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Florence Nightingale was born at Villa Colombia in Florence, Italy on May 12th 1820. She was the daughter of Frances and William Edward Nightingale. |
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William Edward Nightingale was born William Edward Shore in 1794. He changed his name to Nightingale when he became twenty-one, after inheriting a fortune from his Uncle Peter Nightingale. He had been a very wealthy landowner in Derbyshire. |
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Her mother Frances was born in 1788, the daughter of William Smith MP. She had ten brothers and sisters, who were bought up at Parndon Hall in Essex, and their London house in Park Street. Fanny was a very beautiful woman, and enjoyed the social whirl of parties, theatre and travel. In 1816 she fell in love with the Honourable James Sinclair, son of the Earl of Caithness. Her father felt that he would not be able support his daughter in the lifestyle she was accustomed to. The affair was at an end. |
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Fanny was six years older that William Edward Nightingale when they became engaged in 1817. They were married the following year on the 1st June, and left soon after to travel in Europe. In 1819, they had their first daughter who was born in Naples, and named Frances Parthenope. Their second child was Florence, who was born on May12 1820, at Villa Colombia in Florence. They had only two daughters; it would have been better if one of them was a boy, because of the conditions of Williams's inheritance. This meant that when he died if he had no son, the property he inherited would pass to his sister, and next to her eldest son. |
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After travelling in Europe for three years, Fanny felt it was time to return to England. They had no family home in England, as the property William had inherited was run down, and not suitable for a family. William left his family in Italy and travelled to England. He had land in Derbyshire, which he planned to build a new home. Lea Hurst was in the countryside, with terraced gardens and wonderful views. Fanny felt that Lea Hurst was too small for entertaining, although it had fifteen bedrooms, also it was very cold in the winter. She also wanted to be closer to London. |
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In 1825 William bought Embley Park, in Hampshire. Fanny felt that Embley was much more suitable, and she was also near to her sisters. They spent the summer at Lea Hurst, and the winter at Embley Park, twice during the year they would spend time in London. |
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Fanny loved to entertain, and often had a house full of family and friends. Florence was not close to her mother, but adored her father. She and her sister Parthe were completely different characters. Florence was neat, intelligent and liked order, Parthe loved to enjoy herself, and did not like to study. William would teach them Greek, Latin, German, French, Italian, History and philosophy. They learnt music and drawing from a Governess. Florence spent a lot of time with her father, and they grew very close. |
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William's sister Mary (Aunt Mai) married Fanny's brother Samuel Smith. In 1831 they had a son, William Shore. It would be him who would inherit William's property, on the death of his mother. |
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William Nightingale stood for MP for Andover in 1834, but was defeated. Fanny had made such plans for William, and liked the idea of being an MP's wife, and of having a home in London. With Williams's defeat he would spend more time alone in his library, and walking. |
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When Parthe and Florence reaching sixteen and seventeen, Fanny felt it was time for them to `come out'. This would mean a great deal of entertaining, to launch the girls into society. William agreed with Fanny that Embley was the most suitable place to do this, as they did not have a London home. He arranged for alterations to be done, converting the Georgian house into a fashionable Gothic style. While the alterations were taken place the family were to travel Europe. They left on September 8th 1837, and crossed from Southampton to Le Havre. They travelled in a travelling carriage designed by William. It was enormous and took six horses to pull it. It was during this trip that she met Mary Clarke. |
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The Nightingales arrived back in London, on April 6th 1839; Embley would not be finished until June. It was decided that they would spend the season in London. On May 24th Florence and Parthe were presented at the Queen's birthday Drawing Room. It was during this time that her friendship with her cousin Marianne Nicholson grew. June arrived but Embley was still not finished, so they returned to Lea Hurst. Marianne's brother Henry returned with them, as Florence was to coach him in Mathematics before he went to Cambridge. Henry fell in love with Florence. In 1843 he wanted her to become engaged to him. Two years later he proposed again, and she refused him. He was heartbroken, and the Nicholsons were furious, especially Marianne. She was so angry that she ended her friendship with Florence. In October 1850, Henry Nicholson died, he drowned in Spain. |
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In September 1839, William said they must return to Embley, whether it was finished or not. By October the work on Embley was complete. Once the house was sorted, they had a house warming party at Christmas; all the family was invited. |
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Florence was fond of her father's sister Mary 'Aunt Mai', and were to become close. Florence enjoyed her company. She went in January 1840 to stay at Combe Hurst with her. It was while she was there that her interest in mathematics grew, and Aunt Mai encouraged her. They would study together early in the morning before it was light. Florence loved mathematics, and Aunt Mai had written to her mother about her natural ability and perhaps a private tutor would help. Fanny would not agree, she had hoped that Florence would marry, and felt that mathematics would be of no use to her. Aunt Mai was persistent, and in the end they agreed on a compromise. She was to study twice a week, at the house of Fanny's brother Octavius, who's wife Jane was ill. Florence could help with the children while she was there, during April and May (1840). In May, she returned to Embley, and her lessons came to an end. |
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There were many parties during the summer, at Embley, and it was during this time Florence met Lord Palmerston and his wife Lady Emily Courper. They lived at Broadlands, only a few miles away from Embley. |
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In the summer of 1842, at a party given by the Palmerston's, Florence was introduced to Richard Monckton Milnes. He came to Embley often that summer and was falling in love with Florence. The family were very fond of him. He proposed to her, and waited until 1849 for an answer, he could wait no longer, Florence refused him. In 1851 he became engaged to Annabel Crewe. It was during this summer that Florence became aware of life outside of hers. It was known as the hungry forties, there was hunger in towns and villages. Workhouses, hospitals and prisons were overflowing. When the family returned to Lea Hurst in 1843, she became concerned for the poor and sick of Holloway. Holloway was a village containing agricultural workers, and weavers. She could not believe the conditions they lived in, and begged her mother for food, bedding and clothes. Fanny was always generous in her charity for the village, and although she felt it was good for her daughter to see those less fortunate, Florence was being unreasonable. Florence was unhappy with her life, she felt that marrying and running a household would not satisfy her, she needed more. `Her call from God` was now realised and she felt her vocation lay in hospitals, and the sick. She was now twenty-four. |
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She now needed to find a way to achieve her vocation; it would not be easy. It was not felt suitable for a person of her up bringing. Florence knew Dr Fowler, who was head physician at Salisbury Infirmary. She planned to persuade her parents to allow her to go there for three months to learn nursing. Dr Fowler and his wife came to stay at Embley in December 1845. Florence spoke of her plan, it was not received well. Fanny felt it most unsuitable, William could not accept his daughters wishes. That she wanted to take on such a vocation after all that he had taught her. The whole idea to them was most unsuitable. Hospitals then were not as they are today, most people were nursed in their own home, and as a last resort would be in a hospital. Wards were normally dark and gloomy, with a fire at one end for warmth. Beds were crammed together, often dirty, the sheets were used by more that one person, mattresses seldom cleaned. It was not only the conditions of the hospitals that her parents disapproved of, but the nurses themselves, who were not high standing in society. It was practically unknown for a respectable woman to become a hospital nurse. They worked, cooked and slept on the wards, some even sharing the bed of male patients. There was little discipline of supervision; many were drunkards, including the sisters. It was not surprising that Florence received such opposition. |
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Florence would not give in, and began to study in secret, Blue Books, and hospital reports. Blue Books had been published, dealing with public health. She would get up early to study. She also wrote to M. Mohl in Paris, for reports. This would lay the foundation of the vast and detailed knowledge of sanitary conditions, which was to make her the first expert in Europe. In October 1846, she received the Year Book of the Institute of the Deaconesses at Kaiserwerth, from Chevalier Bunsen, who she had met in 1842. Florence decided that this would be the place where she could receive training in nursing. Deaconesses and pastors formed the staff, discipline and supervision was strict. |
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In the autumn of 1846 Florence met Selina Bracebridge. She was the wife of Charles Holte Bracebridge of Atherstone Hall, near Coventry. They loved to travel. Fanny felt that Selina would be a good influence on Florence, she was rich, loved to entertain, and perhaps most important happily married. In 1847 Florence went with the Bracebridges to Rome. It was during that winter in Rome that Florence was introduced to Sidney Herbert and his wife Elizabeth a Court. She had spoken to them of her plan to go to Kaiserwerth, they approved. The Bunsen's were also thinking of sending their daughter there. |
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In 1849 Florence was to travel to Egypt with the Bracebridges. She wrote long letters to the family while she was away. (Which were privately printed, by her sister) The Bracebridges were very well known and were entertained by governors, chief consuls and ambassadors. Although it was a wonderful adventure for Florence, she could not settle, in a small black notebook she recorded her secret agonies. She lived within her self, with in her own thoughts. Selina could see how unhappy she was and suggested they travel home through Prague and Berlin. She and her husband could stay a fortnight in Dusseldorf, while Florence visited Kaiserwerth. |
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On July 31st 1849 she arrived at Kaiserwerth, and went to see Pastor Fliedner, who allowed her to stay at the Institution. She did not nurse while she was there, but did help to look after the children. They had no male doctors in residence, and male nurses attended to the requirements of the male patients. |
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They returned to England on August 21st, the family were at Lea Hurst. They were not impressed by her visit to Kaiserwerth, and it was not to be spoken of again. After being away for nearly a year Fanny felt that Florence should spend time at home with her sister, they would sketch, sing together, wander in the garden. This satisfied Parthe, it was the way Fanny wanted Florence to be, but Florence was going mad with boredom. |
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Finally Fanny's thoughts on Kaiserwerth changed, perhaps with the influence of the Herberts, the Bunsens and the Bracebridges. She planned a trip for her and her daughters, Parthe could spend time for a three month cure at Carlsbad, Florence could go on to Kaiserwerth. Her father stayed home, he could no longer put up with the disagreements in his family. Fanny insisted that Florence should tell no one where she was going. |
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During her stay at Kaiserwerth she worked with the children and in the hospital. She also attended an operation. There was no nurse training at Kaiserwerth, but patients were well cared for, and well fed. Florence had never been happier. |
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All was not well when it was time for them to return home. Parthe had become so reliant on Florence that she could not bear to be parted from her. Fanny would not allow Florence to leave home, unless it was to marry. William was caught up in all of this, and felt that his wife and daughter were being very unfair to Florence. It was recommended by Sir James Clarke (the Queen's physician) that Parthe should be separated from her family and live with another relative. Fanny would not agree to this. Florence felt that this could be her chance to make her own way. Perhaps if she left home, Parthe's health might improve. Parthe had been spending time in Scotland, under the supervision of Sir James Clarke; Florence bought her home to Embley. She left a few days later to go with her father who was to have eye treatment in Umberside. Afterwards instead of returning home she went to stay with Aunt Mai, and then the Herberts. |
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In 1852 Florence went to Paris to stay with Mary Clarke. While she was there she planned to visit as many hospitals as she could. M.Mohl had got her a permit from the Administration Generale de L'Assistance Publique; this would allow her to visit any hospital. She visited hospitals, infirmaries and almshouses. Florence made records of the different hospitals and made comparisons. She drew up detailed questionnaires, which she sent to hospitals in France, Germany and England. She had intended to train in nursing at the Maison de la Providence which was the hospital of the Sisters of Charity. But on the day she was due to go, she was called home as her grandmother had become ill, and she was needed at home. |
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While the family was at Tapton, her grandmother's home, Aunt Mai joined them. She was having family problems, her daughter Blanche wanted to marry Arthur Hugh Clough, but the family disapproved. The main reason was that he did not have a secure income. So Florence sat them both down, and worked out a budget on what they would need to live on. With the aid of these figures they succeeded in persuading Aunt Mai to approve the engagement. They were married in 1854. |
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In 1853 Liz Herbert contacted Florence about a position for Superintendent at The Institution for the care of Sick Gentlewomen in Distressed Circumstances. On April 18th Florence went for and interview before a committee, chaired by Lady Canning. They were not sure if Florence was suitable, she was a young lady in society, would she be able to take orders from a committee. Was it right for a lady to nurse one who was not a lady? Also it had come to their notice that Florence's parents had not agreed to her applying for the position. It had been Marianne who had told one of the Committee Ladies about Fanny and Parthe, and their objection to Florence taking up nursing, stirring up an old family quarrel between the Nicholsons and the Nightingales. Though Fanny and Parthe disapproved they would not have Florence attacked by Marianne. William wrote to the Committee informing them that she had his official sanction. He also gave Florence £500 a year, making her independent. Anyone receiving this amount a year, it was reckoned could afford to employ both a cook and a well-turned out parlour maid. During this period, apart from farming, this was the biggest single British industry in terms of people employed Florence would take up her position as soon as new premises were found. (The home was founded in Chandos Street.) On August 12th 1853, she was at long last launched on her career at the Institutes new premises at Number 1 Harley Street. Most of the patients there were retired governess, they were given two month there, and then they would have to leave, that was unless they were dying. Florence was in total charge of the finances of the Institution. While she was at the Institute she took rooms in Pall Mall. |
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In March 1854 England and France declared war on Russia. By September the Allied armies had landed in the Crimea. Sidney Herbert who was Secretary at War, was responsible for the sick and wounded, and he wrote to Florence regarding her taking a party of nurses to the hospitals of the British Army. (Letter from Sidney Herbert) The Crimean war was different from any other, in the fact that, with the modern methods of reporting, people at home were able to follow the progress of the campaign, with a time gap of only a few days. It was the era of the railway, communications and the newly invented electric telegraph. (The telegraph had been invented but lines not laid. The British military laid a line from the Crimea across the Black Sea to the Eastern shore where the war started.) The War Correspondent came into their own, not only reporting on strategy or tactics, but mingled with the troops, both officers and men, in camp and trench. `The Times' manager Mowbray Morris contacted his correspondent in Constantinople, Thomas Chenery, to cover the British and French siege of Sebastopol. `The Times' editor John Delane was given the job of finding reporters to go the front. Delane himself went to the Crimea and witnessed the British Armies' problems in person. It was William Howard Russell who Delane assigned to accompany the British Army to Malta, then on to the Eastern shore of Russia and finally to the Crimea and Sebastopol. He was seen by many as the greatest war correspondent. His dispatches brought home the horror of the war to the British public, and his criticisms of the state of the Army were instrumental in its reorganisation and modernisation. |
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Thomas Chenery, wrote an article, which was published on 12th October, 1854. |
..it is with feelings of surprise and anger that the public will learn that no sufficient medical preparations have been made for the proper care of the wounded. Not only are there not sufficient surgeons - that, it might be urged, was unavoidable - not only are there no dressers and nurses - that might be a defect of system for which no one is to blame ` but what will be said when it is known that there is not even linen to make bandages for the wounded- The greatest commiseration prevails for the suffering of the unhappy inmates of Scutari, and every family is giving sheets and old garments to supply their want. But, why could not this clearly foreseen event have been supplied``It rests with the Government to make enquiries into the conduct of those who must have so greatly neglected their duty` |
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The next day, 13th October, 1834 `The Times' ran another dispatch from Chenery. |
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It was around this that `The Times` ran a leading article appealing for donations to help the situation. A cheque for £200 was received on the same day by Sir Robert Peel, son of the former Prime Minister. The Fund quickly grew. John McDonalds was to be the Administrator of the Fund. |
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Sidney Herbert who was Secretary at War, was responsible for the sick and wounded, and he wrote to Florence regarding her taking a party of nurses to the hospitals of the British Army. (Letter from Sidney Herbert) Mary Stanley, Mrs Bracebridge, Lady Cannings and Lady Cranworth were to interview the applicant at the Herberts London home 49 Belgrave Square. The women who were to go with Florence consisted of fourteen professional nurses, the remaining were members of religious institutions making the number of up to thirty eight. The religious institutions proving nurses were the convent in Bermondsey, their superior was the Rev Mother Bermondsey who was to become a very close friend of Florence. Also the Sellonites (Miss Sellon's Anglican sisterhood) they had had experience of cholera during an epidemic in the slums of Plymouth and Devonport. Nuns also came from St John's House, and from Norwood. Other religious authorities were approached, but they refused to be controlled by Florence and not by their religious order. It was a strange party of 38 women who all had different views on nursing, the nurses to look after the body, the religious sisters and nuns their souls. On October 21st, 1854, the party left London to travel to Constantinople and to begin their service in the Crimea. Miss Nightingale was chaperoned by her Uncle Samuel Smith as far as Marseilles. |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLORENCE'S WORK IN THE CRIMEA PLEASE LINK TO CRIMEA |
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On July 28th, Miss Nightingale and Aunt Mai left for home, travelling as Mrs and Miss Smith. With her was a Queen`s Messenger, a one legged sailor boy, a Russian orphan, a large Crimea puppy and a cat which died on the journey. She spent the night with M.Mohl, and continued on alone to England. The following day she went to the Convent of the Bermonsey nuns, where she spent all morning in prayer and meditation. In the afternoon she took a train North and in the evening walked up from Whatstandwell station to Lea Hurst. |
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There was so much work for her to do, her reforms were just beginning. Could she one woman achieve her goal. The memories of the squalor, and filth, pain and suffering would be with her for the rest of her life, is this not the strength she needed to carry on. |
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PUNCH - Poem on her quiet return from Crimea |
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When titles, pension, orders, with random band are showered, |
`T is well that gave with blessings, she still should walk undowr`d, |
What title like her own sweet name, with the music all its own? |
When order like the halo by her good deeds round her thrown? |
Then leave her to the quiet she has chosen; she demands, |
No greeting from our brazen throats, and vulgar clapping hands, |
Leave her to the still comfort the saints know, that have striven, |
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When Florence returned from the Crimea, she was very much in demand, and received many invitations, but refused them all. Although very tired, she still wanted to continue with her work. Florence contacted Lord Panmure and Sidney Herbert, but it was August and they were both on holiday, neither of them wanted to be disturbed. |
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An old friend James Clarke wrote to Florence, that Queen Victoria wanted to meet her, and hear of her experiences in the Crimea. Not only officially, but privately. She was to stay at James Clarke`s house Birk Hall, not far from Balmoral, and would be commanded from there to go to an official interview with the Queen |
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WORK ON REFORM OF THE ARMY MEDICAL SERVICE AND THE ROYAL COMMISSION |
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Florence was concentrating on working for the reform of the Army Medical Services; she wanted to set up a Royal Commission. Dr Sutherland was to become a constant adviser in many problems, which were to be presented to her. She wanted her visit with the Queen to be as successful as possible, and had written to Dr Sutherland for advice. He advised her that her ideas on nursing be carried out gradually. It would be difficult for those who did not understand the details of nursing management, or were prejudiced against it to carry it out. He also recommended that the idea of female nursing in military hospitals was not to be called reform. Dr Sutherland felt that Miss Nightingale should talk openly with Lord Panmure of her experiences in the East,` what he really wants is good reliable information`. He advised her when talking with Lord Panmure to discuss the defects and not to suggest any reform unless she was asked to do so, as there were many different opinions as to what was required to reform the Army Medical Department. |
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While Florence was in Scotland she inspected barracks and hospitals in Edinburgh and spoke with Sir John McNeil and Colonel Alexander Tulloch, both of who she knew from the Crimea. |
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On 19th September, 1856 Miss Nightingale left Edinburgh to go to Birk Hall, and on 21st September was commanded to Balmoral to talk with the Queen and Prince Consort. The meeting was informal and lasted for more than two hours. It was a great success. A few days later the Queen spoke again with Miss Nightingale when she visited Birk Hall for tea. Lord Panmure had spoken to Miss Nightingale during her visit to Balmoral, and he agreed that she should submit a full report and recommendations. |
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Miss Nightingale`s report contained 1,000 pages full of statistics, the fact that much of the sickness was caused by defects in the systems or, lack of systems. Preventing sickness when in hospital by providing proper food, clothing and shelter. Also very important to stop the spread of sickness was cleanliness and general hygiene. Miss Nightingale had discovered that for every man that died in the Crimea from wounds, seven would die from diseases, most of which could be simply prevented. The report also included facts about the peacetime army. Young healthy men were picked; fifteen hundred of these probably killed by neglect in the barracks, with poor unhealthy conditions. Three months into her report Lord Panmure agreed to Miss Nightingale`s Royal Commission. She had daily communication with Sidney Herbert and Dr Sutherland using their expert knowledge, agreed a course of action. |
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Miss Nightingale`s work was carried out at the Burlington Hotel in cramped uncomfortable conditions. She had one small room opening out of the family sitting room. Miss Nightingale`s mother and sister were staying with her in London. They had nothing to do except to go to parties, receive callers, or talk about their heroic `Flo`. Florence's only source of income was still the £500 that she received from her father. As her mother was paying the hotel bill, she would charge her daughter her share, sometimes overcharging her. Florence was working very hard visiting several hospitals a day, in addition to the paperwork she was doing. She would go by omnibus or on food, hardly ever take a carriage. |
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As hard as Miss Nightingale worked herself, she made others. Dr Sutherland often worked with her for many hours. His wife once wrote a note to Miss Nightingale for her husband to be excused, and Miss Nightingale got herself into such a state that Dr Sutherland had to be sent for. If she worked Dr Sutherland hard, then she worked Sidney Herbert even more so. Their work together on the Royal Commission was completed within three months. |
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Miss Nightingale was determined to get the right people for the commission and she spent many hours consulting with 1856, Florence spoke with Sidney Herbert; she wanted him to be chairman. After a great deal of discussion he agreed that he would accept the chairmanship if it were offered to him. She wanted Dr Thomas Alexander (surgeon to the Light Division) to be on the committee, but Panmure objected. Miss Nightingale used this disappointment to her advantage by making Panmure promise that Dr Hall was not on the committee, as she knew that he would sabotage reforms. On 22nd November 1856 Sidney Herbert was offered chairmanship, and he accepted. |
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Since Miss Nightingale had returned from the Crimea she had made no public appearance, or spoken in public. She began to feel the Crimea was being forgotten. As her work for the Royal Commission was mainly based on her work and findings in the Crimea, she felt that it also was fading away. She decided to write and publish her experiences in the Crimea, and suggestions for improvement in the Army Medical Service. Lord Panmure agreed to read her report, and strike out inconvenient passages, but omitted to read them until it was too late. |
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The Royal Warrant had not been easy to obtain. There were to be many discussions between Lord Panmure and Miss Nightingale about the members of the commission. Also during this time the Report of the Chelsea Board was set up, its main objective was to go against the Report made by McNeil and Tulloch on the conditions in the Crimea. In February, Lord Panmure had written to Miss Nightingale requesting her for an official report. She had no faith in him, as he had delayed the Royal Warrant for six months already. |
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On 5th May the Royal Warrant was signed and the commission was started the next day. Miss Nightingale knew now that nothing could be changed one the Queen had initialed it. |
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The Commission consisted of General Storkes, who first met Miss Nightingale in 1855 in the Crimea, as Military Commandant. He was a great admirer of her. With her help he managed to bring discipline to the Barrack Hospital. Colonel Lefroy, who had arrived in the Crimea in October 1855, with the title of `Confidential Adviser to Secretary of War on Scientific Matters.' In fact he was to report to Lord Panmure about the state of the hospitals. He had great admiration for Miss Nightingale. Dr A Smith, who Miss Nightingale had first heard of, when he war director of the Army Medical Service, when she was planning to take nurses to Scutari. During the time she was in the Crimea, he had become the Director General of the British Army Medical Service. Dr Martin had been influenced by discussion with Miss Nightingale. He had served in the service of the East India Company, and was an authority on diseases in India and of sanitary matters. He was appointed Inspector General of Army Hospitals on his return to England. Dr Alexander had served in the Crimea and was critical to administration during the campaign. Dr Sutherland had urged Miss Nightingale to make every effort to get him nominated to the Commission. With Dr Balfour as Secretary, he had studied medicine at Edinburgh University, where he took his doctorate of medicine in 1834. He was engaged in the statistical branch of the Army two years later. Dr Sutherland was to attend as sanitary expert. It was to the Commissions advantage to have Sir J Clarke as a member, as he was agreeable to the Queen and it just as well to have him on their side. Also Dr McLachlan |
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The Commission was to hear evidence of the poor conditions of the Army. In July Miss Nightingale was to give evidence herself. Sidney Herbert had advised her not to mention her experiences in the Crimea, but only speak on Hospital construction. Miss Nightingale could not agree, there was so much she wanted to speak on the subject of conditions, not only construction. It was finally agreed that Miss Nightingale would not appear in public, but would give written answers to questions. This is what would be read before the Commission. It must prove of the most vital importance to the British soldier for ages to come` wrote Sir James Martin, one of the Commissioners. |
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In August 1857 Sidney Herbert outlined the main points that would come out in the Commissions Report in a letter to Lord Panmure. He advised him that it would be in the Governments best interest to act on these as soon as possible, as questions would be asked when it came before the House. |
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Miss Nightingale had outlined a plan that would divide the health administration into four sub-commissions. |
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Hospital Regulations and a new Warrant for the Promotion of Medical Officers. |
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Lord Panmure agreed in general to the sub commissions, but the reorganisation of the Medical Department had been fought against, Dr Andrew Smith. It took a stormy meeting between Lord Panmure and Sidney Herbert for this sub commission to be agreed. |
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In December the four sub commissions were set up. On May 11th 1858, Lord Ebrington in the House of Commons moved a series of resolutions on the health of the Army. Sir John McNeil wrote to Miss Nightingale on May 13th, `To you more than to any other man or woman alive will hence forth be due welfare and efficiency of the British Army. I thank God that I have lived to see your success.` |
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Miss Nightingale could not rest, she had worked so hard and now all she wanted was solitude. In over four years, she had spent not one moment alone. On August 11th she collapsed, it was then she decided to go to Malvern. She took only a footman with her. |
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Dr Sutherland was very concerned about her and went to Malvern. He found her weak, unable to eat or sleep. Aunt Mai went to look after her, and by September, Florence felt she was ready to return to London. Florence`s mother and sister had returned to Embley. When Florence arrived back in London, Parthe wanted to be with her, but Aunt Mai advised her to stay at Embley. |
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While in London Florence received frequent calls from Sir Harry Verney. He was a widower, and had a large estate in Buckinghamshire. He run the estate from Claydon House. (Tall cedar and cypress trees in the park are said to be grown from seeds Florence brought back from the Crimea.) He had cottages built, founded schools, one of which is at Steeple Claydon which he had restored. He also worked to improve the rural poor; his position as Liberal MP helped him with his reforms. On one of his visits he proposed marriage to Florence, but she refused him. Having no time for ideas of love or marriage. Sir Harry Verney was heartbroken. Florence`s mother invited him to Embley to console him. While at Embley his thoughts of marriage transferred to Parthe. In June 1858, Parthe became Lady Verney. |
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In November 1857, Florence was sure she was going to die, and wrote her will. She wanted all the money that she would inherit from her father to be used to build a model barracks. Miss Nightingale had no thoughts for her mother, she wrote. `For everyone of my 18,000 children for everyone of those poor tiresome Harley Street creatures. I have expended more motherly feeling and action in a week than my mother has expended for me in 37 years`, although still weak she continued to work. |
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Throughout 1860 Sidney Herbert`s health was getting worse and by the end of the year he found out that he had an incurable kidney disease. On 5th December 1860, he told Miss Nightingale that if he gave up all public work and returned to Wilton, it was possible that his life might be prolonged. Miss Nightingale knew that if he left the War Office their work would be finished. She realised he must reduce his workload, either, the House of Commons, or the War Office must go. Sidney Herbert had sat in the House of Commons for 28 years, but he hated the War Office. In December 1860, he was given a peerage and became Lord Herbert of Lea. |
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In January 1861, the scheme for War Office reorganisation was launched. There was to be a pitched battle between the forces of bureaucracy, Sidney Herbert on the one hand, Benjamin Hall on the other. Miss Nightingale was not confident. Sidney Herbert was the pivot, he was the only one who could carry the scheme through, and she knew he was weakening. By March she was frantic declaring that Sidney Herbert was inefficient. |
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The end came in June, he collapsed and told Miss Nightingale he could struggle no longer and must resign the War Office and retire. She refused to accept his health as an excuse. She told him what his failure meant. Their work was ruined. She cut herself off from him. He was still at the War Office preparing to hand over to his successor. She could not see him or even write to him. In early July 1861, Sidney Herbert`s doctors ordered him to Spa in Belgium. He called at the Burlington to see Miss Nightingale, who had returned there to say good bye to him. Four days later he, his wife and a friend reached the Spa. On 16th September he formerly sent his resignation to Palmerston. He also wrote to Miss Nightingale, a very formal letter about a military hospital at Woolwich, and to his successor George Lewis. They returned to Wilton, on July 25th, where he died on August 2nd at the age of 51. Miss Nightingale was in Hampstead when she heard the news, she hurried down to the Burlington where she collapsed and was seriously ill, for nearly four weeks. He had died of a broken heart, but she never admitted she had done anything towards breaking it. She never felt she was to blame. In September 1861, in a letter to Harriet Martineau she described what passed between them, she felt no more pity than if in fact he had been an inanimate tool. |
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Miss Nightingale shut herself in her room and did not see anyone. She was requested by Gladstone to write an account of the work that Sidney Herbert had done. (But he did not use it) Many of his obituary notices did not do him justice. This she did and had it privately printed in 1861 as Private and Confidential. Sidney Herbert - on his Services to the Army. In 1882 it was enlarged and printed as Army Sanitary Administration? and its Reform under the late Lord Herbert. Sidney Herbert had died with his work unfinished; most of which was halted at his death or reversed. Many things though had been achieved. The worse barracks had been condemned, and others reconditioned. Gas had been laid one, and kitchen ovens provided. A training school for cooks had also been started. He had been in Office for three years, and the mortality rate in the home army had dropped by half. Miss Nightingale felt her work would be over. While he was alive they would work together, on Army administration, but without his influence and official status this would not continue. But she did have connections with Douglas Galton, who held the post of Inspector General of Fortifications. He was in control of the erection and maintenance of barracks and hospitals for the Army. |
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On November 12th 1861, Arthur Hugh Clough died, coming so soon after Sidney Herberts death Miss Nightingale was devastated. Two men whom she had pushed so hard to help her in her work had now died. They had both been very devoted to her. She could no longer coape and in December 1861 she collapsed, she would be bed ridden for the next six years. She was living at 32 South Street, which belonged to the Verney's, they would need their house for the Spring season, she needed to find somewhere to live. Her Father helped her with the expense of finding a new house, a suitable one was found in Chesterfield Square, Mayfair. |
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George Lewis, was to take Sidney Herberts position as Secretary of State for War. He and Miss Nightingale did not see eye to eye. He had not wanted to take the position, and had no knowledge of army administration. Miss Nightingale had first met him when he was Home Secretary, preparing for the Census in 1861 |
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Miss Nightingale and Sidney Herbert had been working together on the reorganisation of the War Office. She had felt the office of Permanent Under Secretary should be abolished, and the work carried out by two Under Secretaries, each directly responsible to the Secretary of State for War. One Under Secretary would be in charge of purely military work, and the other for the health and sanitary administration of the Army. The later position was to be carried out by a civilian. On may 24th 1861 Douglas Galton was appointed at Assistant Under Secretary for the health and administration of the army and Lord de Grey as Parliamentary Under Secretary. But these two men, although both intelligent and talented, did not have the driving force to push forward the reforms for reorganisation. The War Office was to remain the same. |
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Although the reorganisation of the War Office did not take place, Miss Nightingale was still to have some influence. On April 13th 1863, George Lewis who was Secretary of State for War, died. He was replaced by Lord de Grey. Miss Nightingale would become advisor to him. She had a vast knowledge of sanitary questions, and knew how Government departments worked. She was now an invalid, and worked from her bed. She drafted minutes, drew op warrants, wrote official memoranda, letters and summaries for the Minister. She worked on question for a Warrant for Apothecaries, Proposals for Equipment of Military Hospitals, the Organisation of Hospitals for Soldiers` Wives, Proposals for the revision of Army Rations, Warrant and Instructions for Staff Surgeons, Instructions for treatment of yellow fever, Proposals for revision of Purveying and Commissariat in the Colonies, Revised diet sheets for Troop-ships, Proposals for appointments at Netley and Chatham, Instructions for Treatment of Cholera. She would carry out this work for the next four years, also continuing the work she started with Sidney Herbert on the improvement of barrack and hospital accommodation, and the reform of the Army Medical Department. |
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In 1862 Miss Nightingale returned to the Birlington, then to 32 South Street, but, she had to move out again when the Verney's wanted to stay. For a while she took furnished rooms or houses in Hampstead and Highgate. The house she had at 9 Chesterfield Street was so dilapidated, she was unable to live there. It was not practical for her to keep moving all her belongings and endless amounts of administration papers each time. Once again her Father helped her out again, and in 1864 bought 35 South Street for her to live in, (The street was later renumbered and No 35 became No 10) she was to live here for the rest of her life. She lived alone, and constantly ill, she saw, her only company was her cats, as many as six, whom she was very fond of. Her friends during this time were Mary Clarke and Benjamin Jowett, both of whom she wrote to constantly. She became very close to Jowett, he had given her a great deal of comfort when Sidney Herbert died. Benjamin Jowett was a fellow and tutor of Balliol and Regius Professor of Greek, they met through her friend Clough, when he sent him a copy of Miss Nightingale's Suggestions for Thought. Gradually her friends were being taken from her, on September 6th 1865, Hilary Bonham Carter died, they had been very close when they were young and Miss Nightingale had been very fond of her. |
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By 1866 it was nine years since Miss Nightingale had been home to visit her family. Her mother had been ill, and her eye sight was failing, Parthe had been looking after her, but had become busy running her own affairs. Mrs Nightingale's sister Julia Smith would come to say for long periods to help out, she had not married, and had no permanent home of her own. As her mother was unable to travel with her husband to Lea Hurst, Miss Nightingale agreed to go and look after her mother at Embley Park. She was to stay from August until the end of November. Most of her time would be spent in her rooms, only leaving to visit her mother. |
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On her return to London she continued her work on her affairs in India. She was in constant contact with Sir Bartle Frere, who had been in the service of the Indian Government since 1834. In 1862, he had been appointed Governor of Bombay, here he demolished insanitary buildings, introduced scavenging services, established a town council, founded a school for the education of the daughters of Indian Gentlemen and substantially reduced the death rate. He had returned to England in 1867 where he was created a member of the India Council. For thirteen months she shut herself away in South Street, working day and night. By 1868 her work was rewarded, he had secured a Sanitary Department in the India Office with supreme authority in India, also publications of annual reports which would prevent authorities in India from going to sleep. She was exhausted, and in December 1868 she went to Malvern, leaving her address only with Dr Sutherland. |
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In December 1844, a pauper named Timothy Daly died. An inquest was held, it was found that his death had resulted from the filthiness caused by gross neglect. The newspapers reported it, and it caused a public scandal. Miss Nightingale wrote to Mr Charles Villiers, the President of the Poor Law Board, stating her case for the improvement of nursing in workhouse infirmaries. He replied immediately, and arranged to meet her. During their first meeting she realised it was not only the nursing which needed to be reformed, but the workhouse administration, and the treatment of the sick poor. Mr Villiers sent his principal assistant Mr H.B. Farnall, to see her, he was the Poor Law Inspector for the Metropolitan District. They decided to start the investigation in London, between them they drew up a `Form of Enquiry` to be circulated to every workhouse infirmary and workhouse sick ward in the Metropolitan district. |
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Another reformer was Mr William Rathbone. As a young man he was an honary visitor for the District Provident Society in one of the poorest quarters in Liverpool, there he saw the miseries endured by the poor who were ill in their own homes. He had founded in 1859 district nursing, starting with one trained nurse, it was on this subject he had written to Miss Nightingale in 1861. He had also written to her about a staff of trained nurses being sent to the Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary. It would not be easy as the Vestry also controlled the Workhouse Infirmary. It was not until March 1865 that permission was given for nurses to work in the Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary. Two month later in May 1865 Miss Agnes Jones and twelve nurses arrived. |
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Agnes Jones`s job would not be easy. The Infirmary contained 1350 patients rising at times to 1500. Her position and powers were not properly defined, the supply of food was undertaken by contract, which the doctors had no control of. She would quarrel with the governor of the Infirmary, although he supported the scheme. He felt she was too strict, and unpractical. Miss Nightingale had to intervene, and under her influence Agnes became less rigid, and changes soon took place. Even the vestry agreed that the pauper sick were better off being nursed by trained nurses. Miss Nightingale felt that it would be impossible to improve the workhouses and workhouse infirmaries, unless changes were made through an Act of Parliament. She approached Lord Palmerston directly, as she felt the Poor Law Board could never produce the necessary legislation. Lord Palmerston said that if she were to draft a bill, he would use his influence to get it through Cabinet, but this was not to be as he died on October 17th 1865 |
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Miss Nightingale had been working on her workhouse reform with Mr Farnall the Poor Law Inspector of the Metropolitan District. With the death of Lord Palmerston, she would have to depend on the Poor Law Board and Mr Villiers. During the Autumn of 1865 she worked on a long memorandum for Mr Villiers, dealing with workhouse nursing, workhouse schools and requirements of administration and finance in workhouse infirmaries in the Metropolitan area (this was intended to be extended to other areas at a later date). She had based her scheme on three essentials which she called the ABC of workhouse reform. |
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Mr Villiers received the memorandum in December, and he agreed to try at once for a new London Poor Law Bill. It seemed as though she was going to be successful, the `Lancet` sent a commissioner to enquire into the state of the London workhouse infirmaries, and as a result the `Association for the Improvement of the London Infirmaries of London Workhouses` was formed. But it was not going quite to plan as she thought, the Whig government was tottering, and Workhouse infirmary reform was a controversial subject. On June 18th the Government fell, and Mr Villiers was out of office. |
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Mr Gathorne Hardy was to be Mr Villiers successor on the Poor Law Board. He wanted nothing to do with Miss Nightingale and her reformers, and told them he was occupied with other business. She felt he was not on the side of reform, and to prove this even further, he had removed Mr Farnall from his post at Whitehall, and sent him to Yorkshire. A committee was appointed containing sanitary and medical experts, he did not consult Miss Nightingale. Douglas Galton was on the Committee, so she wrote to him, to ask if he would put her name forward. The committee asked her to submit a paper on nursing, this she did, putting forward her scheme of workhouse reform. She had her paper printed and sent a copy to Mr Gathorne Hardy, but still he neither consulted her, nor informed her of what he was going to do. It therefore was a surprise when in March 1867, a Bill introduced in February, became law, under the title of the `Metropolitan Poor Act`. |
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Miss Nightingale felt that this Act was the beginning, and more reforms could be made. Lunatics, fever, smallpox cases and remaining children were removed from the Workhouse, providing for them out of a common fund. Salaries for Medical Officers, Matrons and Nurses were paid for out of a Metropolitan rate, and not parochial. Any other sick paupers were to be removed to a separate building. The Act also established a fund for the `Metropolitan Common Poor Fund` for the maintenance of asylums for the aged and insane, the cost of medicines and the maintenance of children in pauper schools. |
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During the Summer of 1867, she continued to work on her reform on Indian sanitary affairs. |
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A training school for midwives had been established in Kings College Hospital, with part of the money raised by the Nightingale Fund. In 1867 puerperal sepsis broke out in the lying-in wards, it developed into an epidemic, and the school was closed. Miss Nightingale began to investigate. A woman who had been suffering from erysipelas, had given birth, puerperal sepsis broke out, turning into an epidemic. She discovered that there was no accurate statistics kept of deaths in childbirth, and began to collect facts and figures with the help of Dr Sutherland. Her conclusions found that lying-in institutions and hospital wards had a higher death rate than women who gave birth at home. Dr Sutherland put together all her findings, and published them in 1871 under the title of `Introductory Notes on Lying-in Institutions`. It had taken her three years to collect all the information she required, and corresponded with medical experts, sanitary experts and engineers throughout the world. |
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Miss Nightingale continued to receive visitors at her South Street home, many of them connected with her work in India. She corresponded with the Secretaries of each Presidential Sanitary Commission, and officials of influence in India. She worked tirelessly on the improvement of barracks and sanitary conditions. |
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In the Summer of 1868 she decided to return home to Lea Hurst. She spent her time reading, and spending time having long talks with her father, and with her mother whose temperament had become much gentler as she had to older. Her friend Jowett also paid her visits. |
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In 1870 war was declared between Germany and France, in June, and in July the `National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded`, later called the `British Red Cross Aid Society` was founded. At the first meeting of the National Society a letter was read out from Miss Nightingale appealing for Funds. Contributions poured in many addressed to her. She received an enormous number of letters from people who assumed she was nursing in a Red Cross Hospital. Although she was not in charge of the National Society, its activities were under her direction. Sir Harry Verney, Douglas Galton and Miss Emily Verney were on the executive committee. The Society collected over £250,000. She collected money from her friends which was used mainly for the relief of prisoners of war. After the war she received the bronze Cross of the French Societe de Sec ours aux Blesses and the Prussian Cross of Merit from the German Emperor. |
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In 1868 Mr Gladstone had become Prime Minister, his Government had no place for Miss Nightingale, and gradually her influence in the War Office and Poor Law Board came to an end. Lord Mayo was assinated by a convict in 1872, while inspecting a penal settlement. Lord Northbrook succeeded him, Miss Nightingale knew him as he had been a friend of Sidney Herbert, but he did not consult her before he left for India. Her influence on Indian matters had ended. |
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Miss Nightingale now turned her attention to the Nightingale Training School. She found that it had fallen below the standards first set out. In 1872 she began an investigation into the organisation and teaching at the School, she felt this was what she should now devote her time to. |
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This was not to be as in the summer of 1872, she had to return home to Embley Park. Her parents now both elderly William Edward was now seventy-seven and unable to cope with Fanny who was eighty-three, almost blind and her memory gone. They were finding it difficult to manage two homes. Miss Nightingale had to put their affairs in order, her sister Parthe was suffering from the first symptoms of arthritis and unable to help. There old housekeeper Mrs Watson had died, she had worked for the Nightingales for twenty-five years. It was hard to find anyone who her parents would accept in her place, She needed to return to London, and decided to take her mother with her. Her father would stay at Embley with Aunt Ju to look after him. Miss Nightingale had the drawing room floor at South Street fitted up as a bedroom and sitting room. She continued to work on the reconstruction of the Nightingale School Mr Croft had taken over from Mr Whitfield as Resident Medical Officer. Miss Nightingale and Mr Croft worked together on improving lectures and the standard of examinations. As the new hospital was larger and put more demands on Mrs Wardroper the matron, a new post of Assistant Superintendent with the title of Home Sister was created. The main purpose of her work was to exercise moral, spiritual and cultural influence. |
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Miss Nightingale dominated the school, and she was the main influence over it. She was determined to make herself acquainted with every probationer. Once a probationer had completed a trial period, they were interviewed by her. She would write a character sketch on each one, and listened to their comments on treatment they received from the sister, and the value of their medical lectures. |
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Her mother had become unwell, and Miss Nightingale had to take her back to Embley. She continued to look after her parents throughout most of 1873. In January 1874 she managed to return to London. Parthe and her husband Sir Harry Verney looked after Fanny and William. Bad new arrived on January 10th 1874, her father had died. He had gone upstairs to fetch his watch and slipped on the stairs, he died instantly. Miss Nightingale had been devoted to her father, they were very close and he understood her much more than her mother. |
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With the death of her father, more problems arose. As there was no son to inherit, the properties of Embley and Lea Hurst now passed on to Aunt Mai, according to the instructions of Peter Nightingale's will. Fanny, old and confused could not understand why she was being turned out of her home. Aunt Mai wanted Embley, her husband Samuel was now an invalid, and it would be more suitable for them. It was suggested that Fanny could live in London, but Miss Nightingale knew that she would hate. She would also need a companion to look after, who could she find. It was decided in the end that Fanny would go to Lea Hurst. By July she had moved Fanny to Lea Hurst, and Embley was given up. Fanny now blind was happy to be in surroundings she knew. |
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Aunt Mai's son William Shore Smith and his wife Louisa suggested they would look after Fanny at their house at Norwood, so Miss Nightingale could return to London to continue her work. But Fanny became so ill and unhappy, she had to and look after her. By the end of July 1875 she was well enough to travel, and returned to Lea Hurst. Miss Nightingale was to stay with her mother, she was worn out by domestic difficulties |
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Miss Nightingale managed to keep control of the Nightingale School, either by writing letters, or paying visits when she could. She preferred her nurses to go to posts she had arranged for them, and would keep in contact with them, giving advice. When a nurse went to a new post, she would send flowers. There was always a constant supply of fruit, game, jellies, eggs and butter sent by her to the school. She took great pleasure in seeing people comfortable and well fed. Two of her probationers she became most fond of Miss Rachel Williams and Miss Pringle, both were excellent nurses and became matrons of important hospitals. |
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In the Summer of 1879 the estate at Lea Hurst was involved in a serious scandal. A typhoid epidemic broke out. The water supply and drainage was dangerously defective. With animals fouling the water and the cesspool allowed to lie or to percolate poisoning air, it contaminated `Holy Well` which gives its name to the village. Miss Nightingale was attacked on all side. For years she had been pointing out that the water supply, overflow from the cesspool was allowed to lie or to percolate poisioning air and water. An official enquiry was held, there were articles in the local paper and endless letters. |
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On February 2nd 1880 Fanny died aged ninety-two. She would be buried at East Wellow with William. After the death of her parents, she grew closer to her sister Parthe, and began to visit her home of Claydon. A room was set aside for her, called `Miss Nightingale's room`. With Parthe becoming more ill, Sir Harry relied on Miss Nightingale to help him with the management of his affairs and property. She soon found herself taking an active part in the lives of his sons and their wives. In 1881 Uncle Sam died, and Miss Nightingale found herself reconciled with Aunt Mai. |
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Miss Nightingale returned to London, she had received a letter from General Gordon about his cousin Mrs Hawthorn, who was the wife of a colonel in the Royal Engineers. She wanted to put forward facts concerning neglect and ill treatment of patients in military hospitals to the War Office. Miss Nightingale wrote a memorandum which she submitted to the Secretary for War, she was not successful. Even with this failure a friendship grew between her and General Gordon. He was murdered in 1885 at Khartoum. After his death a home was founded in his honour, the Gordon Home for Destitute Boys. |
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Although Miss Nightingale's first attempt of the allegations about military hospitals failed, she persisted, and in January 1882 a Committee of Enquiry was set up. The Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Evelyn Wood, found only that improvements could be made, and that it did not need reorganisation. Before the report could be issued, the Egyptian Campaign had begun. Supplies were not available, hospital equipment was totally insufficient, medical supplies run out. Miss Nightingale had been asked to send out nurses, twenty-four were sent out under the supervision of a Nightingale trained matron. They bought back reports, which was supported by independent evidence. In October 1882, the Committee of Enquiry was reconstituted under the Chairmanship of Lord Morley. Miss Nightingale was sent minutes of the evidence given. She suggested witnesses and sent briefs for their examination. The Egyptian Campaign had been under the command of Lord Wolseley, he had reported to the Committee of Enquiry of the advantage of having lady nurses both in peace and war time. When the report was completed it was presented to the Secretary of State for War. Miss Nightingale was informed by Dr Crawford a year later, all the recommended changes would be made. Mr Crawford was the Director General of the Medical Department. |
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When the Gordon Relief Expedition went to Egypt in 1884, the Government requested that female nurses go with them. Miss Rachel Williams was to be superintendent, she also sat on a committee of the National Aid Society. There were difficulties with orderlies, a shortage of medical supplies and experienced sisters, but this time everyone worked together and the nurses proved successful. |
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By 1887 the following hospitals, institutions and organisations had matrons or superintendent who had trained at the Nightingale School: |
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Training Schools supervised and directed by Nightingale superintendents had been established in |
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Nurses had also gone to Sydney, Montreal, India, Ceylon. Germany, Sweden and the United States of America. |
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In 1887 Queen Victoria decided to devote part of the money which had been presented by the women of England to the cause of `training the sick poor in their own homes by means of trained nurses`. Sir James Paget was appointed trustee, and the Jubilee Institute for Nurses was founded. |
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A proposal had been made in 1886 for trained nurses to be given official recognition, giving them a standard qualification. It had been proposed that a board of examiners independent of the training schools be set up, enabling a nurse to pass an examination by them, and their name entered on a register. Miss Nightingale did not agree with this, she felt that nursing at that moment was still to unorganised, and that a single standard would be difficult to apply. The members of the Hospital Association went against Miss Nightingale and recommended that a register should be established and the British Nurses` Association was founded. Even the members of the British Nurses` Association could not agree and in 1888 a new committee was set up to enquire among the training schools and the medical profession for their opinion of a register for nurses. In 1889 they published their policy, the main object was provide a register of nurses. To do this they needed to apply for a Royal Charter incorporating the Association and authorising the formation of a register. The President of the Association was Princess Christina, Queen Victoria's daughter. This would make it difficult for Miss Nightingale to influence the Association. When the Association proposed they would be applying for the Charter Miss Nightingale supported by the matron of the London Hospital, St Thomas's and many of the training schools declared their opposition. After two years of disagreement, the Association applied to the Board of Trade to be registered as a Public Company, so they would be able to form a register, allowing them to stat4e the qualification required to have their name put on the register. Miss Nightingale put forward a case of opposing the application, and registration was refused. The Association was not be defeated and in 1892 they obtained permission from the Queen to use the title Royal, a special committee of the Privy Council was heard for a Royal Charter. The hearing took a week, but the result would not be announced for sic months. The result was that the Association was granted a Royal Charter, but the word register was removed. Also that they would only have a right to `the maintenance of a list of persons who may have applied to have their names entered thereon as nurses`. |
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Miss Nightingale was now to enjoy her old age, receiving many visitors, who she still continued to see on an appointment basis. She loved the company of her young nieces and nephews. Miss Nightingale run a very tight household with five maids, her own personal maid and an old soldier who was known as `Miss Nightingale's messenger`. The duties to be performed in the house and in the kitchen at every hour through the day, were marked on a chart. She would check on her menu every day and comment on the meals the day before. Parthe had become seriously ill, and Sir Harry now eighty-two could not cope, so Miss Nightingale went to Claydon House to help. She had become fond of Sir Harry's children, especially Frederick who had been ordained a deacon and did social work in London, also Margaret, many letters were to pass between them. Parthe was to die on May12th 1890, [which was Miss Nightingales 70th birthday. Miss Nightingale felt that during their later years together a reconciliation had been complete. |
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Miss Nightingale and Sir Harry grew closer, they would write everyday. He was nearly ninety, and she spent a lot of time at Claydon. She showed an interest in the management of his estate, which need much improvement. |
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In February 1894, Sir Harry died, and then Miss Nightingale's favourite nephew Shore in August 1894, it had only been a year before that she lost her good friend Jowett. As friends and relatives close to her died, so she remained more in London, she made fewer visits to Claydon, she had never returned to Lea Hurst after her mothers death, and Embley was sold in 1896. Her sight was growing worse and she found it more and more difficult to write, by 1901 her sight failed completely. Her mind also began to fail, and she was not always aware of the surroundings. She now needed help in running her household and a Miss Cochran stayed with her for two years, before leaving to get married. She was replaced by Miss Elizabeth Bosanquet, who was to stay with her until Miss Nightingale's death. |
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In October 1907 she was given the Order of Merit by King Edward VII, the first time it had been given to a woman. The following year she received the Freedom of the City of London. When people read about these award it came as a surprise that she was still alive. She received flowers and many letters of congratulations. |
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In May 1910 it was the Jubilee of the founding of the Nightingale Training School. |
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