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

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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

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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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The C-ist of It HAVE you ever stopped by the side of a lake on a gray day - when the clouds are ash heaps of wood ashes? Under the leaden skies the water as gray as a bird's wing, but still, absolutely without a ripple. Then, as the cloud above decided to share its jest, its courage, its faith, its life, the surface of the water began to move. Ripples fairly ran in shudders from bank to bank. Gradually these ripples began to break and then to flash in broken lines like the fluff of sails. Little waves be- gan to splash against the shore. The sky changes its complexion - there shone out fields of pale blue. This blue courage and hope was caught by the water, which in turn seemed to fairly bubble with new energy, with new consciousness of life. The only joy in life is the joy of giving. This cloud had given its best to the lake. The fundamental motive of Social Service is that of sharing. This is not a new idea but is always taking on new aspects. Life is so vivid, so changing, so con- fusing but also so creative, that one desires to make the most out of it while here. Emerson has said that the way to mend the bad world is to create the right world. How can this be done? What must be used in this recreation? First of all knowledge, then faith and cour- age. These three things were demonstrated by the cloud with the lake. They are most unhappy who dare to bury within themselves the thing which some one else needs more than they do. The only way to keep the sparkle in life is to share, not grudgingly nor sparingly, but to reduce one's own needs to a minimum so that there might be more to share. Social Service is a study in sharing. The particular place of each one in society is determined by his rela- tionship to the other members of the group. Those known to the Social Worker are maladjustments. They have come because there is something unusual and a need for intermediary service. There is in each one Fifty-four of these the possibility of regulating the misfit human inter-relation to one of more complete harmony and unity. How deftly this must be done! We must not block our own kicks. A well-defined technique must be used but great care should be taken that in the use of this technique no one suffers. There is such a thing as paralysis of analysisf, The centipede was happy quite Until the frog for fun Asked, Which leg comes after which? It threw him into such a fright And raised his mind to such a pitch That he lay distracted in a ditch, Not knowing how to run. Though off our theme upon which we were asked to write, may we add this word -- How often we have seen busy nurses sharing, doing unrecorded acts of help- fulness absolutely apart from the requirements of their professional duties. This has been especially true of many of the girls in this particular class. They gathered together in the fall of the year When the air was all pregnant with life, In a service house by the side of the road A goodly company of girls. Upon a pilgrimage they were bent And felt that they by Cod had been sent To prepare themselves his people to serve, And from their purpose they would not swerve Though the road ahead was all steep and long With trials and burdens quite heavy to be borne. They kept their eyes on the task complete Never allowing themselves to know defeat. To the yield of the world they are going out to serve May their lives be benedictions, their presence light. ESTELLE A. WASSON, Director, Social Service Department -.W -