=The Physician and the Patient.= After the patient has been examined, the doctor carefully explains to him the nature of his disease, and the precautions necessary. Since these directions must often be brief and hurried, he will further add that he is sending a nurse to the patient’s home, to act under his orders, and see that certain directions are carried out. In this manner, the doctor prepares the way for the nurse’s visit, and gives her an authority which greatly facilitates her work. With this assistance, it is far easier to gain the patient’s confidence than if it has been forgotten or withheld. The orders concerning the patient are then given to the nurse, and if these include admission to an institution, it is her duty to arrange all the necessary details, and so relieve the physician of much time-consuming work. =Duties of the Nurse.= If a community has a special dispensary as well as a special nurse, the nurse’s duties are twofold, and should include not only the home supervision of the patients, but attendance at the dispensary as well. She is the connecting link between the two. In this way, her intimate knowledge of home conditions is placed at the physician’s disposal, who is then able to give sounder advice and deal more intelligently with his patients if he has some knowledge of their environment. The nurse’s presence at the dispensary is often a considerable assistance in persuading patients to come. Patients are often frightened and shy, and dread the unknown, consequently it is better if the nurse can give them the comforting assurance that she will be on hand to welcome them. From her knowledge of their home conditions, she also knows which cases can afford to wait, and which should be taken out of turn and given immediate attention. It is thus possible to deal with them in a personal and intelligent manner. Since at present the control of tuberculosis lies largely with the patients themselves, and depends almost wholly upon their good-will and co-operation, it is necessary to establish this co-operation as firmly as possible. The duties of the nurse consist in taking the history of the patient; taking his weight and temperature, and preparing him for physical examination. If the patient is a woman, she must be present while this examination is made. She also gives such drugs as may have been prescribed. On his arrival, each patient receives a paper napkin to hold over his mouth during coughing attacks, and to use for expectoration. A special receptacle should be provided for these soiled napkins, and they should afterwards be burned. The nurse should come to the dispensary half an hour before it opens, in order to put it in readiness,—to take out the charts and histories, attend to the drugs, place towels and sheets in the examining rooms, and so forth. Whenever the clinic becomes large enough to require it, it will become necessary to place the clerical work in charge of a clerk.