infirmier

from infirmier (1288), composed on the word infirm, itself derived from the Latin in-firmus, "who is not firm, morally as well as physically". caring for the infirm is originally largely considered a feminine task, then, from the 12th century, the religious orders organize the profession according to criteria of charity and love of God: voluntary care is taken over by the religious structure, for example the sisters of the Hôtel-Dieu, the nobles caring in hospital foundations, or certain brothers and sisters traveling at home. nursing care will then evolve with the history of medicine and the philosophy of science to become a paramedical profession, "it is also the most comforting smile of the hospital".