360 MEDICAL SECTION 



societies, churches, settlements, &c. As soon as an 

 expectant mother is found, the nurse sets out to make 

 that woman her friend, and with very few exceptions 

 she succeeds. A careful record is taken of home 

 conditions, family conditions, and previous confine- 

 ments. The situation is then reported to headquarters, 

 and the nurse outlines her plan of action. If 

 abnormal physical conditions are found, the woman 

 is advised to consult a physician or hospital, and it is 

 the duty of the nurse to see that her advice is carried 

 out, even to the extent of going with her patient. 

 The field physician does not see or treat the women 

 except under exceptional conditions. We believe 

 there are sufficient facilities already existing. 

 Every woman is visited every two weeks in her home, 

 where actual conditions are seen and discussed. If 

 relief is needed, the nurse interests the proper 

 organization. If the bread-winner is out of work, she 

 tries to find employment for him. If the mother must 

 work, she is urged to do the kind which will do her 

 the least harm, and is helped to find it. If the woman 

 is tired out, and the home is already overrun with 

 children, arrangements are made for the children to 

 be sent away for a holiday. And all the time the 

 nurse is teaching, and her advice is usually followed. 

 Routine visits are made every two weeks, In special 

 cases they are made much oftener, sometimes every 

 two or three days. Through co-operation with settle- 

 ments and other social organizations, each nurse has 

 a headquarters where she spends an hour every day, 

 and where she may be found in emergency. At her 

 first visit the nurse leaves an addressed post card 

 asking her to call at once, which when mailed secures 

 a visit within twenty-four hours. As soon as the baby 

 is born this card is sent to the nurse, often with such 

 an addition as " My mother bought a little girl," added 

 by one of the children. Visits are then made every 

 three to four days, until the baby is a month old, by 



