Related to Canine Nurses' Institute
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'It is only very recently that owners and breeders of dogs have realised the comfort, one might almost say the necessity, of having a trained nurse in case of illness in their kennels. So many diseases to which our dogs are liable are dependent just as much upon the proficiency and on the amount of nursing as upon the skill of the veterinary surgeon.' (5)

 

'It is the height of cruelty to send a sensitive pet who has never been away from home to an animal hospital. Crowded in among numbers of other patients hearing all round him barks and snarls and whimperings, the bewildered little beast suffers all the pangs of home sickness. He, too, becomes restless and off his feed, is sleepless and totally unfit to [7-8] combat his complaint. If possible, it is therefore always advisable to have a trained nurse and have the animal looked after in its home; and there amidst its own surroundings, with occassional visits from its master and mistress, the little patient goes through its illness with every comfort and chance of a good recovery, nursed and watched by a comptetent nurse.' (7-8)

 

'We hope that in the years to follow, the profession of canine nursing will be taken up by a large number of competent, clever women and girls. It is as yet a new departure, but surely no other profession could be chosen. Here, there is scope for brains, for humanity, for tenderness; every womanly characteristic could find its splendid opportunity, and as reward these faithful friends would give their confidence and their affection'. (9)

 

An 'instance of canine intelligence and brain reasoning is that of a dog patient at the Canine Nurses' Institute in 1911. An apparently poor woman brought to the house for treatment a rough-haired fox terrier. The dog was in a serious plight, and as it was almost beyond treatment her master (she said) had asked her to have it destroyed at once. Being fond of the dog she felt she would endeavour to save it, and hence her appeal to the Institute. The dog was suffering from virulent ear [37-38] canker and eczema. The "poor" woman was very distressed, but was consoled by the promise that treatment would be given at a small fee for medicines and skin specifics, and asked to call in a week's time. The inmates of the Institute took the animal in charge, and with the most pleasing results. A week's treatment of "Caesar," as he was affectionately called from his likeness to the late Kind Edward's Caesar, produced the most striking change in his condition. The faithful beast was grateful and comforted, and did his utmost to convince everyone of this. The change was so marked that the nurses were loath to part with their patient at the week end and the poor woman only too glad to allow Caesar to stay to be fully and completely cured. He stayed three weeks, and at the expiration of that time, after a last medicated bath and good grooming, was taken home by his impecunious mistress.

A week elapsed, and one morning at five o'clock a loud barking was heard under the portico of the Institute's door. It was "Caesar," who was immediately admitted and joyfully greeted all his old friends. He had returned evidently at his first opportunity. A telephone call (which was a little mystifying) later asked "if the dog had been seen in the district," and it was answered in the affirmative, stating that he was in safe sustody at the home. He was promptly fetched again by the poor woman. Ten days later at five in the morning the same loud barking was again heard in the portico. It was "Caesar," who was again admitted looking in more [38-39] perfect condition than ever. On his being examined he was found now to be embellished with a handsome silver collar, with the name and address of a well-known theatrical impressario, living in the district. "Caesar" had given his master away this time, and perhaps his reasoning had worked for a salutory purpose. He was promptly taken away again by the "poor woman." He had done his level best, poor fellow, to show his gratitude and his owner's duplicity - he could do no more. He was an actor and a good one. But he has never appeared at the house since he gave his master away.' (37-39)

 

'Do dogs have a sixth sense? Does their vision pass beyond the veil which divides the natural from the supernatural? The following experience of a Canine nurse during a case last year may throw some light on the subject:- A certain lady living in the country was called to London for a few days, and as her pet dog was then recovering from a serious illness, a canine nurse was sent for to take charge of the pet, who for the purpose of this story we will call "Petit," during his owner's absence. The nurse duly arrived, and in order that "Petit" should not miss his beloved mistress too much, agreed to sleep in that lady's room in order that her pet might have his accustomed couch by her bedside.

Night came, and "Petit" and his nurse retired to rest. Quite soon, however, the nurse, who was not at all sleepy, became aware of a mysterious coldness, and a ruch of icy air in the room - although the door was fast shut, and there was no draught. [39-40] Then a faint luminous haze in the form of an egg-shape or oval became apparent quite close to the bed. This haze gained gradually in strength, and developed into a blueish white light, misty towards the outer edge, and in the centre of this light a figure began to form - that of an elderly lady clad in a long white garment, who appeared to be reading a book. This figure stood gazing sorrowfully at [40-41] the nurse, for what seemed to the awestruck girl several minutes. Then, turning, the apparition moved still in the circle of hazy light towards the opposite wall - through which she passed - the light becoming dimmer, and gradually fading away as she disappeared.

Some minutes before the vision had first manifested itself "Petit" had become uneasy, moving restlessly on his couch and shivering. As the light grew in density, he moaned piteously, and as the figure of the lady began to form he crawled from his couch and took refuge under the eiderdown quilt on the nurses' bed, where he stayed till morning.

It may be mentioned that "Petit," more from nervousness than from actual bad temper, was by no means a dog to seek caresses or comfort from the human. In fact, except with regard to his mistress, he was very apt to snap at the hand which sought to stroke his head. Therefore it was quite opposite to his nature to seek comfort and protection from his nurse.

The nurse in question afterwards discovered that a lady relative of "Petit's" mistress was lying dead in the same town, and the funeral had not taken place.' (39-41)

 

'People wonder if te dog they have petted and allowed to become as one of the family shows sometimes signs of irritabillity of temper or moroseness as the case may be. The canine mind, you may be sure, is not dense, It has a rational understanding, the trend of which scientists are to-day endeavouring to fathom, and we hope with some ultimate success.

A half-bred collie wsa given from the Canine Nurses' Institute in its early days to a farmer in Royston. It was loath to leave its first home, but the prospect of its well-being was good and the farmer's wife immediately took it under her kindly care. Unfotunately the poor woman was an epileptic, and these terrible seizures occurred usually twice in four weeks. There was no permanent cure and great care had to be taken of her when the attacks were likely to occur. It was a strange thing that the dog "Crib" in time possessed a knowledge of the likelihood of these terrible attacks. His devotion to the woman was almost, if not really, equal to human. Although he had a large amount of the fearsomeness and fighting element of his breed at times, he would be absolutely cowed, and would follow his mistress every step, as though waiting to protect her in emergency.

Many times, it has transpired, this good dog [48-49] has called assistance to the aid of his mistress when she had fallen utterly unconscious in dangerous places. The mill stream running close to the house was always a danger to the poor woman. The dog, however, seemed to gather either by intuition or scent where his mistress may have walked, and true to his instinct generally found her on many occassions unconscious by the water side. He summoned help at once - journeyed back to the mill house, and brought relief to where she lay.' (48-49)

 

'Chapter X

The Advent of the Canine Nurses' Institute

Motto: "Nunquam non Paratus"

It is now recognised that for saving the lives of valued pets the trained canine nurse is as valuable an assistant to the veterinary surgeon as the hospital trained nurse is to the medical faculty in the treatment of human beings.

Since March, 1908, many nurses have entered their names at "The Canine Nurses' Institute," and some have received the most flattering of reports, and their work has been praised in many private letters of thanks from ladies and gentlemen in all parts of the kingdom. The Principal of the Canine Nurses' Institute, who is largely experienced in the breeding of valuable pets, determined to establish a system of training nurses by eminent veterinary surgeons, of affording special opportunities for the progress of these nurses, and encouraging them each year in their research and work. The idea and scheme have been very aptly described in the Press as "A New Vocation for Women" - hence the support as well as the immediate success of the work, now approaching its seventh year of progress. The canine nurses are all devoted to animals, have a great zest for their work, and are loyal assistants to the veterinary surgeons under whose instructions they undertake charge of their patients.

The capabilities as well as the efficiency of the canine nurses have been well tested. One of the [65-66] senior nurses has been taken into permanent employment to take charge of the whole distemper ward of one of our leading veterinary surgeons, and is doing much to keep down that direst of animal disorders. Some time ago another nurse of the Institute sailed for America to take charge of the kennels of one of the wealthiest and most enthusiastic of lady fanciers across the Atlantic, thus commencing the work of the C.N.I. in the United States. Other followed to Sweden, France, and other countries. Now the work is world-wide.' (65-66)

 

'The majority of people do not seen [sic] to realise that dogs are subject to most of the diseases to which they themselves are liable, and that when ill they require every bit as much care and attention. So many people are inclined to put the sick dog (simply because he happens to be a dumb animal) in the same category with the sick horse or cow, and to be subjected to the same rough sort of nursing, whereas, both in regard to method of treatment and nursing, the dog is far more closely allied to human than to what I may term ordinary veterinary patients.

Canine nursing as a profession is yet quite in its infancy, but when one considers the large number of dogs in this country and the enormous value of many show dogs and pets, and the increasing interest taken in them by all classes of society, one cannot fail to see that the future field of work for the canine nurse is unlimited.

The nursing of sick dogs come essentially within a woman's sphere, and anyone who has been in the habit of employing men for this purpose would never think of doing so again after once having experienced the excellent result brought about by a trained nurse. The benefits are at once apparent. Men as a rule lack the requisite sympathy, patience, and gentleness of touch and manner of the woman. Again, dogs appear to have confidence in ladies; even vicious dogs which men could only manage by force become tractable and docile under [68-69] their influence; and in the case of a sick dog, who altogether refuses to take food from a man, he can nearly always be induced to do so by the gentle coaxings of a woman. In the larger canine hospitals it is now the usual practice to keep several properly trained nurses on the staff. In such institutions the nurse is capable of carrying out any of the duties formerly assigned to men, is cleaner over her work, more nimble with her fingers in assisting at surgical operations, applying dressings, &c., and invariably takes a far greater interest in her duties, which are therefore carried out with more thoroughness and exactitude. Moreover the preparation of invalid diets can be wholly entrusted to her.

Another point to be remembered is that she is able to converse with lady clients on any subjects connected with their pets, which, for obvious reasons, a man with the intellect and social status of the average kennelman could not do.

Formerly the owners of pet dogs were forced either to undertake nursing duties themselves, which in many instances was impossible through want of time, physical unfitness, &c.; to entrust them to the care of servants, who as a rule have plenty of their own duties to perform, and apart from that are not always to be relied upon as sick nurses; or to send them to a veterinary surgeon's kennels, and to many sympathetic people who regard their dog as a part of the family the very idea of sending him away when ill sounds ungrateful and ungenerous.

Some dogs, especially toy breeds or those [69-70] which have been much petted, are extremely sensitive to the fact of taking them away from their homes and familiar surroundings and putting them in strange kennels, when they have probably never entered such a thing before. This is in itself sufficient to retard their recovery and not infrequently they will fret and worry to such an extent that death may ensue from this cause alone. For this reason it is far better to have the dog nursed at its own home whenever convenience and circumstances permit; moreover, by doing so, he does not run the risk of contracting some other disease, as he certainly does when placed among a large number of other dogs.

By telegraphing the Canine Nurses' Institute, Brixton, however, and engaging the services of a good nurse, these dangers are at once overcome, the owner is relieved of all trouble, and at the same time is able to see the pet and observe that everything possible is being done for the patient.' (68-70)

 

'Of special value are the services of the trained nurses at that critical time known to all dog breeders - particularly to breeders of Bull-dags, and Toy Spaniels - viz., when a valuable bitch is giving birth to her puppies. Skilled attention at that time may be the means of saving many valuable lives, and should it be a case where professional aid must be sought no one appreciates more than the surgeon the valuable assistance given him by the trained nurse.

As such a busy time he needs the help of someone who knows exactly what is expected of an assistant in such a case - the details of which would be out of place in this paper. I cannot express too [71-72] highly the use of trained nurses in these cases. In an ordinary case (by this I mean where surgical assistance is not required) the nurse is capable of taking over the entire management of the mother and puppies, relieving the owner of all trouble and anxiety, and if in the case of a show bitch only one puppy is saved even this would more than repay the owner for the expenses incurred. Again, take the enormous losses caused by distemper in a kennel: here also it is a case of "penny wise, pound foolish" to hesitate in obtaining skilled help, for in this disease more than in any other good trained nursing and careful dieting are the essential points if we are to hope for a favourable recovery.' (71-72)

 

'Here I may mention some of the qualities which go to the making of a good canine nurse. First a natural love of animals, without which she had better turn her abilities to another field. Dogs can soon distinguish the person who understands them thoroughly from the one who does not; the former consequently more readily gains their confidence.

She must have plenty of patience. A sick dog can only be compared to a young invalid child, requiring all the coaxing and persuasive measures that human nature can bestow. She must learn to cultivate the power of observation combined with intelligence and common sense. In human practice the patient unless quite a baby is able to answer questions verbally, explaining to the nurse how he or she feels, telling her when a certain position becomes uncomfortable, a bandage too tight, or a poultice or fomentation too hot, and these things can at once be rectified before any harm is done; but the canine nurse must find out by herself by expression, signs, movements or changes in her patient, signifying discomfort, distress, &c.

On the other hand the canine nurse can rest assured that her patients will never mislead her by telling untruths. A cheerful disposition and gentle sympathetic voice are quite essential to her as to the nurse in human practice - sick dogs, especially if high bred, are nervous, highly-strung creatures, and a harsh voice or rough manner will greatly diminish their chances of recovery.

The general outlines of training are almost [73-74] identical with those laid down for the ordinary hospital nurse, except perhaps that her duties are less arduous.

She must first become acquainted with the natural habits of dogs in health, with the different peculiarities met with in the various breeds, and with the normal pulse, respirations, and temperatures.

She must learn how to feed, groom, exercise, and bathe them and how to prepare the medicated baths in common use.

She must understand the preparation of invalid diets and the way by which food substances can be given.

She must also be able to administer the different kinds of medicines - liquids, powders, pills - in a proper manner, also the application of dressings, bandages, &c., and be acquainted with the method of giving oxygen gas.

The preparation of patients for serious operations and also preparing the site of incision, such as shaving off the hair and cleansing the skin, all has to be learnt.

The care of a bitch at the accouchement naturally constitutes a very important part of her training - also the feeding and rearing of orphan puppies.' (73-74)

 

'This work is now thoroughly established and universally recognised as most interesting and valuable, has already provided permanent employment for many girls and young ladies. The training is of the most thorough character, and is imparted by experienced London veterinary surgeons. Certificates of efficiency are given, and the gold and silver medals of the Institute are competed for under examination. The instruction embraces the theory and practice of nursing, and enabled the nurse, when she has received her certificate, to deal with the mose difficult cases of sich pets under the direction of the veterinary surgeon who is in charge of the case. The course of instruction extends over several months and includes experience of assisting veterinary surgeons in operations, and treatment of dogs under many different conditions; and no nurse is accepted for regular duties unless or until the veterinary surgeon certifies her to be proficient, a certificate of proficiency being given. Then there is an annual examination which is conducted under most rigid conditions, the entire examination being conducted by an eminent veterinary surgeon and the most severe test of all being an exacting viva-voce examination in addition to the necessity of dealing with a set of examination papers that test the knowledge of the nurse to the utmost. Valuable medals as well as certificates are awarded, and these prizes are much sought for an valued. In connection with the Canine Nurses' Institute there is also a Kennel-maids' Guild. The training for the work undertaken by the members of this guild is of course much more simple than that for trained nurses. The nurses and kennel-maids also take charge of pets during the temporary absence of owners and kennel-men and kennel-maids, and undertake the preparation of pets for show.

Terms for Training Nurses and Kennel-maids:

In the majority of cases the training has to be paid for, and the terms are:-

Nurses

3 months' studying under surgeon £10 10 0

1     "              "                "          £5   5  0

Board-pension at Institute £1 weekly,

Uniform (quite inexpensive) must be found by probationer.

Kennel Maids

1 month training under surgeon  £3  3  0

Fee for joining Guild of Trained Kennel maids and Kennel men £0  5  0

Posts are found for suitable girls who have had some experience on payment of the Guild fee of 5s. These must furnish three references.

So great is the demand for the services of the [79-80] nurses and kennel maids that it has become difficult to supply that demand.

The institute receives and deals without charge with charitable cases, especially if they are recommended by subscribers. Every effort is made to give the pets of poor people, who are genuine applicants, the benefit of the services of the Institute gratuitously. Also, on the recommendations of subscribers, eligible girls are considerd as philanthropic cases for the full course of training without charge, and positions as kennel maids are secured for them at the end of their training, if they are efficient.

The terms upon which nurses are supplied from the Institute for Canine Nurses are the following:

Ordinary and whelping cases, per week... £1  5  0

Attendance on operation and nurse-nursing for one day or part of one day... £0  10  6

In all infectious cases an additional 5/- is charged on the termination of the engagement.

Part of a week is charged as a whole week, and the above fees are exclusive of travelling expenses. All payments must be made to the lady superintendent, and a weekly settlement of the amount may be required.

There is now a department for kennel-men, and other useful assistants in connection with the Institute. Nurses for treatment of sick felines are also on the staff.

Rules and Regulations for Nurses at Work:

(1) All nurses shal be in readiness to go to cases upon receipt of wire or letter from the Institute.

(2) They shall work throughout the case under direction of the veterinary surgeon entrusted with the same only, and fully observe his instructions.

(3) Nurses may not repeat or carry any of the directions given upon the case from the veterinary surgeon to another, neither work upon their own suggestions from one case to another in any way whatever; but htey shall strictly observe the instructions of the veterinary surgeon in charge of the case to which they are detailed.

(4) Each nurse shall report herself to the Institute after each case.

(5) Nurses must in all cases on presentation and on duty wear the C.N.I. badge, and must be prepared to show their certificate when required.

(6) Nurses having been trained at the Institute are not to accept engagements other than those arranged by the Principal without permission from same.

(7) Any nurse not fulfilling the above rules will not be entitled to the privileges of the Institute, and will be taken off the list.' 

 

 

As can be witnessed the canine nurse wears  a neat smart uniform, which in itself is sufficient to make the patient feel more cheeful, and is certainly more adapted to nursing duties than for instance a "directoire" would be;