Experience and consideration will probably give rise to the following conclusion--except in war and in retired stations abroad, not to have Rations; still less to let the Nurses “find themselves,” for the following reasons:--(1.) It is important that the Nurses should not have this excuse for being absent from their duties--“that they have been to get provisions.” (When absent, it should be in pursuit of health and exercise.) (2.) If the Nurse is to cook for herself, greater accommodation will be required than the _one_ room recommended, otherwise the necessary cleanliness cannot be observed. To commute the Rations for mess-money, to put this mess-money in charge of the Matron, wherever there is a market; wherever there is none, to let her “_draw_” for such provisions on her own indent, as she thinks best, upon the Purveyor, appears to me the safest course. For with regard to this question of dieting the Nurses it should never be forgotten that, in all cases (how much more in those where great physical fatigue and mental anxiety are involved) that principle is the best, if such can be established, which settles diet with a view to producing the highest physical efficiency. Variety and mode of cooking are two essential elements in this. And there can be no doubt that, if a Matron will take the trouble to consult the tastes of her Nurses, together with the above conditions, a better diet might be laid down than could be secured by leaving them solely to their unassisted vagaries and ignorance of what is really the best diet. Community of cooking also implies economy. Also the Nurse ought not to be permitted to starve herself, to save money. Her time is too valuable to allow of her cooking her own dinner; but she should always prepare her own breakfast and tea, when and of what she prefers herself, if she feels inclined to do so. [Sidenote: If not commutable,] Where, however, the system of rations must be adopted, three ways remain of working it:-- [Sidenote: (1.) Shall the Nurse cook her own Rations?] (1.) Let each Nurse receive, and cook her own rations. [Sidenote: (2.) Shall the Matron cook and send them?] (2.) Let the rations be delivered _en masse_ to the Matron, who has them cooked, sending her proportion to each Nurse. [Sidenote: (3.) Shall the Matron have each Nurse’s Dinner cooked for her, as she likes best?] (3.) Let the Matron, requiring a small payment to cover expenses, arrange that each Nurse can receive her dinner cooked as she wishes it. There is something of this sort at the London Hospital; where the Nurses (and Assistant Nurses) have the right of sending their joint to be boiled or baked in one of the kitchen stoves.