New surprises in very old places: Civil War nurse leaders and longevity.
While the average woman in the U.S. Civil War times lived to the age of about 40, a group of 17 extraordinary nurses--including Louisa Mae Alcott, Dorothea Dix, and Clara Barton--survived to much older ages. A variety of possible reasons, from social and marital status to altruism and religion, is explored. More than any tangible factor, however, the presence of a "pioneering spirit" seems to be at the root of their longevity.
Woodward
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Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004522:Educational Status; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008136:Longevity; D008393:Marriage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008888:Military Nursing / Q000266:history*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States