The Humanities in Nursing

Abstract

W E meet today because of a common interest, an interest which for untold generations has dedicated the lives of those practicing medicine or nursing to the alleviation of suffering and the betterment of mankind. We who through choice, through chance, through urging, or through opportunity find ourselves in this group should be devout in our gratitude, for we find ourselves attempting to walk along pathways trod by those who have done great good to mankind. Such examples as have been set by the great leaders in both your profession and mine should make us humble and also determined in our efforts to give in turn the best of which we are capable. Though only recently, a dayHospital Day-has been set aside for formal undertakings by our group, we can well imagine the thousands of similar gatherings that have preceded our time. In the great Asclepieia of ancient Greece, such as the one at Cos where Hippocrates taught and practiced, like celebrations occurred and in the middle ages meetings dictated by similar motives gave rise to great religious orders and edifices. The setting aside of such a day creates a break in our busy lives that is healthy and of value not only for ourselves but for the public for whom we labor. On our part it means a breathing spell and an opportunity to take stock of our activities, to see perhaps a little more clearly than one can in the hurly-burly of an active, busy day whither we are going and whether we cannot do better. For the public such a day of celebration may give