An Account of the Diseases which were most frequent in the British military hospitals in GermanyMonro, Donald
History
An Account of the Diseases which were most frequent in the British military hospitals in Germany
Monro, Donald
Medicine, Military; Military hospitals; Military hygiene; Seven Years' War, 1756-1763 -- Medical care
In foreign Countries, when we meet with Hospitals where there are no
Places for open Fires, but only close Stoves, different Contrivances
may be used to renew the Air. Ventilators of different Kinds may be
used, or Openings made in the Doors and Windows. In Winter 1761-62,
some of the Wards in the Hospital at _Bremen_ which I attended had
such Stoves. In order to keep up a free Circulation of Air in those
Wards, I directed large Holes to be cut in the lower Part of the Door
in each Ward, and two Grooves to be made on the Outside of the Door,
above and below the Hole, parallel to each other, in which a Board
slided; by means of which, the Hole could be either quite covered or
only in Part, or left entirely open; and I directed a Casement, about
eight or nine Inches square, to be made in the upper Corner of each
Window. After the Fires were lighted, upon removing the Board which
covered the Hole in the Door, and opening the little square Windows, a
Current of fresh cool Air rushed into the Ward by the Door, while the
heated foul Air found an Exit by the Windows. In very cold Weather,
the Opening of the small Windows was sufficient; but in mild Weather,
and in Summer, it was necessary to keep both open.
The Wards should be daily fumigated by Means of Aromatics, or wetted
Gunpowder thrown on burning Coals, put in an Iron Pot or Chaffern, or
with the Steams of warm Vinegar placed in the Middle of the Ward. Dr.
_Lind_ says, that although Cleanliness and a pure Air contribute much
to prevent infectious Disorders, or to check them, yet that they of
themselves are not always sufficient; but that he seldom or never knew
a proper Application of Fire and Smoke to be unsuccessful in producing
the happy Consequence of effectually purifying all tainted Places,
Materials, and Substances[158].
[158] Dr. _Lind_ tells us, that the Ships of War in his
Majesty’s Service are purified by Fire and Smoke, and gives
the Process by which it is done; and he says, that he never
heard of any Ship, which, after being carefully and properly
smoked, did not immediately become healthy for the Men.--See
_First Paper on Fevers and Infection_.--And he observes, that
these Steams and Smoke, which are inoffensive to the Lungs,
besides correcting the bad Quality of the Air, produce
another good Effect; which is, to make both the Patients and
Nurses desirous of opening the Doors and Windows for the
Admission of fresh Air. _Ibid._ p. 51.
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