648 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION I. 



continuous rod and gearing such as is used to open a series of 

 fanlights, but with a small drum fixed above each window for the 

 hood suspension chain to wind up on. Each hood could also be 

 operated separately by a simple mechanical arrangement, the 

 brackets supporting the hoods to be fitted with spring catches so 

 as secure them in case of storm or hea-\y winds. By this system 

 the glare of direct sunlight during the hottest portion of the day 

 in simimer is obviated, while in winter full advantage can be 

 taken of the sun's rays. There is also no obstruction to outlook 

 or ventilation, and the cost of such an arrangement would certainly 

 not exceed that of a verandah. But this mode does not shade the 

 walls as a verandah does. True. And a solid brick or stone wall 

 well heated by the sun renders the interior of a ward almost 

 intolerable on a hot summer day. A hollow wall, however, at once 

 meets the difficvdty. I am writing this note in one of the hottest 

 towns of New South Wales, and close to a building erected from 

 my designs a few years since with hollow walls. I have just been 

 assured by its occupants that it is the coolest building in the town, 

 though exposed to the full glare of the sun all round. First in- 

 troduced to resist driving rain, hollow walls will prove extremely 

 useful in securing coolness as well. As regards the roof of a ward, 

 I advocate a solid ceiling of light steel joists filled in with cement 

 concrete and a light roof over quite open to the atmosphere at the 

 eaves and ridge. The greater the heat the quicker the circulation 

 of air through the roof, and the cooler the ward below becomes. 

 In winter time when cold winds are blowing the solid ceiling is 

 thick enough to prevent any reduction of the temperature inside 

 the ward. 



These suggestions I beg to offer for the consideration of medical 

 experts, and my only regret is that I am unable to attend the 

 meetings in person to join in the discussion and profit by criticism. 



-o-»i«i-o- 



9.— A NOTE ON THE AXIAL LINES OF HOSPITAL 

 WARDS. 



Bij JOHN SULMAN, F.R.I. B.A. 



In Europe and the Northern States of America it is the recog- 

 nised rule that the axial line of a rectangular ward should be 

 north and south, thus securing the maximum of sunshine on both 

 sides of the ward during the day. But in Australia the elevation 

 of the sun and the intensity of its rays is greater, and the question 

 has occurred to me whether it is desirable that the rule just 

 referred to should be followed, as I believe it is in most cases. In 



