['re THE EDITOR, or THE "BracTAToz,"] SIR,—I road with interest
your correspondent's letter (Spectator, July 10th) entitled " Voluntary Workers in Hospitals." May I, through your valuable paper, put in a plea for these nurses ? I wish to state a case which has come under my notice lately. The girl left a luxurious home to serve as a V.A.D. She joined the Red Cross Society last October after the war began. Having a strong sense of duty, she signed papers to serve anywhere for a year. Four days later she was ordered to report herself at a military hospital a hundred miles away from home within thirty-two hours. She arrived at 5 p.m., and at midnight was put on night duty (twelve hours) in a "spotted fever" ward. In consequence her health suffered considerably. She was kept on night duty without a break for over five weeks! May I suggest that no V.A.D. nurse should be put on night duty for at least a week after her arrival in hospital, so that she may gradually get used to her new surroundings, work, and responsible duties P I feel strongly that unless these patriotic girls receive more con- siderate treatment this valuable source of hospital help will fail when it is most needed.—I am, Sir, dte.,
The Abbey House, Glastonbury, Somerset. A. J. JA.RDINE.
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