title: Spiritual healing.
abstract: The spiritual care of patients has always been an integral part of nursing. Indeed, apart from a number of Biblical references to nurses and midwives, the history of nursing itself is inextricably linked with the devoted work of nuns from many religious orders in caring for the sick and needy. The title 'sister' is a continuing link, and some historical accounts of nursing point out that the traditional nurse's uniform is simply an adaptation of the nun's habit.