After breakfast, round to count pulses & respirations, note condition,
dress any wound, in charge, etc. At 1/2 past 8 o'clock go the rounds with
the resident physician (Dr. Berlin), all the students, & superintendent of
nurses. Then put up medicine, each for her own patients (about 8 in no.),
give electricity, etc. If one's patient has an ache or pain, the nurse
whistles for the student (my whistle is 2). She sees the patient orders
what is necessary, or if serious reports to Dr. Berlin. Then there is some
microscopic work, & copying out the history & daily record of the case &
making out the temperature charts more than fills in the day. At 8 o'clock
we all in conclave report about our patients & talk over any interesting
case. One of my patients has empyema following pleurisy. I inject into her
chest about a doz. of different preparations. Several of my patients (I
have all the very sick just now) require very careful watching.
In the evening we go round again & count pulses & respirations & note
temperatures. If a very sick patient, in the middle of the day; also take
pulse, etc. The number of visits depending on the need & the competency of
the nurse. I like introducing lint into wounds (such simple ones as an
incised abscess of the breast) with the probe, because if I take trouble
enough I can do it without hurting the patient, much to the patient's
surprise.
The other day Mr. & Mrs. Marvin called to see me with Mrs. & Miss
Callender--I enjoyed their visit much. To-day Mr. Marvin drove over to
fetch me to lunch, & I had a beautiful drive over to Dorchester; in the
afternoon a game of lawn tennis, a stroll down to the creek, & drive home
by Forest Hill Cemetery & Jamaica Pond. The air was fresh after a shower &
golden-tinted, & the drive through beautiful lanes & country. All were
friendly & it was refreshing to emerge from the little hospital world. Mr.
Marvin's cordial face greeted me when I was speaking to some patients in
hammocks, under the trees, the day he called, much to my surprise.
I was to-day feeling the need of a little change of air & scene, so that
the visit was most opportune.
Mr. Morse[28] is working away desperately at the bust of you; he feels as
if he would get on famously if he could only catch a glimpse of you. Now
might not you come to Boston on your way to Chesterfield, ride up in the
open horsecars (a very pleasant ride) to see me also and give Mr. Morse
the benefit of a sitting? How I wish we could get Mrs. Stafford in here;
the patients get most excellent care. I have great confidence in Dr.
Berlin & in the attending physician. I do not want her to come for a
month, because Dr. Berlin has just gone away for a vacation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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