Transcriber’s Notes: Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_ in the original text. Equal signs “=” before and after a word or phrase indicate =bold= in the original text. Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals. Illustrations have been moved so they do not break up paragraphs. Old spellings have been preserved. Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected. HOSPITAL HOUSEKEEPING By CHARLOTTE A. AIKENS Late Director Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington, D. C.; Late Superintendent of Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines; Superintendent of Columbia Hospital, Pittsburg; Former Associate Editor The National Hospital Record SECOND EDITION Detroit, Mich. DEL T. SUTTON 1910 Copyright 1906 by DEL T. SUTTON PREFACE In the preparation of this volume, three classes of readers have been in mind: the trained nurse who, without practical experience in hospital management, finds herself in charge of a hospital, small or large; the practical woman who, having had no opportunity for special training, has upon her the responsibility of the direction of the domestic affairs of an institution; and the lady member of the hospital board of managers who, in the discharge of the duties of her position, becomes responsible to the public for the proper government of institutional affairs. It was thought that the latter, especially, might, through the use of this volume, secure a better grasp of the details of hospital housekeeping as a whole than is possible without some such aid. The ability to see all around a situation, to view the institution as a whole, is essential to good management. As a rule, such ability comes only by experience. Especial pains have been taken to make the volume thoroughly practical, and to present clearly and concisely lessons learned in actual dealing with, and close study of, the questions discussed. The greater portion of the contents of the volume have already seen the light of day in the columns of the National Hospital Record. Since their appearance in that journal, the papers have been carefully revised, and much new and important matter added. For assistance in preparation, the author has been under great obligation to a number of hospital superintendents, who have furnished information as to methods, and to contemporary writers, especially on the subject of dietetics. Special mention should be made of the works of W. Gilman Thompson, M. D., Mrs. Ellen H. Richards, I. Burney Yeo, M. D., Sir Henry Burdett, and of the literature of the United States