Proceedings at the opening of the new surgical hospital of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, on Tuesday, 21st May, 1861.

Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Proceedings at the opening of the new surgical hospital of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, on Tuesday, 21st May, 1861. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    10/22 (page 8)
    cause a powerful extractive force on tlie air of the wards. The openings from the wards into these ventilating flues are placed near the ceiling on each side, and afford a ready exit to the heated and vitiated air of the wards. At each extremity, and also near the ceiling, there are openings into the smoke vents, pro- vided with an apparatus which, while it admits the vitiated air from the wards, prevents the exit of smoke. Thus, on each of the four sides there is provided a means of outlet for foul air from the upper strata, and in the position most favourable for its removal. For the lower strata of air the fires afford a ready and effectual means of ventilation. At first it was contem- plated to construct the grates in such a form as to admit of an auxiliary heating apparatus, consisting of a heated chamber at the back of the fires, into which fresh air, admitted from the outside, might pass into the wards in a more or less heated condition. One of the wards will be fitted with this apparatus, which will test its capability of utilizing the fire for the greatest possible amount of heating power.'' Fresh air is admitted by 85 apertures in each ward, not including the doors. There are six openings in the ceiling, communicating with corresponding open- ings in the walls, three on each side, by channels between the joists; these open at regular intervals on either side of the beam which runs along the centre of the ward. When the upper half of each window is pulled down 2 inches, the air is directed towards the ceiling by means of a channel lined with wood. In like manner, when the lower half of the window is thrown up 2 inches, the air does not enter directly into the ward, but passes down behind the lining of the window recess, and enters on a level with the floor. By this means the angles formed by the walls with the ceiling and the floor—the parts where the air is usually