Where Nightingale Was Mistaken
During her time as a nurse Nightingale still believed in the Miasma Theory. The Miasma Theory is the idea that disease comes from "bad air." If Nightingale still believed in this theory it posed a problem since she is the one who professionalized the nursing field. Nightingale would have passed this mistaken logic down to new nursing students who studied under her.
Nightingale once said that the, “First rule of nursing, (is) to keep the air within as pure as the air without.” (Nightingale, Page 8) Another quote that shows Nightingale's mistaken belief in the Miasma Theory is when she said, “…To keep the air he breathes as pure as the external air, without chilling him.” (Nightingale, Page 8) Both of these quotes show Nightingale's belief in the Miasma Theory, which today we know was a mistaken theory that doctors and nurses believed in.
Nightingale once said that the, “First rule of nursing, (is) to keep the air within as pure as the air without.” (Nightingale, Page 8) Another quote that shows Nightingale's mistaken belief in the Miasma Theory is when she said, “…To keep the air he breathes as pure as the external air, without chilling him.” (Nightingale, Page 8) Both of these quotes show Nightingale's belief in the Miasma Theory, which today we know was a mistaken theory that doctors and nurses believed in.