American Nurses in the early 1800's were for the most part drunks, illiterate and totally unreliable. Then inspired by Florence Nightingale's example in England, Bellevue Nurse Training School in New York came into being, changing the face of American Nursing. Well-to-do women in their hundreds flocked to train as nurses and gain a profession. This book talks about this era, giving details about nursing training at both Bellevue & its 'Sister School', Connecticut School for Nurses. Personal accounts of Night Duty, Visiting Nurse's Tenement work, assisting surgeons in operating theatres and visiting the mental asylums of the day are given. It also lists a nurse's perceived ideal qualities such as : One who is accustomed to playing lawn tennis, who can ride, skate and row, makes the best material. If she can dance is a great advantage for graceful carriage is a thing to be cultivated. If in addition to being well-formed she is favored with good looks it all the better.' Contains seven rare antique engravings of Nursing.