On the defects, with reference to the plan of construction and ventilation, of most of our hospitals for the reception of the sick and wounded / by John Roberton.

  • Roberton, John, 1797-1876.
Date:
[1856]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the defects, with reference to the plan of construction and ventilation, of most of our hospitals for the reception of the sick and wounded / by John Roberton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    as respects both the mothers and infants, is higher than that i which is found among the poorest class of women confined in their own habitations. There are various other things, attention to which promotes the salubrity of an Hospital ward; as, for instance, that there be a discharging shaft in the wall, shut by a sliding cover, by which soiled clothes, fouled dressings, and the like, are at once • passed to the wash-cellar; that the ceiling and walls be painted and highly varnished, in order to prevent (what is so apt to happen when lime-washing is practised) the imbibition by the plaster of effluvia; as well as that the surface of both ceiling and walls | may be readily cleansed. That there be no furniture in the ward beyond what is absolutely necessary; that there be an eating room for convalescents, to avoid in the ward the smell and vapour of cooked food; that, with respect to the persons of the .patients and nurses alike, and to every article of clothing and bedding, there be the most scrupulous attention to cleanliness; and, lastly, that the dressers, whether medical students or nurses, be not permitted to carry fouled sponges from patient tto patient, as, without a watchful eye over them, they are so apt to do. I need hardly say, that the occasional use of the warm or tepid bath, and at all events, of the foot bath, in the case of both patients and nurses, is most desirable. A single pair of neglected feet even, will, in the night, affect the sweet- ness of the surrounding air. In conclusion, I will venture a word concerning the proper ■site for an Hospital. When a person of sense determines on Branding a dwelling-house, the salubrity of the site is a point hnever overlooked; but how rarely in this country do we give Ithc same thing a moment's consideration with reference to an Infirmary! Our fever and general Hospitals are usually built an some populous and central spot of our large towns, selected, as is alleged, that the Hospital may stand conveniently for the medical staff residing around, and that the sick and the hurt may be carried thither with as little delay as possible. These reasons are more specious than weighty; for, assuredly, if a