The British nurse in peace and war / by Elizabeth S. Haldane.

  • Elizabeth Haldane
Date:
1923
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The British nurse in peace and war / by Elizabeth S. Haldane. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    INTRODUCTORY 6 The school teacher has a say in the matter, and of course the lay health visitor. But the nurse has a part in it which is growing every day. First of all, the hospital nurse finds that more and more is being demanded of her by the medical man, until she is becoming not alone the instrument for carrying out his wishes, but, so to speak, his junior partner who has to watch for symptoms knowing something of what they mean, to understand and carry out the dieting which plays so large a part in curative treatment nowadays, and to preserve the asepsis so essential in all surgical work. Then the trained nurse who goes out into the world to do district work has to be an influence for health throughout the community. In the absence of the doctor much is expected of her ; but her influence, if she is a good nurse, is most of all as a leaven amongst the people with whom she comes into contact. She has to raise their standard of cleanly and healthy living and be a moral influence for good of the greatest value. The case is similar with the school nurse and the “ mothers' centre or the municipal nurse ; indeed, the nurse's ‘‘ sphere of influence is extending all the time. What distinguishes her from the ordinary doctor is perhaps that her duty is first of all preventive. Doubtless all medical treatment aims at preven- ion as well as cure, but most people do not send