1839.] Regeneration of Medicine in Egypt. 397 



recently charged with the head management of the Sanitary Depart- 

 ment, made it the object of his most ardent solicitude. 



The Hospital of Abou-Zabel, which surpasses in size, as it does in 

 priority of existence, all similar buildings subsequently erected in 

 Egypt, is a perfect square of 150 metres, every side consisting of a 

 double row of saloons, divided by an intermediate corridor forming 

 their entrance. There are thirty-two hails, each containing fifty beds 

 arranged in a double row. The saloons are exceedingly lightsome 

 and well ventilated, being illuminated each by sixteen large windows, 

 which however does not debar the deplorable effects that result from 

 the reunion of an immense number of sick in a single edifice — a 

 constant proof that smaller Hospitals are preferable to extensive ones in 

 all quarters of the globe. * 



The area enclosed within the four sides of the building has been 

 appropriated to the use of a Botanical Garden. In the middle of it is to 

 be found a square house containing the Dispensary, Dissecting Room, 

 Baths, Kitchen, a Sakia, or draw-well, and other ordinary complements 

 of an Hospital. 



The Botanical Garden is subdivided into two sections, contain- 

 ing an exact repetition of the identical plants. The first is appropriated 

 to the study of Linneus' system, and the other to that of Jussieu's 

 method. 



The edifice is surrounded on three sides by a high wall, about 

 a hundred paces distant from the body of the building. The vast 

 tract of land intervening between the one side and the other is cover- 

 ed with trees and divers other plants, which abundantly supply fruits 

 and other nutritious vegetables ; it also offers a commodious pro- 

 menade to the invalids. This exterior wall answers the purpose of 

 isolating the establishment — an inestimable advantage for various rea- 

 sons, especially in countries like Egypt, frequently infested with conta- 

 gious maladies. 



Although the Hospital of Abou-Zabel is chiefly intended for the 



* We recommend this passage to the attention of the Municipal Committee, and of 

 the projectors of certain Hospitals said to be intended for Calcutta. The new Clinical 

 Hospital just completed on the grounds of the Medical College will contain eighty pati- 

 ents. It is a square building on arches, 74 feet square, divided into three Wards 

 with two intervening Corridoi-s. The clear length of each Ward is 70 feet, the breadth 

 20 feet, the height 18 feet, and the Corridors each 70 feet long, 12 feet broad, and 18 

 feet high. The room# are fully ventilated by lofty windows, doors, and spiracles. 

 This building has cost but 8,000 Rs. In the plans adopted by the Municipal Com- 

 mittee an Hospital for one hundred and twenty patients is to cost 97,000 Rs., another 

 plan for an Hospital for twenty patients is sanctioned by the Committee at 34,000 Rs. 

 This may excite a smile, but let us not be unreasonable. It is peradventui'e wise to 

 lodge the perishing pauper with the magnificence of a prince,— Eos. 



