Remedial nursing

doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7477.1295-a

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Colin Douglas, doctor and novelist

Edinburgh

What do nurses actually do? There can be few doctors who have never wondered; and surely far fewer who have ever dared ask. Perhaps like most of us, I have pondered the question off and on over the years: ever since a student nurse on night duty when I was a houseman brought it to my notice that the man was dying and the least we could do was make him comfortable.

I have been wondering again …