The nurse in this painting is not in a rush; she is carefully preparing food for the person in her care. Given the time period, she is not a scientifically trained modern nurse, but rather a servant or family member of the patient. Much has changed in nursing since this time, but the image of doctor as cure-giver and the nurse as care-giver (and, of course, of the doctor as man and the nurse as woman) remains with many of us. And regardless of our images of nursing, our fears about modern medicine include fears not only about technology, side effects, and denial of access but also about the potential (real?) loss of attention to basic human needs--for nutritious food, attentiveness, a kind touch.