V. All the various authorities agree in estimating very highly the superiority of this flooring to flooring requiring scrubbing. They all agree in their reasons for this preference, viz.:-- (I.) The dampness which remains in a ward more or less time after it has been scrubbed, is completely avoided. (II.) The tendency to miasma is greatly counteracted, both by getting rid of the damp, which encourages and spreads the exhalation of the organic saturations; and by making the floor impervious, preventing dirt, and with dirt miasma, finding its way into holes, chinks, and corners of the floor. (III.) The mode of cleaning this flooring, while it avoids damp, daily purifies the ward air. (IV.) The floor, and its mode of cleaning, get rid more than by any other way of dust, and of the miasma dust often conveys. (V.) The time, labour, and expense of scrubbing are saved. (VI.) The Berlin authorities consider that these oiled boards, with a small quantity of laque, are, on the whole, decidedly cheaper than the common boards; that the boards last rather longer; and that the avoidance of scrubbing saves more than the extra preparation and its renewal cost, apart from the sanitary gain. VI. Against these advantages, the following disadvantages are to be placed: (I.) This flooring shows where most used, instead of the uniform appearance of the white scrubbed boards. (II.) Scratches show, and remain upon it; so all furniture must be lifted, not dragged over it. (III.) The tread sounds a little more, little, but more, than on white boards. (IV.) It would not stand the constant tread of nailed shoes; and patients of a ward so floored, ought to wear slippers with moderately thick soles. (The German Doctors consider the use of slippers preferable to that of shoes, by the patients, as keeping a ward much quieter, cleaner, and disturbing the severe cases less.) (V.) Carpets could not be nailed on it, as the floor should be daily cleaned. Several Hospital authorities whose rooms are thus floored, have large pieces of carpet round the furniture most used, bed, tables, sofas, &c.; these are daily taken up and dusted while the floor is being cleaned. To many English minds, the sight and feel of a carpet is essential to the idea or feeling of comfort; and it might be sound policy, in the event of a trial being made of this flooring, to leave the Officers, Military and Medical (I do not mean patients), in possession of scrubbed rooms and carpets. The Superintendent might have one or two pieces of carpet for her rooms; and the Nurses should dispense with carpet.