Hospital Uniforms
Nurses' uniforms were designed
for both practical and symbolic purposes. Which aspects of the
uniforms relate directly to the work of the nurse? How do the
uniforms show allegiance to a particular hospital or nursing
school? How do they relate to the fashion of the time? How do
the uniforms show the educational status of the nurse? Since
most nurses were women, what do the uniforms reveal about ideals
of femininity of the time? Why did hospital uniforms
disappear?
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Caps
What different styles of nurses'
caps exist in the collection? What different ways did nurses
have to keep their caps on? Why did hospitals change the design
of their caps? What is the significance of the coloured
bands?
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School Pins
Who made these pins? What do the
various symbols on the pins mean?
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Instrument Kits
Which instruments were essential
to the nurses' practice? Which interventions did nurses -
as opposed to doctors - carry out? Compare the instruments
with the instructions for their use in nursing textbooks. How
have instruments and procedures changed over time?
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Instructional Books
What instructions are given in
the books for use of the instruments, such as hypodermic
syringes or thermometers? How did nursing practice change over
time, according to various editions of the books?
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