CHAPTER V

THE ADMINISTRATOR

Miss Nightingale's varied functions. Purveyor-Auxiliary to the hospitals--Ignorance of the Ambassador as to the true state of things--Deficiencies in the stores--Miss Nightingale's caravanserai in "The Sisters' Tower"--Her supplies issued only on medical requisition--Delays in obtaining access to Government stores--Miss Nightingale's resourcefulness in obtaining supplies--Her gifts to the French and Sardinian hospitals--Absurdities of the purveying regulations. II. Clothier to the wounded--Cause of the deficiency of shirts: 50,000 issued from Miss Nightingale's stores. III. Builder--Miss Nightingale's preparation of new wards for additional patients from the Crimea. IV. Her shouldering of responsibility --Strictness of her administration--Almoner of the Queen's "Free Gifts"--Rules and exceptions--Value of her initiative--Sidney Herbert's approval--Mr. Kinglake and "the woman's touch" 199