This appears the nearest approach to good organization I have met with.
But again I say there may be much difference among the Russian Military Hospitals. I would not be considered as laying down an absolute experience.
English.
It has been said elsewhere what was the system or no system pursued in the English Military Hospitals, as to Female Nursing. It was a new thing, and no General Order or Warrant was ever issued as to the duties of the nurses. Many duties clearly devolved upon the Female Superintendent-General, as she was afterwards called in “General Orders,” which never should devolve upon her again.
Proposed Duties of Female Nurses in Military Hospitals.
But it may be now clearly enunciated what the duties of Female Nurses should be, and many reasons will subsequently be given why there never will be discipline in Military Hospitals till they are as follow:
Women only of the character, efficiency, and responsibility of Head Nurses in other Hospitals should be admitted into Military ones. They should have charge and be responsible for all that pertains to the bed-side of the patient; for his cleanliness, and that of his linen, bed, and utensils; for all the minor dressings, not performed by Surgeons or Dressers; for the administration of medicines, and of the meals; for the obedience of the patient and orderlies to the orders of the Medical Officer. They should receive the orders of the latter, and always attend him in his visits.
Till the above is done by women, the same want of discipline, now to be observed in Military Hospitals, and often already noticed, will continue,—such is my firm belief, the result of much experience.
Duties which should be left to men.
There will be abundance left for the Ward Master or Serjeant to do in taking Military charge of the Hospital and its inhabitants, in being Office Clerk, &c., i. e., keeping the Admission books, making States, Returns, Accounts, and other documents, without his being Head-Nurse, without his superintending the Orderlies at the bed-side, his administering medicines, &c., which can only be satisfactorily done by a woman. And, when done by her, there will still be ample work for two men, where one does now the work of three.