By “THE NEW DOCTOR.”
The Hospital Nurse
There was a time when every man was nursed through sickness by his wife or daughter. Then there appeared upon the scene a class of women who were styled “monthly nurses,” who took over the more onerous part of nursing, but who did not overthrow the whole of the duties of the invalid’s relations.
These monthly nurses were for the most part ignorant women, and often slovenly and drunken. They threw over the old and best system of nursing, and in its place introduced the worst.
A little later the monthly nurse gave place to the certified nurse, who is taught her profession and is in all respects a very great improvement upon her prototype.
Nowadays it often happens among the wealthier classes that as soon as a member of the family is ill, a physician is sent for; a nurse is appointed; and the relatives practically desert the invalid till he is well again.
Fortunately the wealthy classes are a small minority, and but few of us can afford the great expense of this treatment. We said fortunately, for though it has its advantages, it has very great drawbacks. And we are of opinion that in most cases of sickness the best nurse for an invalid is his nearest female relative.
People think that physicians always advise a certified nurse and object to a patient’s wife or sister turning amateur nurse for the time being. We can assure you that this is not the case. Of course, it is an advantage to the physician if he can have a nurse whom he knows to look after his case; but, as a general rule, he is indifferent in the matter, except in some diseases, when the aid of a person skilled in nursing those suffering from that disease is indispensable.
We address these notes to amateur nurses; but really you are as much professionals as are your trained colleagues. Nursing, like housekeeping or cooking, is one of the duties of the gentler sex, and is not a profession at all.