University Medical College - Scalpel Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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f 1 A illvirnapvrtinn in 1923 , AY is dying in the west. The golden chariot of fire sinks low. From glorious rays of the most burnished, they fade to a softened and delicate hue, until slowly, slowly it sinks from view, and in the azure ultramarine sky the tiny stars twinkle forth from their hiding place in a fleecy bank of cumulous clouds. The silver moon peeps out throwing his silver rays upon the landscape. This is the picture before me as I sit in my invalid chair at one of the low French window-s of my fair villa in sunny Italy, and think of my life of youth, health and activity twenty years ago. During two years of that time there came to me the most valuable experience one can enjoy, indeed, attain to. For some time I had co-ntemplated taking a course in a hospital training school and becoming a trained nurse. Con-sequently I entered the University Hospital Training School for nurses at Kansas City, Mo., then affiliated with the University Medical Col- lege, a noble institution of its kind, known both for the phenominal powers and compe- tency of the faculty and its exceptional class of students. This, with these favorable sur- roundings, and perfect equipment, the University Training School stood forth, symbolic of an ideal school for nurses. I was agreeably surprised to find -that my class-mates were very congenial and exactly the sort of women destined to make a name for them- selves in their chosen profession. Thus We lived together in the nurses' home-thirty- six girls, differentiated widely enough in personal traits, to result in a delightful char- acter study. Mi-ss Forrester was our superintendent of nurses and I am free to say that my limited qualifications are, indeed, inadequate to unfold to you a picture of her life as I saw, and still see her. She was from one of Kansas City's best and aristocratic families. When I say aristocratic your mind immediately deduces a society Woman, not high, but, indeed, high society. Thus she came to us perfected intellectually and professionally. Tall and impressive, possessing a manner causing one to really love to fulfill her every wish. A true lady-and I do not hesitate in saying that her influence on my life was not small. And did I need good influence in school? Wa-s I an angel? Ask Mother Liston. Miss Forrester is now happily married to a progressive undertaker, and I often see her when she and her devoted Jeremiah make their annual run across the pond, in quest of the very latest antiquities in coffin handles and hearse plumes. Dr. John M. Von. Frankenburger Chow he acquired hisname isbeyo-nd my com- prehensionl, spends a few months each year in his native land, acquiring the true ac- cent. Dr. J. M. V. F. was the worthy manager of the University Hospital, and his un- ruffled disposition, acquired while kick adjuster of that placid institution, won him many friends among all of the different nations of the earth. Consequently he finds it neces- sary in -order to handle his extensive office practice quietly, to employ seven interpre- ters and a Latin stenographer. It has been a great pleasure in the years that have flown, to keep the girls, or many of them, located, as they have strayed in so many dif- ferent paths. F-or I loved many in the old surroundings. Girls, strictly, remember, and sin-ce I have told you of them, collectively, I will, of those I can, give my impressions individually.

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Uhr Cilraining Svrhnul The demand for well equipped and thoroughly educated nurses has never been as great as at the present time. Legislators, influenced by educated and consciencious members of the profession, fully realize the need of the credulous public in protection against the ignorant and unscrupulous pretender. As a result of this finding, they put forth a means to an elevation of the nursing profession. In order that the chosen few should acquire this standard, it has ever been the aim and ambition of the trustees of the University Hospital to have the nur-ses graduated from its wards second to none. Hence no means or efforts have been spared to reach this high standard in this insti- tution. In the first place the one applying for admittance to training must be of good standing, socially, mentally and physically. A high school education and the best of references are required and even then they are taken in on probation for two months and if they prove to the superintendent that they are worthy of the training they are furnished with a uniform and begin their real training which now lasts three years fthe two months probation includedl. They have an allotted time to serve in the different capacities in a surgical hospital-for instance, two months on night duty, same time in operating room, drug room, etc. They graduate three years from date of entrance, and are allowed three weeks vacation each year. Uhr Svvninrag-IEIIIB MISS GRACE POVVERS. .. .... Lawrence, Kas. MISS FAY IGPLING ..... ...Columbus Kas. MISS FLGRA GRAFFIN. .. ...... Eureka, Kas. MISS ANNA IVVGOD ......... .. .Richmond, Kas. MISS EFFIE KING ............ .... B lythedale, Mo. MISS MAMIE NVILLIAMSGN. .. ..... Gttawa, Kas MISS FLORENCE HALEY ..... ....... G ttawa, Kas MISS CECIL LISTGN ........... ...Kansas City, Mo Miss KATHERINE BARKMAN. .. .... Junction City, Kas MISS CARRIE GIBBQNS ........ . . . . . ..... Coffeyville, Kas MISS IRINIA BRAY ........ ....................... B aldwin, Kas MISS HILDA ABBGTT .... .... G rassmont, near Hereford, England

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Grace Crosby Powers was an Eastern girl perfectly trained in those delightful typi- cally Eastern places of learning for young ladies. Her feminine charms, protecting in her school life to a nicety were in her social life unfolded to the world, and she had scores of men at her feet. This aimless life of society and travel bored her, and she began to realize her value, and accordingly entered the University Hospital Training School for Nurses, called to this noble institution by her finer senses. She remained in the University Hospital the allotted time, naturally having many unusual experiences, not being an or- dinary nurse, and of course, men entertained precisely the same views of her as they did in her Eastern life. Incidentally, Cupid, at one time during her training nearly persuaded her that she had met her natural affinity, but the other party, contrary to expectations, didn't materialize, or at least fate intervened and she went from our midst a typical Bachelor Girl. Naturally, she received offers of hospital positions, some of national renown. But no, in thinking that private nursing would more benefit mankind, she refused them. However, after a certain interval, she more deeply realized her position and returned to the East, where her accomplishments could be better appreciated. And then, suddenly, like a tremendous awakening the real intent of nat-ure for her lifels work was recognized. This keen and perceptive minded Grace Powers was to be an exact counterpart of the so-called fictitious Sherlock Holmes, and she became the world's best known woman de- tective. I lost note of her for owing to her own desire- and impulse, her newspaper popu- larity waned, but I learned that she did at length meet her earthly affinity. If so I am content only to hope that it is true, and that she may happily enjoy life among a people of her own per-ception and appreciation. I - Another interesting girl, whom I well remember, was Miss Fay Jopling. She was bright and talented-an artist-but she was not puffed up over the fact that she could manipulate more than -one kind of br-ush. Of course, while in training she had more practice with bristle brushes, green soap, alcohol, ether, Herrington's Tr. of Iodine and gauze wash rags, than oils and colors. Her talent was too great, however, to be eradicat- ed by a paltry two years hard work in a training school for nurses. After a few years private nursing her ship came in-in the form of a rich HG. P. who, recognizing her great talent, as something worth while, sent 'her to Paris for five years. Now she is famous the world over for her wonderful studies in violet and grey. I read not long since a strange chronicle. The heroine so much reminded me of a nurse in training. I faintly remember her, she Wore glasses and came from Eure- ka, Kas., and her first name was John, Oh, pardon, why I must be flustrated, John isn't a girl's or a woman's name. Nevertheless, notwithstanding these many conflictions this is the chronicle. Now there dwelt in the land of the setting sun, west of the Walnut in the land of Eureka, forsooth, a brown-eyed maid of the House of Graffin, and thither, in this land, did her bondswomen -and handmaidens -minister unto her with myrrh, ointment and mu-ch purple and fine linen, and day unto day did she bask in the sun with her harp and psaltery, even so, a princess of joy and beauty of face. And straightway, it became spread throughout the land, concerning her, and much were the wise men, and love- makers wrought up within themselves. And straightway, there journeyed from the East u young prince of the tribe of John, coming thither to inquire concerning her, and he bowed low before her and did do obeisance unto her, and spake, saying, Oh daughter of the women of Graffin, long have come to my land tales of thy charms, and the half was