Books for study and Leisure Hours

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume IV, Issue 3, 1 July 1911, Page 133

Books for study and Leisure Hours

A new book, which qualified nridwives should find very useful, has been recently published : " Iyectuics to Practising Midwives/'' by Victoria B. M. Bennett; puce ss.

This book is the first one that seemsi to offetf sufficient, but nothing superfluous to the midwifery nurse who is' 1 qualified. The first chapter deals with the law as it affects nu'dwives m England. Seeing that our own Midwives Act is framed on much the same lines, except that it is not administered by a board, but) directly by the Government Department, the information on this) point supplies a recognised want. The chapters dealing with the technique of the work are most helpful, and' the methods thoroughly up-to-date. Go^d diagrams, clearly shown and explained as they are m this book, are always a help m recognising certain conditions and departures from the normal.

!? Midwifery and Gynaecological Nursfng Notes," by Sister Ross is also a helpful little book for reference. It is small and concise ; could be carried easily m one's bag, and has blank leaves m the middle foi notes — .a great advantage. Puce 2s. 6d. Book on Massage. We have received some specimen pages of (( A Text Book of Massage," by L- 'S. Despard , member, and examin er of th c Incorporated Soceity of Trained Masseuses. This is a book which should be of great service* to practising masseuses, and to those studying massage. The tables of the muscular system are very clear and well illustrated, and the description of the various methods of massage for different disesaes appears well worthy of study. A short account is also given of the elements of electrical treatment,

and an explanation of the parts of the ordinary forms of apparatus m use, and the method of employing them. The book can be obtained from Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press ; or from Hodder ' & Stoughton, Warwick Square, London, price 10s. 6d.

We have received from Aligns and Robertson, Syduey, two little booklets published m Australia : —

"First Aid m Nursing": For the Bush and Country. By Mrs. W. M. Thomas (Sister Dickson).

This litle volume is very simply written, and contains many useful hints on nursing, and especially on everyday work. It is a book which it would be well for district nurses tp carry with them, and distribute among their country patients. Quite a large proportion of the wisdom gained by experience contained therein can easily be absorbed by mothers or friends, and aid them m dealin g with the sick m the absence of doctor or nurse. The chapter on poisons is invaluable, and the appendix, or "How to Take Care of Babies," is simple and practical. The price is only Is.

"Notes on the Nursing of Diphtheria," by Hilda W. Loxton.

This little pamphlet is written by a sister m charge of the Diphtheria Ward at the lioyal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney. I should recommend nurses to procure and study this little book. It is written by a nurse and for nurses, and is full of practical directions for the nursing 1 and treatment of the various forms of diphtheria. The processes of intubation and tracheotomy, with the after treatment and feeding,

also the administration of anti-toxin, are all very lucidly given. It is an excellent text book for nurses m training.

We note with, pleasure that the text book on anatomy and physiology, written by Dr. Barclay, of Waimate, and known to many of our nurses, has been adopted by the A.T.N.A., and recommended for study by the council. We understand that Dr. Barclay intends to issue a second volume on the nursing of medical and surgical cases, written on the lines of lectures given m accordance with the syllabus prescribed under the Nurses' Registration Act. Such a text book should be of the greatest advantage to nurses studying for examinations. If our journal had been a monthly production, we might have had this projected volume published m monthly parts m our pages, but being only issued quarterly, the author was obliged to abandon the plan which he had at first contemplated. We much regret that it was impossible to meet his wishes, and to have the benefit of so much original matter.

' 'Marie Claire . " By Mile . Audoux . Translated from the French by Mr. J. N. Raphael.

This little book, which we have just received from Mackay's, Wellington, is a marvel of delicate description and of the finest feeling expressed m the simplest language. It is the tale of a little child bereft of her mother and deserted by her father, and sent into an orphanage to be brought up, and from there to a farm to earn her living as a shepherdess.

At the orphanage she becomes devoted to one of the sisters, a sweet-faced, beautiful woman, who was dedicated to a religious life at the age of fifteen, and who lavished her warm love on this little child, "Her Beautiful White Lily."

The sad story of Sister Marie Aimee's tragedy, is told from the standpoint of an innocent child, who sees but does not understand. Later comes the life of the little shepherdess with her lambs, a happy life, for she finds happiness m all the wonders of the beautiful world and longs ouly to see Sister Marie Claire. The story of her own love and its ending is exquisitely told. "The white mare didn't find it very easy to climb the snow-covered path. Her master leaned down and took my two hands, which I held up to him. There was on his face a look of worry which I had never seen before. I felt quite certain that his words were going to bring me happiness. He held my hands tighter, and said m the same breathless voice as before, 'I can no longer be your friend.' I thought that somebody had struck me a violent blow on the head. There was the noise of a saw m my ears. I could see Henri Deslois trembling and I heard him say, 'How cold I am.' Then I no longer felt the warmth of his hand on mine. And when I realised that I was standing all alone m the path, I saw nothing but a great white shape which was slipping noiselessly across the snow." Marie goes back to the orphanage, and then finds Sister Marie Aimee gone. She had gone away to nurse the lepers. There are some very beautiful passages at the close of the book, which winds up with Marie Claire on her way to Paris.

The story is the true story of the life of its authoress, a sempstress m Paris, to whom her literary genius was quite unknown, and to whom appreciation came as a great surprise.

Marguerite Audoux is engaged on another book, which she expects to publish next year and which is eagerly awaited.