Malta, Florence Nightingale and the Crimean war

Abstract

The Crimean war was given ample coverage in the Maltese newspapers, more especially because the Island served as an important military station for the training of troops prior to their dispatch to the front, as a supply depot of foodstuffs and ammunition, as a repairing yard, and as a base hospital. The rapid increase in number of wounded soldiers induced the authorities to seek medical help from Malta, and, following a request by the Admiral Superintendent, four young Maltese doctors immediately offered their services. Miss Nightingale addressed a personal letter of thanks to one of the Maltese doctors, namely Dr. Salvatore Luigi Pisani for his services in her hospital at Scutari. Furthermore, reference is made to Florence Nightingale's short visit to Malta. All the local papers carried the news of Florence Nightingale's stop on the Island. According to the Malta Times: "The party landed and visited the objects in Valletta most worthy of notice, and in passing through the streets attracted the sympathy and admiration of the inhabitants, many of whom expressed themselves highly gratified with the interesting and cheerful appearance of these persons."