The performance of the social visiting nurse as a Monitor of mental hygiene (1927-1942)

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the insertion of the social visiting nursing as monitors of mental hygiene in the assistance to psychopaths in the Distrito Federal and discuss the performance of the social visiting nursing as monitors of mental hygiene in the assistance to psychopaths in the Distrito Federal. Methods: Historical-social study, approach with the documentary analysis. Results: The Social Visiting was specialists nurses in the area of psychiatry. They were inserted in the assistance to psychopaths when substituted the monitors of mental hygiene, who was nurses graduates without specialization. The visiting nursing acted as monitors of mental hygiene when performed the visitation, orientation to the patients, family and assisting to the doctors. Conclusion: Although the expectations about their work, the no recognition of title was strategic to maintain them in low position in comparison to their title.