Page:Nurses for the sick.djvu/26

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NURSES FOR THE SICK.

For such, there must be definite advice, and a definite plan laid down.

I have shown that there are openings for those who, in the humbler classes, are desiring to do some useful work in a particular vocation.

The number and variety of callings which educated women are needed to fill, I cannot pretend to recount. But I may say, without fear of contradiction, that there is not a hospital, a prison, a workhouse, or an institution of any kind, where the presence of an educated and Christian woman would not be a blessing. In some institutions they are required, not singly, but by tens, twenties, or more. I do not say that they are universally desired as yet. That time is still to come. But supposing they were wanted, are they to be had? If not, let us be preparing for the time when they will assuredly be called for.

One reason why the demand is not yet made, is that we know the right persons would not be forthcoming. And why is this, but because there is, and has been, no possibility of their being trained to useful work of any kind?

I suppose I am not wrong in saying that there is really nothing of an industrial or useful character taught in the present girls' schools for the upper classes. Some supplementary education would surely, therefore, be desirable for such as look forward to the management of their own households, or to practical life in any sphere.