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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D2546/ZZ/5
TitleLetter from Florence Nightingale to Dr Dunn inquiring about the status of several patients with severe illnesses and complications and asks him to help advise their course of treatments
Date23 Aug 1877
DescriptionAlso asking if the bedding of a smallpox patient should be destroyed or disinfected
Extent1 item
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
SenderFlorence Nightingale
Sender LocationNot named
RecipientDr Dunn
Recipient LocationNot given
Archive CreatorChristopher Blencowe Noble Dunn of Crich (1836-1892), medical doctor
Florence Nightingale of Lea Hurst, Derbyshire and Embley, Hampshire (1820-1910), nurse and social reformer
Administrative History- Adelaide Peach, born 1864, died 1877, daughter of Thomas and Ann Peach of Holloway
- Samuel Hitchcock of Holloway was buried at Crich on 2 Jan 1878, aged 59
- Jemima/Jamimah Brown, born about 1810, living at Commonside, Holloway
- Alice Munday: not identified
Sources: Civil registration indexes, 1871 and 1881 census
Access CategoryOpen
FormatDocument
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
This letter has been digitised and can be viewed on The Florence Nightingale Digitization Project website at http://archives.bu.edu/web/florence-nightingale
Transcript or Index23/8/77
My dear Sir
Ad Peach: Could you tell me, besides your opinion of the poor girl, where to get the "powders for the bedsore", which I understand you ordered: and also what to do about getting her a water-pillow or bed, if you order the use of one? and generally what to do? 
Hitchcock: Is there anything to be done for him?  Is he sinking? 
Disinfection:  I was told (only yesterday) that a wooden bed-stead, feather bed, feather pillow & bolster & straw mattress were removed from the lad's room the day or the day after the lad took to his bed with smallpox.
The bedstead is out of doors: the bedding in an empty room behind the stables.
I am always for being on the safe side I should have destroyed them had I known. 
What would you recommend doing now? 

Widow Brown has not gone to Cromford this morning. 

Please give me your opinion (tho' I know you will laugh) of all the invalids in all the departments of this house. 
Alice: please also see my Alice Mundy here I am sure you will laugh: (she has become so stout since she has been with me: is this not a sign of weak health in a girl of 22) 

Please send me your Acct. including poor Hitchcock's: I know we shall never cease troubling you all the time we are here: so it is no use waiting for the end

F.N.
AcknowledgementsTranscription completed by catalogue volunteer RJ, 2020
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