Combining the skills of a social historian, a sociologist and a graduate nurse, this book traces the history of nursing from 1800 and speculates on the future of nursing in the year 2000. 'A well written book that provides an immeasurably better total picture of the development of nursing as an occupation than has previously been available.' - British Medical Journal'This book is a very good introduction to the history underpinning the organisation of modern nursing and is to be recommended to all those studying nursing and the development of health care.' - Medical Sociology News'To deepen your understanding of nursing, it is necessary to read this comprehensive, scholarly, yet very readable book ... Its readership will be far wider than students for the diploma in nursing, for whom it is a course book, or nursing undergraduates.' - Nursing Times'The book definitely fills a gap in recent studies of nursing and health care.' - Joan E. Lynaugh, Social History of Medicine'The best single introduction to the history of nursing.' - Medical History