NOTES ON NURSING
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
HARRISON AND SONS, London, 1924
A rare 1924 edition of Florence Nightingale’s nursing handbook, Notes on Nursing, identical to the 1914 edition which was published at start of the First World War for use by members of the VAD and RAMC. First published in 1859 by Harrison & Sons of Pall Mall, the book was intended to give hints on nursing to those 'who have personal charge of the health of others'. Nightingale stressed that it was not meant to be a comprehensive training guide, but a useful aid in the practice of treating patients.
In her introduction to the 1974 edition, Joan Quixley, then head of the Nightingale School of Nursing, wrote that despite the passage of time since Notes on Nursing was published, 'the book astonishes with its relevance to modern attitudes and skills in nursing, whether this be practised at home by the 'ordinary woman', in hospital or in the community. . . The book was the first of its kind ever to be written. It appeared at a time when the simple rules of health were only beginning to be known, when its topics were of vital importance not only for the well-being and recovery of patients, when hospitals were riddled with infection, when nurses were still mainly regarded as ignorant, uneducated persons. The book has, inevitably, its place in the history of nursing, for it was written by the founder of modern nursing'.
The book includes advice on the following subjects: ventilation and warming, health in houses, petty management (how things are done by others when you must be away), noise, variety (environment), food, bed and bedding, light, cleanliness, chattering hopes and advices (the false assurances and recommendations of family and friends to the sick), and observation of the sick.
Florence Nightingale: Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) was an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale came to prominence while serving as a manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, in which she organised care for wounded soldiers at Constantinople. She gave nursing a favourable reputation and became an icon of Victorian culture, especially in the persona of "The Lady with the Lamp" making rounds of wounded soldiers at night. It has been argued that Nightingale's Crimean War achievements were exaggerated by the media at the time, but critics agree on the importance of her later work in professionalising nursing roles for women. In 1860, she laid the foundation of professional nursing with the establishment of her nursing school at St Thomas' Hospital in London. It was the first secular nursing school in the world, and is now part of King's College London. In recognition of her pioneering work in nursing, the Nightingale Pledge taken by new nurses, and the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international distinction a nurse can achieve, were named in her honour, and the annual International Nurses Day is celebrated on her birthday. Her social reforms included improving healthcare for all sections of British society, advocating better hunger relief in India, helping to abolish prostitution laws that were harsh for women, and expanding the acceptable forms of female participation in the workforce.
Condition:
In good condition. The cloth covered boards are in good condition, very slightly bowed, with general signs of use, and some marks. The binding and hinges are very good and secure. The text is in very good condition, with some minor foxing to the endpapers and title page, and just a few other spots of foxing in the text. There is an ink signature of 'E. B. Aynsley, Bedlington' on the front endpapers.
Published: 1924
Khaki boards with brown titling
Dimensions: 125mm x 190mm
Pages: 160
