Jefferson Medical College School of Nursing - Nosokomos Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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To This Graduating Class. AM deeply conscious of the compliment conferred by asking me to contribute to your book for which you have worked so persistently and with an admirable de- gree of faith and hope. You are very rapidly approaching the time when you will no longer be subjected to the restraining and sometimes irksome influences of your school. This in- dependence brings you to a future of greater oppor- tunity and greater responsibility. It is but natural that you approach that future with high hopes of the success and happiness it may hold for you. It is also to be expected that mixed with the hopes you find some degree of apprehension of just what your posi- tion in that future may be. You are graduating into a world that has under- gone rapid changes in its recent history. Old ideas of confidence and sense of security have been much dis- turbed. This should not be a cause for discourage- ment but rather calls for clear visioned thinking about what place your profession with its splendid tradition of service will occupy in the readjustment which is slowly but surely taking place. We welcome you to a profession as old as time itself but whose modern history is of comparatively recent date. Much progress has been made since our famous leader began her program of education for the Fifty-two nurse. Many errors have been made but the progress has been steady and sure. Recently a large sum of money contributed almost entirely by members of our profession has been spent in making a nation-wide study of the system of nursing education. Surely this shows a determination and courage to face facts and a will- ingness to accept changes which may deem it necessary to improve opportunities for future members of the profession. Into this state of readjustment you are now taking your equipment of enthusiasm, imagina- tion, and love of people. If you are to be a successful nurse you must possess these attributes. If you are to join the ranks of those who carry on the traditions of your profession you will need in addition a sound philosophy of life that will be a source of steadfast- ness to yourself and to those dependent upon you. Your course here has been but a preparation for advancement. Do not lose sight of the fact that con- tinued growth is the result of continued effort. Of great value to you will be post-graduate courses, a study of professional magazines and cultural courses of study. I congratulate you and wish you good health and success. May you bring to your profession inspiration, renewed purpose, vigor and faith. Nom E. Si-IOEMAKER, R. N.

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XI. Immediate Reaction to V. The Influence of Secular Orders 1271 to 1500 Nursing was done by a number of orders which refused to be bound by the laws of the church and retained much social independence. The Beguines was one of these peculiar orders. They established communities for charitable service with nursing the chief service. VI. Beginning of Decline of Nursing 1500 to 1675 The crisis of Reformation began about 1520, and after the introduction of Protestantism monks and nuns either had their convents or monasteries de- stroyed or were rendered so poor they could not carry on nursing. VII. The Dark Period of' Nursing 1675 to 1850 Civilian influence gradually produced a period of stagnation and lack of interest in nursing which was increased by lack of funds with which to carry on. Nurses were overworked, underfed and poorly housed. Eventually only the poorest classes of women could be induced to take up nursing. These had no sense of dignity or humanity and were usually ignor- ant, dishonest, drunken, and immoral. VIII. Revival of' the Deaconess 1836 In Holland the Mennonites had church workers corresponding to the deaconesses. These nurses were the inspiration of Pastor Theodore Flagner, of Keaser- werth, Germany. ln 1836 he opened the first modern deaconess hospital in Keaserwerth, Germany. Much of the early nursing, including that of the Revolution- ary and Civil Wars, was done by religious orders. It seems well to record here that monks and nuns of the Catholic Church, in spite of political differences, wars, and periodical inclifferences of civilians, have devotedly taken care of the sick and the poor. They are still carrying on and in the progress of times. IX. Influence of New Methods in Medicine and Surgery- 1865 to 1898 Many new fields were opened as Anesthesia, 1846, Louis Pasteur's germ theory of disease in 18543 in 1843, Dr. Cack introduces the new method of labora- tory technic Lord Joseph Lister introduced surgical asepsis in 1827. The work of these men, with many more, had a great influence on nursing. The new methods of treatment required more skill in nursing. Florence Nightingale, as a contemporary, con- tributed to the success of their achievements by formulating a plan of nursing adapted to the needs of a new technic. X. Nursing Under a New Influence?-1898 to 1914- Signs of a dawning group conscoinsness in nurses were shown about the time of the Spanish-American War. Its first evidence appeared in the organization of the Alumnae Association. Some of these nurses, united primarily to keep in touch with their own schools, visioned the advantages to be gained from broader contacts stimulated by representation in a congress of hospitals and dispensaries which met in Chicago in 1893. These pioneers of a profes- sion brought about national union of their scattered groups. Among its outstanding results have been the laws governing registration, many changes in educational methods, establish- ment of funds for relief of sick and needy members, and the beginning of growth of body of nursing literature. till, of , SHE E 5 . as ,lg 'fi ll Krlij 'lf l'laSPlfa Used? 'V -J 1-,..ll..ll. Fa.. yr? World War-1918 to 1920 The cessation of the World War brought the nursing profession out of its isolation from other lines of work. its interests have established a closer connnection with those of all other pro- fessional women. Y Sisterlof- cbd-Pi-9 2-su! K. ser-sue:-th Deaconess .f Nw f l ML.. t-Ssbtrh Num Fifty-one

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Occupational Therapy Department CCUPATIONAL Therapy has been defined as any activity, mental or physical, definitely prescribed and guided for the distinct purpose of contributing to and hastening recovery from disease or injury. Occupational Therapy for over a hundred years has been used for the treatment of mental patients, and for quite a long time in the rehabilitation of the blind and crippled. lt received a fresh impetus in the latter direc- tion during and after the World War. Since the war, Occupational Therapy has spread into the General Hos- pitals, where its use is manifold, in the treatment of orthopedic cases where certain muscles and parts are exercised for certain results, and also in the treatment of long time cases wheretrecreation, change of environment and change of mental outlook through occupation will hasten recovery from illness and injury. Its applica- tion will make the chronic patient more comfortable physically as well as mentally and often improve his condition. Certainly the creation of a pleasant lnental attitude, the stimulation of interest and the feeling of worth-while-ness which results from any work satis- factorily done has a distinct advantageous result on the patient and is one of the basic aims of Occupational Therapy. It is generally conceded that a sick man suffers a mental let-down and is below the state of mind of the normally healthy person. Take a man with a broken leg, forced to lie in bed, apparently amused and with plenty of friends to entertain him. He soon misses the routine of accustomed daily life and his physical in- activity weighs upon him mentally, thereby interfering with his appetite, digestion and excretions. The physical inactivity produces physiological changes and discontent appears with its train of evil results. Occupational Therapy by giving the patient an interest outside him- self as much physical exertion as he can stand, counter- acts the evils of discontent and inactivity. There is also the patient to be considered who 'len- joys his illnessi' and does not want to get well. This condition may become so marked as to become a psychosis. Frequently, by the use of graded activities and occupations, such a patient may be brought to a realization of his capabilities and thereby make a bet- ter adjustment to life. Since 1923 Occupational Therapy has had its place in Jefferson Hospital. In the beginning the work was done entirely by volunteers and they used as their head- quarters the little room beside what is now our Alcove Shop. Then, on September the first, 1928, the new and thoroughly modern Occupational Therapy Depart- ment on the eighth floor, opened its doors. Through the generosity and interest of Mrs. ,lohn C. Martin, Chairman of the Occupational Therapy Committee, we were given the beautiful rooms we now occupy, after struggling along in the one small room on the first floor. There the work was confined mainly to sewing and a small amount of basketry, the books and maga- zines which were also carried to the bed patients by the workers and volunteers. Since the day of opening here on the eighth floor, they have been able to carry on most adequately the various arts and crafts, both in the shop and in the wards. The equipment is very fine and the patients derive a great deal of pleasure and benefit from being able to workvin such ideal surroundings. The library, which consists of many books in many languages, is very much in demand. Each year they have been closer to the goal of being self-supporting, and now in 1933 they can see a very satisfactory report as to the finances. The Easter and Christmas sales were both supported generously by the nurses and doctors, and they have made the sales of the work of the patients a real success. E. M. PARRY ANNE Heisman Fifty-three