be that she “didn’t know.” At hospitals five and six, the persons in charge knew what was expected, and did the proper thing, but the varied experiences served to show the laxity that exists in that one particular. [Sidenote: The Porter] The careful hospital housekeeper will see to it that the person in charge of the main entrance knows his business and is reliable and courteous. He need not know all the business of the institution, but he should know enough to answer questions properly and when to be silent. If no special uniform is provided, he should be neatly and quietly attired. Parcels, telegrams, messages, are constantly being delivered for the inmates, and he should be responsible for them until they are delivered to the nurse in charge. Letters should be placed in a locked box, the key to be held by some reliable person who will see to their distribution. Mail for the patients should not be given to the inmates direct, but to the nurse in charge, and some nurse should always be in charge. Carelessness at this point may result in an important letter or message not being delivered, or delivered at a time when it is specially important that the patient’s mind be free from disturbance or intrusion of any kind. Complaints are frequently made, of large hospitals especially, that boxes of flowers sent to patients have been thrown carelessly into a parcel room, and not delivered at all, or delivered after their beauty and fragrance had gone. If the person at the door is careless about matters of that kind, he will be just as likely to be careless about more serious things. A temporary substitute at the door should always be arranged for when the porter is obliged to be absent, even for a few minutes. [Sidenote: The Private Rooms] In all apartments intended for the use of patients some degree of uniformity should be observed in the furnishings, though this may easily be carried to extremes. These rooms vary in size and price, but the essentials for all are the same. The chief thought should be to have the furnishings suitable, sensible and restful. Dainty white enameled furniture for hospital rooms is rapidly replacing that of darker hue and adds greatly to the attractiveness of the hospital. For the average room a combination dresser and washstand is preferable to cumbering the room with two separate pieces of furniture. These have the essential features of the dresser, in that they provide a mirror and drawers, and of the washstand by having a towel rack and cupboard. In any case, small dressers are preferable to large ones. Every private room should have its own wash bowl and pitcher, soap dish, mug, receptacle for toilet brush, water bottle and drinking glass. The bed should be placed so that the nurse can have access to it on three sides. The woven-wire springs should be warranted not to sag in the middle. [Illustration: Combination Dresser and Washstand]