spared to free oneself from what is a serious drawback to the
acceptableness of a nurse.

Be very careful not to contract any little annoying habits, such
as frequent clearing of the throat, sniffing, etc. You may have a
catarrh, but use your handkerchief quietly; such noises are very
disgusting, and these habits, I am sorry to say, are not rare, and
seem very hard to conquer.

I suppose that I have better opportunities to hear stories of
nurses and their doings, good and evil, than some have. I
certainly hear some very curious things. The most extraordinary
was of a nurse who always made it a rule, when she went to a
patient's house, to stipulate immediately for her hours "off
duty." She thought she was doing a very clever thing, and making a
most commendable business-like arrangement. It will not be
necessary for me to show you what a lack of tact she exhibited,
and what an antagonistic feeling she aroused.

Never kiss your patient or allow yourself to show any
demonstrative affection, unless you are very sure it will be
welcome, and be careful even then. A kiss for "goodbye" when you
leave the patient is usually quite enough, and many ladies are
repulsed by anything of the kind. If you feel an affectionate
regard for your patient, you can show it by your constant
thoughtfulness and your care. Do not fear that you will lead
lonesome, repressed lives; if you are the nurses you ought to be,
you will have all the affection you want, and often more than you
know what to do with. Never do any sewing or fancy work for
yourself until you are sure there is none you could do for the