Trained Nurse

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAINING SCHOOLS FOR NURSES.*

THE tenth annual convention of the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses, which was held in Pittsburgh on October 7th, 8th, and 9th, was both stirring and interesting. It was preceded by a convention of the Pennsylvania State Nurses's Association, the members of which remained by invitation to attend some of the sessions, so with a good representative number of the society itself a large body was convened.

The meetings were held in the Shenley Hotel, where many of the visiting members were staying.

The first meeting was called to order at 9.30 A.M. on Wednesday, October 7th, with the President, Miss Ida F. Giles, in the chair. The opening prayer by the Rev. Bishop Whitehead was followed by addresses of welcome from the Rev. Maitland Alexander, President of the Board of Trustees of the Allegheny General Hospital, and Dr. J. H. McClelland, chief surgeon of the Homoeopathic Hospital. Responses to these addresses were made by Miss Snively, of the Toronto General Hospital, and Miss Maxwell, of the Presbyterian Hospital, New York.

Reports from the various officers and committees were then submitted, after which the President gave a short address, mentioning many things which had been accomplished by the Society, and urging still greater efforts in the future.

RECREATION FOR NURSES.

Papers were next read upon the subject of the study of current events as a means of recreation for nurses, by Miss Jane Delano, of Bellevue Hospital, New York, and Miss

* Reported by a member.

Jennie Cottle, of Minnequa Hospital,

Pueblo.

A short discussion followed these papers, and it seemed to be the consensus of opinion that classes for such study should exist in all training schools, and could be so arranged and conducted as to be extremely interesting and often entertaining. At the subsequent discussion it was mentioned that there were golf links for the nurses at the Minnequa Hospital and also saddle horses for their use.

The second session was called on Thursday morning at 9.30, and after the report of council twenty-three candidates were elected to membership.

The appointment of the Nominating Committee and the report of auditors followed. Miss Nutting called the Society's attention to the financial deficit and consequent impossibility of offering further assistance to the maintenance of the Department of Hospital Economics at Teachers' College, Columbia University, New York. A report from the Publication Committee showed a debt for publishing the transactions of the Nursing Congress at Buffalo, copies of which had not all been sold.

A report from the Superintendent of Army Nursing, Mrs. Dita Kinney, told of the development of that branch of the work, its improvements, and general condition at present.

EDUCATION OF NURSES.

Miss Nutting presented to the Society a statement concerning advances made along educational lines relating to nurses' training, conspicuous among these being the establishment of courses of study and training in Domestic Economy and other subjects, preparatory to hospital work, in Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., and Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, and some others throughout the country. Also a change in the preparatory course at Simon's College, Boston, Mass., all being quite significant of the growing interest and recognition of the true importance of nursing in other educational institutions. Miss Nutting suggested that a Com

mittee on Education be created, which should follow up the improved methods of instruction adopted in various schools of nursing or in preparation for such work, and all movements which would tend to establish better and more thorough education. for nurses, and keep the Society informed on these matters. Later the committee was formed.

NURSES' SALARIES.

As the non-payment system, in operation in many schools, bears so directly upon this subject, it was introduced as a topic of discussion, and several superintendents who had tried both plans-that of giving an allowance of perhaps ten dollars per month and allowing the pupils to furnish their own uniforms and text-books, or of doing away with the allowance and supplying these articles at the hospital's expense-gave their comparative experiences. It was shown that a nurse's expenses are about one-third of such an allowance, and it was urged that it would be a wiser expenditure of this really large sum which remains after supplying uniforms, etc., to use it in providing salaries for more instructors, better facilities for carrying on the general work of the school, and in maintaining a larger staff of pupils, thereby shortening the hours of duty and favoring broader education, than to have it wasted, as far as the school as an institution is concerned, in spending-money for the individual.

Miss Burdett's paper giving a detailed description of "The New Lying-in Hospital, New York," was read by Miss Nevins. It dealt particularly with the heating, lighting, and ventilation of this beautiful new building which stands as a model of a modern hospital. Photographs of different parts of the hospital and mechanical contrivances in operation were handed about, giving still clearer ideas of the plans and fittings.

HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION.

Miss Goodrich's paper on "Some Common Points of Weakness in Hospital Construc

tion" showed how frequently hospital equipments which would greatly facilitate the work of the nurses and conduce to more perfect sanitation, were omitted, and also the inconvenient situation of many work- or store-rooms in relation to the wards themselves. Miss Goodrich suggested that if the superintendents of nurses were more often consulted by those entrusted with the construction of hospital buildings, these difficulties might often be obviated.

The reading of Miss McKechmie's paper on "What has been Done in the Way of Legislation," was followed by the formation of a committee to frame a standard of education which should be recognized as presenting to applicants for State registration the minimum requirements for eligibility specially with regard to:

1. Entrance requirements to schools of nursing with definite minimum require

ments.

2. A definite course of study with minimum of subject, time to be devoted to theory and practice, and minimum length of course of training.

NEW INSTRUMENTS.

ALONG with the rest of the electrical advances and improvements there has been great activity in the line of improved appliances and apparatus for the use of physicians and surgeons. New forms of batteries, complicated coils, transformers, interrupters, condensers, modifiers, motors and what not-all these have multiplied until the novice is bewildered in making a selection.

Perhaps the most notable improvements have been made in connection with apparatus for illuminating blind cavities and doing away with the Darkest Africas of human anatomy. The first devices offered were either crude or too fragile and shortlived to meet the requirements of practice, especially from an economic point of view. Many of those still freely advertised are of

little practical value for the same reason. They fail the busy practitioner just when he most needs their aid, and always at a time and place when and where repairs, readjustments or a new cell are out of the question.

The accompanying cut illustrates one of the latest, most perfect and complete of these helpful devices yet offered. It is as ingenious in design as it is comprehensive in detail. It contains within the convenient compass of a leather-covered case 5 by 61⁄2 by 834 inches, a detachable inner case containing a battery of four dry cells so small in compass and so conveniently encased that they can be readily carried to the bedside in an ordinary coat pocket, yet so efficient that it will maintain a brilliant headlight or either of two other lamps supplied with the instrument. These four cells, in connection with a very ingenious rheostat, give a combined capacity of over 6 volts and 12 milli amperes. This is sufficient to support a rather more than one candle-power lamp for six hours, which, as will be readily seen, is ample for

a large number of explorations or examinations, none of which, as a rule, require more than a few minutes illumination at most. The case as a whole contains a complete assortment of specula-vaginal, rectal, nasal, ear, and throat, with tongue depressor and mirrors for the throat and nasopharynx, each with lamp attachment, for thoroughly illuminating the cavity or tissue to be examined or treated. This complete, or "special," case is for the use of the general practitioner. Other forms are arranged for the needs and conveniences of specialists, whether gynecologists, repairers of rectums, or those who give their attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.

It is in its line at once the most complete, compact and comprehensive instrument of which we have any knowledge, and we have used all the leading ones that the market has afforded.

It is manufactured by the Electrical Specialties Company of No. 188-190 Greenwich St., New York.

Book Reviews.

THE EXACT SCIENCE OF HEALTH, based upon Life's Great Law. By Robert Walter, M.D. Vol. I., Principles. New York, Edgar S. Werner Publishing Company, 1903.

Rather an ambitious title, but written by an unquestionably and unconquerably ambitious man.

Dr. Walter's name is not unknown to that portion of the public given to the reading of health journals, especially if they note the advertising pages of the same.

Our author has built up from almost nothing an extensive sanitarium business. This argues a species of genius-that form of genius recognized as business success. It does not logically follow that the doctor who directs the extensive and flourishing institution at "Walters Park, Pennsylvania, U. S. A.," has discovered either the philosopher's stone or the elixir vitae. Dowie and numerous other fakirs and monomaniacs, if judged by this test, have succeeded even more extensively.

This volume is to be followed by another, which, according to promise, is to be a key to this one. In other words, this volume lays the foundation, and evolves the principles on which will be based the real revelation and gospel of healing.

When any one but a full-fledged genius nowadays essays to say something new in relation to either science, art or religion, healing, hygiene or humanitarianism, he is accounted ambitious to the verge of audacity. Dr. Walter will not be able to escape the ordeal by which the work and word of all such venturesome spirits are inevitably and not always charitably examined.

Only an extended review of this volume in detail would be adequate to give our readers any fair idea of its claims and of their attempted substantiation. For such review we have not the space at command, and must for the present content ourselves with a perfunctory enumeration of the topics treated.

There are four pages of the initial “argument" which we think would be more forcible and convincing if it were more modestly stated. Chapter I. is devoted to Suggestions for an Exact Vital Science. This would seem to an outsider a much more appropriate title for the entire volume. Chapter II. undertakes to define The Constitution of Nature, a task which has baffled the efforts of all the alchemists, metaphysicians, mystics and scientists since time began. Chapter III. discourses of Causes and Occasions and their Relations. Chapter IV. treats of Transmutation Fallacies. Chapter V. advances to the more ambitious and more hopeless task of explaining Vital Science in its Relations to Philosophy, Herbert Spencer and his theories coming in for the lion's share of criticism. Chapter VI. proceeds with Life: its Nature and Source, following which Chapter VII. announces Life's Great Law, and undertakes to show its analogy with the law of gravitation. Following chapters treat of Life's Secondary Laws; Social and Scientific Paradoxes; Health and Disease: their Nature and Work; Good Health: How to Regain and Maintain It; The Vital Reservoir, and How to Fill It; Vital Development, and How to Secure It; History of These Discoveries; Some Salient Features of Medical History; Sanatory Medicine: its Truths and Errors, and Summary and Conclusions to Vol. I., to which is added an Addenda of ten pages devoted to Diphtheria and Pneumonia, their nature and treatment.

No intelligent reader will lay down this book without having been both stimulated and provoked to think, and thinking is the source of all progress, whether it be in matters of health, politics or religion.

THE PHYSICIAN'S POCKET ACCOUNT Book. By J. J. Taylor, M.D. Philadelphia, The Medical Council.

Among the many candidates for the favor of the busy physician this one stands alone in the claim of labor-saving, legality and convenience. It is as it aptly states the physician's complete financial record. All that we said of these essential characteristics

last year are quite as true of this year's edition. It is not over-bulky, it is neatly and durably bound, and it contains all the printed data that the busy doctor cares to carry with him on his daily rounds, without burdening him with any extra bulk of seldom-used matter.

CLINICAL TREATISES ON THE PATHOLOGY AND THERAPY of Disorders of MetaBOLISM AND NUTRITION. By Prof. Dr. Carl von Noorden. New York, E. B. Treat & Co., 1903.

These treatises are issued in three thin volumes, Part I. treating of Obesity and The Indications for Reduction Cures.

Prof. von Noorden, in connection with his pupils and assistants, has been for many years pursuing an exhaustive study of the disorders of metabolism and nutrition. These monographs have been issued as a compend of conclusions arrived at on the themes treated, and while they do not attempt to include dietetic details, leaving these to the judgment and invention of every practitioner for himself and for adjustment to the needs in each individual case, they supply a basis or groundwork for a better understanding and a more rational management of these cases than has yet prevailed.

In relation to the subject of obesity it is made evident that the routine adoption of this or that "system" of diet is no better than guesswork as to its rational treatment.

Part II. is devoted to Nephritis. On this topic von Noorden does not hesitate to disagree with accepted authorities and approved text-books. For one thing he dwells on the principle of saving the kidneys in renal diseases by what he terms protective therapy. He leaves no doubt in the minds of the reader as to the evil effects of alcohol on the kidneys, whether taken in concentrated form -whiskey, brandy, etc.-or dilute as in ales, beer, wine, etc.

Part III. is devoted to Membranous Catarrh of the Intestine (colica mucosa) and its Treatment.

Like the other two, this volume, small as it is, is full of valuable suggestions to those

who desire a comprehensive knowledge of this all-imporant subject of metabolism and nutrition.

THE BAKER'S BOOK, a Practical Handbook of the Baking Industry in all Countries, profusely illustrated in two volumes. Translated and edited by Emil Braun. New York, D. Van Nostrand Company, 1903.

These volumes are unique in literature in that they treat of a subject concerning which very little is available to the general public. Not that there is a real dearth of works devoted to the baker's art. but most of them are inclined to be too technical or too much like mere recipe books. The principal aim of the work is to be practical, and its author and translator, while disclaiming entire originality, have made a wise selection of the best ideas of all the previous works on the subject.

Among other contributors, the Agricultural Department at Washington has supplied valuable information for its pages.

So vitally important is the art of the baker that its progress is an index of the progress of civilization. Every progressive baker will be glad of a chance to avail himself of these valuable volumes.

FOOD AND DRUGS. A PRACTICAI. INTRODUCTION TO THE METHODS ADOPTED IN THE MICROSCOPICAL EXAMINATION OF FOODS AND DRUGS, IN THE ENTIRE, CRUSHED AND POWDERED STATES. By Henry George Greenish, F.I.C., F.L.S., with 168 illustrations. Price, $3.50 net. Philadelphia, P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1903.

There are many botanical textbooks to aid in the study of the histology of vegetable substances, but so far as we know there is not, or has not been until now, a single work, at least not in English, that treats directly of the methods of examining vegetable foods, drugs and their powders. This volume undertakes to supply this want, and it succeeds in its attempt.

The work is divided into twelve sections.