Miss Barton's New Book

Autumn 1915

Our Principal Matron has written a wise and timely little book. In turning its pages we are reminded, again and again, of the phrase of a famous divine, who spoke of the quality of 'sanctified common-sense.' Commonsense of a delightfully human and gentle sort breathes from every chapter; in some mysterious manner the authoress, even when treating in the most businesslike fashion of some technical point of nursing, infuses a tenderness into her words, and appears rather as a helper than an instructor of her readers. To quote from a work of this nature is always unsatisfactory as an indication of its scope, but we can at any rate give some suggestion of the pleasantly conversational style, alluded to above, by offering a selection of the authoress's aphorisms, taken more or less at random from passages full of her characteristic quiet kindliness.

"Beware of false sentimentality. Sentiment is very different from sympathy. The sentimental person is usually one whose thoughts and ideals are largely centred on self."

"In counselling our V.A.D. members as to how they should best approach this work we would advocate a spirit of earnestness, coupled, if possible, with that most saving grace - a sense of humour."

"Each V.A.D. member has probably had many lessons and practical demonstrations in the art of making beds, but this has been usually without anyone in them, or else with healthy little messenger boys, who were docketed for the occasion with labels describing different complaints. This is a very different matter from assisting in making a bed for someone who is seriously injured... The V.A.D. member will be well advised if, instead of trying to show off her knowledge, she will watch and assist as helpfully as she possibly can, and learn the methods in use in whatever ward she is sent to, never either quoting her own special handbook or what she has seen done in other wards."

"Many patients have dreaded the advent of the nurse who, with the best and most conscientious intentions, comes to the bedside with puckered, anxious brow and 'Duty' with a large D imprinted on every feature, and proceeds grimly to carry out such nursing duties as have been indicated above, and then passes on silently and mysteriously to the next victim. The patient feels relieved that that unpleasant business is over, but it leaves him depressed and uneasy, and thinking perhaps that he may be worse than he really is."

"I would earnestly warn all V.A.D. members against gossiping and 'talking shop' when out and off duty. It is horribly bad form, when on the tops of omnibuses, or in trains or teashops, to discuss the hospital, the patients, or the daily work in the wards."

"It is a good plan to make it a practice to take an interest in the outside world - the war, everything that is going on, if possible to see pictures, hear music, read interesting books, and where possible carry on some hobby. This, though it may entail more exertion, will counteract the tendency to gossip and will keep the mind healthy and vigorous."

Miss Barton's book is one that says a great many things which, at the present moment, badly needed saying; simple things, yet essential ones. Many of her readers will feel, when laying it down, that they have gained not only a revered adviser but also an affectionate friend.

Hints to V.A.D. Members in Hospitals by E. C. Barton (Matron of Chelsea Infirmary and Principal Matron of the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth). With a Foreword by Queen Amelie of Portugal and a Preface by James Cantlie, M.B., F.R.C.S., Member of the Council of the British Red Cross Society. Published by The Nursing Times, St. Martin's Street, W.C., price 6d. nett.