As I have sometimes succeeded in treating invalids in their own homes, so have I occasionally been able to carry through cases nursed by a mother, or sister, or friend of exceptional firmness; but to attempt this is to be heavily handicapped, and the position should never be accepted if it be possible to make other arrangements.

Any firm, intelligent woman of tact, a stranger to the patient, is better than the old style of nurse, now, happily, disappearing.

The nurse for these cases ought to be a young, active, quick-witted woman, capable of firmly but gently controlling her patient.

She ought to be intelligent, able to interest her patient, to read aloud, and to write letters.

The more of these cases she has seen and nursed, the easier becomes the task of the doctor.