THE SOLDIER'S FRIEND. might be, the more certainly might be seen her slight form bending over him, administering to his ease by every means in her power, and seldom quitting his side until death released him " Yet the difficulties of Florence Nightingale's position were increased tenfold by the continual struggles which she was obliged to undergo with System and the prejudices of individuals. By petty -daily-contests she was compelled to extort from the authorities a scanty allowance of the necessary materials required by her and her band of nurses. Etiquette and " service " regulations impeded her movements at every step ; " indolence, indifference, and incapacity " combined to clog her exertions ; for " no one would take ` responsibility' upon himself, even to save the lives of hundreds." Happily, the presence and able co-operation of Mr. Macdonald, the distributor of ` The Times' Fund,' enabled her at length to lay in stores, to institute proper culinary and washing departments, and to introduce some order and comfort. Had it not been for their mutual exertions, a large proportion of the poor prostrate sufferers must have been condemned to wear the tattered filthy rags in which they were brought down from the Crimea. A washing contract had, it is true, existed, but it was totally inoperative, and the beds and habiliments of the men had been in a condition loathsome and foul beyond description. A house, well supplied with water, close to the Barrack Hospital, was engaged at the charge of the Fund, 23
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