Old photographs of nurses can be found in many places and at many
prices. Bins of old photos at antique shops may yield photos such as
the ones above. Only one of the photos above is labeled - the one in the
bottom right is signed "With love from "Per." May
19, 1901."
More rare is the stereoscopic photograph below, both because
of the form and the subject: photos of nurses with their patients
were a bit less common than the pictures of individuals or
classes. It must be assumed that such photographs were staged or
carefully posed. The text from the back of the photo is below and
also sounds like propaganda to reassure the public that the wounded
were being well cared for. Although it is not dated, it is assumed to be
circa World War I.
"This hospital ward was one of ten separate and complete hospital
organizations that made up Debarkation and Convalesent Hospital
Number 5, at the Grand Central Palace, New York City. It normally
accomodated over 3,400 patients.
There is evidence on every hand of the work of the nurses, medical officers and
the Red Cross. With flowers, books, games and candy when allowed,
on each bedside table, the wounded men had every encouragement to
regaining their health. There are several games of checkers in progress,
and the patients well enough to be dressed wander about on visits to the
other less fortunate ones.
When the men were strong enough to be sent on, they were sent to hsopitals as
near as possible to their own homes, and discharged from there.
Unless a moan was so unfortunate as to require some special
treatment for an injury, which necessitated his being sent to
a particular hospital, such as the one for shell shocked in Washington,
this was practically the last step toward home.
While the men were kept in these convalescent hospitals, they were often
allowed to spend an afternoon at the theater, as guests of the management
or the War Camp Community Service. This made the last days of their
convalescence easier to bear."
Unidentified nurse with patient
