Florence Nightingale laid the foundation of modern nursing by organising it on a
scientific basis. She is better known throughout the world as “The Lady with the Lamp”.
Florence Nightingale was a wonderful personality who rejecting the comforts and
luxuries of homely life, dedicated herself to the selfless service of the sick and the
wounded with a missionary zeal. During the Crimean War (1854-1856), she came to
British army hospital at Scutari in Turkey from Italy as a member of the nursing team
consisting of 40 members. She did a very commendable job at this hospital and
improved the condition of the hospital, spending her own money. She cared more about
the wounded than about her own comforts. Being busy in the service of others she also
had to take much trouble. By her dedication to the service of the patients in the hospital,
she brought a new ray of hope to them. While visiting patients at night, she used to hold
a lamp in her hand and so she came to be known as “The Lady with the Lamp”. She
founded a nursing school at London’s St. Thomas’s Hospital and also encouraged the
British women to join the medical profession.
Florence Nightingale was born in Florence (Italy) in 1820. Her parents wanted her to
lead a happy, comfortable domestic life but she made it known that instead she wanted
to serve mankind. Her parents had ultimately to bow before the indomitable will of their
daughter. Florence Nightingale received training in nursing in Germany and France. She
is known for her reforms in the British hospitals which lacked in even basic facilities.
Florence Nightingale died in London in 1910, at the ripe age of 90.
Florence Nightingale was an embodiment of sacrifice and compassion and her noble life
will always inspire the people of the world for selfless service.
a) How was Florence Nightingale a wonderful personality?
b) What did she do for the British army hospital?
c) Why was she better known as ‘The Lady with the Lamp’?
d) What did her parents want?
e) When did she come to British army hospital?
f) Complete the following sentences:
i) The British women got encouraged by her to__________________.
ii) She was a new ray of hope for__________________.
g) Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as the following:
i) worthy of praise ii) feeling of pity
Answers
Answer:
a.Florence Nightingale was a wonderful personality who rejecting the comforts and
luxuries of homely life, dedicated herself to the selfless service of the sick and the
wounded with a missionary zeal.
b.Florence Nightingale received training in nursing in Germany and France. She
is known for her reforms in the British hospitals which lacked in even basic facilities.
c.a lamp in her hand and so she came to be known as “The Lady with the Lamp”.
d.Her parents wanted her to
lead a happy, comfortable domestic life but she made it known that instead she wanted
to serve mankind. Her parents had ultimately to bow before the indomitable will of their
e.During the Crimean War (1854-1856), she came to British army hospital at Scutari in Turkey from Italy as a member of the nursing team
consisting of 40 members.