For this Online assignment, you will have the great opportunity to read first hand some of Florence Nightingale's letters. KUMC is very fortunate to have these priceless letters in the Clendening Library, so someday you can go see them as well as read them on the Net! Please complete the two following assignments:

1. On May 19, 1862, Ms. Nightingale wrote a response to Dr. Charles Shrimpton. Dr. Shrimpton wrote the following letter to her on May 9, 1862 about the septicemia outbreak in Paris:

"Is Pyaemia indigenous in the population of Paris? Pyaemia purulent infection is certainly indigenous in Paris, tho' it is extremely difficult to trace it; as such, in the traumatic cases, out of Hospital. These cases are rarely, if ever, treated at home amongst the poorer classes here, and amongst the wealthier, Pyaemia is of course not so frequently developed.

Its indigenous state however appears to me to be sufficiently demonstrated by the fact that Puerperal fever is of very common occurrence in Paris, frequently endemic, & assuredly Puerperal fever is a form of Purulent infection. I believe too in the existence, among the lower classes, of this disease which would be called Pyaemia, if any local suppuration had existed. When this is not the case, it takes a Typhoid form, and pus, often is large quantities, may be found after death, in various parts of the boy, particularly in the Serous of Synovial Cavities, though the patients may not have had any suppurating surface during life.

Purulent infection is indigenous in this country & owes its origin to the horror of fresh air and cleanliness among all classes of society. It is a perfect mania, even amongst some medical men, who are afraid to let the least breath of fresh air come near their Patients after they have undergone any operation. After confinements too, door & windows are kept hermetically closed, the Patient is not allowed to be washed, her hair to be combed or her linen changed for eight or nine days. Is not this enough to breed the plague?

Charles Shrimpton, M.D."

1. This letter is evidence of Florence Nightingale's  collaborative efforts in nurse-physician relationships long ago. After reading her response to Dr. Shrimpton, briefly discuss parallels between collaborative relationships (Chapter 11, Hamric) then and now, including at least two citations from the text readings.
   
   
2. Choose a historical review   OR choose one more of Ms. Nightingale's letters of interest to draw parallels between issues and/or roles you are learning about in NRSG 755, including at least two citations from the text readings. Be sure to note the exemplars in collaborative relationships at the end of Chapter 11 in Hamric.