Bar Trained Nurses From The Mikado.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 23, 1912:
Professionals Cannot Attend Him in His Illness as They Are Not of High Rank.
HIS CONDITION IS IMPROVED
Doctors Caution the Public Not to be Too Hopeful-Empress in Constant Attendance.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    LONDON, Wednesday, July 24.— A telegram to The Times from Tokio says:
    "The Emperor obtained some sleep last night, and is slightly better to-day.
    "One of the doctors in attendance, however, cautions the public against building too much hope on the announcement of the improvement, which must be maintained for several days if the patient is to recover.
    "The bulletins show that the Emperor's temperature has fallen, and a decidedly more hopeful tone prevails in non-medical and Court circles. The Empress is still devotedly attending the Emperor night and day.
    "The Minister of the Interior has issued instructions to the prefectural authorities announcing that, while it is eminently proper for the people to show evidence of sympathy by eschewing all entertainments, at the same time his Majesty would not desire that such a demonstration be carried to a point at which serious losses or embarrassment might be caused.
    "It is noteworthy that the Court rules have so far relaxed that two professors of the Imperial University have been called in to attend the Emperor and assist the Court Physicians. Nevertheless, it appears that the services of professional nurses were refused by the Court officials on the ground that they had not the rank which would entitle them to admittance to Court. This fact elicits criticism from so eminent a physician as Baron Sato, whose adopted father resigned his post of Chief Court Physician because he found himself unable to call upon the services of outside specialists. It appears that their employment at present is due to the express wish of the Empress."