[Ricerca storica sul contributo di Cristina Trivulzio di Belgiojoso all'assistenza infermieristica]. / Historical research on the Cristina Trivulzio di Belgijoso's contribution to nursing.

The aim of this historical research project is to examine the contribution of Cristina Trivulzio Princess of Belgiojoso to the development of the nursing organisation in Italy. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the period of the Roman Republic, as in 1849 Cristina Trivulzio (Princess of Belgiojoso) was one of the person in charge of the service of caring and rescuing of the injured. For this reason, nineteen volumes were analysed out of the one hundred twenty-nine volumes found in five Italian historical archives. All documentary sources were evaluated accordingly to the Chabod historical research method (1999), while for their critical interpretation a scheme of analysis was created. As a result, five topics clearly emerged from the data collected: organisation, health politics, training, research and nursing. To sum up, this research reveals that the contributions of Cristina Trivulzio are so relevant that she may be counted among the founders of the italian nursing organisation.

[Et d'allhora in poi, mai si sentì più bene: a historical survey to find nursing origins in post-tridentine whitchcraft lawsuits in County of Bormio (1596-1630)]. / Et d'allhora in poi, mai si sentì più bene: un'indagine storica alla ricerca delle origini dell'assistenza infermieristica nei processi per stregoneria del Contado di Bormio nel periodo post-tridentino (1596-1630).

INTRODUCTION: The phenomenon of witch-hunting in the post-tridentine period is a crucial moment for the history of nursing care. Modern historiography tells that women accused of witchcraft were custodian of female knowledge, both in domestic and small communities. PURPOSE: To investigate the witchcraft phenomenon in specific context of Bormio country- side, in order to identify proper nursing acts in gestures of women accused of witchcraft or sorcery. METHODS: Process for witchcraft - sorcery against 7 women in Bormio, between 1590 and 1631, were reviewed through a historical research methodology: sources retrieval, description and documentary analysis characterization, interpretation. RESULTS: In nearly all legal proceedings analyzed an indictment due to a healthcare expertise was found in terms of touch, feed, nearness, word. By multiple daily acts of women, intention to help and to express solidarity was clear, in a scenario of disease and suffering, solidarity is shown by acts of care. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of this study, we can resume that the period of the witches, so hard for women , was an age of repression for history of nursing itself. Mankind lifestyle, assistance, aid are ontological and anthropological foundations of nursing. Therefore, a past research of the traces of those foundations could mean rebuilding the own sense of nursing act: we tried to get an approach to that sense also "listening to" the gestures of women in Bormio.

[Contribution of 19th-century religious congregations in the development of the nursing profession]. / Il contributo allo sviluppo della professione infermieristica delle congregazioni religiose del XIX secolo.

The purpose of this historical research project is to examine the contribution of 19th-century religious congregations in the development of the nursing profession, based on the historical example of the Sisters of Charity of Sts. Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa (or the Sisters of the Holy Child Mary). To this end, sixty three volumes were analysed, all taken from the historical archive of the Generalate of the Sisters of the Holy Child Mary in Milan, in via S. Sofia n.13, with the exception of just one, taken from the Braidense National Library, also in Milan. This research project has highlighted the sociological contribution provided by the Sisters of the Holy Child Mary to the professional nature of nursing, and to the development of the distinctive features of the nursing profession (Greenwood, 1980). All documentary sources were analysed in line with the Chabod historical research method (2006), and for their critical interpretation, a scheme of analysis was created. Two lines of investigation emerged from the data collected: the role of Sister Emilia Vinante as an expert with regard to the nursing profession, and the professional strategies promoted by FIRO (Federation of Italian Religious Nurses). Based on the conclusions of the research project, it may be stated that religious congregations contributed greatly to the nursing profession, leaving a decisive mark on the cultural and professional development of nurses.

[The course for nursing school directors, Milan: historical background]. / ll Corso per aspiranti Direttrici di Scuole Infermiere, Milano: cronaca di una scoperta storica.

Historical research, involving primary sources, was performed to shed light on professional nursing in Italy between the 50's and the 60's, particularly the educational aspect. The experience of nurses who undertook the superior training course for nursing school directors held in Milan between 1953 and 1965 is described.