THE IMPRESSIONS OF A DIETITIAN IN THE NAVY

Abstract

is a very attractive Naval Hospital, situated on a hill studded with stately pine trees, from which can be seen a beautiful panorama embracing snow-capped mountain ranges; Puget Sound, that picturesque inland sea with its irregular coast line, and the artistic towns built upon the hillside along the shore. In this pleasant environment fifteen congenial Navy nurses are endeavoring to do their bit working cheerfully in the wards, operating room, laboratory, or wherever they may be assigned by the most considerate of commanding officers. The routine duties of a Naval Hospital are the same at all posts, we instruct the hospital corps men in the care of the sick, both practically and theoretically, in the same manner that we would teach pupil nurses in a civilian hospital, and the more conscientiously we do our duty as instructors, the larger the area which our usefulness will spread, as these hospital corps men go forth to the battleships with the instruction which we have imparted to them, and are the nursing medium in saving numbers of lives. In leisure hours, some of our number study French, with preparedness as their motto; others are musically inclined, practising on the mandolin, ukelele, and cther instruments; soon we may have a Jazz band of our own. Then the alluring attractions of the Sound, bathing, boating and fishing, help to enliven our spare moments. Entertainments are given at the Armory of the Navy Yard, where all may enjoy the best talent, and last, but not least, are the weekly dances chaperoned by the charming wife of the Commandant of the Navy Yard. Why not join our merry company? The U. S. N. Nurses of Puget Sound Naval Hospital will give you a cordial greeting. Perhaps our work has not the stimulus of the unusual which may be found by the nurses who have gone over there but the service is just as creditable and just as necessary.