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55
Hospital Administration.
been provided by the Local Authority it may with economy be
used for the treatment of advanced cases of Consumption. A
Typhoid ward originally planned for 5 beds will take 8 consumptives,
and one planned for 3 beds will take 5 consumptives. The amount of
floor space required for each consumptive bed being 64 square feet.
Anything in the way of window blinds or wall decorations should
be cleared out and the wards heated by an open fire in addition to
gas or hot water radiators.
The ward is supervised by the Matron, the patients are in
charge of a sister with Tuberculosis experience and assisted by 2
probationers and ward maid according to the number of patients
A staff nurse takes the night work.
All patients have a metal sputum cup and use paper handkerchiefs;
they wash their hands in disinfectant and brush their teeth,
and keep their thermometers in a disinfectant solution.
The wards are well lighted and flooded with fresh air night
and day. Two side wards are available for patients "in extremis."
The usual hospital bed-card with history sheet and temperature
chart hangs over each bed.
A useful classification which should head each bed card is
whether the patient is resting or ambulant, and whether febrile or
afebrile; so we get 4 classes:—(a) resting febrile, (b) resting
afebrile, (c) ambulant febrile, (d) ambulant afebrile (and sometimes
a mixed class).
In the grounds of the Isolation Hospital a permanent Tuberculosis
block will be built containing say, 12 beds with a kitchen,
nurses' room and small special ward, for about £70 a bed.
A verandah will be provided and if possible a balcony or roof
garden. A large common room will be arranged for meals and the