Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

MERTHYR GUARDIANS. Alleged Cruel Treatment of a Pauper. Saturday. Present Messrs. D. P. Davics, J.P. (chairman), T. Jenkins, J.P. (vice-chairman), Eo Edwards, J.P., Rev. Aaron Davies, Messrs. John Rees, D. Davies, W. Phillips, Dan Thomas, D. Abra- ham, E. M. Hann, V. A. Wills, J. Owen,T. Morris, J. Edwards, Augustus Davics, J. Lloyd, E. D. Howells, T. Thomas, Isaac H. Jones, H. W. Martin, Rev. Canon Wade, Messrs. J. W. Morgan, Edmund Lewis, Mrs. D. M, Richards, Mrs. M. T. Williams Mrs. Margaret Williams, and Mrs. Emma Williams. ALLEGED CRUEL TREATMENT OF A PAI PER. -The Clerk read a letter from the Local Government Board, asking for an explanation with reference to a letter that had been sent them by Mr. Thomas Morgan, 21, High-street, Bargoed. In this letter, Mr. Morgan complained that a pauper, agcllliO, named Rachel Rees, of 21 a, High street, Bargoed, who had since died, had been kept on the paltry allowance of 2s. per week during 1l) or 17 weeks' illness, with only two or three extras. Mr. Morgan also stated in the letter that he had written to the Board and the relieving officer had been entreated to increase the allowance. The relieving officer, Mr. Jones, had, however, explained that he could do nothing. The letter went on to say It is the most cruel, inhuman, fiendish conduct it is possible to produce. It was nothing short of four months starvation, and amounts to wilful murder."—The Clerk read replies which he had received from Mr. Jones, the relieving officer, and Dr. Owen. The latter gentleman, in his letter, remarked that lie was sure the woman had not died on account of poverty. Whatever medico 1 relief was needed had been given. It was also stated that the guardians had declined to make any advance in money because the daughters of the deceased woman desired to use the money at their own discretion.—It was decided to forward copies of the above-mentioned letters to the Local Govern- ment Board. THE TREASCREKSUIP.—Mr. Griffiths, London and Provincial Bank, wrote resigning his post as treasurer of the Union, and stating that his successor at the bank would be Mr. Thomas, Tre- degar.—The resignation was accepted. --Chairman: You must give notice for the fresh appointment.— Canon Wade I move that we ask for terms from the various banks. Perhaps it would also be well to advertise the appointment (" No, no ").— Mr. Dan Thomas When will the appointment be made ?—Rev. A. Davies A week to day.—Chair- man Of course you will have to give notice to all the guardians.—It was decided to ask for terms from the various banks. PAUPER LABom.—A BREEZE.—The Visiting Committee recommended that a small partition that was wanted at the nurse's room should be put up b\ some of the inmates of the house.—Mr. Dan Thomas objected, and moved that the work be carried out by a tradesman, and that the men in the house, whom the master thought able to carry out the work, should be discharged. If they weKe able to work they should not be in the house.— Mr. D. Davies I think that we should act as business men. I am not here on behalf of any particular tradesman. We ought to do the best we can here. A great deal was done in the time of the last master in matters of this sort, and it was a great saving to the ratepayers.—Mr. Dan Thomas: I deny that it was saving money ("Order").—Mr. D. Davies repeated that they had saved hundreds of pounds.—The recommendation of the committee was adopted.—Mr. D. Davies subsequently moved that if there were any able- bodied men in the house they should be discharged. —Mr. Dan Thomas I know that there are two masons who can earn their living.—Mr. D. Davies How many speeches are we to have from Mr. Dan Thomas ? He has spoken twice.—Mr. Dan Thomas In this matter Mr. Dan Thomas knows what he is talking about.—Mr. D. Davies I hope he does.—Mr. V. A. Wills said, that in the first place Mr. D. Davies was in favour of the partition at the nurse's room being done by able- bodied paupers. And now Mr. Davies proposed that all able-bodied men be discharged. If the able-bodied men were discharged, who would do the work of the partition ? He should like to know how Mr. Davies meant to do it.—Mr. Davies: I am not responsible to you for my conduct, Mr. Wills.—The matter then dropped. STATISTICS.—Mr. Pearcey, the master, reported the number of inmates in the house to be 374 corresponding period 349. During the fortnight 2o were admitted, and 37 discharged.

STI! • 'MO- A !>V • v'l U t; !•; AT L LA-> Lt L i> O. Two visitors, a lady and gentleman, have bad n remarkable edvt-nture on the rocks of Little Ornif, filandudno. During Saturday night the lifeboat, put out to them, seeing that they were in danger, but they ehouted, Go back, we decline to < omc so the boat returned. Shortly after mid- night John Roberts, the pier master, went with a lamp in search of the pair, hearing shouting front the rocks. On getting out of his depth, he swam a considerable distance, and found the lady and gentleman much exhausted. At about three o'clock on Sunday morning they were reqpued, and taken to Craigside, near the Little Orme.

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NURSING AND NURSES. By Nurse Ball, of the Merthyr Nursing Institute. Tending the sick has but recently been recog- nised as an art to be patiently learnt under systematic instruction. Charles Dickens' descrip- tion of nursing, as it was, did much to show how great was the need for true-hearted women to enter upon this difficult field of labour. We pride ourselves, and justly so, on the disappearance from our midst of Sarah Gamp, with her acccompaniments of brandy bottle and ready-made mourning. Un- fortunately she has not quite disappeared. When one looks back to what nursing was thirty years ago, one must feel that no branch of industry has made greater progress in the same time. We have, indeed, greatly changed for the better since Sarah Gamp and Betsy Prig settled down to supper, hav- ing snatched the pillow from under their dying patient to accomodate themselves. Now, however, it is generally acknowledged that skilful nursing is as essential as sound medical advice to prompt and perfect recovery. It was Miss Nightingale that created the art of nursing, invented, in fact, what may be called a new science, of which people before had no notion, any more than they had of the phonograph before Edison invented it. The art of nursing is the hand-maid, not the rival, of the science of medicine. A doctor spends years in learning thoroughly what a nurse has only an inkling of. Some of the Merthyr people seem to think differently. A few weeks after I camc here, I met a man on the Tramroad, who want ed me to prescribe for his wife who suffered from giddiness. I explained that I was only a nurse, and that a doctor ought to prescribe but he said that he had no faith in the doctors here, but had in me, as he heard that I came from London. After a long argument, I left him silenced but, I am afraid, unconvinced. It is for the doctor to prescribe treatment, and the nurse accepts the re3ponsibility of faithfully carrying it out. Whether the nurse should be a male or a female one is too personal a matter for me to say much about. The patients are quite capable of choosing for themselves, although male nurses are more common than they used to be. I do not think that they will ever be as popular as the lemale nurse. An old gentleman with fractured ribs I nursed last summer only kept his male nurse four hours. I followed, and staved with him until his recovery, eight weeks later. A writer in an American mediial paper states that at the present time New York docs not possess more than a dozen really good and competent male nurses, and says that some might go even farther, and say there is no such thing aiJ a good trained male nurse." But this is, perhaps, somewhat too radical. The fact is, however, that men do not make good trained nurses. As to the name of Nurse," we do not seem to find a better one, although the son of one of my patients, aged four, asked his mother not to call me by it, as every little girl that took children out walkinc was called nurse. Nursing is not a pleasant pastime to be taken up merely as something to do, but it is a profession involving hard work and immense responsibility, and possession of ability at least above the average. In addition to the love for the work, we think the good nurse will be one who has a sense of religion. It will help her to perform her duties conscien- tiously, and support her under fatigue and in scenes of d Hit u'ty, distress and sorrow. Tennyson's nurse in his poem on Emmie seems to have been such an one, for she exclaims 0, how could I serve in the wards if the hope of the world were a lie ? How could I bear with the sights and the loathe- some smells of disease. But that He said, Ye do it to me when ye do it to these.' A nurse ought to have a brain that will hold two ideas at the same time. A story I read a short time ago illustrates this. An artist's wife had bronchitis, and the doctor ordered her back to be painted with iodine. The artist, I suppose, think- ing that no one could use the brush so well as he, kindly offered to do it for her. He was so long over it that at last the lady meekly asked if he would be much longer ? Stepping back and critically surveying his work, he said, "No, another touch and it will be ready for the frame." He had forgotten that her back was not a canvas, and had painted a picture on it. I confess I felt sorry for the lady and her bronchitis. That i urse had only room for one idea in his brain, and that was painting pictures. A nurse is supposed to know everything, trom the best cure for a cold to the length of time black- currant jam should boil. Indeed my own brothers complain that it is of no use having a nurse in the family, as she does not know everything. The elder one wants to know why he became bald before he was thirty. I have given him several reasons, but he says not the right one. I do not think this paper would be complete without a few words as to my present work, which, though done for the hospital, is not done in it. The poor need nursing in their own homes as well as in hospital. The particular branch of nursing I am now engaged in requires special training and certificate. I think if I had to choose a motto for it it would be, In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." The old idea that anybody could do district nursing is now obsolete, and the best training is necessary for those who have to deal with all kinds of emergencies, and that must be supplemented by ingenuity in the invention of substitutes for appliances aud materials which form part of every hospital's equipment, and the nurse has to make the best of what she finds at hand. When, five years ago, I went to work in the East End of London, it was with a lady who was doing this work, and I wondered if I could do it, but she said, No, I was too dainty, and liked everything just so.' I argued that a good nurse could, if necessary, work with few tools, and that I was a good one for doing without what it was impossible to get. She clinched the argument, as she fondly thought, by saying, What would you do if you had to wash a baby in a saucepan ?" I survived it, and said, Wash it as clean as any other nurse would, I hope." And I say so still, for the time has not yet come, although I have been doing dis- trict nursing more or less since that time. If my patient does not happen to be the happy possessor of a basin, I have so far been able to borrow one from a neighbour. But if the time should come that I should have to wash a baby in a saucepan, I intend to wash it clean, for my ideal has no scorn of common things, not even saucepans. One patient paid me a high compliment on the subject a short time ago. She said, Lor, nurse, how you can contrive No one would think it to look at you." The thought would come that if the patient had contrived more there would have been less for the nurse to do. The great difficulty in district work is to get one's orders obeyed during one's absence. For instance, I once gave orders that a baby was not to have anything until I returned, but particularly mentioned the ancient remedies of butter and sugar and gruel. When I returned, in a few hours' time, I was alarmed at the look on the child's face, for it looked dazed. Oh, they had only been feeding it with gin, as I did not say that it must not have that. Then the neighbours are such authoiities in the nurse's absence, and if a ncighlxmr happens to have ten or a dozen children, so much the better. One of my patients possessed a bedroom without a fire- place, and a roof, like the one in the song, that let in the sunshine and the rain." So we decided that a bed should be put in the living room as the only alternative. All went well until my second visit, when the girl who waited on her told me she had been carrying water all the morning because the tap was at the foot of the bed, and the neigh- bours said that if she turned on that tap once it would be the death of the patient. I convinced them that the water would lie in the pipes if they did not turn on the tap, and that so long as it did not run on the floor I could not see what harm it could do the patient. She made a rapid recovery, and no doubt surprised the neighbours by it. A letter written by a nurse in our journal two or three weeks ago rather surprised me, for it gave the advice that a nurse should love herself last. I thought that was taken for granted, but evi- dently the writer thought some of us needed the reminder. So if a patient shows couccrn at keeping the nurse beyond what she divines must be her dinner-time, I cheerfully assure her that the dinner does not mind it in the least; it is quite used to it, and she tecs that the nurse does not mind it either, and as it ceases to worry her, I am rewarded by getting to it sooner than I would otherwise have done, or just getting home by tea time, and so saving time and trouble by taking the two meals together, which is not at all a bad plan. 0 I was amused some weeks ago on meeting an t, 9 acquaintance, and hearing that I was to go to four houses in one street, how she, with other neigh- bours, were looking forward to the chats they would have, I reminded her that I callIC to work and not to chat, but she said both could go on together as usual. In the same neighbourhood I was once surrounded by women watching me dress a. baby, because they heard that I did not use pins in the process, and Avanted to see how I did it. I was rewarded at the end by being told that dress- making was nothing to it, and of their surprise that I was not nervous with seven women looking on, and to say nothing of children, and that if I did not mind, they would take my trade from me. I said they might, if it only consisted in dressing a baby. Then one is often told of the difficulties there arc in getting the rent together, and of the weather that in Merthyr is so often unsuitable for the washing day, and, as they often remember, for nurse to get about in, and do not envy her having to turn out in it at any hour of the day or night, and I am sure I do not envy them in their work, but prefer my own. So, when one patient say?, Nurse, you do hearten me up always, I wish you could stay with me," and another watches the clock as it nears the time of the daily visit, hoping nurse has not had a fresh call to delay her, and yet trying to be unselfish, when I hear of this, life, to me at least, seems to be worth living. I am sure I shall always remember with pleasure that my first patient in the district of Merthyr was a member of the Market-square Church. She may never know how she cheered on her nurse during a time of great anxiety by a kind message left at the 0 hospital. I remember our both being much amused at the remark of a neighbour that it was like So-and-so to want a better nurse than her nel^ bours, and togo to the hospital for one, but, »s JjV patient said, she did not know that she got trained nurse for a smaller fee than that usu»lv paid to an untrained one. For that is what yoU, hospital is doing, giving them trained nursing,aD so lessening the risk of what must always perilous time. Some of us who are trying to lesse" the sorrowing and suffering that arc, alas t0° common around us, may hope that one day Master may say of us, what He said of the w°">^n who had the privilege of ministering to Him y"6 hath done she could."—Paper read of the square Literary Society.

A MERTHYR UPHOLSTERER FOUND DEAD IN BED. On Sunday morning last William Leyshon, UP' holsterer, aged 66 years, was found dead in bed*1 his residence, 26, Yew-street, Merthyr. deceased had been complaining of not feeling for the past fortnight. The deceased was highv respected.

STREET ACCIDENT AT MERTHYB- About half-past 10 o'clock on Saturday night 9 woman, named Mary Hyslop, living at Pen«el" street, Twynyrodyn, was knocked down in HigjL' street, Merthyr, by a bus, driven by George P'" Help was at once forthcoming, and the won1!t.n was medically attended by Dr. Biddle. On exa!Jl' ination it was found that one of the woman's lege had been rather badly bruised, but, fortunately, nO bonss were broken.

ASSAULT AT MERTHYR. John Collins, a youth, was summoned at the Police-court on Monday, for assaulting a midd»e" aged woman named Davies.—Mr. Beddoe appeat,e< for the defendant.—Complainant said that defendant hit her a blow on the face.—Mr. pleaded provocation. His client was the defend*" in it case heard at the police-court on the previoUs Thursday, and when he left the court he was sOr" rounded by a crowd of women, and his hat wgo knocked off. He swung his hand round in (lefelice, and struck the complaiuant.—P.C. Bolton aai'j that he saw the defendant suirounded by a cro^-(J of women, who were shouting at him, and his was knocked ofl'Defendant was, ev identlj» labouring under provocation when he struck the complainant.—Defendant was fined 20s. and costs-

PLYMOUTH CRICKET CLUB. The Season's Prospects. This (Thursday) evening a general meeting the members of the Plymouth Cricket Club vvil' be held at the Cricket Pavilion, on the Pentre- bach Ground. All the members are cordially invited to attend. A good seasun is anticipated, and Mr. Clark, the energetic secretary, 110 already secured a large number of fixtures- Last summer the club's record was an excelleut one. Fifteen matches were played five were won, four drawn, and six lost. Nine lwttcheS had to be cancelled on account of unfavourable weather. We may add there was absolutely 110 foundation to the rumour that the club did not intend to play this season. Such an iiiteiitioll was never entertained or discussed.

DEATH OF A MERTHYR CHARTIST- Another old Merthyrian passed a way Oil Saturday last. We refer to the late Mr. Davia Ellis, of Picton-street. The deceased, who batt carried oil the business of weaver, was born near Caerphilly, and had attained to the age of 77 years. Early in life, circumstances brought him to Merthyr, and at that town he was know# for a long period of years as a very intelligent and active politician and a Chartist, but oU6 who was opposed to the physical fore Chartists." The deceased was associated with William Gould, Matthew John, Henry Thomas, and Morgan Williams, and exercised a consider- able influence upon Chartist policy. The older inhabitants of Merthyr will particularly mi8? the deceased, whom they had always regarded as a consistent reformer and a faithful friend.

DEATH OF MR. LEWIS, J.P., ABERCANAID. We regret to record the death of Mr. Lewis Thomas Lewis, J.P., which occurred at the residence of his father, Mr. T. W. Lewis, Aber* canaid House, on Thursday night. Mr. Lewis was the third brother of Sir W. T. Lewis, and was born in 1842. On leaving school he was articled to a firm of civil and mining engineers* and displayed such conspicuous ability and knowledge of his profession, that when only 22 years of age he became mineral agent to Lord Dynevor's estates, and also enjoyed a large au^ lucrative private practice. Competent judges maintain that Mr. Lewis Lewis' knowledge Of the South Wales coalfields, and his ability both as an engineer and as an expert witness 111 mining cases, were not surpassed even by those of his distinguished brother. As a colliery pro- prietor, Mr. Lewis proved unfortunate, and in 1885, owing to the failure of a large colliery undertaking near Neath, of which he was the principle owner, he retired from the pro- fession, and spent some time abroad, priuci" pally in New Zealand and in America. Since his return lie had been in failing health, au.l was seized with paralysis last week, which ter- minated fatally on Thursday. Mr. Lewis was it justice of the peace for Glamorganshire, and early in life was a captain in the Glamorgan Artillery Militia. He married in 1872 the widow of Richard Hanbury Miers, of Cadoxton Lodge, Neath, who pre-dicevsed him only a feW months. The funeral of the deceased took place at Cefn Cemetery on Monday afternoon. The funeral was a very plain one, the only mourners being Mr. Glyndwr Lewis, Hafod, Pontypridd, son Mr. T. W. Lewis, father Sir William T. Lewis, Bart., and Mr. T. W. Lewis, Cardiff. brothers Mr. W. Lewis Harris, Abercanaid House and Mr. W. F. BelJ, Merthyr Vale, nephews Mr. W. Lewis, Penygraig, uncle Mr. W. T. llees, Maesyfi'ynon, Aberdare, brother-in-law Mr. Thomas Williams, Pengani, Cardiff and Mr. David Richards, Whitchurch. By desire, no (lowers were contributed. The Rev. Howell Kirkhouse, vicar of Christ Church. Cyfarthfa, conducted the burial service. I

THE MAT ABE LE RISING. HON. M. OI[ FORK'S AUM CCT OFF. The whole Mntnbelo nation has now risen, in* eluding large numbers who Uok no part in the recent war, and it is recognised that loOO men are wanted to put down the rebellion, small patrols being unable to act on the offensive. Steps have been taken to defend the Mangwe Pass. The lIon. Maurice Gifford, whose bravery is spoken of in the highest terms, hal had his wounded arm amputated, and is said to be doing well. Mr. Lumsden, who accompanied hitu, has had his wounded leg taken off from below the knee. FIERCE FIGHTING.—HEAVY CASUALTIES. The Matabele rising and the danger of the white lettlers in Ithodesia continue to evoke a strong feeling throughout South Africa thut more resolute mea- sures should be taken to suppress the revolt. De- tachments of volunteers are proceeding as rapidly ft. possible, but in the meantime the situation is still grave. Captain Brand's patrol has had a sharp en- counter with 1500 natives about 30 miles from Bulu- wayo, defeating them with heavy slaughter, but losing five men killed and bringing in a number of wounded. Brand's column formed into laager, and was com- pletely surrounded by the Matabele. A desperate engagement ensued. The ammunition of the defenders ran short, and tho Maxim gun was thrown out of action. The enemy were well armed with Martinis, and shot well, their fire being chiefly directed at the Maxim gun. Brand and his men fought their way through the enemy's lines. A relief force of 250 men, with artillery, was despatched, and met Brand'* column returning. Brand's losses are five killed—viz., Troopers Baker, Nay land, Pack, Green, and Forbes; and 16 wounded, viz., Francis John Harvey, Charles Ernest Whitton, William Dowell (? Powell), Oswald Ormsby, Ognos, Ferreira, Isaac James, De Villiers, John Wilson, Charles Collins, Wallace Ashley, Stephanus Kreme, John Blackwell, Henry Swift, Edward Clement Wallace, and Dr. Levy, the medical officer, who was only slightly wounded. y DEATH OF Mil. LUMSDEN. The Colonial Office has received a telegram from Sir Hercules Robinson, containing a message from Captain Nicholson at Buluwayo, as follows: Mf. James W. M. Lumsden, wounded when with Gifford's patrol, died this afternoon owing to shock after amputation of leg affecting a weak heart. Gifford progressing favourably." JIR. RHODES MUCH BETTER. The British South Africa Company has received the following message "A cablegram received from Salisbury to the effect that Mr. Rhodes is much better, and proposes going on with a column to Buluwayo." A second message from Capetown, says: I. Acting Administrator telegraphs that Alfred Hodgkinson, reported murdered, since arrived safe at Buluwayo. Algernon Stracey doing "ell."

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