THE OUTLINE OF A THREE MONTHS' PREPARATORY COURSE FOR PROBATIONERS

Abstract

THE Boston City Hospital introduced the three years' course of training in January, 1906, and at the same time instituted a preparatory training of three months for the probation classes. A class enters every three months, although it is hoped that later on only three classes will be admitted each year. The course includes theoretical instruction, teaching by demonstration, and practice in the practice room and wards of the hospital. In order to meet the needs of the class, a practice room was prepared on the lower floor of the Nurses' Home containing beds, furniture and appliances for the sick room, and, also, a school room was fitted up, by furnishing a large sitting room on the second floor of the Vose House with a teacher's desk and chair, a blackboard, and pupils' desks and chairs. The first week the members meet daily in the practice room at eight o'clock A.M. for practical instruction in making beds, with bed rests, cradles and other appliances: during this period, they have the care of their own rooms, sweeping, dusting and bed-making under supervision; they receive special instruction in the cleanliness of set bowls, wall-stands and all utensils, linen-rooms and the folding of linen; they are taught the use of hot and cold applications, including the making of fomentations and poultices, and the care of rubber goods of all kinds; the making of surgical supplies, pads, sponges, tampons, etc., in the out-patient departments: the use of slings, binders and supports in the wards, and the use of antiseptics, disinfectants and deodorants, and preparation of solutions. This subject includes the tables of weights and measures, the use of graduates, abbreviations and symbols necessary in the administration of medicines. The topic of the temperature of the body involving heat production and radiation, the use of the clinical thermometer, and preparation of charts with the record of pulse and respiration are carefully studied. All the details of the toilet and comfort of the patient in the giving of baths, care of the teeth, hair and nails, prevention of bedsores, special attention to the mouth, eyes, ears and nose are fully considered. During the second week, from the seventh to the tenth day, the probationers are sent to the wards from seven to ten-thiity o'clock in 946