Page 33 - New Medley 5 Semester 2

She went down the dark hallways with a lamp and attended to

every patient herself. They were touched and felt comforted by her
compassion. They called her ‘the Lady with the Lamp’.

‘Nightingale started a special kitchen where food for patients was
prepared. She also established a laundry to provide the patients with

clean sheets and clothes. A classroom and a library were also set up
for them. Meanwhile, she also wrote notes and reports about the need

for reforms in other military hospitals.

‘When the war was over, Florence

Nightingale returned to her childhood
home at Lea Hurst. People welcomed

her warmly. The Queen rewarded her by
presenting a special engraved brooch to

her that was called the ‘Nightingale Jewel’
and a prize of £250,000 from the British

Government.

‘Nightingale used the money to set up
St Thomas’ Hospital and the Nightingale

Training School for Nurses within it. Now, nursing was regarded as

an honourable profession, even by the upper-class. Nightingale took
ill by the time she was 38. However, she continued to work from her
bed and wrote notes for the improvement of conditions in civilian

hospitals. In 1908, she was conferred the ‘Order of Merit’ by King

Edward. Nightingale died in 1910, at the age of 90 in London.’

Minal put the book down and stared at the compassion love

picture of Florence Nightingale. Tara came to her, established set up
“So? What do you think now?” Minal said in a engraved cut or
determined voice, “I know it’s difficult, but I still carved on the surface

want to become a nurse like Florence Nightingale. of a hard object
brooch a piece of
She was a strong woman. She did a lot for others.” jewellery having a pin
Tara put the book back on the shelf and said, conferred bestowed
“Good.” or granted
determined firm

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