Cheney Duvall and her friend Victoria de Lancie travel from New Orleans to San Francisco,escorted by Shiloh Irons.Cheney takes a position in the St.Francis de Yerba Buena Hospital,a large experimental private facility that is administered by Dr. J.D. Baird.Shiloh obtains work as a medical assistant among the hospital staff,administering the nursing staff and other male attendants.
Working in the hospital proves to be quite different from Cheney's experience in private practice.Although Dr. Baird and most of the doctors at St. Francis treat her with respect,she finds that the medical personnel are doubtful of her character,her intent,and her skills.She must prove herself and assert her authority again and again.
One of the conflicts Cheney faces is that of fair and conscientious medical treatment of what are considered unfit persons.San Franciscio teems with brothels,crimnal gangs,and poverty stricken vagrents and immigrants.The hospital's board of directors has decreed that none of these people will recive treatment,regardless of thier ability to pay.When Cheney fights to combat these prejudices,she finds that the only support she can count on is from Shiloh Irons.
But when catastrophe suddenly strikes,even Cheney finds that none of her medical education has prepared her for such an overwhelming disaster.With so many casualties with severe injuries,who will help? |
