It is a question whether convalescent or chronic patients require female nurses at all.
Of such chronic cases, probably 100 would be efficiently served by one nurse, having orderlies under her. Of acute cases, probably, one nurse should take charge of not more than fifty, possibly not more than forty.
Qualification of Nurses.
10. The nurses should be strong, active women, of not less than thirty, nor, I think, more than sixty years of age, of unblemished character, and should be irreversibly dismissed for the first offence of unchastity, drunkenness, or dishonesty, or proved impropriety of any kind.
Wages.
11. Their wages, I think, the same as those of head-nurses in Civil Hospitals—certainly, not more.
Pensions.
12. Their pension on the same graduated scale.
Rules.
13. Their rules should be simple, very definite, should leave them at the absolute disposal of the surgeon as to ward matters, and at the absolute disposal of the Female Superintendent in all other matters. Their dress should be uniform.