Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT
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the day. It is indeed a touching sight to see the little faces, so quiet, so patient, so
contented, and yet so happy. At the same time, it is such a satisfaction to know
that they have everything that can be desired—the best medical advice, food in
abundance of the very best quality, warm clothing, and kind nurses to attend to their
every want. When the patients are admitted they are put into a warm bath, have
the hair completely cut otf, and the clothes in which they came either returned to
their parents or burned, and new things provided; and one would hardly credit the
improvement on a child after a day or two of cleanliness and nourishment, these
being almost the only medicines requisite. On the contrary, again, some are brought
in only to die, disease having so weakened them, that neither medicine nor stimulant
has any effect.
Imagination, too, sometimes has its part in the malady; for the last time I visited
the Hospital, the matron told me of a girl, of about ten or twelve years of age, who
had once before been a patient for several months, paralysis having completely
deadened some of her faculties. Speech and the power of movement were gone,
hearing and sight only were left; but after about two or three months’ treatment, her
system becoming stronger, the once latent powers began to awaken, and she left the
Hospital a different child. Again, however, she is an inmate—this time with severe
lumbago. She was treated accordingly by the doctor, who, after having tried different
remedies, said he could do no more for her. She would walk and lie down, but
nothing could persuade her to seat herself. All their persuasions were in vain, for
she remained obstinately determined not to sit down. The matron, seeing it would
not do to give in, told her one day she must either leave or take some part in the
duties of the ward. If she consented to do the latter, she should have a teapot and
cup and saucer for her own use, and a certain allowance of tea every week, as the
other nurses had; “ but you know, Katie,” said she, “I cannot have my nurses standing
at their meals,—they must either sit down or do without.” The next day, on asking
the nurse if the result had been favourable, the answer was, “ If you please, ma’am,
I promised not to tell.” The day following, the answer was more decided. The once
obstinate will was conquered, and the child, feeling that she must succumb, seated
herself, at first with apparent difficulty, for she feared the nurse’s betraying her, but
after a little time, when she forgot about it, as easily and as naturally as any one else.
Another little fellow, who had broken his leg, looked so happy in his little bed,
that one would think it was the greatest blessing in the world that such an accident
should have befallen him. He is only two or three years of age, and his merry
ringing laugh resounded all through the ward.