THE NIGHTINGALE FUND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2116, 30 January 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NIGHTINGALE FUND.

From the report for the year* 1881 concerning tho Nightingale Fund, it appears that tho number of probationer nurses in tho school at St. Thomas' Hospital at tho end of tho year was thirty-two, of whom fourteen were special or lady probationers. Thirty probationer nurses wero entered upon tho register as certified nurses, aftor satisfactorily completing their year of tr.iininir, nu<], including ono remaining over J from ISS3, thirty-ono received appointment*. From the opening of tho school in Juno, ISOO, to tho end of 1881, a tot.il of 787 candidates hare been admitted, and 437 have left the school after completing a year's training as certified nurses. During the year, scrcntcen probationer nurses resigned or were diacharged as unsuitablo for the work, theso failures beii»g duo for tho most part to want of suffijiont physical strength. la rc\ lowing the results of tho year, tho roport st-itrs that tho intellectual standard of the special probationers has been good, and perhaps somewhat above tho averago of past yoars. It worM eeem, however, that moro zeal and attention is called for in learning aud practising the dotaili of the practical work in the ward — particularly under tho head of order and cleanliness — and it cannot (tho report observes) too often be ropeated. that it is upon a thorough practical knowledge of these details that good nursing must bo based, and those who think they can disponae with tho experience requisite for attaining it will never be able to turn to proper account tho higher knowledge they may have acquired.

Suggestions for Tailors' Scraps.— "E.S." can make penwipers from the pieces of cloth sent on tailors' pattern cards. A dozen, perhaps less, arc put together, and a needle threaded with strong thread passed through the centre of each, to keep all together. Add a piece of red cloth cut out in points, or a scrap of plush or velvet at the top, and also a little bow quite in the centre. I have seen these in visitors rooms in country houses, placed on the writing table. And I have known them sell excellently on tho stall at a fancy bazaar. Another use is to cut them up into narrow strips, and give them to some poor woman to knit up with twine as little rugs. Patchwork quilts for poor children, or covers for perambulators, can also be made from these bits, lining the whole with flannel or serge. They are also useful for cutting up very small, and stuffing children's balls, or the mattress pincushions, using also scraps as well. Bronze basket work, lined with glass, is the novelty for the autumn. What is to prevent our using Parilt's liquid prismatic enamel and producing our own bronze work ? It is to be had in twelve colours, including gold and ailver; the samples are so good, and the directions so simple, that one is teirpted to go, bru«h in hand, and furbish up all one's belong* ings, for we see that iron, wood, stone, plaster, papier maehe, picture frames, statuettes, nay, every imaginable thing, may be painted with this washable preparatiou. One of the benefits deriyed from the parcel's post is the ease with which you may send flowers where they are rare and where they are loved. T-uUiE Decoration.— The newest style is flowers placed apparently on the cloth in huge pyramids, and only a few vaaes scatter: 1 hero and there with single blooms, all of one tone or two, and of artistic uncommon colouring preferred. This is carried out with flat diahes filled with sand, in which tho flowers are stuck. No dessert on tho table. Look-ing-glasses surrounded by flowers are occasionally set on the t:ible-cloth. It is important to study tho lighting, and it is considered to bo the right thing now to throw down as much light as possible; for this p« -pose, shaded candles and lamps arc us 1, niA tbe little lamps whioh slip [ into the candlesticks find favour, for they I give much more light than any candle, The lamp shades are wonderfully pretty. Tho newest idea is one of pink silk with festoons of lace caught up at intervals in double or triple box plaits. Some are made cutirely of green leaves, but pink is the best colour, and on tho candle* sticks rest single marguerites, a long bird, or a butterfly, and they are sometimes made to match the lamp shades with festoons of laco. Apple Siivpe. — To make this without using isiuglasss or gelatine, pare, core, and thinly slice 21b of apples, selecting those of a nice flavor ; Nonpariels are particularly good for the purpose. Have ready prepared a syrup made by boiling lib of best loaf sugar broken in half a pint of water until it becomes quite thick. Into this syrup put the slices of apple, m if h the juice of a lemon and the rind peeled very thinly. Let all boil together and stiff, which will probably take from an hour aud a half to two hours. Take out the lemon peel, and pour it into a mould tosttuid till the next day, or if wanted the same day it may be placed on ice until set. The colour of this is much improved by mixing with the syrup • few drops of cochineal. It may be served cither with or without a custard, or whippoi cream poured round it in the dish.