History of Nursing.pptxsfdfdfdfdffdfwdwff

History of Nursing
Nursing is both an ancient art and a modern science. It began as a
natural instinct to care for the sick and injured, gradually evolving into
a respected profession based on knowledge, ethics, and skill. Its story
can be traced through different periods of human history.

Prehistoric Period
 In prehistoric times, there was no formal nursing. Illness
was often believed to be caused by supernatural forces,
angry gods, or the presence of evil spirits. People sought the
help of shamans, medicine men, and spiritual healers who
performed rituals, used charms, and offered sacrifices to
restore health.
 Women, especially mothers, were the first caregivers in the
home. They prepared herbal mixtures from plants, roots,
and bark to relieve pain and treat wounds.
 Shelter for the sick was provided within family huts or
caves. Hygiene was minimal, and knowledge was passed
down orally from one generation to another.

Egypt (3000–1500 BCE)
 Egyptians documented their
medical knowledge on papyrus
scrolls, some of which survive
today.
 They practiced embalming,
which gave them anatomical
knowledge of the human body.
 Hygiene and cleanliness were
highly valued; bathing was
common.
 Women served as midwives,
assisting with childbirth and
infant care, while priests often
acted as physicians.
Ancient
Civilizations

India (2500–1500 BCE)
 The practice of nursing was closely linked with Ayurveda,
the “science of life.”
 Ancient texts like the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta
Samhita described the role of the nurse and laid down
qualities such as:
 Cleanliness of body and mind.
 Devotion to the patient.
 Skill in preparing and administering remedies.
 Cleverness in handling situations.
 During King Ashoka’s reign (3rd century BCE), hospitals
were established for humans and animals — possibly the
earliest veterinary hospitals in the world.
Ancient Civilizations

China
 Health was believed to depend on the balance of
Yin (passive energy) and Yang (active energy).
 Healing included acupuncture, herbal remedies,
massage therapy, and dietary regulation.
 Written records mention organized medical care
and specialized herbal knowledge.

Greece (500 BCE)
 Hippocrates, known as the Father of Medicine,
separated medicine from religion and
superstition.
 The Hippocratic Oath established a moral code
for physicians.
 Temples dedicated to Asclepius, the god of
healing, were used for patient care.

Rome
 Created the first military hospitals
(valetudinaria).
 Developed advanced public health systems:
aqueducts, sewers, and public baths.
 Male orderlies, often slaves or soldiers, cared for
the sick and injured soldiers.

 Christianity emphasized compassion, charity,
and service to others.
 Women such as Phoebe, a deaconess mentioned
in the Bible, were early community caregivers.
 Christian churches organized care for widows,
orphans, travelers, and the sick.
 The idea of nursing as a calling or vocation was
reinforced during this time.
Early Christian Era (1st–5th Century)

 Monasteries and convents became the main
centers for healing.
 Monks and nuns provided care, often combining
spiritual support with simple treatments.
 Hospitals were often located along pilgrimage
routes to serve travelers and the poor.
 This period also saw devastating epidemics like
the Black Death (1346–1353), which increased
the demand for caregivers.
Middle Ages (5th–15th Century)

 The Renaissance revived interest in science and
anatomy, with advances by figures like Andreas
Vesalius( founder of modern anatomy) in
dissection and anatomy.
 The Protestant Reformation led to the closure of
many Catholic convents and hospitals in
Protestant regions, causing a decline in organized
nursing care there.
 In some places, untrained and morally unsuitable
women, such as prisoners or alcoholics, were
employed as nurses.
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 The Industrial Revolution created urban
overcrowding, poor sanitation, and outbreaks of
diseases like cholera and typhus.
 Hospitals became overcrowded, dirty, and poorly
staffed.
 Public health reformers began advocating for
improved hospital conditions and trained
nursing staff.
18th and Early 19th Century

 Florence Nightingale, born in Florence, Italy, is regarded as the
Founder of Modern Nursing.
 During the Crimean War (1853–1856), she led a team of nurses
in improving sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition, reducing the
death rate from 42% to 2%.
 In 1860, she established the Nightingale School of Nursing at St.
Thomas’ Hospital in London — the first secular nursing school in
the world.
 She introduced:
 Formal nurse education with a structured curriculum.
 Emphasis on observation, documentation, and hygiene.
 The use of statistics to demonstrate health improvements.
 Her book Notes on Nursing (1859) became the first widely used
nursing textbook.
Modern Nursing Era – Florence Nightingale (1820–
1910)

Ancient India
 Nursing in India has roots in Ayurveda, where healing
was considered a sacred duty.
 The Sushruta Samhita described four essential
qualities of a nurse: skill in medicine preparation,
intelligence, devotion to patients, and cleanliness.
 During the Buddhist period (6th–4th century BCE),
hospitals with separate wards for men and women
were set up, and attendants were trained in basic care.
 King Ashoka’s era saw the establishment of hospitals
for people and animals, supported by public funds.
History of Nursing in India

Medieval India( 6th
– 16th
centuries)
 Care was mainly provided through temples,
monasteries, and charitable trusts.
 Traditional systems like Ayurveda, Unani, and
Siddha were the main sources of treatment.
 Women typically provided home-based care;
male attendants worked in hospitals attached to
royal courts and military units.

Colonial Period (British Rule)
 Modern nursing was introduced by Christian
missionaries and the British administration.
 In 1871, the Government General Hospital in Madras
started India’s first formal nursing school — initially for
male nurses in military hospitals.
 Missionary hospitals began training women nurses,
mostly of Anglo-Indian or European origin.
 St. Stephen’s Hospital in Delhi (1885) was the first to train
Indian women as nurses.
 Nursing services were extended to army units, railways,
and plantations.

Post-Independence Era
 In 1947, the Indian Nursing Council (INC) was established
under the Nursing Council Act to regulate education and
practice, and to maintain uniform standards.
 Educational programs expanded to include ANM, GNM, B.Sc.,
M.Sc., and Ph.D. levels.
 Specializations emerged, including pediatric nursing,
psychiatric nursing, community health, and critical care.
 Nurses played a crucial role in public health programs such
as maternal and child health, family planning, and
immunization campaigns.
 The Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI) promoted
professional development, welfare, and research.

Key Pioneers in Indian Nursing
1. Sister Edith Mary Brown (1874–1956)
Founder of Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana in
1894.
Trained Indian women as nurses and midwives.
Advocated for women’s healthcare and higher education.
2. Miss Florence Nightingale’s Influence in India
Although never visiting India, Nightingale corresponded
with officials about sanitation in army hospitals and Indian
rural health.
Influenced early military nursing services in India.
3. Miss Edith Allen
Superintendent of Nursing at St. Stephen’s Hospital, Delhi
(early 20th century).
Expanded formal nursing education for Indian women.
4. Lady Health Visitors
Trained during colonial times to deliver maternal and child
health services in rural India; precursor to ANM program.

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