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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D2546/ZZ/70
TitleLetter (on mourning stationery) from Florence Nightingale to Dr Dunn about plans for the "Whatstandwell" coffee room, updating him on the state of several patients, asking him to write a prescription for and check in on a few others and expressing serious concerns about the living conditions of Mrs Limb
Date14 Dec 1880
Extent1 item
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
SenderFlorence Nightingale
Sender LocationLea Hurst
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 HistoryWilliam Shore Smith: Florence Nightingale's cousin. William Yeomans of Holloway House: land agent to the Nightingale family and Poor La Guardian.  Miss Hurt: not identified.  Nisbet: not identified.  1881 census inludes Mary Thompson, born about 1841, living with several daughters at Commonside, Holloway.  John Bratby, former servant to the Nightingale family, living in retirement in Holloway.  1871 and 1881 census entries include Eliza Limb, born about 1830, living at Up Hollow, Holloway; and Harriet Broomhead, born about 1823, living in Holloway..
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 IndexLea Hurst
Dec 14/80
My dear Sir
I have not answered your kind note about the proposed Whastandwell affair, because I was waiting to hear from Mr Shore Smith. With regard to the sites, He asks whether you have been so good as to commuicate with anyone about the Midland Co's ground, with regard to obtaining a site, or "an entrance" through it; or whether it is so apparent that it would not do, that you have not thought any steps desirable of this kind. 
C.B.N. Dunn Esq [pencil]
He is making enquiries as to a wooden building in London.  Mr Yeomans is coming to me this evening with estimates both of Corrugated Iron & wooden buildings. 
Perhaps you will think it hardly necessary for us to advertise for a second hand room till this information comes in. 
But I will tell Mr Shore Smith what Miss Hurt and you say and doubtless Mrs Hurt's further enquiries are worth waiting for, as you suggest, with regard to "letting out" a room. ['a room.' in pencil] 
2.  I was sorry to send to you so unceremoniously for Nisbet's prescription.  She is gone today: & I have given it her.  Are there any precautions to be observed, such as not going on with it for a ['a' crossed out] more than a certain time? 
3. Mrs Thompson's daughter complains of swelled legs.  Would you be so good as to see her some time? 

I am obliged to return to London on Monday, I fear: Do you think badly of poor Bratby? 
[remaining text in pencil]
I am afraid poor Mrs Limb is kept in a very dirty state, by her daughter-in law's own account.  But the said d. in law is so perfectly self-satisfied that it is difficult to say any thing.  (How I wish I had one of our District Nursing ladies here to show her)  Mrs Limb is complaining of a sore knee.  I fear she will have bed sores. 
Poor Mrs Broomhead seems in a very suffering state: so much pain which she calls rheumatic between her shoulders. 
I should be very sorry not to see you again.  Today, Thursday & Friday I am overwhelmed.  I could see you on Wednesday ^or Sunday^ at 3.30 for a few minutes, if that would suit you. 
Yrs sincerely
F. Nightingale
AcknowledgementsTranscription completed by catalogue volunteer RJ, 2020
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