The type of nurse needed for this Service is the broad-minded woman, cultured, well trained, with those qualities of mind and heart which would enable her to grasp the tremendous responsibilities in the work we are trying to do—who will be sympathetic, but firm—who will be able to emphasize the need for obedience to orders for treatment—who can be friendly, without familiarity, and loyal to the highest ideals of her profession. The turnover is too large, by far, and is due in some measure to conditions which are unavoidable, since they are the result of the sudden expansion of the Service, the need for immediate action, and the great difficulty in securing desirable hospital stations, both from the standpoint of construction and location. These conditions are adjusting themselves gradually, and a distinct improvement in service and morale in the Nursing Department, a clearer understanding of the many problems which confront the administration and the Service in the effort to give the best medical care and treatment to disabled veterans of the World War, is evidenced; and, at the present time, the U. S. Public Health Service is able to keep the nursing force up to the necessities of the Service. It is believed, however, that uniformity, throughout the organizations caring for these patients would go far toward establishing a more satisfactory service, and it is hoped that this meeting of all connected with and interested in the care of ex-service men will succeed in bringing about this desired result. In the final analysis, however, it is conceded that the responsibility for the proper and successful conduct of these hospitals rests with the Medical Officers in Charge, and I can truly say in behalf of the nurses of the Public Health Service, that the nursing section will cooperate in every possible way to promote the successful organization of the hospital program, and to assure this meeting that the nurses of this Service will continue to “carry on” and to render all assistance in their power toward the accomplishment of this result.” GEN. CUMMING: asked for discussions, stating that only two minutes would be allowed for each. GEN. SAWYER: stated that the women were very anxious to have their suggestions. CAPT. BLACKWOOD: stated that he wished to pay his tribute to the splendid work that has been done by the nurses. He said he had experienced hospital work when they were dependent upon the most undesirable man that could be found to take care of the sick. The man who could not do anything else was the one that took the place of the nurse. He also told his experiences in Boston when the influenza epidemic came, how in less than a month over 1300 cases were being treated by a staff of nurses scarcely larger than before, how the women worked day and night without rest and often without food, and how many of them lost their lives in the struggle.