The Medical Times and Gazette seta forth a case worthy
of consideration, not only by the "benevolent public," but also by the public professedly under the rule of an "enlightened selfishness." In sickness, next to the physician, a good nurse is the best stay of the sufferer. Affection mostly supplies the want ; but affection is not always skilled in difficult manipu- lations—sometimes needs relief of guard—is sometimes absent—and then the professional nurse is called in. At present, a hired nurse and a good nurse are almost incompatible terms; but attempts have been made to correct that bad condition of things. At No. 4 Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate Street, is the "Institution of Nursing Sisters," founded by Mrs. Fry ; in Fitzroy Square is St. John's House, founded with the sanction of the Bishop of London : at both these institutions nurses are trained; are maintained as at a home, are sent to give their aid to the sick poor 'gratuitously ; are sent to the rich at the exceedingly moderate charge of a guinea a week. Both institutions have the highest character for the efficiency of their nurses; both must ultimately flourish ; both are in present want of support.
Previous page
