November, 19 14, to the
Sainsbury, Miss Dorotliy, of British nationality, end of the war. During more than four years, ren-
certificated nurse served from April, 19 15, up to
; dered greatly appreciated services at the mixed
the present time kind and hard-working, fulfilled
; hospital of Caen very gentle and untiring, won the
;
her mission with ardour suffered the bombardments ; admiration of the wounded whom she nursed her ;
of Bergnes and Fismes gave proof of great initiative ; great aptitude gained for her well merited praise from
at the time of the evacuation of her ambulance in her superiors.
May, 1918. Morris, Miss Florence, of British nationality, certi-
Simpson, Miss Dora Tait, of British nationality, ficated nurse served from January, 19 16, to March,
;
certificated nurse ; served from November, 19 14, to 19 18; bore with sang-froid numerous aerial bombard-
the end of hostilities. Very devoted, very courageous, ments ;kind and untiring, she made herself highly
bore with sang-froid the violent bombardment of appreciated by her zeal and her devotion.
Fismes at the time of the retreat of Jouaignes. Roberts, Miss Annie, of British nationality,
Tumell, Miss Eleanor, of British nationality, certi- certificated nurse; served from May, 19 15. ^°
ficated nurse; served from March, 19 15, to the end April, 19 1 8—a period of three years—-with zeal and
— ,
Mitchell, Park, Perkins, Turnell and Willetts. here to-day from all the provinces of the Dominion
Sister Carmichael is a member of the Registered it is shown that there is an increasing demand for
Nurses' Society, and Sister Hitchcock (New nurses who are qualified to undertake pubhc
Zealand) was also sent to France by tliat Society. health work. WTiere are these nurses to come
Sister M. Maclntyre was selected by the National from ?
Association of Canadian Nurses. There are still " Before the last annual meeting of our associa-
many other members of the Corps who have been tion we submitted to the hospitals throughout
highly recommended for this honourable decoration Canada a questionaire. From this . we found
and we hope to be able to announce later that that in every province there was a shortage of
their devoted services have received the recog- both graduates and probationers.
nition they so well deserve. " The chief reasons for the existing shortage
The highly skilled services of the Sisters of the are :
French Flag Nursing Corps made a deep impression " I. Opportunities in banks and other branches
on the Service de Sante throughout the war. of business which require shorter hours.
It was the only Service which maintained the "2. Unattractive work as regards hours, length
three years' certificated standard of training. of time in training, and lack of remuneration.
"3. Not large enough percentage of girls taking
high school training. Hospitals have grown
NURSES' MISSIONARY LEAGUE. unproportionately to the supply of suitable
The Nurses' Missionary League has arranged candidates.
Devotional Meetings to be held on Thursday, "4. Unattractive living conditions.
September i6th, at St. Michael's Church, Chester " "The very existence of our training schools is
Square, S.W. The day will begin with Holy being threatened by this shortage of applicants.
• Communion at 8 a.m., and the morning and after- we must have
To remedy this, :
noon meetings will be from 10.30 to 12.30, and • " I. Adequate financial support.
from 3 to 4.30. They will be conducted by the "2. Shorter hours (consequently more students).
Rev. M. H. Richmond, M.A., whose addresses will "3. Better housing conditions.
be on the subjects: " God Creator and Father, "4. The course of training for the students
Giving to Us Creating Power " " Jesus Christ,
;
after the summer vacation on Wednesday, Septem- " I. Bringing the profession of nursing before
ber 8th, at 5.30 p.m. There was a very full and the public and high school pupils, so as to insure
important programme of work for the autumn a sufficient number of candidates with suitable
and winter. educational requirements. This must be brought
The meeting of the Public Health Section is prominently to the attention of such pupils by-
called for Friday, September loth, at 5.30 p.m., means of scholarships.
to discuss the salaries of trained nurses in Public "2. By
providing a nurse specially qualified
Health Work. to present the advantages of the nursing profession
—
Night Sister. She has also held the position of Sister Sister Miss E. A. Rutherford, R.R.C., resigns
at the Royal Liverpool County Hospital for Children, her appointment (August 23rd).
Cheshire.
NIGHT SUPERINTENDENT.
Halifax, St.Luke's Hospital.— Miss Hope
R. Wil-
PRESENTATION TO
liamott has been appointed Night Superintendent. MISS ELLEN QAYFORD.
She was trained at the General Hospital, Bristol. The public testimonial to Miss Ellen Gayford,
She has been Sister at the South Devon and East late Matron of the Teddington Cottage Hospital,
Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, and of the Maternity resulted in the collection of about ^50. This was
Ward, St. Luke's Hospital, Halifax. She also gained recently handed to her privately by Mr. Horace Booth,
experience in fever nursing at Great Yarmouth Isola- Chairman of the Executive Committee.
tion Hospital. Miss Williamott holds the certificate In a letter since received by Mr. Booth, Miss Gayford
of the Central Midwives Board. wishes publicly to thank all who subscribed to the
THEATRE SISTER. fund. She adds "I shall always remember with
:
—
Royal Infirmary, Gloucester. -Miss Lucy Taylor has gratitude the many expressions and acts of kindness
been appointed Theatre Sister. She was trained at the which I have received on leaving the hospital, where
General Infirmary, Rochdale, and has held the positions I have been for so many years."
of Theatre Sister at Cameron Hospital, West Hartle- Miss Gayford has also received gifts from the medical
pool, Stanley Hospital, Liverpool, Welsh Metropolitan staff and the committee.
War Hospital, Cardiff, and at the Belmont Nursing Miss Bewsey, the new Matron, commenced her duties
Home, Leeds. last week.
: —
murderers into Russia, controlled and directed the indeed, her whole aspect was dignified."
assassins' work. Only when Berlin realised that The little lad Roger is depicted as an engaging
the Romanovs were irrevocably on the side of the youngster of six years, finely built and square of
Entente did they release the hands of the shoulder, with fair hair and blue eyes.
murderers." He informs the stranger
" Grandpa's John, my feyther was Roger, I'm
We learn from G. P. Putnam's Sons, Ltd., that, John Roger, but they calls me Roger 'cause the
owing to the phenomenal demand for " The Diary Becks o' Beckford alius take the name in turn.
of Opal Whiteley," the first edition is exhausted My feyther's dead, so I mun be Roger."
" Dear me, is your father dead ? " said Mr.
before publication, and the publishers are rushing
through a further large edition. Jeffries, and your mother too ?
'
'
" Ah !
" said Roger ;
" d-e-d."
Sir Roger, the white-bearded ploughman, was
NAMES AND ADDRESSES TO NOTE dressed like an ordinary working man his hat
« ;
special value of which is that it helps Nature to hole to-day, an' gran axed him if he minded having
restore natural bowel action. it i' the kitchen, an' he said he didn't."
From these extracts it will be seen that the
upbringing of the baronet's grandson was at least
COMING EVENTS. an unusual one for his walk in life.
September 10th. —
Professional Union of Trained The old man and his wife in spite of their homely
Nurses Meeting Public Health Section to discuss
: talk and surrounding were inordinately proud of
the salaries of trained nurses in Public Health family and pedigree, but there was a blot on the
Work. family escutcheon which was a source of grief to
—
September nth. National Union of Trained them, and it had caused the name of a certain
Nurses. Monthly meeting. London Branch, 46, William Beck to be obliterated from the cherished
Marsham Street, S.W.i. 3 p.m. pedigree.
—
September i8th.- -Matrons' Council of Great It was concerning one of the descendants of this
Britain and Ireland. Meeting, by invitation, at outcast member of the family, that the stranger
Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton.
3 p.m. *By M. E. Francis. (Allen & Unwin. Ltd.).
X50 Z\)c Britisb Journal of Wursinfl. September u, 1920
:(ML
AND
SICK
toOM
suisms
received last December by the death of Princess snobbery, leave us alone to work out our own
Doria. In justice to her memory I feel it only salvation. But I suppose this cannot be done.
due to her that some protest should be made at Anyway, it is a most evil influence."
this deliberate ignoring of her great work accom-
plished for the training of nurses in Italy. Status or Protection Required.
Yours faithfully, Organizer. " — A
straw shows which way the
Isabel C. Clarke. wind blows. Nurses may congratulate themselves
Care of Messrs. French, Lemon & Co., that at last Government Departments and the
Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy. public are realising that there is a nursing '
[Welearn that great indignation has naturally question.' The first result of our Registration
been aroused by the ignorant article dished up Act ! Two young Government officials athirst
by a representative of the journal referred to, for knowledge have put me through my paces
and that the highly trained Italian Sisters at the during the past week and taken copious notes.
Scuola Convitto Regina Elena attached to the The serious shortage of probationers imder present
Policlinico, at Rome, have sent a signed protest conditions is sounding a note of alarm, both in the
to the editor concerning it. Health and Labour Ministries. Let us hope the
The fine work accomplished in the past ten General Nursing Council will soon begin to make
—
years by the Scuolo Convitto under the able itself felt. Status and protection of standards
superintendence of Miss Dorothy Snell and — is imperative."
fostering care of intelligent Italian women,
including the Queen, is known throughout the
nursing world. Ed.].
F. H. —" Your Rubbing Up.
correspondent, '
An Up-to-date
Back Number,' might apply to the City of London
Maternity Hospital. I have just spent a fort-
^BEST WISHES FOR FURTHER SUCCESS.
night there, which was most instructive and
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. interesting; I paid £2 2s. a week and for my own
—
Dear Madam, I enclose my subscription to laundrv."
the Journal.
Words cannot express how heartily I congratu-
late all those who have been instrumental in
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.
bringing about Registration in England. What Will correspondents kindly note that each
a long fight it has been !
letter now costs 2d. ; a stamp for this amount
There is much still to be done and there must must be enclosed if an answer is required. Also,
be no. resting on our oars until more is accom- if submitted for approval a stamped
articles are
plished. and addressed envelope must be sent. Otherwise,
Best wishes for the further success of the cause. in the event of non-acceptance, the MSS. cannot
Believe me, be returned.
Yours faithfully,
Jane Melita Jones, R.N. NOTICE.
New Zealand. Private Nursing.
Mrs. Bedford Fenwick will see candidates who
KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. wish to join the Registered Nurses' Society for
private nursing on Saturdays, September 25th and
Time to Begin. October 8th, at 431, Oxford Street, London, W.,
County Hospital Matron : " When is the crusade from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m.
suggested in the B.J.N, to arouse the interest of Qualification required A
Certificate for three
:
suitable girls in the nursing of the sick to begin ? years' training from a voluntary hospital contain-
Here in this county things get more and more ing not less than 100 beds preference will be given
;
The
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. —
Sheffield: Jessop Hospital. E. W. Bacon, M.
\V. Cleary, A. Silkstone, C. E. Woodward.
Leeds Union —G. Briggs, M. Staffs. Training Home for Nurses. — M. Cook, J.
Infirmary. F.
A. E. Eccleshall, J. Edge, E. M. Jackson, E. M.
Coof>er, E. Preston.
Oliver, E. Parker, H. Parker, W. H. Parry.
Leeds: St. Faith's Maternity Hospital. —C. Stoke-on-Trent Union Hospital. — E. Farnell, M.
Mahon.
Leicester Municipal Maternity Home. — E. S. Kelly, F. Morley.
Nursing
Beard. Sunderland District Association and
Leicester Maternity Hospital. G. — H. Chapman Anita Richard Maternity — L. Gray, G. M.
Home.
E. G. Coakill, E. M. Keyworth, L. Marriott, Hansom.
K. M. Tinsley. Wakefield Union Infirmary. — S. L Lunn.
Leicester Union Infirmary. E. — M. Hankins, Wakefield Municipal Maternity Hospital. — G.
O. A. Keal, K. Law. E. Pace.
Liverpool Maternity Hospital. — P. Ball, D. A. Walton: West Derby Union Infirmary. — W. M.
Brandwood, M. B. Butterworth, A. Clough, VV. Chamberlin, M. J. Dunbar, K. E. Thomas, H. E.
Cockburn, K. Cousins, S. A. Cozens, H. Firth, Williams.
A. Forrest, F. M. Hughes, R. M. Jones, D. —
Walsall Union Workhouse.- S. J. Bayley, E. L.
Lamont, F. Mills, A. J. Moses, F. Nichoils, M. R. Paddock, M. E. West, H. Woodhead.
Normandale, D. Pass, M. A. Rea, E. Smith, G. E. West Riding Nursing Association. E. Gibson, —
Steel, M. E. Sword, G. A. C. \\'a!dron, E. Woods. E. Gillings, A. M. Horner, M. A. Shepherd, S.
Liverpool Workhouse Hospital. E. Bargh, O. — Whymark.
Harrison, H. Lessels, E. A. O'Sullivan, B, L. Windsor: H.R.H. Princess Christian's Mater-
Pope, E. G. Roach. nity Home. — S. J. Beswick.
Lincoln City Maternity Home. H. Tong, E. — Widnes : Queen's Nurses' Home and Liverpool
Wakelin, E. Wilkinson. Materttity Hospital. —A. M. Jones.
Manchester St. Mary's Hospitals. F
: E. — Widnes: Queen's Nurses' Home. —M. E. Moly-
Beech, E. Bramhall, E. Broxton, D. Butterworth, neux.
C. O. Dare, A. Divine, H. Fearnhead, D. V. Gard- Withington Hospitals and St. Mary's Hospitals,
ner, D. K. Graham, M. Hodgson, E. E. Hudson,
A. Kershaw, M. E. Sanderson, E. Stubbs, B.
—
Manchester. C. Brierley, A. E. Elson, L. Ham-
mond.
Swindells, N. Waterfall, E. E. Watkin.
Alanchester Workhouse Infirmary and St.
Wilts. County Nursing Association. — B. A.
Pearse, C. Smith, M. Speed.
—
Mary's Hospitals. M. Butcher. Wolverhampton Union Infirmary. —A. ^L Cull,
Manchester Workhouse Infirmary. Mi. Oller- — A. E. Farrier.
head.
Manchester Royal District Nurses' Home.^B.
Wolverhampton District Nurses' Home. E. M. —
Newman, A. Twigg.
A. Taylor, M. Wadsworth.
Newcastle-on-TyneMaternity Hospital S. A. — Worcester Comity Nursing Association. C. —
Daubney, A. Ferguson, F. M. Poole, S. E. Skin-
Clegg, E. A. Hodgshon, M. Turnbull, E. Welch, ner, G. A. Steadman, E. M. Turner.
M. E. Wilkinson, N. B. Willson, C. Wilson.
Norwich Maternity Institution. M. H. Thur- — —
York Maternity Hospital. N. Galvin, L. A.
Parish.
gill.
Northampton: Q.V.N.I.—E. Brown, G. M. Wales.
Evans, Harris, W. G. Hatton, E. Hodnett,
L. Cardiff: Q.V.J.N.L—E. Evans, C. Greenslade,
M. McL. Jackson, S. C. Jones, L. E. Mayer, E. G. Harding, F. J. Healy, G. Jones, L. L. Jones,
Smith, E. C. H. Stratton, M. L Whitehead. " G. Lewis, E. A. Scourfield.
North Bierley Union Infir^narv. C. Fretwell, — Cardiff Union Hospital.— E. H. Jones, M.
E. M. Gledhill, H. Robertshaw. Saunders.
Nottingham Workhouse Infirmary. C. G. — Cardiff: King Edward VII Maternity Hospital.-
Hardy, N. James, E. Matthews, A. M. Parr. — G. M. Evans, R. Johns.
—
Preston Union Workhouse. A. Rigby, M. A. Merthyr Tydfil Union Infirmary. E. V. Gould. —
W^oodacre. Monmouthshire Nursing Association. A. E. —
Rochdale Municipal Mater nit^' Hospital. I. — Bird.
Clegg, B. S. Meredith, M. L Sixsmith. Monmouthshire Training Centre. M. Davies, —
Royal Hants County Hospital. D. F. David- — E. Isaac, E. B. Jones, B. Lewis, M. A. McGrath,
s'on, F. L. Hillman, L. G. Smith. C. S. Prosser, M. Vale, E. S. Vessel, M. Woolf.
Sellv Oak Union Infirmary. —
M. L. Lovatt, M. Newport (Mon.) Union Infirmary. O. M. E. —
E. Rigby, M. Walmesley, A. Wood. Lingard, M. E. Murphy.
154 ^l5e Btitiab Journal of "Wureina Supplement September n, 1920
Curragh Camp Military Families' Hospital. — Belfast and Cork simultaneously on October 12th,
1920, and following days.
M. E. Buckingham, M. Stubbings.
—
Dublin: Rotunda Hospital. A. M. North, F. M.
Particulars from the Secretary, 33, St. Stephen's
Green, Dublin.
O'Neill.
India.
Calcutta : Eden Hospital. —G. E. Hall. NOTES FOR MIDWIVES.
Private Tuition. Sexual Maturity and Senility.
C. M. Ainsley, E. A. Barnett, E. Bond, F. A.
The Note on Sexual Maturity and Senility :
Roll of Midwives for Scotland will be held simul- 2. Send news to it.
taneously in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and 3. Get advertisements for it.
be lodged not later than one month before the A WORD FOR THE WEEK.
date of the examination. " Tiiere is no finer flower in this green earth
Examination Schedules and further particulars than courage.
may be obtained on application to the Secretary, " Keep your face always towards the sunshine
Mr. D. L. Eadie, 49, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. Tnd the shadows will fall behind you."
— ;
THE
of all, they are taught what might be called pital in teaching the methods of the pharma-
the technique of applied common sense in the ceutical department? ; and he replies The gain :
handling of drug's. All the pupils, as high to the hospital is chiefly in the better protection
school graduates, have learned their tables of of the patient, and the better understanding
weights and measures, and all have learned to and co-oj>eration between the nurses and the
translate percentages and decimals into vulgar department. He thinks nurses are sometimes
fractions and vice versa. In the drug" room inclined to be wasteful whatever they want
:
is developed a sense of pfoportion a. sense of they must have, even if a submarine has to be
the mass relations between quantities, so that chartered to fetch it; and they are sometimes
writing- a decimal is not a mere mechanical inclined to order in extravagant quantities.
placing of a decimal point, but the expression They become more thoughtful in these matters
of a quantity which is felt to be small or larg-e, after they have had practical experience
whether expressed in common fractions or in therefore, he feels that the time used in this
decimals. Pupils are taug-ht the value of work is well spent.
"
exactness, they are taug-ht to spell " g-ramme Miss Carolyn Gray endorses the plea for
instead of " g-ram," because the latter, hastily " safety first," and advises that physicians'
written by hand, might easily be read " g-rain." orders to nurses should invariably be clearly
They are taug-ht exact instead of approximate written or printed, and not given verbally, as
equivalents between the metric and apothe- serious mistakes may result from misunder-
caries' systems. They are shown by demon- stood verbal instructions.
stration that a drop is not always a minim, but We are entirely in agreement with her
varies according- to the dropper and the claim thus to protect the patient and the.
viscosity of the liquid. nurse.
— —
OUR PRIZE COMPETITION. Well clean up the skin over the shaved
area with methylated ether.
MENTION ANY TWO SURGICAL CONDITIONS WHICH Thoroughly clean up the lobe of the
MAY FOLLOW INFECTIOUS U1SEA5E5. DESCRIBE &ar, being specially particular of the
FULLY ONE OF THEM. IF AN OPERATION SHOULD
BE NECESSARY, DESCRIBE IN DETAIL HOW YOU skin behind.
WOULD PREPARE THE PATIENT. The iodine method for painting the
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this skin is particularly useful in these
week to Miss Marion Zeigler, Castleton Read, cases.
Barons' Court, S.W. Apply
sterile towels and secure in
PRIZB PAPER. position by a bandage.
Almost every infectious disease has its fear 6. Put the patient in a loose warm, gown,
of complications; in spite of the most skilful preferably to fasten at the back, and
treatment and g-ood nursing- they may occur. one that wiH conveniently loosen
We will take for example : around the neck also a pair of long
;
I. Gastric fever.
It is in this way infected by the septic inflam-
mation which ascends from the throat in scar- 2. Abdominal Typhus.
let fever by means of the Eustachian tube. 3- Infantile fever.
The middle ear then is filled with pus, the 4- Remittent fever.
pressure of which causes earache and which 5- Slow fever.
soon bursts its way through the drum and es- Subsequently all doubt upon the subject was
capes as a stinking discharge by the external removed by the careful olinical and pathological
ear. observation made by Sir WiMiam Jenner
at the
Sometimes this condition of Otitis Media may London Fever Hospital. It has been com-
be cured by a timely incision, but more often pletely proved that a bacillus known as
it remains as a chronic septic condition with
" Bacillus Typhosus " is the direct cause of the
a constant purulent discharge. In such a case, malady.
at any moment the septic process may spread Tlie part attacked is called " Peyer's
backwards into the Mastoid process or inwards Patches," a mass of granular tissue situated in
to the lateral sinus or brain. the small intestine near the Ileo-caecal valve.
The involvement of the Mastoid causes :- During the course of the fever the intestine
I. Pain. undergoes a series of changes. Perforation
Redness.
2.. .
usually .occurs in the third week Avhen the
3.Swelling behind the ear, intestine is healing. The slough which covers
4. Rise of temperature and increased pulse one of the ulcers, or perhaps several, separates
rate, setting up a condition of Mastoiditis and and sometimes the peritoneal layer of the bowel
necesisitates an emergency operation to relieve wall is involved in the slough, so that where it
the condition. , .
separates a hole is left. Faecal matter gets
To prepare the patient for operation of into the peritoneal cavity, usually setting up
Mastoid : severe peritonitis.
I. Half-shave the head from centre back The symptoms of this serious complication
according to the side affected. are often not very severe, and the most careful'
September i8, 1920 (Tbc Bcittsb Boumal of flursma. »57
observation is necessary in order that they may and salaries for a skiMed staff,as they have
not be overlooked, as on an immediate surgical no money to do it with. It iscalculated that
operation depends the only hope of the patient's the total cost for running such centres for a
recovery. year, both for preventive work and district
HONOURABLE MENTION. nursing, would' cost about ;^i,500, and it does
The receive honour
following- comf)etitors seem tragic that the excellently organised work
able mention Miss Winifred M. Appleton,
: should cease for want of so small a sum !
care of the patient? his mark. How about the nervous systems of
« »
the people who were subjected to the horrors
of bombardment for years? Imagine the
NURSING ECHOES. mental strain on the mothers, the shattering of
the constitutions of children, not only from
October will see the activities of the various shock, but want of food. Sympathetic Miss
groups of organised nurses in full srwing, the Breay, of course, would have us find ;^i,5oo by
officiaJs, we may hope, refreshed and invigora- return of post ! Would that we could ! We
ted by an enjoyable holiday, of which they were repeat w'hat we have said before that not a penn\
all greatly in need. should we be taxed to entertain in England
The General Nursiing Council meets again for a year in luxury, the children of our foes,
on Thursday, September 23rd, at the Ministry so long as money is so urgently needed in
of Health, and it has very responsible matters France by the victims of their inexpressible
to discuss. The Royal British Nurses Asso- villainy. " It really is a compliment to English
ciation and the various unions are arranging nursing," writes Miss Breay, "that Rheims
autumn programmes. should want to keep this splendid tmit. I do
The Registered Nurses' Parliamentary Coun- wish something could be done." So do we.
cil opens its new legislative campaign on Octo- Personally, we should like to impound the
ber 8th, and rank for Service Nurses is to have banking accounts of the golorious Jews of
first consideration. Let us hope the powers German antecedents, luxuriating in our miidst.
that be will not oppose Avith obsolete ** anti
"
tactics as they did over Registration. Anyway, On Monday, Miss Breay paid a visit to
if they do, they are sure to be beaten in the Verdun (where the echoes of the French gnns
future, as they were in the past. stillcrash their defiant lis ne passerons pas to
ears which can hear), and will visit other his-
• For the first time for years, the Assistant toric places on the way to Paris. Wefeel
Editor of the B.J.N, is taking the sort sure she will have something of value to tell us
of holiday her heart loveth, and as the upon her return.
guest of Miss d>u Sautoy and Lady Hermlone
Blackwood, is in France seeing something of Miss E. A. Maynard has by her will
their wonderful reconstruction work under the bequeathed ;^5,ooo to the Ranyard Misstton, of
Comit^ Britannique C.R.F. at Rheims, where, .Which she was a generous supporter. It has
with a most efficient unit, the great value of come at a very opportune moment, to prevent
their skilled ministrations is amply apparent. serious curtailment of the work. This Mis-
More is the pity that now^ that the lease of their sion, which has its headquarters at 25, Russell
headquarters has run out, it is probable that Square, W.C, has been established for 63
their systematic and excellent work will cease. years, and has 85 trained mission workers and
Money — —
money devastated France needs and 85 district nurses working in different parts of
deserves money all the time, to help restore iits London. Ranyard Nurses, after full hospital
ravaged places. The Municipality of Rheims, training, have instruction free in district train-
we hear, would provide central quarters where ing, and by lectures. These devoted women
anti-natal and post-natal clinics and other are real friends of tlie sick poor in London.
preventive work could be carried on, and four
centres in the various parts of the town, also The Globe is doing us good service in
wood, electric light and telephones, and may be enlightening the public as to present nursing
Other things but they cannot provide board
; conditions. Alas if only the daily press had
!
!
not boycotted the question all these years (when recognised for arbitration purposes. Here
the B.J.N, was the only organ dealing- faith- they are again met with intolerance from
fully with it) we mig-ht have had our Nursing Boards of Guardians and their officials. Many
Council twenty years ago, 'and been already Poor Law Matrons have used influence not far
highly organised for our resiponsible public short of coercion to compel their nurses to join
duties. the College of Nursing, Ltd., and have warned
them against joining the National Union
Under the heading of " The Lay Press and of Trained Nurses, and especially against the
the Nursing Profession," the commercial, Profe^ssional Union, which is registered as a
lay-edited Nursing Mirror, posing as a profes- trades union.
sional organ, has the impertinence to criticise Thus we note that the Kensington Board of
the Globe exposures Making huge profits as
!
Guardians, at a lecent meeting, treated with
it has done by inserting advertisements from, contempt, and agreed to takfe no action, on the
and supporting the policy of, the anti-registra- courteous communication received from the
tion hospitals and nursing institutions res- Professional Union of Trained Nurses, which
ponsible for present conditions, the irony of this asked for recognition, and also to be allowed to
is apparent to the meanest intelligence. We interview the nurses and place their policy
are not surprised that the editor of The Globe before them. Why this unfair discrimination?
delivers the " retort courteous " with telling The Guardians have made no objections tO' the
effect College Company placing its policy before the
nursing staff, nor to the Matron urging per-
sonally and in print that the nurses should pay
During a discussion at a recent meeting of
the Cardiff School Management Committee as
up their guineas and join the College. Why,
therefore, should they boycott a bona fide
to whether an increment of ;^5 should be
nurses union?
granted a nurse, Alderman F. G. L. Davies
remarked " It is shameful to consider such a
:
Mr. H. Harcourt-Smith, who moved that no
action be taken on the letter received, gave as
thing. Nurses are badly treated they receive;
For some time past there has been friction PAY OF ARMY NURSES.
at theCumberland Infirmary. Twenty-seven
nurses and probationers in the institution An Army Order just issued from the War Office
signed a round robin formulating their announces the new rates of pay and retired pay
grievances. Those grievances were dealt with of the Q.A.I.M.N.S. and of the permanent nursing
by the committee, and, after many meetings, establishment of the Military Families' Hospitals.
considerable concessions were made. Final The new annual rates of pay of the Q.A.I.M.N.S.
peace, however, was not achieved, and the com- are as follows Matron, £115 minimum, rising by
:
That report, which was very full, dealt with stations, £-j5, by £5 to ;^85 and Charge Nurse;
the grievances and, which was important, also /60, by £2 I OS. increments to £65. These rates
with the management of the Infirmar}-. He have effect from April ist, 1920. In addition to
Some were prac- these rates, charge pay for Matrons of Q.A.I.M.N.S.
made various suggestions.
will be at rates not exceeding ;^45 a year and for
ticable, but others, owing to the financial con-
;
to the interests of the institution and to the ten years' complete service will not be eligible for
retired pay. 'Tlae maximum rates of these two
parties mentioned in the report if it were made
elements together are as follows Matron, :
public.
Q.A.I.M.N.S. and at MiHtarv Families' Hospital
Let us hope that one result of publicity will at Aldershot, ;^i70 Sister Q.A.I.M.N.S. and
;
be reform in the nursing department. It sadly Matron of Military Families' Hospitals at stations
needs bringing up-to-date, and has lagged other than Aldershot, £75 and Staff Nurses and
;
behind for a very long time. Charge Nurses (Military Families' Hospital), ;^55.
These rates will have effect from April ist, 19 19.
The rates of pay and retired pay of Matrons-in-
The first National Conference of the Irish
Chief and principal Matrons are still under con-
Nurses' ITnionwas held at Larch Hill, the sideration.
Irish Women Workers' Hostel, Rathfarnham, » «
We propose to arrange to have a reproduction nection we find often in the writings of that most
of the banner of the Association done in colour profound of modern mystics, Robert Browning,
as a Christmas card. This will only be procurable when he tells us, in his own beautiful way, that all
from the Association's office and will be supplied we have dreamed, or willed or thought of good
to those only who belong to it, so that, in a shall exist, not as mere semblance but as itself,
sense, they will be able to regard it as a private that " when eternity affirms the conception of an
card and by using it will be able to save themselves hour " the beauty and the good will be found to
September i8, 1920 (Tbc Btttisb 3ournal of TiiweirxQ. 161
have survived the melodist who sent them forth, age-long past, man lived but in a sort of sleeping
and " though the high may have proved too high, consciousness, that he acted entirely on impressions
the heroic for earth too hard," the results will from without and had neither volition nor intellect
nevertheless be achieved, and there shall be heard of his own. To-day he is possessed of both, but
the melody of all courageous effort by and by. to develop them to their highest he must learn
But it is not so much of the ethics of effort and self-reliance and a certain divine indifference to
of failure that we would write in the present the opinions of those about him ; only by inspira-
article, as of the results of the latter on the indi- tion and effort high enough in their ideals to
vidual from a psychological point of view. Daily challenge failure, can such development progress.
we meet with people who " come with phrases
nice and modest air to ask advice," and almost
invariably, when this is tendered, the answer
comes, " Oh, / could never accomplish that," or OBITUARY.
words to a similar effect. Inclination would draw It is with deep regret that we have to report
them in one direction while fear serves to keep the death of Miss Cordelia Dufifield, an early
their feet in the beaten track wherein chance has member of the Association. Miss Duffield trained
set them. They cannot risk failure and yet they at St. George's Hospital and has always taken a
do not realise that they may actually lose far more very keen interest in her Association. Her death
through fear than through failure. For, more took place after an illness of a few hours.
often than not, it is the case that through failure
we ultimately succeed just as it is that through
honest doubt we learn. The book that failed to
circulate, the music which never found its way "BE A BRICK."
into the concert hall, the picture that was never In order to stimulate interest in the collection
" hung " have, all of them, been worth while
of funds of which they are, needlessly to say,
because of their psychological effects on those who badly in need, the Royal Surgical Aid Society
produced them. They helped to educate faculties, has designed a novel collecting box exactly re-
were steps of progress even when they failed to producing a brick. The work of this Society is
please. There is too great a tendency to regard too well-known to need any recommendation.
every effort as failure which does not bring During last year it relieved 18,979 cases. Its
applause or material gain. Says Marcus Aurelius, work is now seriously hampered from two causes :
" When thou hast done a good act and another
(i) the enormous increase in the cost of appliances,
has received it, why dost thou still look for a third
(2) a disastrous fire during the latter part of the
thing besides, as fools do either to have reputation war which destroyed an important part of its
... or to obtain a return ? " Human nature is headquarters.
much the same to-day as in the times of that old- The Society appeals to each one to " Be a Brick,"
world sage and it is hard to be content with two to take a brick, and thus help to build up the
things, still more to be content with effort alone.
deformed, the stricken, and the maimed.
Yet there is no better form of mental hygiene than
the power to find contentment in effort, whatever
the fruits of it may prove to be. Often, on the
'
Sister. She was trained at the Lincoln County for whom his Majesty was now appealing, would
Hospital, where she was Sister, and has been staff not have been employable at all.
nurse at Endell Street Military Hospital, and in the The buildings which are an extension of the
Territorial Force Nursing Service. She has also served Royal Victoria Infirmary, and connected with
under the Lindsay County Council, Lincolnshire. it by corridor, are of stone and brick. They
Royal Hospital, Chesterfield.— Miss A. A. Webb has occupy 15 acres of land on the Castle Leazes,
been appointed Sister of the men's surgical ward. and have cost ;^i6o,ooo to erect. Towards this,
She was trained in the same institution, where she ;^i48,ooo have been subscribed. There are 500
subsequently held positions of responsibility. She
patients now in the building, and there are 1,200
has also been trained in infectious nursing at Seacroft
Hospital, Leeds, and has had experience of private out-patients. At present wounded and maimed
nursing. soldiers are being treated, but later the hospital
Miss E. E. Birch has also been appointed Sister of will be available for those injured in the great
medical wards. She was trained at the Royal Hospital, local industries.
Chesterfield, and been Sister of the Military Wards at The hospital is at present under the control
the same hospital, and at the General Hospital, of the Ministry of Pensions, and will be at all
Wolverhampton.
events for three years. At the end of that time
Huntingdon Tuberculosis Sanatorium for Women the position will be considered.
—
and Children. Miss Mary B. Charlesworth has been
Colonel D. Wells Patterson is chairman of the
appointed Sister. She was trained at the London
Hospital, E. Orthopaedic Committee, and Colonel Bissell is
Medical Superintendent, and together with the
citizens of Newcastle they have a right to feel
RESIGNATION. great pride in this splendid new institution to
We are informed that Miss Jentie Paterson, serve as the Northern Orthopaedic Centre.
who resigned from the Executive Committee of
the National Union of Trained Nurses last autumn, Miss Emily Caroline Jeffreys, Loretta, South
in order to join the new trade- vmion for nurses, Ascot, Berks, left ;^I4,295. She bequeathed, after
has now resigned membership of the N. U.T.N. a number of personal bequests, the residue of
September i8, 1920 dbc Brltlfib Soumal of Tluretno. 163
her property to the British Women's Hospital THE DIARY OF OPAL WHITELEY.*
at Richmond for totally disabled soldiers and
sailors injured in the war.
"SACRED IN ITS REVELATION OF A
A Asylum War Hospitals in
history of the CHILD'S SOUL."
England and Wales, compiled by Sir Marriott " As did go
I did have hearingrs of many voicesi they
I
Cooke and Dr. D. C. Hubert Bond, Commissioners were the voices of the earth grlad for the spring. They
did say what they had to say in the irowXng grass and
of the Board of Control, has been issued as a White
in the leaves growinc out from the tips of branches. The
Paper (Cd. 899). In all 24 asylums were turned birds did have Icnowini): and sang: what the srrasses and
into war
hospitals, which provided, with some leaves did say of the gladness of living. I, too, did feel
hutments, 27,778 permanent beds. The number triad fceis from my toes to my curls."
of patients treated in them up to May this year This book, just published, promises to be one of
was 482,949, approximately equivalent to more the most widely discussed of the season. And
than one-sixth of the total number of sick and with good reason. It is the genuine authentic
wounded men from all fronts during the war. diary of a child of between six and seven years'
old, written about fourteen years ago. The
OUTSIDE THE GATES. young authoress is ignorant of her history, but
THE WOMEN'S PROTEST. she dimly remembers the "Angel Mother" and
" Angel Father " of whom death robbed her in her
The determination of women to avert a miners'
strike is growing rapidly. Resolutions of protest fifth year. How she came to be adopted by the
against it are now pouring in to the National Oregon lumber man and his wife is not known,
PoliticalLeague headquarters from every part but it was under their roof that this diary was
of England and Scotland. The date of the written.
League's Conference is now fixed for Wednesday, Lord Grey of Fallodon who writes the intro-
September 22nd, at the Central Hall, West- duction, of opinion that from her reminiscence
is
minster. Miners' wives from every coalfield her parents were two persons of rare beauty of
area will be present as well as wives of tratnsport mind and feeling, and in the preface by Mr. Ellery
workers and railwaymen. All communications Sedgwick, it is concluded that she is of French
should be addressed to Headquarters, National origin and it is a reasonable inference that her
;
Political League, Bank Buildings, 16, St. James's father was a naturalist by profession or natural
Street, London, S.W.i. taste.
She possessed two precious little copy books
WHAT EVERYONE 15 READING. which held their photographs, and into which
her mother had taught her to set down all she
Everyone who possibly can do so is reading " The
had learned both of the world about her, and
First World War, 1914-1918." : The Diaries of
of that older world of legend and history with
Lieut. -Colonel C. A. Repington.
" Through Bolshevic Russia." which the diarist shows such capricious and
By Mrs. Philip
entertaining familiarity. These valuable records
Snowden.
" German War in the Air " in the Times articles, were taken from her at the age of twelve for
reasons beyond her knowledge.
which are based on a remarkable book entitled
" The German Air Force in the Great War," Her astounding knowledge of the names of the
good and great is probably due to the note-
and which give a vivid impression of the Force,
books left by her parents.
as it affected Britain during the war.
Her own diary, the work of many years, was
COMING EVENTS. torn up in a fit of temper by her foster sister, and
—
September ijth. National Union of Trained this book is the outcome of the fragments collected
by the child, and which have been pieced together
Nurses Discussion on " The Hours of Employ-
:
ment Bill." Miss H. L. ^Pearse (the President) with marvellous patience and skill.
will speak.
A necessary appendage of the book is a Ust of
—
September 2.2nd. National Political League. the characters in the diary, which the reader
will be glad to consult from time to time as our
Conference to avert a miners' strike. Central
Hall. Westminster, S.W. extracts will show.
—
September 2^rd. General Nursing Council for The task of making these extracts is a difficult
one, for the whole book is one of rare charm and
England and Wales. Meeting at the Ministry of
Health, Whitehall, S.W. 1.-^2 p.m. delight and the flights of imagination of this
;
October 8th. —
Registered Nurses' Parliamentary
little lonely disciple of St. Francis, are as delicate
and subtle as the dust on the wings of a butterfly.
Council Meeting. 431, Oxford Street, London, W.
4.30 p.m.
At one moment the reader will be moved to tears
Octobej'i2th. —
Flower Day in London in support by the pathos of the child's rough usage and
the next will break into smiles at the delightfully
of the Edith Cavell Homes of Rest for Nurses.
—
October 12th and following day. Central Mid-
humorous situations she creates.
The first chapter gives an outline of her life
wives Board for Ireland Examination, Dublin,
Belfast, Cork.
with the lumber man's wife. " One way the
Particulars from Secretary, 33,
St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. * London : G. P. Putnam's Sons, Ltd.
i64 (tbe British 3oiirnal of Rursin§. September is, 1920
road does go the way I go when I go to the school probably gone on interminably, but the '' chore
house when I go to school. Around the ranch boy gave me three shoulder shakes, and he did
house are fields. When the mowers cut down tell me to get a hurry on me and get those potatoes
the grass they do also cut down the corn-flowers. picked up. I did so in a most quick way." Poor
Being a potato must be interest
'
I follow along and I do pick them up." She little dreamer ! '
makes them into a guirlande for William — specially having so many eyes. I have longings
Shakespeare, a grey horse, " whose ways are for more eyes."
ways of gentleness. I talk to himabout How sweet the picture of the calf, Elizabeth
the one he is named for. And he does have Barrett Browning, and the child putting her
understanding." arms round its neck, because " there was a lone-
Here is a typical passage " After the mamma some feel in her mooings or when it on hot
:
house. When they went away she said for me How brutal the soul that made her make the
to stay in the doorway to see that nothing comes sausage " where every time I did turn the handle
to carry the baby away. By the step is Brave I could heard the little pain squeal." She would
Horatius (the shepherd dog). At my feet is go into the wood and search for his soul.
Thomas Chatterton Jupiter Zeus (a most dear Solomon Grundy, his successor was christened
velvety wood rat). I hear songs ^lullaby songs — in a robe made
of a new dish towel, for which
of the trees. The back part of me feels a little her " ears were slapped until I thought head my
sore, but I am happy listening to the twilight would pop open." Solomon Grundy had pre-
music of God's good world. I'm real glad I'm viously a warm bath and was sprinkled with the
alive." baby's talcum-powder. Perhaps her greatest
The trees growing along the lane are all her undertaking was christening of the twelve little
" I call them Hugh Capet, Saint Louis,
friends. chickens who were all arrayed in christening robes,
Good King Edward I, Charlemagne, and the one which she sewed when she was under the table
where the little flowers talk most is William for a punishment.
Wordsworth. Minerva, the mother, wore a little white cap
"I stopped to night to give each a word of tied under her bill. We, alas have no space
!
me after I got home with the milk. Now I think the shadows that touched the blind girl with their
I shall go to the bedroom window and talk to the velvet fingers. We cannot describe the death
stars. They always smile so friendly. This of the grey horse, William Shakespeare, that
is a very wonderful world to live in."
she had " lonesome feels" for, but is glad he can't
The day she took Peter Paul Reubens (the be whipped any more. "There are little blue
young pig) to school, because when he followed fleurs a-blooming where he did lay him down to
her a lump came in her throat and she couldn't sleep." But we urge our readers to read for
tell him to go back to the pig-pen. The new themselves—this book, so imaginative, so instinc-
teacher " did look long looks at me " she said ;
tively religious, so pathetic and appealing. So
"I'm screwtineyesing you! It is a new word. sacred in its revelation of a child's soul.
It does have an interest sound. I think I will
Her naughtiness, for which she is continually
have uses for it."
being spanked, only adds to the fascination of
Nothing in nature came amiss to the child ;
her character, for it is always the overflowing of
in all she found delight. Her work was to pick
her enquiring and eager temperament. Truly
up the potatoes as they were dug and pile them it may be surmised-, " Of such are the kingdom of
in piles. "of them were plump. All of them
Some
Heaven." H.H.
wore brown dresses. Potatoes are very interesting
folks. I think they must see a lot of what is
going on in the earth they have so many eyes.
;
that this is the going away day of St. Francis of Men with empires in their purpose
Assisi and the homing day of Jean Fran9ois-Milet.
And new eras in their brains."
So she took as many potatoes as they years did
dwell upon the earth. " I did thinks to have a
choir First I did sing Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus
:
'
Dominus Deus.' There was a good number of Love therefore labour if thou should'st not
;
—
folks in the choir all potato folk wearing brown want it for food, thou may'st for physic. It is
wholesome for the body, and good for the mind it
robes. Then I did sing one Ave Maria.' " The ' ;
choir and those commemorated would have prevents the fruit of idleness.—-William Penn.
September i8, 1920 ZTbe British 3ounial of IRurstna.
A Nutrient Laxative
that gives
the Act.
to heart your advice. They must realise that
" plus other qualifications " is the key that will
Register, you will automatically and without
further fee be placed upon the State Register
open the door to higher paid posts. when the Nurses' Registration Bill is passed."
'
'
lished by the General Nursing Council to receive Council of the College of Nursing Ltd., as having
instructions as to how to proceed in order to have lodged a protest with Dr. Addison on behalf of
our names put on the State Register. nurses. As most professional workers already
I am sorry the College cannot apply for the have their own union, this is quite unnecessary.
Members, but each individual nurse must com- The Medical profession has its trade union, and
municate with and pay her fee directly to the the " Professional Union of Trained Nurses
State Department. formed in London has already made itself known
Faithfully yours, and felt throughout England, and has formed a
E. Sherkiff-MacGregor. branch in Scotland which is gaining strength
Qyganizing Secretary. every week.
[Reply from Nurse Addressed.]
No one knows this better than the Council of
the College of Nursing, Ltd., an association
To Secretary of the College of Nursing, Ltd.
the
which is frequently referred to by the nursing
Dear Madam, —
Your letter of August 19th profession as the " Employers' Combine," and
received, which stress of work has prevented me which appears to lose no opportunity of trying
answering ere this. I quite understand your to create disorganisation throughout the profes-
inability to register the nurses under the State sion, but whose own disillusioned members form
Act, but I do not understand your inability or un- the foundation of a good strong reprisal on behalf
willingness to refund immediately money received of the working nurse.
" for goods you are unable to deliver."
I am, etc..
Yours truly. Christian H. McAra.
Hon. Sec. Professional Union of Trained Nurses
[Though thoroughly characteristic of its attitude (Glasgow Branch).
to the rank and file of the Nursing Profession, we
consider that the Council of the College of Nursing,
Ltd., in attempting to evade its printed word on KERNELS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
the question in discussion shows astounding —
A Superfluous Daughter. " When one looks
moral obliquity. back at the strain of hospital training in the
What the Council printed in leaflet form, as an past throughout this, our Christian England, one
inducement to ignorant nurses to pay a guinea wonders what all the mothers of the underpaid
to the College, stated seven reasons why " Every drudges were doing never to protest against it."
Certificated Trained Nurse should apply at once (Many of us simply loved the laborious days.
for Registration by the College of Nursing." It was a glorious self- satisfying time. We never
I. Because the College of Nursing has drafted complained to our mothers and would have
a " Nurses' Registration Bill," which provides resented their interference. —Ed.)
that the Register already formed by the College
of Nursing .... shall be tlie first Register under the
Act.** There is no ambiguity about these words NOTICE.
" shall be," and " under the Act." Private Nursing.
There is no doubt that, through social influence, Mrs. Bedford Fen wick will see candidates who
the College Council believed that it had only to wish to join the Registered Nurses' Society for
pledge Parliament and its Bill would be law. private nursing on Saturdays, September 25th and
In its arrogance it over-estimated its own power, October gth, at 431, Oxford Street, London, W.,
also the supposed futility of Parliament. It also
from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m.
ignored the conscientious convictions of the free Qualification required A Certificate for three
:
nurses' organizations and the influence of the years' training from a voluntary hospital contain-
women who formed them, and it is greatly to ing not less than 100 beds preference will be given
;
be deplored, now that the College Council has to nurses who also possess experience in fever,
failed to stamp its wiU upon- the intelligensia, mental, children's, or maternity nursing, or
that it has not the courage to make an honourable massage. Age, from 25 to 35.
apology to the thousands of nurses it has misled
by inducing them to pay eighteen thousand OUR PRIZE COMPETITION.
guineas through a pledge it has failed to keep, QUESTIONS.
rather than attempt to further mislead them.
Ed.]
—
September 25th. Describe the technique for
taking blood for examination for typhoid baciUi.
TRAINED NURSES PROFESSIONAL What are the special points to observe in the
TRADE UNIONS. subsequent care of the patient ?
To The British Journal of Nursing.
the Editor of
October 2nd. — Describe the mechanism of the
ear. For what conditions should the ears be
—
Dear Madam, Through the London corres- syringed ; describe methods of preparation.
pondence of to-day's Herald, we learn that some
of the London boroughs are advocating Trade
October gth. — State what you know about
the Care of the New- Born Babe.
Unionism for their employees. The writer seems
to indicate that
October i6th.— What is Surface Nursing ? How
this necessitates professional would you care for the skin, hair, mouth, and nails
workers joining labour Unions and speaks of the of a helpless patient ?
;
The Midwife.
POST CERTIFICATE EDUCATION Welfare circulars) and it is realised that her help
;
certificate education. After a year's further areas they are educating tlie Midwives. The
experience, I am still of the opinion that it is one Midwife herself is Slowly awakening to the fact
of the most urgent needs of our profession. If the that she is an important person her friends and
;
midwife is to play a dignified part in the great champions are increasing, her critics are more
campaign of preventive medicine she must be numerous (I include this in the advances). The
better educated, have an up-to-date knowledge of pay is still inadequate, although raised but ;
her work, and she must not only be the confidant subsidies and guaranteed salaries are becoming
—
of her patient the skilled " accoucheuse," the more cornmon. Bona fide Midwives are dying
—
careful monthly nurse but also the teacher of the out or being removed from the roll, and the
entry of trained nurses and educated women
mother, the educator of the baby, and the co-
operator with other social and health workers. into the profession is a lever that will ultimately
Is this a too visionary and exalted ideal for those do much to raise the status. Midwives are, in
who have taken up the ancient office of Midwife ? many cases, sitting on child welfare committees ;
I think not- —
^until it is realised there will continue
there are Midwives on borough councils and ;
to be a higher rate of maternal mortality and shortly there are to be Midwives nominated to
sit on the CM. Board. Finally, there are grants
morbidity, a higher rate of infantile mortality and
preventable illness than there should be. It is offered by the Board of Education for post certi-
difficult to over-estimate the value of a highly ficate education and there is a pioneer post
;
skilled Midwife who takes a comprehensive view certificate school in connection with York Road
of her duties to the expectant mother, the nursing Hospital, as well as advanced courses and short
mother and the unborn babe, and the new-born post certificate courses organized by some of the
babe. local supervising authorities or leading lying-in
Contrast for a moment the position of the Mid- hospitals.
wife at the end of the nineteenth century and in (To he concluded.)
1920. The Midwife at the end of the nineteenth
century was either wholly untrained or had had
a short training of three months. As a class, they PUERPERAL SEPSIS.
were looked down upon many of them were
;
inspection was not always very helpful, regular, or they become extremely virulent. The fact that
sympathetic the Midwife herself did not have
;
a large number of cases of puerperal sepsis occur
very exalted ideas of the usefulness of her work ; in patients who have not been touched by doctor
and she plodded on, often isolated, nearly always or nurse is, in his opinion, sufiicient to refute this
poor, frequently overworked. But there were those absurd opinion.
who had the prophetic vision of her possibilities, Dr. Campbell Stark writes :
who realised her needs, who worked for the uplift- " The truth
—
ing of the profession not least among these was
that, in these days, puerperal
is
sepsis is in every case an autoinfection, and its
Sir Francis Champneys (President of the C.M.B.), incidence has no relation whatever to manipu-
the Council and officers of the Midwives' Institute,
lations during labour. The reason why one patient
and its associations.
contracts it and another do6s not is part of the
In 1920, the .training has been lengthened, the
general problem of individual incidence of infec-
syllabus enlarged the Midwife is definitely
tion, and of this at present we know little.
;
It is
recognised as an important worker in the health
impossible for anyone who has personally attended,
field {vide Ministry of Health, Maternity and Child
say, a thousand labours, to arrive at any other
* Read at the Nursing and Midwifery Conference, 1920 conclusion."
—
THE
iflSll@liMi"NiBi6 WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
. MMSIIKI m^c€m
FENWICK
EDITED BY MRS BEDFORD
\ 'J"^-
^
>^
sidered by Parliament, or already embodied in to sell their skill upon wliat terms they choose,
Acts, as well as the Rules for their g^ovemment otherwise there will be no freedom whatever, of
under the General Nursing Councils in the three service or action, for Registered Nurses, and
king^doms. there is very little doubt that the public will be
unable to procure adequate attention in their
The Unemployment Insurance Act. own homes when sick.
This Act is already on the Statute Book, and,
as will be seen in another column, it contains Rules Framed by the General Nursing
provisions which, unless radically amended, Council for England and Wales.
must be most obnoxious to nurses and detri- The Rules framed by the General Nursing
mental to the profession. Unless a strong- Council for Eng-land and Wales are now being-
effort is made noV by hospital committees, considered by the Ministry of Health. As the
nurses' org-anisations, and nurses individually, Scottish and Irish Councils have drafted Rules
to have nurses relieved of this unemployment which do not commend themselves in several
tax, the Nursing Profession in the future will particulars to the Council in England, and
failto recruit the well-educated type of woman, political influence is being- used in support of
whom it is so necessary should be attracted to a their policy, it is time that Eng^lish nurses who
profession for the prevention and cure of may be affected by these undesirable proposals
disease. sliould be made acquainted with them, so that
Nurses already detest the National Insairance they may have an opportunity of considering-
Act, into which they have paid many thousands them, and expressing- their views concerning
of pounds, and from which they have received them to the Minister of Health, who has juris-
little benefit. Now, if under the new Acit they diction in connection with the Eng-lish Regfis-
are to be required to make further payments tra^tion Act, but not over the Scottish and the
unless they possess an assured income of ;£26 Irish Acts, and thus these proposals may not
per annum, or satisfy the Ministry of Labour be sanctioned throug^h lack of knowledg-e of the
that they are paid ;iC25o per annum in fees and opinions and feeling's of English nurses.
emoluments, and at the same time are required, Members of the Royal British Nurses' Asso-
when unemployed, to attend daily at Employ- ciation have approached their Executive, and
ment Exchangees, and -take any posts regfarded asked that the Association shall take the initia-
as suitable which may be offered to them by tive in convening a gathering- of nurses to
unprofessional people, many girls will cease to
confer upon all these matters which so vitally
enter the Nursing Profession, and, under concern them and their work, and, if thoug"ht
such conditions, many parents will not
well, to embody their considered opinions in
allow their daughters to engag-e in occupa- Resolutions to be placed before the responsible
—
tions; nursing or otherwise — in which they
authorities. We are informed that such a
could become skilled and self-supporting mem- meeting will be held on Friday, December 3rd,
bers of the community. and we hope that nurses who have suggestions
Hours of Labour Bill. to offer on these burning- questions will attend
The Hours of Labour Bill, wHich has already and protect their own interests.
— ; ; — ;
WHAT CONGENITAL DEFECTS MAV BE PRESENT IN 5. Defects of the Urinary Organs. ^(i) —
A NEWLY BORN INFANT? WHAT IS THE NURSE'S imperforate uretha, the canal along which the
DUIY WITH REGARD TO THEM? urine is expelled from the bladder being closed
We have pleasure in awarding the prize this (ii) phimosis, a condition in a male baby, where
week to Miss D. J. Goddard, Clydesdale, 8, the foreskin is so tight that the orifice is almost
Richmond Terrace, Brighton. obliterated (iii) ectopia visicae, when the
;
second, by the brain membranes and substance (a) To send Immediately for medical help.
(c) tongue-tie, where the tip of the tongue is
(b) If a midwife, to notify the Local
fastened down tightly by a fold of mucous Suf>ervislng Authority.
membrane, and the child cannot suck; (d) hare- (c) Pending the doctor's arrival, to do her
lip : Here there is a division in the middle line best to improve the child's condition.
of the upper lip, sometimes reaching to the
1. (a), dealing with head defects, all
(b) In
nose, or there may be a double deformity;
pressure must be avoided (c) if the tongue-tie
(e) cleft palate, when the roof of the mouth is
;
(/) deformity
divided down the middle line of
(d) In severe cases of haf'elip and cleft palate,
;
the valve-like opening (foramen ovale), the kept in place by a pad of wool enclosing a
communication between the right and teft cardboard disc, placed underneath a firm
auricles, and consequently, it does not close abdominal binder.
properly, and the colour of the baby remains 5. (ii) To relieve temporarily the condition
blue. of phimosis, the foreskin must be drawn back
4. Abdominal Defects.— (a) Affecting the and carefully Cleansed at regular intervals.
stomach The child may be unable to digest any
: 7. The general condition of the child
must be
of its owing to the absence of the lower
feeds, improved by careful attention to feeding and
(pyloric) opening of Its stomach, or it may have warmth, and the nurse must use every antisep-
difficulty, If the opening is narrowed
(pyloric tic precaution, as regards mother and child,
the bile
Icterus gravis, when to prevent the spread of Infection.
Other
stenosis); (b) ^
ducts are deformed, causing severe jaundice ; deformities can only be met by operation.
(c) enlarged spleen or liver; (d) umbilical HONOURABLE MENTION.
hernia, when the Intestine protrudes through a
The following competitors receive honourable
gap In the muscles in the region of the
mention Miss B. Brown, Mrs. J. M. Jepson,
umbilicus, forming a swelling under the skin
:
and now that wagies are so high, and service it is hoped that every district in the city will be
so costly, that patients shall pay according- to rcp'resented.
their means is only right. Bait we were some- Wealthy Birmingham should make a bumper
what surprised to note that at the special Court response.
of Governors of the Middlesex Hospital, which
unanimously resolved to inaugurate the poUcy The eagerly expected volume, " A Short
of contributions by patients, Mr. Webb History of Nursing from the Earliest Times to
Johnson suggested that the policy of taking the Present Day," by Miss Lavinia L. Dock.
contributions from patients should be extended R.N., Secretary of the International Council
that all the nurses should reside outside, either of Nurses, in collaboration with Miss Isabel
in hostels or in their own homes ; and that their Maitland Stewart, A.M., R.N., Assistant
txxwns should be devoted to the reception of Professor, Department of Nursing and
wealthy patients, who were at present practic- Health, Teachers College, Columbia University,
ally debarred- from accepting the benefits of the Xew York, has just been published by Messrs.
hospital, however largely they might have siub- G. P. Putnam's Sons, 24, Bedford Street,
sca-ibed to it, the understanding being, of Strand, W.C., price 17s. 6d. The volume
course, that the wealthy p>atients would pay has been prepared especially for the use of
fully for their treatment, and so augment the student nurses. It is in effect a condensation
revenue of the hospital. of the larger History of Nursing prepared by
The Earl of Athlone, the Chairman of the Miss Dock and Miss Nutting, but some recent
Board, in subsequent conversation with an developments are dealt with only in this
Evening Standard representative, sjiid " Mr.
: volume. It is written with all the brilliancy
Webb Johnson's proposal is a very interesting which we expect from the authors. hope We
one." to review it at length in an early issue.
We hope the Royal Chairman will consult Bill and (3) the proposals of the Scotch and
;
the Nursing Staff before he permits this Irish Nursing Councils concerning the Rules
" interesting " suggestion to injure the Nursing for the State Registration of Nurses. It will
School attached to the Middlesex Hospital. be remembered that, among the suggestions of
these Councils, are the following (a) The
:
—
establishment of a Supplementary Register for
Owing to lack of funds, the committee of the Cottage Nurses (b) Autornatic Registration of
;
Birmingham District Nursing Society recently Scottish and Irish Nurses on the English
deciided to close the Nurses' Home at No. 94, Register, irrespective of whether they do, or 'lo
Moseley Road. not, hold the qualifications required of
So many communications have been received English Nurses by the English Council, and
from doctors, clergymen and others, pointing (c) that Scottish and Irish Nurses shall be
out the effect this action would probably have Registered on the English Register for a fee
upon the health of the city, that the committee of two shillings and sixpence, which carries
has deciided to keep the home open till the end with it the right to vote for the election of the
of the year, in the hope that increased subscrip- Nurse Members on the Council, while English
tions may then enable the full staff to be Nurses are required to pay a guinea for this
maintaiined. great professional privilege.
A committee has been formed by the doctors Webeg all our readers to use every effort
and clergy for the purpose of permanently in- to make the Conference widely known among
creasing the subscription list, and on that body Nurses. Everyone is cordially invited to be
— —
present. It has had to be called at very short for not a few ofwhich they were indebted to their
notice, but the matters to be discussed are of present Matron. (Loud applause.)
vital and urgent importance to all members It would have been a great satisfaction to Miss
Nightingale to know of the work of her Sisters and
of the profession, and the Executive Committee
Nurses during the great war. More than one
of the Corporation, by convening- the Confer-
memorial had been raised to her and they were
ence, is g-iving- them the oppvortunity of dis- there that day to celebrate a very charming one,
cussing^ these burning" questions and conveying but the greatest and most practical of all was the
their considered conclusions to the Government School of Nursing on which her heart was set.
Authorities responsible for just leg^islation. Mr. Minet proposed a hearty vote of thanks to
Lady Makins, and announced a telegram from Mr.
Bonham Carter, regretting that he was unable to
THE NIGHTINGALE MEDALS FOR 1919. be present, and congratulating the medalhsts.
The proceedings concluded with three hearty
The presentation of the Nightingale Medals,
cheers for the Matron, and the singing of the
given annually to the three nurses of the Nightin-
National Anthem.
gale Training School at St. Thomas' Hospital, S.E.
Subsequently the Treasurer, Sir Arthur Stanley,
who have earned them by their proficiency both in and the Secretary, Mr. G. Q. Roberts arrived and
examinations, and for ward efficiency and conduct, added their congratulations to those received by
is always the occasion of a pleasurable gathering.
the medallists.
This year the ceremony took place in the
Nightingale Home on November 17th, in the
presence of a large gathering of Sisters and Nurses, ABJECT APOLOGY FOR A CRUEL LIBEL.
"Old Nightingales" and other friends. Both MacCALLUM v* BURDETT, THE SCIENTIFIC
before and after the presentation function tea and
PRESS, LTD., AND OTHERS.
other good things were hospitably dispensed by the
Matron (Miss A. Lloyd Still, C.B.E., R.R.C.) and This case was heard on Tuesday, November 23rd,
the Nursing staff. in the King's Bench Division of the Hig-h Court
Mr. Minet, Treasurer of the Nightingale Fund, of Justice, before the Lord Chief Justice, and a
special jury.
said that they met annually in this family gathering
for two reasons, to present the medals and to do
As our readers are aware, Miss Emmeline Maude
honour to the memory of the lady who smiled MacCallum, a well-known trained nurse, sued Sir
down upon them from the picture behind him Henry Burdett (since deceased), the Scientific Press,
Ltd., and Messrs. Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & Co.,
Miss Florence Nightingale.
Ltd., the editor, publishers, and printers of The
On these occasions it was usual for him to
address them on some topic relating to nursing. Nursing Mirror and The Hospital for damages for
libel.
The one he had selected this year was a difficult
one, and he had therefore written his address,
At the outset of the case, Mr. Barrington Ward,
K.C., Counsel for the defendants, said it was un-
en Trade Unionism for Nurses (which we hope
fortunate the principal defendant, Sir Henry Bur-
to publish next week) which he proceeded to
read.
dett, had died in April last. He withdrew unre-
Mr. Minet then called on Lady Makins, R.R.C, servedly the pleas of justification and fair comment
an old Nightingale, to present the medals awarded on behalf of his clients.
for 191 9. (The Gold Medallist must obtain 75 per Mr. Patrick Hastings, K.C. (instructed by
Messrs. Theodore Goddard & Co.) in opening the
cent, of the total marks, 60 per cent, in all exami-
case, commented strongly on the utter cruelty of
nations and 70 per cent, for Ward efficiency and
the defendants in maintaining the plea of justifica-
conduct. The Silver Medallist 65 per cent, of the
tion for twelve months. He understood the defence
total marks, 50 per cent, in all examinations and
to mean that they could have justified the
70 per cent, for Ward efficiency and conduct.)
The following were the awards :
words until the death of Sir Henry Burdett.
He had carefully studied the words of which Miss
—
Gold Medal. Christine Tompkinson. '
clients, an unqualified apology that any imputation into court to be cross-examined, they withdrew
should have been made upon her. them. He
invited the jury to award substantial
Mr. Patrick Hastings said that all her working damages, because the greater the damages given
life Miss MacCallum had been a professional nurse. .
the clearer his client would leave the court.
These two papers, The Hospital and The Nursing Though her object was not tr obtain damages, yet,
Mirror, of which Sir Henry Burdett was the editor, if she were only awarded a small sum, the public
circulated almost entirely among nurses. The same might think that though she had won her case
course was pursued by both. They published a she had not made a favourable impression upon
most serious libel, the effect of which was to the jury.
characterise Miss MacCallum as an untruthful, un- Miss MacCallum >then went into the witness
scrupulous, and dishonest person, determined to box and bore out her Counsel's statements. She
ruin a body of nurses of which for twenty years said that it never entered her head that the
she had been a most devoted member, the result accumulated funds of the Nurses' Co-operation
being that her friends dropped away from her. should be used for the Trade Union, but it was
The case centred round two organisations, one within her knowledge that some of her older col-
the Union of Nurses, which Miss MacCallum was leagues on the Nurses' Cooperation were ill and
anxious to form, the other the Nurses Co-operation, almost starving, and she was anxious that pensions
of which she was a member of the staff^. Under and annuities should be started out of the surplus
the rules of the Cooperation, if the Society were funds. The remuneration of nurses generally at
wound up the nurses could not benefit by the sur- that time was very poor. Quite a usual salary
plus funds, but they were to go to some other body. for a hospital sister was jC^o^^^o a year and in —
Briefly, the libel complained of was, as Mr. Patrick nursing homes nurses were often paid a similar
Hastings explained, the defendants considered that sum while the patients paid yCs 3S. and £/\ 4s. for
if they could suggest that Miss MacCallum was a their services.
fraud, and that she was trying to ruin the Nurses' The Lord Chief Justice said " Some of us
:
Co-operation in order to get hold of its reserve have discovered for ourselves that the fees which
funds (some ;;^25,ooo) to finance the Union of we pay, and gladly pay, for our nurses, do not
Nurses, sympathy would be alienated from her, nlways go to the nurses, but to other persons.
and they would smash the Union. If all the Bur- The plaintiff struck a most sympathetic note when
<detts in the world were alive, he would throw- she wanted to alter that."
down the challenge that there was not a tittle of Mk. Barrington Ward, at the commencement
ground, except in their malignant imagination, for of cross-examination, formally tendered to
his
such an accusation. Miss MacCallum, on behalf of the defendants, an
Counsel also showed that the result of Miss Mac- expression of unqualified regret for making any
Callum 's efforts to form a Nurses' Union was that imputation against her.
she, and two of the friends who supported her, Shortly afterwards, on the intervention of the
were dismissed from the Co-of>eration, a letter Judge, counsel and their clients conferred, wi*h the
being received by her from the Secretary, dated result that the defendants expressed their willing-
February i8th, 1920, informing her that in the ness to pay Miss MacCallum the sum of ;^5oo and
event of her resignation not being received by that indemnify her for her costs
date, her name would be removed from the Register Mr. Patrick Hastings, on behalf of Miss Mac-
of the Nurses' Co-operation. Callum, accepted the offer, saying that her object
The Lord Chief Justice asked who wrote the was not primarily damages, but to advance the
letter, and Counsel replied, " The Secretary of the interests of nurses, and to defend her personal and
Co-Of)eration." His lordship said he would like a professional reputation. That had been achieved.
copy, and this was accordingly handed to him. Every imputation had been withdrawn, and her
Mr. Patrick Hastings read extracts from the friends might know that she was worthy of their
articles complained of, and said that the advertise- —
friendship,"and more of their admiration.
ments appeared to be the more valuable part of the The Lord Chief Justice said he was glad that
papers. If the articles were a type of the sort of the parties had come to terms. He thought they
stuff that was published, the literary matter could had come to a right settlement. It was proper
not be of much value to anyone. He also read an that the plaintiff should have substantial damages.
anonymous letter, signed "A Loyal Sister," pub- A juror was then withdrawn.
lished in The Nursing Mirror. He remarked that Weheartily congratulate Miss MacCallum on
he would like to know whether the same f>erson the result of her fight for right, justice, free-
wrote every one of those articles, including the dom of speech and freedom of co-operation amongst
letter signed " A Loyal Sister." " It does happen, the members of her profession.
you know, that letters are written in the office." » «
THE COLLEGE OF NURSING, LTD. could prove that he possessed an income or pension
of j(^26 a year, or was mainly dependent on others.
Then the employer had to pay, but not the em-
An Extraordinary General Meeting of the above- ployed person. The contributions were paid to a
named Company, at which the Hon. Sir Arthur Central Fund. In the case of women the contribu-
Stanley presided, was held at the Royal Society of tion was 35d. per week for the employer, 3d. for
Medicine, No. i, Wimpole Street, W., on the 20th of the employed person, and i|d. was paid by the
November, when the Resolutions passed at the Ex- State. If out of employment, provided she fulfilled
traordinary General Meeting of the Company on the conditions, a woman could claim 12s. a week,
November 4th, and printed in our issue of Novem- but could not draw this pay on the first three days
ber 13th, page 271, were submitted for confirma- of unemployment, or for more than 15 weeks in
tion as Special Resolutions, and carried, the first any one year.
being moved by Miss Biggar, seconded by Miss A person who had made 500 contributioni>
Pocock, and the second by Miss Crawford, could, at the age of 60, have these refunded, plus
seconded by Miss Bowdler. 22 f>er cent., less what he had received in benefits.
The Chairman announced that the subscription As regards nurses, their f>osition was clear.
for new members after November 20th would be
Contributions were payable by all who paid into
5s. per annum, in addition to the entrance fee of
the National Insurance Fund. A question had
one guinea. The existing members would be been submitted to the Minister as to whether
asked to pay a voluntary contribution of 5s. an-
nurses could be regarded as in domestic service,
nually, and forms would, be sent to them on which
and he had the question at present under consid-
they would be asked to state what they were pre-
eration. The general rule was that a person came
pared to do.
under the Act if employed under a contract of
The Bulletin would be distributed quarterly to service unless he received over ;^25o a year.
members free of charge. It was hoped to make it Another possibility of exception for nurses was
self-supporting from advertisements, but they had
where their employment was under a local or
not arrived at that position at present. That was
other public authority and the Minister was satis-
the whole of the formal business.
fied that they would not be dismissed except for
The Chairman then moved, and Miss Turnbull, misconduct, or neglect of, or unfitness to perform,
R.R.C. (Edinburgh), seconded, a vote of thanks to
their duties.
the Royal Society of Medicine for the use of the
The Chairman inquired about the position of
room.
nurses in hospitals, and Miss Ford said that their
Replying to questions, the Chairman said the 5s.
average rate of pay brought them under the Act.
subscription would be applied to the business part
In reply to a question, Mr. Munro said' that in
of the College. It was quite distinct from the
Club subscription, which presumably would be the normal way, if a nurse went to claim unem-
larger for London than for country members.
ployment benefit, she might be asked if she could
get a job. .Supposing they could tell her of one
Miss Cox Davies said it was up to the London
members to have such a club as they chose to pay up at Newcastle, she would not be required to take
for. They must not expect the College or any- one far away immediately, but would be allowed
one else to support to exhaust the possibilities of the locality first but ;
it.
if after a little time there seemed not much chance
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACT. of her finding one, if she wanted to benefit she
The Chairman announced the arrival of
here might be required to go further afield.
Miss Ford and Mr. Munro, of the Ministry of Miss Cox Davies elicited that unemployed per-
Labour, who had come to give those present what sons must register at an unerriployment exchange,
help they could to enable them to understand the that such registration was absolutely compulsory,
Unemployment Insurance Act. that you would not in private life pay out without
Miss Ford prefaced her remarks by saying that proof, and unemployed f>ersons would have to pre-
as they were not able to submit their answers to sent themselves where they had registered each
the Head of their Department, they must not be
understood as having official sanction. The Un- Sir Arthur Stanley said there was no possibility
employment Insurance Act came into force on of unemployment for hospital nurses, and the
November 8th, and was compulsory. It was in- British Hospitals .Association had approached the
tended to include all engaged under a contract of Minister in regard to exemption.
service or apprenticeship. All those engaged in Mr. Munro said further that persons in receipt
manual labour (with certain important exceptions) of a salary were not unemployed.
were included, whatever the rate of their remun- The Chairman then inquired about private nur-
eration, and those engaged in non-manual labour, ses, and Miss Ford said that she believed the
whose remuneration or its equivalent was less Health Insurance Commissioners were of opinion
than ;^25o per annum. The chief exceptions were that if a nurse earned at the rate of 35 guineas a
those engaged in domestic service, and agricultural week, that, with her emoluments, would make her
labourers. The scheme applied substantially to all income over ;^25o per annum.
employed persons for whom contributions were A nurse present stated that she had always
payable under the National Health Insurance Acts. stamped her National Insurance card herself, and
It was possible to claim exemption if a person Mr. Munro said that was the first dutv of her
30: ^bc Britteb 3ournal ot "Rurstna November 27, 1920
The patients had only been transferred from doing good business in old furniture in aid of
the old building two days before, and some of her fund. A card on Queen Square, on which
them were feeling rather homesick for the old were lines by one of the Nursing Staff, was also-
surroundings which they had known for so long, selling well at sixpence. It began
some for many years but extra fare and the
;
" Morning sunshine, spring in the air.
cheerful strains of the band, stationed outside the —
Pigeons cooing a London square."
building, made for consolation to them. The Buy the card and you will know the rest
Guardians have been fortunate in securing the
services of Miss Winifred A. Todd, formerly Matron The Duke of York presided at a dinner held at
of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, who holds the the Connaught Rooms last week in support of an
Guy's Hospital.
Certificate of effort to raise ;^25,ooo to meet the immediate
She has been in residence for some weeks past, needs of the Queen's Hospital for Children, Bethnal
and has been extremely busy getting order out Green.
of the chaos, which was inevitable after the The total sum realized by the dinner was
evacuation of the military, and the subsequent
^20,300, of which ;^3,500 were contributed by the
re-decoration. Children's Jewel Fund and ;^89i by the Working
She and her assistant matron. Miss Jenkins, Men's Societies. The Duke of York gave £25.
aremuch to be congratulated on the result of their Something like ;^30,ooo a year is required.
strenuous work. Working men and trade unionists are organizing
It is proposed to receive paying patients into to raise funds. Happy parents of strong and
the spare beds of the hospital. This is of course, healthy little ones should spare a gift for hospitals
quite an innovation for a Poor Law Hospital, but for innocent suffering children.
as it is now proposed that it shall become a
Training School for Nurses, the plan should A meeting of members of both Houses of
be of great benefit from that point of view. Parliament have discussed the future management
For the first time the Guardians have engaged of voluntary hospitals, and in a resolution urged
the services of a resident medical officer, who that an immediate inquiry should be made on
will work under the non-resident Medical Superin-
the subject of State or rate aid before any legis-
tendent, Dr. B. H. Stewart. lation is passed. The resolution was to be reported
Want of space prevents a more detailed account. to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health.
The Wellhouse Hospital has been opened under
rery pleasant auspices, and we trust and believe
Bethnal Green Poor Law Infirmary is to bft
that it will be a blessing to the sick of both the
called the Bethnal Green Hospital.
old and new poor.
APPOIINIMENTS.
MATRON.
THE HOSPITAL WORLD. Barrowmore, East Lancashire Tuberculosis Colony,
The " Swan Song " of the Alexandra Hospital Chester, —
Miss F. Helena Yoxall has been appointed
for Children with Hip Disease (or more accurately Matron. She was trained at the North Staffordshire
Surgical Tuberculosis), Queen Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent, and has since been Matron
for aU cases of
of the Paddock Auxiliary Hospital, Oswaldtwistle,
Square, Bloomsbury, W.C. i, on Wednesday,
and the Convalescent Home, Porthcawl, Glamorgan.
November 17th, was a very pleasant function. SISTER MIDWIPE.
For, after all, the hospital, which has been sold, Queen Charlotte's Lying*in Hospital, Marylebone Road,
is only removing into the country, not closing N.W.—j\ Jss Catharine A. ArkcoU has been appointed
down, and pending the provision of a new hospital Sister Midwife. She took her general training at the
the Alexandra will enjoy the hospitality of the Miller General Hospital, and has been Staff Nurse
Governors of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, who at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, and now holds the
have lent its Committee the beautiful Kettlewell post of Sister of the Preliminary Training School.
Convalescent Home, at Swanley, Kent. So adieux SISTER.
were said to the sound of cheerful music and the Queen Charlotte's Lying-in Hospital, Marylebone Road,
tinkle of the cups, and many of the little patients
—
N.W. Miss Lucy B. Fiemons has been appointed
Sister of one of the Ljing in Wards. She was trained
expressed their pleasure at the prospect of a move at the Southwark Infirmary, and was Staff Nurse at
to the country, and the parents also are quite the Samaritan Free Hospital and Stafi Nurse at Queen
content, a they are sufficiently educated to realise Charlotte's Hospital.
the benefit of the fresh country air for their «
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. pay a guinea for the right to vote for the elected
nurses on the General Nursing Council for England
and Wales, and Scottish and Irish nurses enjoy
Whilst cordially inviting communications upon this important privilege for 2S. 6d. ? The Council
is our governing body, and I object to be governed
allsubjects for these columns, we wish it to be
distinctly understood that we do not in any way
by persons who may be elected on this cheap and
irresponsible vote, and by those, if automatic
hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed
registration was in force, for whose characters and
by our correspondents.
qualifications our governing body was not respon-
VOX POPULI. sible. The whole proposal is wrong in principle,
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing. and we English nurses must support our Council
in its desire to make just Rules for us and all
—
Dear Madam,- Now that the proceedings of nurses, and to maintain a dignified position with
the General Nursing Council are open to the Press, discretionary powers for our Council.
presumably we nurses who are affected by the Wecannot do better than follow the precedent
Rules should have a right to consider them, so of the Central Mid wives Board. Every midwife
that we may express our opinion on them before registered under the Scottish and Irish Midwives
they are finally agreed. I carefully read the Acts applying to be registered in England must
report of the last meeting of the Council, and hope prove the standard equivalent, and pay the same
others who have done the same Avill give warm fee of one guinea, as the Board demands from
support to the decisions of the Registration Com- English midwives. Any other system is unjust
mittee, of which you are Cliairman, on the following and must lead to resentment, and why should
pcints :
English nurses submit to it ? It would be wrong
T . That our English Council shall have adequate for us to do so. Now is the time therefore to
authority to deal with every application for express our opinion to the Minister of Health and
Registration on our Register. Surely those who our General Nursing Council. We must begin right
have been placed by Parliament in the responsible if we mean State Registration to succeed.
position of compiling the State Register of Nurses Yours very truly,
cannot exercise such responsibilit5% if they are to
Henrietta Hawkins.
be compelled to register any man or woman
selected by other bodies whose standards may not
be equivalent to those upon which our Council
EFFICIENT NURSES FOR ALL CLASSES.
have agreed for the admission of English Nurses. To the Editor o/The British Journal of Nursing.
For instance, how about a Cottage Nurses'
Register ? Or placing Fever Nurses on the
—
Dear Madam, You report in the Journal
that at the meeting of the General Nursing Council
General Register as proposed by the Scottish on November 3rd the question of a separate
Board of Health ? Is our Council to be compelled Register for Cottage Nurses was brought up.
to place such nurses automatically on our General , Many trained nurses would like to know what is
Register, although we strongly object to such a Cottage Nurse ? Well, as far as I can make out
arrangements, and probably should refuse to it is only our old- friend the " handy woman " a
register if any such Rules were in force for English little glorified,and backed up by monied people.
and Welsh nurses ? Nobody deny, I think, that the handy
will
I note with satisfaction that our Council voted woman served her day and generation well, and
unanimously for equivalent standards in any many a good type of woman helped both doctor
system set up for registration between the three —
and nurse. But to foist her even in a separate
Councils, and feel sure our colleagues in Scotland
and Ireland will see the justice of this. But how
—
section upon the State Register, for which
trained nurses worked for a generation, and also
about the nurses' representatives on the Scottish paid for, is misleading. Surely nobody can think
and Irish Councils ? Have they taken a firm that this Registration business emanates from the
stand on this important principle ? Cottage Nurses themselves it is most likely run
;
Ther as to finance ? There again you will have by the Lord of the Manor and Lady Bountiful to
every just-minded nurse with you. As you infer, bolster up the old idea that a less competent nurse
the cost of Registration is not merely comprised is good enough for the poor. Now the poor, we
in stamping a few reference letters, and printing know, have to put up with many things of inferior
a name in a Register. The upkeep of the whole quality, but when it comes to sickness, they must
—
work of the Council a very costly business must — have the best nursing.
be included in pa>dng for Registration. To pro- What is wanted is well-trained, efficient nurses
pose that this can be done for 2S. 6d. a head is for all classes. Nothing else will satisfy the
ridiculous, and why should we English nurses pay forward movement amongst nurses themselves.
a guinea (little as it is) to maintain our Register
if Scottish and Irish nurses may share equal Yours faithfully,
E. Horton.
prvileges with us for one-eighth of the cost ? You
hit the nail on the head in emphasising the value
The Scottish Nurses' Club,
of professional enfranchisement. Why should I 205, Bath Street, Glasgow.
—
EXPRESS YOUR CONVICTIONS BY THE nursing, district nursing, or doing any Public
FIRST POST. Health work one also needs protection. I find
in working amongst the working class that people
To the Editor of The British Journal of Nursing.
who are exacting their eight hours, and who take
—
Dear Madam, Of what avail the Thirty care to drop tools and get their coats on before
Years' War, or the victory of December, 1919.
the going-off horn sounds, are very selfish in their
if the very objects for which we fought go by the
demands on the District Nurse Although one
board ? If the Scottish Council places nurses
may be on duty from 9 a.m. till 10.30 p.m., with
with only special training, Cottage Nurses, and
sometime.'^ an interval for dinner and tea, which
such like, on the General Register, where does
may be interrupted five times out of six, Sundays
the stability of the trained nurses' position or
and holidays, this does not stop them from calling
the safeguarding of the community, come in ?
one up in the night and should one stop work
;
The Midwife.
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD. TEACHERS' INSTRUCTION COURSE.
Penal Cases.
A meeting of the Central Midwives
special The inaugural meeting of the Midwifery Teachers'
Board was held at i, Queen Anne's Gate Build- Instruction Course, organised under the authority
ings, Westminster, when 13 midwives were cited of the Midwives' Institute, and held at the Royal
to answer charges preferred against them with Society of Arts, Adelphi, on November 23rd,
the following results. attracted a large gathering of midwives, and
Struck off the Roll and Certificates cancelled :
— promised well for the success of the week follow-
Eleanor Barkas (No. 19,507), Eliza Jane ing. Miss Olive Haydon apologised to the
Carpenter (No. 47,141), Lily Edmondson (No. nurses for giving them a strenuous week of not
45,149), Alice Mary Gardner (No. 13,317), Rosa less than 20 hours' instruction, but she said that
Hellings (No. 17,945), Florence Maud Johnson this was a condition of the Board of Education,
(No. 14,996), Harriet Lomas (No. 3,429), Florence which with the L.C.C., had given a grant of ;^65
Elizabeth Skinner (No. 47,402), Harriet Smith towards the expenses. Miss Gibson, President
(No. 17,367), Alice Swingle (No. 4,801), and of the Midwives' Institute, presided over the
Catherine Tyreman (No. 2 131). meeting.
Judgment deferred. Reports to he asked for Sir Francis Champneys' subject was the Aims
from Local Supernising A nthority in 3 and 6 of the Teachers Course from the standpoint of the
months' time —
Harriet Healey (No. 1,956) Mar-
:
Central Midwives Board. Speaking to teachers,
garet Hunter (No. 30,812). he said that no person thoroughly knows a subject
till he can teach it, and gave several valuable
Monthly Meeting.
We we
are compelled to hold over our
regret points to his listeners on the art of imparting
report of the monthlj^ meeting till next week. knowledge. The knowledge of to-day would be
quite insufficient a few years hence and therefore
one should teach how to learn, which was the
CENTRAL MIDWIVES BOARD only way to keep pace with knowledge.
Dr. Menzies spoke from the standpoint of the
FOR SCOTLAND. Local Supervising Authority, and gave some
List of Successful Candidates. interesting fii.gures.
The examination of the Central Midwives Midwives had attended in London at
this year
Board for Scotland was held on November ist 44,600 births. He
thought that if these figures
and 2nd. One hundred and thirty-eight can- were generally known, they would go far to remove
didates were successful in passing the examination the extraordinary ignorance of the public with
at the following centres Edinburgh, 39
: Glas-; regard to the work of midwives. Improved status
gow, 75 Dundee, 15, and Aberdeen, 9.
; Of these could only be effected by public opinion. He
50 were trained at the Royal Maternity Hospital, called attention to the facilities now open to mid-
Glasgow, 23 at the Royal Maternity Hospital, wives as to obtaining medical aid, and said that
Edinburgh, 20 at the Cottage Nurses' Training in 1919, the L.C.C. had been called upon for no
Home, Govan 13 at the Maternity
; Hospital, less than /4,268 for this purpose.
Dundee 7 by Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute,
;
Dr. Macrory gave a very helpful address on the
Edinburgh 6 at the Maternity Hospital, Aber-
relations of the Inspectors to the Midwifery
;
C
The British joumaG. of nur-
sing
Biological
& Medical
SerieJs