November 20, 1998

Dr. Ordway's article in the October 16 History Notes describes how Dorothea Dix was ahead of her time in leading the fight to provide proper hospital care for the mentally ill. Another illustration of her genius is that when the Civil War began, she proposed recruiting women volunteers to work as nurses. She was appointed to the position of Superintendent of U.S. Army Nurses.

Henry Pinsker, M.D.
Teaneck, N.J.