(^26 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION I. 



Avard to outer air direct, and thence into laundry truck en route to 

 steeping and disinfecting trough. 



In connection with such a ward as described should be a day 

 room for convalescents, the day room combining the useful with 

 the helpful, as it allows patients sufficiently recovered to leave 

 their beds to sit there and have their meals ; it also helps the 

 wards by removing so many out for a certain time each day, giving 

 more air to those remaining. In conjunction with day room 

 should be separated w.c's., specially designed so as to be cut off 

 by a fresh air space from the building proper ; the lavatory and 

 baths with hot and cold water. Store room and ward scullery should 

 be all connected with deep drainage, and almost perfect sanitary 

 appliances. (I may say our South Australian system is as r early 

 perfect as obtains in any part of the world at present ; an 

 inspection will illustrate better than words). A well-flushed glazed 

 fsecal trough and a cupboard for excreta requiring inspection by 

 medical officers should be contained in the closet arrangements. 

 Access direct either from wards or day room should obtain to 

 ambulatory verandahs and balconies, &c. These should be on all 

 sides, to allow patients to have the benefit of sun or shade, accord- 

 ing to the season of the year or time of the day. 



On the opposite end of large ward to day room, Sec, should be 

 the room of the sister in charge or head nurse, with glass door, 

 giving full view over ward ; also a small ward, operating and 

 casualty room, store room, and a separation ward of three beds 

 for special cases ; this room should have double doors, and be 

 as well ventilated as main ward. Repeat the ground floor 

 plan on first floor, with balconies, Sic, and the accommodation is 

 at once doubled. External fire escape stairs should be provided 

 from balcony. In our hospital we have provided an Otis hydraulic 

 lift for patients, and to send up dinners, &c., to first floor. A 

 staircase travels round the elevator case for ordinary traiiic and a 

 special water service is pro-sided for use of the lift. As space is 

 limited with us, a second flooi- or third story has been built on 

 central portion of wing for the ward nurses, &c., accommodation 

 for sixteen being provided, the floor being 39ft. above ground. 

 Nurses have bath rooms, with hot and cold water, and av.c.'s, &c., 

 on their flat, also connection with a large platform on roof, over- 

 looking the city, for taking the air on fine nights. Ward furniture 

 requires a few words. Bedsteads should be very strong, with 

 woven ware mattresses carrying the horsehair mattress ; the latter 

 need not be more than 25lbs. weight. These bedsteads are made 

 in the colony. Each bed should have bracket on wall at head for 

 medicines, name of patient, and his ailment, &c. A small table 

 on solid pedestal is provided for each bed. Electric lighting is 

 the proper thing for hospitals, as the gas consumes so much 

 oxygen. There should also be electric call bells. One word and I 

 close : No constructor should ever forget the claims of the nurses 

 to generous treatment in the shape of comfortable accommodation. 



