Susan Cohen (2)

I have now read several historic books published by Pen & Sword and I have always found them to be well written and informative. They may well introduce you to subjects that you may have not previously been familiar with and due to the concise nature of their books (they can normally be read over the course of one or two days) you can quickly gain a basic appreciation of a subject which can then lead you if desired to further reading and research. This book covers those somewhat unsung heroes of the medical profession the district nurse who even today undertakes a crucial role in primary healthcare visiting people in their own homes or in residential care homes and providing increasingly complex care for patients and supporting family members. The book traces their beginnings in the Victorian era and the importance in their development of two people in particular, the Liverpool philanthropist William Rathbone VI and Florence Nightingale. Before their intervention home nursing was performed by women who were little more than untrained maids often inebriated as personified by Salrey Gamp from Charles Dickens "Martin Chuzzlwit".

Like other Pen & Sword books there is a wonderful collection of photographs that lend credence to the text. These include photographs of the prevailing appalling social conditions of the time, district nurses treating patients, the mode of transport used and newspaper reproductions including advertisements for the required hats and clothing. There were certainly some interesting facts including until the arrival of the NHS the continual problem of trying to find adequate funding.

Whether you are a health care professional or simply someone like me who has an interest in social history I think you will be informed and educated by this book.… (more)