RED CROSS

Evening Star, Issue 19352, 11 September 1926, Page 16

RED CROSS

FDR THE JUHIORS [Written by A.E.K., for tlio ‘Evening Star.’] • FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE pursing is an art, and if it is to ho made an art it requires as exclusive a devotion, as hard a preparation as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is having to do with dead canvas or cold marble compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God’s Spirit? It is one of tho fine arts—l had almost said the finest of fine arts.— Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale was born in Italy in 1820, and was named after the beautiful city of Florence. She lived tho life that a child of people of wealth was accustomed to in those days, and had little contact with the children of poverty, but she was always most sympathetic to all who wore sick, suffering, or appeared to bo less fortunate than herself. That “ nnrses are born and not made,” a quotation that we often hoar repeated, certainly applied, even at the early ago when dolls are tho greatest interest in life. “ Florence’s dolls were all delicate, and needed constant care. They spent most of their lives in bed, going through dangerous illnesses, while they were most carefully nursed by their little mother, who doctored them and tempted their appetites with dainty disbes until they were well again.” Animals, too, came in fbr their share of attention, especially those who wore unfortunate, or, rather, ugly; and when still quite young she saved the life of a dog that had injured his leg very severely and was to bo killed to be put out of misery by carefully applying hot compresses to the injured limb and generally tending him until lie recovered.

From the time Florence was six years '■ r 'i do she felt that there was a special c..,l for her, and during her youth and maidenhood, in spite of all that education, travel, and gaiety could do, this call never loft her. In those days it was considered a dreadful thing for any young lady to want to become a nurse. Nurses were then very like Saircy Gamp, that you remember reading about in one of Charles Dickens’s books. They used to drink _alcohol — not infrequently the very spirits that were ordered for the patient—were extremely ignorant and very dirty. You can imagine how horrified Florence’s father and mother were at the idea of her becoming a nurse. Her first- real insight into the nursing world came when she spent some time at Kaisenvorth. in_ Gcmajiy, where deaconevsscs wore trained in hospital and school; and, in suite of the hard work and poor food, she was extremely happy. Some time after she made a stndy of the sisters of charity work in Paris, and then took charge of a home for sick governesses and poor friendless ladies in Harley street, London.

It was this preparation that made Florence Nightingale so well equipped for the wonderful work she was destined to do in the terrible war in the Crimea, where the poor soldiers received only the roughest nursing. Much as anyone may bo willing to do_ anything, little success can be gained if one has no sort of preparation, but if added to this you possess ability to carry through your enterprise your efforts will certainly be crowned with success. Florence Nightingale had all these, and it was fortunate that she also had groat courage, as she and her little band of thirty-eight nurses found the most appalling conditions on their arrival in Scutari. The wards wore overcrowded and dirty. There were not enough beds to go round, and the sheets were so coarse that the men begged to be allowed to sleep in their blankets instead. There was no furniture, bottles were used for candlesticks, and the whole place was overrun by rats. There was not even a basin or a towel or a piece of soap to he found. Think of the organisation required to give the men clean linen, to have them bathed, and to provide them with good food. All this was done, and even when great shiploads of wounded arrived, and there seemed no accommodation and no proper food or clothing for them, somehow as if by magic these things were accomplished. One man wrote to England; “ Before she came there was cussin’ and swearin’, but after that it was as holy as a church.” Li speaking of this she said: " I think how, amidst scones of loathsome disease and_ death, there arose above it all the innate dignity, gentleness, and chivalry of the men, shining in the midst of what must be considered as the lowest sinks of human misery, and preventing instinctively the use of an expression which could distress a gentlewoman.” The work of Florence Nightingale was watched by the whole nation, including the Queen, who took the greatest interest in her, and said on one occasion: “I wish we had hor at the War Office.”

After her recovery from a most severe illness following her hard work, the people of England longed to show her groat honor, and as she would accept no personal gift a “ Nightingale Fund " was founded. This was used to commence a training school for nurses, and the greater part was used for the Nightingale Training Home, which became part of St. Thomas’s Hospital, a beautiful building situated opposite the Houses of Parliament, London, and commanding a wonderful view or the Thames. Thirteen probationers started and finished their training, and from these commenced the groat body of trained women who do nursing service all over the Empire. Many great women have followed in the steps of Florence Nightingale, and the training for nurses is slowly but gradually improving. In New Zealand great strides are being, made at present to bring about a much higher standard, and the best methods of other countries are being copied. HEW ZEALAHD TEWED EWES’ BASSE OBlSffl OF TEE FIVE-POiHT STAR BADGE Piumridge’s ‘ Medical Miscellany ’ gives the following as representing a portion of the oath, being divided into five parts as per five points of the star; — (1) The Hand.—That my hand shall be ever extended to help, comfort, and relieve the sick and suffering. (2) The Foot.—That my feet shall not falter, loiter, or linger when journeying to alleviate the suffering of the sick. (3) The Knee.—That my knee shall bow in supplication to Almighty Ua (God) for the aid in my endeavor to succor and relieve the sick and suffering. (4) The Breast.—-That my breast shall he a safe and sacred repository for any secret entrusted to me, or divulged during the sickness of d«Hrium, or otherwise obtained. (5) The Head.—That I will constantly pursue the study of the secret arts. That I will exercise my knowledge to the benefit of the suffering, mental and bodily distress, and that I will desseminate such knowledge among others that my preceptors may authorise and direct. _ The deep significance of the five point star is symbolical* originating

with the Chaldeans and carried t-’rnnrrh hv the ancient Egyptians in the worshipping of Isis. It was also a recognised badge of those connected with medicine, a part of the training connected with the priesthood. To secure admission to the priesthood, oaths of allegiance were required, sworn on the five-pointed star, which was considered the. Eye oi Gad- .