Textbook of Nursing-1902!!!!

I thought it would be cool to start a thread about nursing has and has not changed during nurses week. But I want to go one step further: I have an antique book that dates back to 1900. I found this on ebay several years ago--and forgot I had it. It is quite the contrast to nurses of today, but in others it is all about why we all became nurses. I shall take some exerpts and see what you think.

A Text-Book of Nursing (for the training schools, families, and private students)

Compiled by Clara S. Weeks-Shaw(wow two last names way back then--I must google this person)

Second Edition

New York

1900.

ON BECOMING A NURSE: (all are taken directly from textbook as written)

"Until within a few years, the nursing in our hospitals was committed to the hands of women of the lowest, often of the criminal, classes, chosen without regard to character or capacity...no self respecting person would voluntarily adopt; and "sairy Gamp" was recognized, not as the amusing creation of a novelist, but as the common type and representative of the nursing class

But a prejudice against the intsruction of nures was entertained at the outset by some of hte medical profession, who feared that educated nurses would trench upon their own province, and…would immediately proceed to the practice of therapeutics on their own…

Unimpaired health and power of endurance, intelligence and common sense, are primary essentials for a nurse. She should be a person of even, cheerful temperament, not easily irritated or confused—for to lose temper or presence of mind in the sickroom is fatal to usefulness. She must have acute perceptions, habits of correct observation and accurate statement, and some manual dexterity. She needs to be quiet, neat and systematic, and capable of eternal vigilance…

When you have once undertaken the care of the sick person, his welfare if of course understood to become your first consideration…your duties may be classified as threefold: Those which you owe to yourself, those due to the physician under whose direction you work, and such as relate immediately to the patient…

Even a nurse is but human; you cannot retain your vigor and consequent usefulness without a due allowance of rest, food and exercise. It is your duty, as well as your right, to insist upon securing these, and to take proper time for the care of your own person.

To the doctor, the first duty is that of obedience—absolute fidelity to his orders, even if the necessity of the prescribed measures is not apparent to you. You have no responsibility beyond that of faithfully carrying out the directions received…

The prejudice against cleanliness and fresh air, which even in this enlightened age…must be combated firmly, though always kindly…persuade a patient to submit to having his room suitable ventilated; among the ignorant, and still more unaccountable, is the dread of clean clothes…

As a rule, whatever tends to keep the invalid quiescent and contented is good for him…a tranquil, peaceful, though cheery atmosphere should prevail…do not call upon him for decisions, even of small matters, but decide for him…

But the ideal nurse, the one worthy of her high calling, is inspired by love, not policy, and her sympathies are broad and universal…

“Love never faileth;///

Love suffereth long, and is kind;

Love envieth not;

Love vauneth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly,

Seeketh not her own,

Is not easily provoked,

Thinketh no evil….

Beareth all things, …hopeth all things,

Endureth all things.” (Page 24)

Sorry about any typos. Sairy Gamp was (from Google) created by Charles Dickens Sairy Gamp, the fat, old midwife and nurse with hoorifice voice and red nose. For over fifty years she was the negative metaphor for midwives and nurses.

Hope you all enjoy. I will post more next time about nursing care.