Is there an ideal nurse in the house?

[gordonartist]

Extract from "Exanthemologia", written by Dr. Thomas Fuller, Physician of Sevenoaks, Kent. Written in 1730.

Qualifications for the Ideal Nurse.

"Though it is impossible to meet with a nurse every way so qualify'd for the business, as to have no faults or failings, yet the more she cometh up to the following particulars, the more she is to be liked. It is therefore desirable that she be:

I. Fit and able to go through the necessary fatigue of her undertaking. 2. Healthy.

3. A good watcher.

4. Quick of hearing, and always ready at first call.

5. Quiet and still, so as to talk low, and but little, and tread softly.

6. Of good sight.

7. Handy to so everything the best way, without blundering and noise. 8. Nimble and quick a-going, a-coming, and a-doing everything.

9. Cleanly, to make all she dresseth acceptable.

10. Well-tempered, to humour and please the sick as much as she can. 11. Cheerful and pleasant, to make the best of everything, without being at any time cross, melancholy, or timorous.

12. Constantly careful, and diligent by night and by day.

13. Sober and temperate; not given to gluttony, drinking or smoaking. 14. Observant to follow the physician's orders duly; and not to be so conceited of her own skill as to give her own medicines privately."

Take care,

Gordon.