In none of the Civil Hospitals, so far as I know, is night refreshment given. The Nurses usually on board wages, apportion, when they can, some from their food. In one Hospital there exists a rule that no Night Nurse is to take refreshment during her watch, the intention being to keep her more vigilantly to her duty. This is one instance among many of the serious and cruel mistakes which men of business or benevolence, or both, make, when legislating on matters which they do not understand. It is, fortunately for the fine Hospital where it is the rule, practically disregarded; the Head Nurses knowing well that a Nurse watching and fasting in a ward from 9 to 9, or even from 9 till the breakfast hour of 6, would either soon be unfit for duty, or put drams in her pocket, or doze through the night. A strong soldier, required to watch in a ward and fast from 9 P.M. till 9 A.M., or 6 A.M., or shortly before, would stand the trial quite as ill as a Nurse. There is an admirable rule at two foreign Hospitals where I have served. Sisters watch in some wards, Men Nurses in others; and each watcher receives from the house, on going on night duty, a bottle of beer, a can with about six or eight cups of coffee, milk and sugar in proportion, and three slices of bread and butter. The Sister’s bottle of beer is about one pint; the Man-Nurse’s double; his coffee can is also a good deal larger. The rule of allowing sufficient for three solid refreshments (which of course can if desired be made by the watcher two or three) during the night, is an excellent one. I think it would be very sound economy to allow each Orderly on night duty, a proportion of beer or porter, of coffee or tea, and of bread and butter, or bread and cheese, to take at his own time during his watch, besides his supper before going on duty, and his breakfast just before 6, (both Nurse and Orderlies ought to have breakfasted by 6, and to begin the day duty at 6, and I wish it began by opening the windows and repeating the short prayers for 5 or 6 reverent minutes). Of course it may be considered preferable to reckon this night-ration in the Orderly’s rations. Or suppose the bread and beer or porter to be reckoned in the rations, and a can of coffee given him for the night watch. Settle details as is best, and of course analogies must be considered; but in truth hospital watching is a very peculiar business; important, unobtrusive, most peculiarly trying, and the bright side of very few Hospitals. Each watcher should undoubtedly have refreshment for the night. The Nurse should have her groceries in the lump, and refresh herself as she likes out of them. Her watching, if she does her duty, will be, when she has bad cases, severe enough; but I would not provide her with extra refreshment; as the watching is not prescribed and regular duty.