reconstruct a distorted mental outlook and restore a normal attitude toward life, she, herself, must have an understanding and a sympathy and a power to help that can only come from steady inspiration, constant study, and serenity of mind. Second in importance locally is the recognition on the part of the commanding officer of each hospital and each member of the hospital staff of the real place of nurses in the endeavor to return the patient to normal health and life, and emphasis upon an attitude of helpfulness and cooperation in all matters concerning them. Only those who have served in hospitals where the commanding officer was heart and soul in sympathy with the problems of the nursing staff and concerned with every detail that might work for its well-being, can know what a harmonious, helpful atmosphere can exist, and how the spirit of courteous recognition and mutual respect can permeate from the commanding officer to every member of the personnel. For is not the nursing group usually the largest group in every hospital, and will not the attitude of the nurses give the tone to the hospital? Commanding officers should remember that in their hands and their’s alone rests the regulation of this tone. In all the presentation of the general subject of the care of the ex-service man, at this conference, little if any mention has been made of the part of the nurse. Right here in this very fact, perhaps, rests one of the largest snags that lie in the way of the best service to the veteran. Think for one moment of the situation if there were no nurses to work side by side with the medical man and to cooperate with him in securing for the patient that which he, with his special preparation, considers necessary for his healing. What results would be obtained? The time has passed when the need of professional nursing in the care of the sick is a debatable question. And yet nursing, as vital to the modern scientific restoration of the war veteran, has not been mentioned. Here at headquarters is where the greatest progress toward the solution of the nursing problem can be made,—1st, in the recognition of the problem and its importance, and 2nd, in a sympathetic, concerned, business-like attempt to solve it by the method that is most sure to bring about success,—namely the conference method, the collecting of advice from experts on the subject, the formulation of their suggestions, and an endeavor on the part of all concerned to put these suggestions into practice. You, in this new governmental organization, which has for its aim the highest type of service to veterans and their restoration to complete living, have a chance to develop a nursing department that should set the standard for all the departments of federal nursing as well as for civilian institutions.” GEN. CUMMING: “Discussion will be offered by Mrs. Higbee”.