PREFACE. Many books have been written within recent years on the subject of abdominal and gynæcological surgery, for the instruction and guidance of the medical student and practitioner, yet none but the most meager details-found chiefly in books on general nursing-have been supplied for the aid of the nurse. The stringent requirements of aseptic and antiseptic surgery demand that nurses and assistants shall coöperate with the surgeon in enabling him to attain the results desired in operative work. Hence a thorough knowledge of the methods by which the best results are to be obtained is essential. At the request of my pupils-and with the hope of meeting this need in other institutionsI have prepared these lectures for publication. The methods recommended are those which haye. proved useful and successful in the surgical work `of the wards of our Hospital. An effort has been made, however, by careful observation of the work in prominent hospitals both in this country and Europe, as also by a thorough study and com parison of the methods advocated by standard writers, to represent the various plans of management which tend to serve the same end. The chapter on diet for the sick has kindly been prepared by our matron, Miss Sara H. Janvier, and contains recipes for invalid cookery which are taught our nurses in the diet kitchen connected with the Hospital, in which each nurse has a term of service. I am indebted to Dr. Anna E. Broomall for many · practical points in connection with the methods of management set forth in this book; also, to Dr. Susan Hayhurst, Dr. Frieda E. Lippert, and Miss Alice Littell for aid in its compilation. To all who have helped me by friendly counsel and assistance I would express my sincere thanks. ANNA M. FULLERTON. Woman's Hospital of Philadelphia, October, 1891. |