12. No head-nurse or nurse should be out of the hospital before or after the limit of her daily exercise time, two hours, without written permission of the Matron. The Matron, I think, should put the cause and amount of the extension in writing, and report the same to the Treasurer or Chief Officer, at the next general meeting, whenever it is called, of the Officers of the Hospital. She will find this a great protection against petitions. There is not a doubt that the fewer extraordinary absences, the better.
Place of Exercise.
13. Were it possible to have a small garden (in college gardens much effect and much refreshment is produced by a green sward, a few trees, some shrubs, a fountain, and some seats), in this, at strictly separated hours, the men-patients, the women patients, the head-nurses and nurses, the men-servants, if they choose, which perhaps is not likely, could walk or sit down. This arrangement would little interfere with its enjoyment by the dignitaries and their children, who require it quite as much, and would be found in its results practically and not poetically useful. Hospitals are, and perhaps must be, in or near crowded thoroughfares. Streets are miserable places to walk in during great part of the year. Nurses want and unconsciously crave for fresh air, and often half-an-hour is better than more, given them close to their work—and away from the streets, it would be often a great preservative.
Caution.
14. I should, however, be very cautious as to introducing music or anything of that sort. Hospitals are not tea-gardens, nor homes, nor meant to be either. Great quiet and some severity of discipline are necessary, and ought to be exacted.
Dress.
15. I think the head-nurses should wear a regulation dress, and the nurses another; if we adopt the honest word livery, in use in the hospitals, it will perhaps do no harm. Caps, dresses, aprons, should be prescribed: whether or not out-of-door dress should be prescribed is to be considered apart. Each should have three dresses yearly. Better, I think, avoid washing stuffs; they require endless change to look decent. Head-nurses and nurses might wear the same dress, and some difference in the cap would be quite distinction enough.
Wages.
16. I incline towards giving the head-nurses £50 a-year, one or two rooms (one room with an alcove and curtain would be best), fuel and light. The nurses lodging; the night-nurse a room to herself, the others together; entire board, fuel, light, and good wages to be decided upon.