Of What Is the Nature of Nursing?

N a little book entitled, Counsels and Ideals from the Writings of Dr. William Osler, we find, in the preface, an inclusive interpretation of the query, What is the nature of nursing? in these words, Treat the but don't forget his human Following this line of thought, the writer continues, Train the student but don't forget the mandon't forget the struggles with poverty and self-the problems of getting onhow bear success-how face disappointment-in short, the human side of the training. I These words were written provide inspiration in the training of physicians, but they may as aptly be applied the training of nurses. Reading between the lines we sense the philosophy which underlies the science and the art of nursing. We see here indicated the methods which will underlie the education of the future. We see also the type of student from which nurses may be developed, and at the same time the necessity for great and inspired teachers. Dr. Osler was a great scholar. He was also a great teacher, and his ability gather his pupils about him, and live and think with them was the secret of his success. To this, the fortieth convention of the National League of Nursing Education, from every part of our country we have come the nation's beautiful capital, where questions of public welfare of national and international concern are being studied, and where momentous problems involving world harmony are uppermost in the thoughts of our statesmen. These problems are of vital significance, and will only be solved through the sacrifice and mutual understanding of nations, for they, too, have their human side. Discord and differences will never be effaced till all nations gain insight, sufficiently clear, agree to treat the patient, yet ''not forget the human Nursing of all professions is a human profession and belongs the whole world. It knows no color nor