1. Is not too young or too old - and copes with the tiredness that comes with her work. 2. Is fit and well, and has no mood-swings, dizziness or coughs 3. Keeps alert and is able to concentrate no matter how long the illness lasts This book was written in 1730 by an English doctor, Thomas Fuller. He lists fifteen qualities that a nurse needed. Read each one and try to put it in your own words. Click over the statement to see a modern version. Click over it again to make the modern text disappear 4. Has very good hearing and is ready to respond as soon as the patient calls 6. Has good eyesight and can see the “spots” - their colour, what they are like, how they grow and how they may change 7. Is very practical and finds the best way to carry out the tasks without being clumsy or noisy 8. Is light and lively when moving around and doing the work Click here to move on to the next tasks 9. Is very hygienic, so that all the ointments and bandages she applies are done properly 10. Is calm and keeps the patients as relaxed and happy as she can. 11. Is happy and pleasant, always looking on the bright side, never getting grumpy, sad or anxious. 12. Always takes care and pays attention whether it is night or day. 13. Is steady and sensible, and does not go to extremes in eating, drinking or smoking. 14. Keeps closely to the doctor’s orders, and is not so proud of her ability that she gives the patient her own drugs and treatments 15. Has no children or other people who depend on her and need her attention. 5. Is calm and peaceful, talks softly (but not very much) and walks quietly.

Nursing in 1730 – some tasks 1.The list is taken from Dr Fuller’s pages about treating smallpox. Are any of the qualities particularly linked to caring for smallpox victims? 2.Who do you think would use a list like this? 3.Arrange the fifteen qualities in what you think would be a sensible order of importance. Be ready to give reasons. (You can make a set of cards from one of the next two screens). 4.What inferences (sensible guesses) can you make from this list about the duties of a nurse in 1730? 5.How might the list be different if it were to be updated for use today? 6.Give some reasons why the list would be different today.

Is not too young or too old - and copes with the tiredness that comes with her work. Is fit and well and has no mood-swings, dizziness or coughs Alert and able to concentrate no matter how long the illness lasts Has very good hearing and is ready to respond as soon as the patient calls Has good eyesight and can see the “spots” - their colour, what they are like, how they grow and how they may change Is very practical and finds the best way to carry out the tasks without being clumsy or noisy Is light and lively when moving around and doing the work Very hygienic, so that all the ointments and bandages she applies are done properly Is calm and keeps the patients as relaxed and happy as she can. Is happy and pleasant, always looking on the bright side, never getting grumpy, sad or anxious. Always takes care and pays attention whether it is night or day. Is steady and sensible, and does not go to extremes in eating, drinking or smoking. Keeps closely to the doctor’s orders, and is not so proud of her ability that she gives the patient her own drugs and treatments Has no children or other people who depend on her and need her attention. Is calm and peaceful, talks softly (but not very much) and walks quietly.

Teacher guidance Students could use this resource when studying continuity and change in eg –Treatments of smallpox eg as a case study in medicine –Nursing –Communicating medical ideas The tasks can be done independently or in a classroom context. It is recommended that activities involve discussion and purposeful talk before written responses are produced, but the tasks could be tackled as homework and then responses shared in class discussion. The task in Slide 1 develops the skill of comprehension of sources. (Another way of tackling this without the use of a computer would be to get students to pair the old/new versions of the fifteen qualities if two sets of cards are produced.) The tasks shown in slide 2 develop skills/understanding of –Locating, selecting and deploying relevant evidence in sources; –Understanding the source in its context –Analysis, critical thinking and use of supporting argument –Inference –Change and continuity –Causation Further activities can be devised using the cards eg to decide which qualities are concerned with physical / personal gifts and which of these matter most in nursing

Copyright notice The content of this resource is copyright of the Discovery Library, Derriford Hospital. It is available for download and reproduction for personal, academic teaching or study use under the terms of the “Creative Commons Licence”. Only non-commercial use is permitted under these terms – any use from which there is financial gain is not permitted. In any use of the resource, the Discovery Library, Derriford Hospital must be clearly credited.