It is difficult to give an accurate estimate regarding the cost of installation and operation of a laundry plant, as conditions vary greatly. A list of the articles required for a plant capable of doing the work of a sixty-bed hospital is appended. In preparing this list the elimination, so far as possible, of all expensive features, has been attempted. A laundry plant, like nearly everything else, can be figured on in various ways, and at largely varying cost, so that, with different machines, a plant with the same amount of machinery will cost three times as much as another of practically equal capacity and actual working value. It is well, therefore, before purchasing a plant, to be thoroughly informed regarding the actual needs of a hospital, the various makes and grades of machines, cost of operating, etc. A very serviceable laundry equipment for a hospital of fifty to sixty patients, is made up as follows: One 12 h. p. vertical boiler, complete with suitable injector and regular boiler trimmings. One 6 h. p. horizontal engine, complete with all engine trimmings, and a sight feed lubricator. One 36 × 30 wood washer. One 20-inch solid curb extractor, countershaft attached. One 40-gallon galvanized steel soap tank, with circular boil pipe. One sectional dry room, arranged to handle plain or fancy clothes, and complete with three metal trucks, ventilating fan, etc. One 66-inch steam mangle. One 30-inch reversible body ironer. Two ironing tables. One truck tub. This outfit will cost about $1,100 to $1,200, including pipes, pipe fittings, valves, shafting, etc., and will require a floor space of about 24 × 48 feet. The accompanying diagram gives a good idea of an economical arrangement of such a plant. In one institution having about one hundred patients, a plant similar to this is used. All the work is done with two women and one man, the man looking after the power and the washing. If the hospital employs a man who can look after the power for two or three days in a week, the cost for help may be reduced. Where the laundry work of a hospital runs up to $750 or $1,000 a year, there are but few instances where a direct financial saving will not be effected by the hospital operating its own laundry plant. [Illustration] CHAPTER VI. [Sidenote: The Hospital Kitchen]