Historical information

Each disease is described in length, how to nurse, what complications may occur and precautions to take, eg with Typhoid Fever, urine needs to be boiled to prevent spread of disease, container is to stand in antiseptic, kept separate, and if in the country, buried. Notes state:" the nurse must do all in her power to induce rest and sleep with the patients, eg warm sponge, frequent comfort positioning in bed." Other diseases detailed are Meningitis, Phthisis, Diptheria, Scarlet Fever, Measles, Pneumonia, all needing isolation nursing. How to prepare solutions give enemas and bowel washouts are described in these comprehensive notes indicative of the heavy, onerous nursing requirements practiced at that time.

Physical description

Black covered lined exercise book which contains lengthy and concise notes on how to nurse patients with serious disease in the wards. There are signatures of Freda's colleagues in the front cover with the letters AMDG which means "All My Work for God". The work demonstrates the onerous task of nursing infectious patients in an era where hospital stays were lengthy and antibiotics not yet used. Nursing care was comprehensive, detailed and physical.