|e 621 .W51 Copy 1 HE P* O H T M^Mciin ^anitai a|ommi!isi0tt, GENERAL MILITARY HOSPITALS ST. LOUIS, MO, I^PtESEIsTTEX) ^XJG-TJST 1, 1862. ST. LOUIS: K. P. STUnLKY AND CO, PlilNT^KS AND LITaOGKAPIIEllS, S. ^V. COP.NEK MAIN AND OLIVK, STS, ilDCO CL XII. H E P O R T W^st^Jlit ^anitaiin dl0mmijisi0n, GENERAL MILITARY HOSPITALS ST. LOUIS, MO. ST. LOUIS: P, STUrLSTf AHD CO., P3IN-JKE8 AND LITH0GBAPHKK8, 8. W. CORHKB MAIN AND OLIVK SrS, MDCOOLXII. /^/J^ ' KEPOKT WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSIOIf. THE GENERAL MILITARY HOSPITALS OF ST. LOUIS, MO. The history of the Military Hospitals in St. Louis may constitute, if not an interesting, yet an important, part of the history of the civil war in Missouri. The whole nation felt that the contest would rage fiercely in the Border States, and commenced to prepare for the struggle, but did nothing to alleviate the evils which must necessarily accompany it. The clash of arms was soon heard in various sections of the land ; sick and wounded combatants were now and then met with, but no provision was made for their relief. Missouri had, early in 1861, declared by an overwhelming majority her attachment for, and her determination to remain in, the Union ; yet, when the time for action arrived, when the Executive called on her to furnish her quota of men and means for the national defense, there ^v^ere many found desirous that she should occupy an impossible — a neutral position. The capture of Camp Jackson precipitated the crisis, and brought her to take a decisive stand. From that day skirmishes and combats became frequent. Up to the month of August the strife was carried on by small bodies, and quite remote from St. Louis. The sick were mostly attended in camp in tents, or in regimental hospitals, in houses that chanced to be near an encampment ; few only were brought to th€ Post Hospital at Jefferson Barracks. During the summer months matters necessarily became worse. Men taken from various in-door avocations were suddenly exposed to the vicissitudes of camp life ; compelled often to make rapid and fatiguing marches ; to bivouac in malarious regions ; to drink water frequently impure and stagnant ; and to eat badly prepared food. Officers and men, both novices, unused to this kind of life, soon felt its dire effect They sickened in large numbers. Being constantly ii.1 ilVVl^UV- 1.1J1\1 . on the move, due attention to the sick became almost an impossibility. Post Hospitals Avere established in different parts of the State, and General Hospitals in St. Louis. The first opened here was the General Hospital at the A'cw Uousq of livfuge, on the 1st of August, It was fitted up in haste, and soon filled beyond its capacity, chiefly with sick suffering from the severity of climate, and the diseases incident to camp life. But after the battle at Wilson's Creek, (August 12th,) the wounded began to arrive. All the available wards in the ^7. Louis {Sis/crs) and Citij IIos])il(tls were taken, and were also soon replete to overflowing. About that time, the JVcstcrn Sanitary Commission was organized, and duly commissioned by the Commander of the Department, Major-General Fremont. This body was to be auxiliary and advisory to the Medical Director. They were authorized to assist him in organizing and furnishing hospitals, and to see that the wants of the sick were properly cared for. The people responded heartily to the frequent appeals of the Western Sanitary Commission for aid, well knowing that the General Government could not have made adequate provisions for this gigantic war. They undertook also the laborious task of hiring suitable nurses for the hospitals : especially Avere they instrumental in introducing female nurses in them — a system not recognized in the Army and Hospital Regulations of the United States, but which, thanks to the advocacy and influence of that noble philanthropist^ Miss Dix, found favor with the then Secretary of War, Mr. Cameron, and was approved by the President. A wise and a very opportune measure. The inestimable value of woman at the bedside of the sick is universally appreciated. Thousands of our soldiers had never missed the daily greetings of mother, wife, sister or daughter, until this war called them from their midst, and threw them among strangers, but brothers united in one holy cause. While in the constant exercise of their military duties, absent woman could only be remembered by them, but she was painfully missed when they were prostrated on the sick bed, and tended only by comparatively rough male hands. The women of the land volunteered to emerge from the seclusion of domestic life, in order to perform both a patriotic and a philan- thropic work. Thousands of them left their quiet, comfortable homes to follow, tend and nurse those who had willingly offered INTRODUCTORY. themselves on the altar of their country. The dangers to which these good women exposed themselves were equal to those of the men in the field, breathing, as they do, the atmosphere in rooms where hundreds of sick and wounded are confined. The extraordinary labors, constant vigils, the anxiety and care for those they have taken under their charge, are exceedingly exhausting. Women- nurses are true heroines. When the one will be remembered for valor in the field, the other will be spoken of for her assiduity, self- sacrificing devotion and unremitting kindness to the sick soldier. It would be difficult to select for praise the most worthy female nurse in our hospitals. They all did well. The surgeons, the soldiers, the whole nation unite in their gratitude to them. To find buildings in St. Louis, suitable for hospital purposes, was no easy task. The Western Sanitary Commission selected and recommended those that were the most available, which were then rented by the Medical Director. Many and costly were the alterations and improvements which were necessary to be made to make them answer the end in view. The Western Sanitary Commission was fully convinced that the system of renting houses at high rates, and altering them at a great expense, is not the most economical, pecuniarily, and, at the same time, it is the least satisfactory, in a sanitary point of view. They early advocated the erection of barrack-hospitals, which could be extended to answer all demands, and arranged in accordance with sanitary laws. Their plan met the approval of the Commanding General. Plans and specifications were made, and contracts entered into with builders. The work was to be commenced at once, and completed within four or six weeks. At that time. Gen. Fremont was superseded, and the concurrence of subsequent commanders and medical directors could not be obtained. Thus the barrack-hospital system was abandoned, and the hiring of houses was the only alternative. On the 7th of September, the General Hospital, corner of Fifth and Chesnut streets, was opened; on the 13th of the same month, that near Camp Benton; and on the 15th, the Good Samaritan Hospital, were taken. October the 24th, the new hotel building on Fourth street, between Mors;an street and Franklin avenue was converted into a hospital. The Receiving House on Spruce street, between Seventh and Eighth, was used by the Western INTRODirTORY. Sunitary Commission Tor receiving and giving a temporary shelter to the sick and wounded soldiers arriving at night by the respective railroads, but was taken possession of, November the 4th, by the jNIedical Director, and converted into a hospital, and named the Pacific Huspilal. It may be proper hero to mention that the Western Sanitary Commission had fitted up a number of Huspilal Cam, furnished them with beds, cooking stoves and nurses, and supplied all necessary stores, to render the transit of the patients over the railroads as comfortable as possible. In the same month, extensive additions were made to the Srnall Fox llospilal on Duncan's Island ; and the Hickory street Hospital was opened for the especial use of the reserve corps of State troops. These extensive arrangements were wholly insufficient. Last winter was so prolific of diseases that the sick canae pouring in from all parts of our State and the neighboring States. Camp Benton alone furnished a daily quota of patients, which exceeded all calculations, and required that a large number, which should have been treated in General Hospitals^ be kept and treated in the numerous regimental hospitals in, near and around the camp. The hospitals were crowded, not only with the very sick, but also with a large number who were convalescing, but too feeble yet to be returned to their regiments, and too well to occupy the beds in a general hospital. The organization of hospitals for convalescents became necessary, and forthwith the Convalescent Hosjjital, A'*o. 1, was opened, which has proved a perfect success. The active campaign of last spring, and the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, Island No. 10, proved that our arrange- ments were not yet adequate to the emergency, and further provision had to be made. The U. S. Marine Hospital , which, owing to the interruption of the navigation of the Mississippi, was nearly void of its accus- tomed patients, was placed at the disposal of the War Department. After the battle of Shiloh, the order came for " more beds," and the Western Sanitary Commission hired the third and fourth floors, over the Police Commissioners' Court, and had them neatly and expeditiously fitted up for the accommodation of 2,000 more patients. The large hall, over Thornton's livery stable, was likewise INTRODUCTORY. taken, and prepared for 150 patients. Fortunately, tbese halls were never called into requisition. The extensive Jefferson Barracks have been entirely metamor- phosed into a general hospital, with ample accommodations for 1,000 sick. This felicitous idea is due to the then Medical Director, Dr. J. J. B. Wright. These general hospitals were further relieved of the incumbrance of convalescent patients, and made to conform more to the sound laws of hygiene, by the opening of the Convalescent Hospital, JYo. 2, at Benton Barracks, with a capacity for 1,000 beds, or more. A choice of locality, of positive injustice to the soldiers, who go there in expectation of recuperating, but unfortu- nately often relapse. Thus far, this is a general introduction to the Military Hospitals of St. Louis, a more detailed account follows. It will be seen that St. Louis need not fear comparison with any other city in hospital enterprises, and maybe proud of the gigantic work done, under such trying and unfavorable circumstances. Thanks to the great liberality of the whole nation, the Western Sanitary Commission has been enabled to render efficient aid to the sick and wounded soldiers, though frequently thwarted in their philanthropic labors. The enlightened views of Major- Generals Fremont and Halleck, Com- manding this Department, whose countenance and encouragement never failed them, are gratefully acknowledged, as, without them, the efforts of the Western Sanitary Commission would have been limited in their results. In the detailed report of the St. Louis Military Hospitals, I will endeavor to give the capacity, in cubic feet, of each room occupied by patients, the number of beds, and consequently the quantity of atmospheric air allowed to each patient. There will be found nearly as great a variety as there are rooms ; for there are but few of equal dimensions, and containing the same number of beds. The Surgeon- General of the United States recommends an allowance of 1,200 cubic feet of atmospheric air for each patient- Only in one instance is this very liberal allowance attained in our hospitals ; in most of them it will hardly reach one-half that quantity. In many places, where the cubic contents of a room is small, the air is purer, than in others where there is more space, owing to the artificial means of ventilation, either by windows, doors, ventilators, or open fires. I have, therefore, endeavored always to note the INTRODl'CTORT number of these, as they arc the chief, if not the only means of ventilation in this country. But, Avhen those windows open into dirty streets, filthy alleys, or courts abounding with foul exhalations ; when the doors open into corridors and halls, filled with impure air, we do not purify the air in the sick room, do not supply it with the vivify- ing elements so indispensiblc, but we impoverish and poison it by the admixture of these putrid emanations. Fresh air should be derived, as far as possible, from uncontaminated sources ; it should be washed, screened and treated with chemicals, when loaded with noxious emanations. Drains and Sewers, in the vicinity of hospitals, should be deprived of their noxious gases. The ground in the vicinity exhaling offensive smells should be deodorized. The temperature, moisture and movements of the air in the hospital, should be graduated. But where in this country is this done ? In our private residences we care little about proper ventilation ; and in public edifices it is sacrificed to the merest whim of taste, as a matter of secondary importance. The architect must be an adept in chemico-physical science to be possessed of a correct knowledge of the principles of ventilation. It is simply unreasonable to expect to find well venti- lated hospitals among us as yet ; but still those of St. Louis will compare favorably with most others. One of the most serious difficulties our hospitals — and I presume all the hospitals in the United States — labor under, is the too frequent change of officers and employees. A familiarity with business facilitates despatch; but here, ere one becomes initiated into his duties, he is removed to another field of action. Rotation in office may be a good rule in politics, but it is unphilosophical. It has proved detrimental to the best interest of the country in all its various relations. There are few experts among our public officers, they being either elected or appointed to take charge of an office, and are expected to do all its duties well before they have an idea what their duties are. They have scarcely found out what they have to do, when their term of office expires, or they are removed by the will of their superior. Would it not result in more good if persons were retained in the office for which they have qualified themselves, during good behavior, and while they discharge their duties faithfully and well? Applicants for office would not be as many, and the incumbents would find therein the greatest incentive to do their duty. This evil is even more glaring in our hospitals. A Surgeon in charge of a hospital or INTRODUCTORY. ward, requires much time to learn the routine of business, and to study and understand every case, when, without a moments premoni- tion, he is ordered to another hospital or ward, doubtless to the detriment of the patients and of the service. The same holds good in regard to nurses, cooks and other employees. The system of taking convalescent soldiers for such service is of questionable utility. Nursing the sick is a very laborious work ; only the physically and morally healthy ought to undertake it. How can an untutored soldier, just recovering from wasting disease, do justice to it? The valetudi- narian needs repose at night, and active exercise in the open air in the day time ; but the nurse has to watch at night and breathe impure air. The convalescing soldier should have time to recuperate fully, and then return to duty for which he enlisted, but not be diverted from his original praiseworthy purpose, (lookhxg is an art ; a good cook is invaluable in camp, and much more in a hospital. Food well prepared would have saved us many a brave soldier, who sickened and died from the want of it. The cook in a hospital ought to be just as exact and precise as the apothecary ; but this cannot be expected from an untutored soldier taken from the ranks. A case has occured, within my own observation, of the removal, in one day, of all the civil employees, comprising cooks, stewards and nurses, in one of our largest hospitals, and the substituting of convalescent soldiers, who knew nothing of what they were required to do. The inevitable result was soon apparent. Would it not be better economy to hire luell trained male and female nurses ; to keep them as long as they perform their duty well ; to deduct from their wages and to dismiss them, when they fail to perform Avhat they have engaged to do ? Would it not be the dictate of humanity to engage as nurses only those who, by study and natural inclination, have adapted themselves to this pursuit? The sick soldier would be grateful, and the conva- lescent soldier glad, for having been relieved of a task for which he has neither aptitude nor inclination. I have appended a table, showing the whole number of admissions and deaths in our respective hospitals, from the time they Avere opened, to the first of July, 1862 ; the diseases they were admitted with, and those of which they died. At the foot of each column will be the number of cases and deaths in each hospital ; and on the right of each line will be found the number of cases and deaths of any particular disease. Thus, not only the movements in the hospitals. 10 INTUODUCTOKV, liut tlie character of the prevailing diseases can be ascertained at a glance. Very important and interesting facts can he deduced there- from. It shows that — 1. Tlie tiitul mimlioiof iulmis^ioiis to Julv wa.s 2.3,198. The total of deaths, 1,826, or 7J per cent. 2. Of the 23,198 cases admitted, 20,005 were for sickness incident to climate, exposure and canij) life; and 3,198 as the result of casualities, or 13.^ per cent. 3. Of the 20,005 cases of sickness, 1,593 died, or 7| per cent. 4. Of the 3,198 ca.scs of casualties, 228 died, or 7;^ per cent. 5. Deaths from casuulities (228,) to the wliole number of deatlis (1,820,) is 12^ per cent. G. The casualities were I Ciises. i Deaths.! Per Cent. Amhustio (hums) Coucussio ccrchri (concussion of the brain). C'antusio Fractura Gelatio (frost bitten) Hernia Luxatio (dislocation ) Subluxatio (sprains) Vulnus contusum vel laceratum (contused and lacerated wounds ) Vulnus incisum (incised wounds cuts) Vulnus punctum (punctured wounds, stabs) Vulnus sclopeticum (gun shot wound) All other injuries 10 1 3 157, 95^ 3 13' H 206 i 16.. . 26:: 44 25 2,.537 52 7. Hospital gangrene was not at all, and pymnia only rarely met with. ^ 8. Erysipelas, the great scourge of ill-ventilated and crowded surgical wards, dealt very kindly with our wounded. Few only suffered from it, and many of them recovered. 9. Tetanus, the usual companion of severe physical injuries — the implacable enemy of the wounded — the dread of the militaiy surgeon, has visited us but in a single case. 10. Only 302 cases of venereal disease has been noted among the 23,198 cases. A fact unparalled in medical records. GENERAL HOSPITAL AT THE NEW HOUSE OF REFUGE. This edifice was erected by tlie city of St. Louis, as a reform school for juvenile oftenders. It was yet in an unfinished state, when rented by the Government, August 1st, 1861. It is well situated in a salubrious region, on high rolling ground, affording a fine view in every direction. The grounds attached are extensive, and sparsely covered with forest trees. It is south of, and distant from the centre of, the city, about four miles. The building is about 42 by 243 feet, and has four stories, and a basement. The basement is 9 feet in hight. It is divided into two kitchens, store rooms, dining room for officers and convalescing patients, nurses, a sutler's shop, and contains the furnaces. It is conven- iently arranged, and well kept. On the first floor are the offices of the surgeons and steward, the pharmacy and the reception rooms. A wide piazza stretches across the south side of the house, exposed to the prevailing summer breezes. There are two wards on this floor, well lighted and aired, having numerous large windows on three sides. The two inner corners of each ward are occupied by small rooms, the partitions being of glass, and not reaching the ceiling. One is used as a nurses' kitchen, and the other as a sleeping apartment for male nurses. On the second floor are two very large wards, which are light, airy, clean and comfortable. They occupy the entire width, and nearly the whole length, of the building, being divided by the central hall and staircases. The third floor is occupied by three wards, and is, in all essentials, a duplicate of the second. The average hight of the ceiling is some- what less. The fourth floor is a single ward, in all respects equal to those below. The advantages of this hospital are — Its situation, which is 12 OENKRAL UOSriTAL one of tlic highest iviid liealtliiest about St. Louis ; its extensive grounds, where convalescing patients can obtain air and exercise freely, and the beautiful groves on the south, affording grateful shade in summer ; the fine, wide piazza, where the feeble can enjoy out-door exercise, without exposure to rain, dampness or the sun's rays ; the large and lofty wards, admirably adapted to hospital uses, rendering its management and police comparatively easy. The disadvanlages arc — There are no water closets attached to the house. Privies have been constructed on the grounds for male attendants and convalescents, and Laterines are improvised in the building ; but the arrangement is inadequate, and with difficulty kept in moderately satisfactory condition. The want of water is keenly felt ; rain-water is collected in large cisterns, but docs not supply the demand, and the experiment of sinking a w^ell, though carried to a great depth, has failed. Water has consequently to be hauled from the Mississippi river in large tanks. The basement wj^s originally designed for a cellar, and was partially filled with water when taken by Government. It was drained, and the floor placed upon the clay ; the dampness arising from an omission to concrete before flooring can be readily remedied. The Sutler's shop in the basement of this Hospital, is an unusual and objectionable feature, and one liable to great abuse. This hospital is heated by portable furnaces, placed in the base- ment, communicating with the wards by tin flues ; they have proved insufficient and defective. The angular course of the smoke flues impairs the draft, and the deleterious gases often escape into the wards. It is believed that death by asphyxia has, in one instance, resulted fi-om the proximity of a patient to a register. At the time this hospital was organized, suitable bedsteads could not be obtained quickly ; cots were substituted, and have been retained. They are, however, not suitable, being too narrow and sagging, rendering difficult for the patient to change position upon them, and in surgical cases impossible. Their appearance is unsightly, and detracts from that air of regularity and tidiness so pleasing to patient, surgeon and visitor. There is a large and well managed bakery, which furnishes excellent bread to the hospital, and to that on Fifth and Chesnut streets. Also an extensive and well managed laundry, and stables for the horses and stock. AT THE NEW HOUSE OE REFUGE, Id There are separate wooden buildings, erected above and west of the hospital, and are shaded by large forest trees. The extensive grounds attached to the establishment, enables the steward to keep a large number of cows to supply milk to the patients ; horses for ambulance, water tank, and other work, and to raise swine and poultry. The invalids have opportunity to occupy, or interest themselves, by rambling over the lawns, or attending to the many out-door duties. This hospital accommodates 568 patients, and the allowance of atmospheric air for each, is from 580 to 650 cubic feet. When we consider the abundant means of ventilation, by numerous large windows placed opposite each other, and also that the buildings are remote from any other, and catch every passing breeze, this apparently inadequate allowance will be found to satisfy all sanitary requirements. There have been from the opening to July 1, 1862, 4,999 admis- sions, and 276 deaths, or 5| per cent., specified and classified in the annexed table. This hospital was organized by the veteran Assistant Surgeon, Dr. J. H. Bailey, U. S. A., who has the honor of having opened the first General Hospital in the Western Department, and of maintaining it in most admirable order. He had as co-laborers the Sisters of Charity, whose intelligence, experience and untiring zeal made his task, in a measure, a light one. It is hoped that this building will be permanently occupied by the Government, and that the improvements, essential to a well organized hospital, will speedily be made. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW HOUSE OF REFUGE HOSPITAL. Room. Length. Widtli. Hight. Tot. capacity in cubic feet. No. beds Cubic feet for each bed. Windows. Doors. 1st Floor. A B 84 84 40 40 13 13 43,680 43,680 75 75 582j 5821 16 16 2 2d Floor. C D 84 84 40 40 12-1-6 12-1-6 41,9451 41,945^ 75 75 559-10-75 559-10-75 16 16 1 1 3d Floor. E F G 84 70i 84 40 4f4 40 12-1-6 12-1-6 41,945i 3.'j,038 41,945i 75 69 64 559-10-75 .507-55-69 055-25-64 16 15 16 1 2 2 4th Floor. H '1| 4GI 121-6 40,711 60 606-4-5 15 2 THE CITY HOSPITAL. This hospital was constructed by the city authorities in 1856. It occupies an elevated site, with ample grounds attached ; is constructed of brick and white lime-stone, and consists of a long front building, with one rectangular wing. It has three stories and an attic. The first iloor is appropriated to the kitchen, laundry, pharmacy, store room and servants' rooms. The second floor of the main build* ing is occupied by the officers* These rooms are the choicest in the hospital, and a portion of them could be assigned to the sick without detriment to the comfort of the officers. The beds throughout the house are in too close proximity, but the ceilings are lofty, the windows numerous, and there are ventilators over every door. The attic is unfit for hospital purposes, the quantity of atmospheric air allotted to each patient being insufficient, and, in summer, the heat from the slate roof being almost insupportable. Two hundred and five military patients have been admitted, of whom ten died. This establishment is under the exclusive control of the house Surgeon, Dr. Jaminet, appointed by the city, and was temporarily resorted to by Government, who paid %2 50 a week for each patient. The attendance was inadequate, the food insufficient, and the cooking indifferent. BESCllIPTION OF CITY HOSPITAL. Koom. Length. Width. Uight. Capacity in cubic toet Beds. Cubic feet for each bed. Windows. Doors. Ventilators. 27 27^ 19^ 15^ 8400 9 983^ 3 2 28 27^ 19^ 15^ 8400 11 763-7-11 2 2 30 18 ^^ 15^ 5240 6 873i •2 1 2 31 36^ 19^ ^H 11,160 15 744 3 3 2 32 36^ \H lo^ 11,160 17 G56-8-I7 2 2 2 33 19 19^ 15, 5890 8 7426-7 2 2 2 34 27 19^ 15. 1.V 8400 11 763-7- 11 2 2 2 35 27 19^ 8400 763-7-11 2 2 2 36 38^ 19^ lo! 15J 11,400 ie' 713,5 4 2 2 37 31 19| 19| 9125 14 651-11-17 3 1 1 39 asi 15| 1 1 ,400 16 713-^ 4 2 2 Garret. 100 \^ 7 14,000 44 318 8-44 9 2 2 THE ST. LOUIS HOSPITAL. This hospital occupies the block between Third, Fourth, Almond and Spruce streets, in the compact part of the city. It is the property^ and in charge, of the Sisters of Charity. There are many fine large wards, well lighted and ventilated, and numerous small rooms for private patients and valetudinarians. The whole building- is warmed by hot air ; and only in very cold weather open fires or stoves are used as auxiliaries. In the old portion of the house are lateral apertures of 12 inches diameter, communicating directly with the external air, and protected by a wire cover or screen. In the recent additions are ventilating flues, which terminate in cones above the roof. When the seat of war was in, or near, this State, the sick and wounded were brought to this city. The Government having been wholly unprepared for them, they found a ready home, and a cordial welcome, at the Sisters' Hospital—the Government paying $2 50 a week for each patient. They were only kept there, until other provision was made for them. This hospital has been resorted to on several occasions, as many as 139 patients having been admitted at one time. The military wards were rooms Nos. 2, 6, 11, 12, 36 and 37, containing from two to forty beds each, and affording 658 to 1,107 cubic feet of air for each patient. Six hundred and eighty-five patients were admitted from January to July, 1862, of whom 46, or 6| per cent., have died. No record exists of those who were admitted during September, October and November, 1861. The military patients were in charge of Dr. 0. Wagner, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., and later, George Rex, M. D., U. S. V., the Sisters of Charity, making most kind, faithful and attentive nurses. The advantages of this hospital are — Its central location, and easy access from all parts of the city ; the great extent and only moderate hight of the buildings (every room communicates on two sides at least with the open air;) the many conveniences found there, which add much to the comfort of the patient, such as broad piazas. 16 rnE ST, LOUIS hospital. large yard and garden, parlor and sitting rooms and chapel ; the perfect administration which characterizes the institution, and the neatness, (juiet and order which pervades every part of it. The dLsadvantaii;es arc — Its being a private institution, it cannot be brought strictly under Army Regulations, and therefore is not permanently used for the sick soldiers. DESCRIPTION OF THE ST. LOUIS, OR SISTERS' HOSPITAL. Boom. Length. Width. iiight. Capncityin cubic feet. Beds. Cubic feet for eacli bed. Windows. Flues. Doors. 2 G 11 12 36 .37 40 44 56 lol io| 40 1 91 1 7-7 1 o m 23,697 12,080 36,036 45,.')05 1,950 1,950 36 18 39 40 2 2 658A 671- 2-18 965 1107-25-40 972 972 9 6 9 10 1 1 1 in ceiling. 3 1 38^ 37 11-11-12 13 10 10 5 inside. 6 side ven's 8 flu&s. 4 2 1 1 CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL, CORNER OF FIFTH AND CHESNDT STREETS. One of the chief general hospitals of the city, is the new palatial marble building at the south-west corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets, facing the Court House square. This structure was originally designed for stores, offices, society rooms and sleeping apartments. It was yet incomplete when the war broke out. The Government took posses- sion of it on the 7th of September, 1861, making many necessary changes and additions. It has five stories and a basement, and fronts east and north ; the west being contiguous to the County Jail, the walls of which partially obstruct light and air up to the fourth story ; the fourth and fifth stories being well lighted. The south side is a blank wall, excepting a few feet on its western extremity. In the basement are two kitchens, each 20 by 75 feet, dark and imperfectly ventilated; a dining room of the same dimensions, lighted and ventilated only by Avindows, and a door in the area, and a store room of the same size, very dark ; also a small baggage room, sleeping rooms for the female employees, and an ash and garbage room communicating with each story. The kitchens are conveniently arranged and scrupulously clean. On the first floor are five large rooms averaging 25 beds, and allowing from 650 to 1,000 cubic feet for each bed. The corner room is best lighted and worst ventilated. No. 5 is imperfectly lighted and ventilated, and is rarely occupied. No. 3 and 4 are better ventilated. On the second floor are the offices of the Surgeon in charge, and the Steward, the pharmacy and dinning room for officers. There are six sick rooms, averaging from six to twelve beds, furnishing from 600 to 700 cubic feet per bed. Nos. 8 and 9 are very dark, and only used in pressing emergency. On the west side of this, as of all other floors, is a neat comfortable room, and a kitchen for the female nurses, adjoining which, the dead room and bathroom are unavoidably placed. There is also an admirably arranged general baggage room. On the south side of this, as of all the floors above, are water closets. On the third floor are nine sick rooms, and the linen room. It is in every respect a duplicate of the second floor. 2 18 CITY OKNEKAL HOSPITAL. On i\\o fourth JIuor are 12 sick rooms, more spacious than those below. There is an average of GOO to 800 cubic feet per patient. Room No. 4 is 21 by 69 feet, and accomodates 20 patients. The fif/hJIou7' has nine sick rooms, even larger than those on the fourth lloor, but being one foot less in height, the capacity in cubic feet is materially less ; the average being 550. The advantages of this hospital are — Its central location, being nearly equi-distant from the several railroad depots, the steamboat landing, and near the army offices, the Medical Directors, the rooms of the Sanitary Commission, and the hotels; its unusual size, it having a capacity of 450 beds, although upon occasions of urgent necessity COO have been crowded in ; being new, it was entirely clean ; it is thoroughly drained into a public sewer ; it fronts upon Court House square and a spacious street ; gas is introduced throughout the house, and water is abundantly supplied by hydrants and a force pump, placed in one of the kitchens ; a fine wide hall, running nearly across the east front, and communicating by large, railed openings in the floors, from the vestibule to the roof, where ventilators are placed. The system of preserving and registering money and baggage, and other property of the patients, is an admi- rable one, and the great losses often sustained by them, elsewhere, do not occur. Its disadvantages are — The great number of small rooms, into which the structure is divided, rendering it extremely dif^cult to have it properly policed ; a general insufficiency of light, in the basement rooms, and in the interior building, and the partial interruption on the west, and total exclusion on the south, of light and ventilation, espe ially of the cool Southern breezes, which prevail during the summer in the great valley ; the contracted court yard, which does not admit sufficient light and air, to render the centre building suitable for hospital purposes ; the narrow halls on three sides of the house; the absence of a yard, verandas, or 0})en space where convalescing patients can obtain air and exercise, rendering their removal to some more favored position, for recuperation, imperative; its exposure to such atmospheric impurities as are to be found in the crowded streets of a large city, and its proximity to an over.-rowded prison ; its bight, which renders the service difficult, and of the hurtful reaction of the lower stories on the upper oiu'S ; all ingress and egress is over the second floor, by means of a broad, straight CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL. 19 Staircase, communicating directly with the street, even patients for the first floor are only admitted directly to the wards when very help- less, the first floor is consequently noisy. On the first floor disinfectants and deodorizers are liberally used, and, to some extent, throughout the building ; on each floor a large charcoal filter is placed, for the purpose of purifying the river water, these have, however, fallen into disuse, most persons soon learning to prefer it in a turbid state ; the water closets are arranged in rows, against the south, or blank wall, in the four upper stories, they com- municate with a public sewer, and are kept in moderately good order ; the fourth and fifth floors, from their great elevation, have much better light and air than those below, and even the rooms of the •centre building are quite suitable for the sick. All the rooms occupied by the sick are kept in very good order ; those of the male nurses exhibit much neglect. The system of reposing rooms, invariably adopted in the modern hospitals of Europe, with excellent results, is not practiced in the United States. There, though possessing all appliances for heati::!g, lighting and ventilating rooms thoroughly, they are gradually vacated, every three months, and remain vacant a month. Especially is this the inviolable rule, when infectious diseases have occurred in them. Without the design of reposing rooms, this course has been pursued to some extent in this hospital, from motives of convenience — it is believed with good results. By the appended table, it will be seen that of the 4,179 admis- sions, 517 died, or 12| per cent. ; this result may, be regarded as a fair one, when it is considered that more than one-third of the casualties brought to the city have been received there, including many severe surgical cases, as well as a larger number of typhoid and pneumonia cases, than in any other hospital, many of whom were in a dying condition when received. These statistics will be found replete with interest to the physician, the surgeon and the philanthropist. Under the very able management of Brigade Surgeon U. S. V. Dr. John T. Hodgen, of St. Louis, this noble building has been converted into a really excellent hospital. To achieve success in this under- taking, demanded the highest order of intelligence, and the most determined resolution. Beside the material diflBculties, he had to overcome those arising from the division of opinion upon the great questions that now agitate the country, having under treatment both 20 CITV GENERAL HOSPITAL. prisoners of war and our own soldiers. He has never failed to do ■ffbat he conceived to be his duty, and has won general respect and confidence by his firmness, faithfulness and skill. The "Fifth street Hospital," as it is usually called, will be held in grateful remembrance by many of our citizens, and the patients who have occupied it. It will hold a prominent place in the history of the war, in the Department of the Mississippi, and fill many an instructive page in the annals of medicine and surgery. DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL HOSPITAL, CORNER FIFTU AND CHESNUT STREETS. Total No. Cubic ft. No. of No. of Windows. Doors. No. of Room. Length. Width. Hight. capacity in cubic ft. of Beds. for each bed. rransoui Lights. Q 1 75 21 14 23,837 24 993 2 2 3 < 2 66 21 14 20,097 24 837| 2 2 3 66 IH 14 18,860 22 630 2 2 4 66 21 14; 20,097 25 630 2 2 I 5 72 22 14; 22,968 28 820 3 2 ^'f i 26 20 12 6,5.'')2 10 655-1-& 3 31 21 12 7,812 12 651 7 d '^ 31 21 12 7,812 11 710 3 22 21 12 5,544 9 610 3 ^ [ 9 22 21 12 5,544 8 693 3 1 25i 20 11 5,750 10 575 3 3 25i 21 11 6,037 10 600 3 Q a < 4 31 21 11 7,161 12 596J 7 5 21 16 11 3,693 6 616 2 ^- 6,7 39 21 11 9,009 14 643 a a 8 21 22 11 5,082 10 508 3 CO 9 21 22 11 5,082 10 508 4 15 29 15^ 11 4,944 8 625 2 r 1 26 20 11 5,720 8 715 3 2 26 14 11 4,004 6 667i 6671 2 3 26 21 11 6,006 9 3 Q 4 69 21 11 16,939 20 796-19-20 12 % 5 21 16^ 11 3,811 5 772-4-5 2 6 22 21 11 5,082 6 847 3 21 21 11 5,082 6 847 4 13 45 15 11 7,425 10 742J 3 •♦ 14,15 29 14 11 4,466 7 638 2 16 29 14 11 4,466 7 638 3 17 29 13 11 4,147 6 691-1-6 3 r 2 25 14 10 3,.500 6 583-2-6 2 3 25 21 10 5,250 10 525 3 Q 4 87 21 10 18,270 29 630 14 6 22 21 10 4,620 8 577^ 3 a 7 22 21 10 4,620 8 577| 4 8 41 15^ 15^ 10 6,457 12 .5381-12 4 12 45 10 7,088 13 545-.3-13 3 tn 15 29 14 10 4,060 7 580 2 I 16 29 13 10 3,770 7 538-4-7 2 GENERAL HOSPITAL. NEAR CAMP BENTON. This hospital is situated on Grand avenue, opposite the main entrance to the Fair Grounds. It is a double, two story frame house, with a broad piazza in front, narrow corridors and stair cases, and small rooms. It was built for a coffee house and summer hotel: Its immediate proximity to the extensive camp of instruction, and the necessity for a hospital there, decided its selection for that purpose. There are five rooms used for the sick, with a capacity for 57 beds, and an allowance, in cubic feet, of from 538 to 714 to each patient. The advantages of this building are — Its proximity to the Fair Grounds and Camp Benton, and its consequent convenience ; its fine site in a beautiful, open rolling country. Its disadvantages are — Its comparatively low ceilings and narrow corridors ; the proximity of the privies to the house, uniformly taint- ing the air with the eflluvia. In order to increase the capacity of this hospital, the adjacent shelter sheds were altered, and converted into two rooms, each 14| by 80 feet, containing 19 beds, and allowing 371 cubic feet to each patient. The east room communicates with a privy, the exhalations from which were injurious to those who occupied that part of the room. Subsequently the elliptical building, recently used as a recruiting office, situated within the Fair Grounds, and distant 250 yards, was constituted a branch of the Camp Benton Hospital. It is a lofty, well lighted and ventilated room, 44 by 88 feet and 21 feet 4 inches liigh, with lantern lights two feet in hight, extending entirely around the building, originally intended for the exhibition of paintings and statuary during the annual fairs. It is crowded with 90 beds, yet the air is pure, and the cleanliness unsurpassable. There is a small kitchen and dining room attached, though convalescents obtain their meals at the main hospital. The water closets are convenient and ■well kept. This building is charmingly located, being surrounded by majestic trees and luxuriant shrubbery. ingly good. The Surgeon in charge, Wm. Dickinson, M. D., U. S. v., has faithfully endeavored to overcome the disadvantages arising from the unsuitableness of the main building, and has exercised energy, industry and intelligence in its administration The rolling woodlands adjoining this hospital, were selected by the Western Sanitary Commission, upon which to erect extensive hospital barracks. The consummation of this plan was arrested by the supersedure of General Fremont in the command of this department. DKSCraPTION OF GENERAL HOSPITAL. No. Ward. Length, 1 40 2 335- 3 40 4B 191-6 4A 29 5 GO 6 60 J20 20 I20 12-5-6 IH 14-7-12' 14-7-12, Recruit'g „„ office . . I **■* Eight. 12.V 12I 12 12 12 9| 8i 9-5-12 81-6 18 1-6 24k 811-12 21-4-12 Copftcityin Bgj3 cubic feot. 10,000 8640 9600 2864 5388- 7048 7048 Cub. ft far Win- each bed. ! dows. 714-4-14 617-2-14 685.10-14 572-4-5 538-8-10 412-12-19 370-18-19 855.59-90 Ventila tors. *Lanteni lights all around. THE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL. Tliis hospital is situated on the corner of O'Fallon street and Pratte avenue. It stands elevated and isolated. It is a new edifice, three stories high, with a basement and attic. The house is divided by a cross passage in four sections of equal size ; the rooms are loftj, but small, having an average capacity of from 3 to 12 beds ; the floors throughout the house are oiled. The base7nenl is occupied by a kitchen, bakery, dining room, store room, and a baggage room. On ihefrsi floor are the offices, the pharmacy, and three sick rooms containing 18 beds. On the second floor are seven rooms for the sick, with from 3 to 12 beds, and a cubic capacity of 650 feet to each patient. On the third floor are eight rooms for the sick, with from 3 to 12 beds each, and a capacity, in cubic feet, of from 550 to 750 to each patient. The attic room extends across the entire front and sides of the building, the center of the rear being devoted to a laterine and to other purposes ; it is an unsightly room, with a low slanting ceiling insufficiently lighted and ventilated, and is uncomfortably Avarm in summer from the proximity of the slated roof ; it contains 32 beds, with a capacity, in cubic feet, of 395 to each. The advantages of this hospital are — Its elevated and isolated location ; its wide fine corridors, lofty ceilings, and general architec-^ tural fitness ; its piazzas, aftording opportunity for exercise in in inclement weather. Its disadvantages are — The insufficiency of water ; the rain is collected in tanks under the roof, and in cisterns in the yard, and is used for cooking ; the supply is inadequate and blackish ; a well in the yard does not furnish good water, possibly in consequence of its proximity to the vaults, though it is thought that the compact and impervious nature of the clay, would prevent percolation. This evil can be remedied without great cost, by the introduction of river water; the supply pipes being within a few squares. The unevenness of the surrounding surface, resulting in the forma- tion of many ponds in the immediate vicinity. The approaches are unpleasant in wet weather, the mud being deep and tenacious ; this disadvantage is susceptible of easy remedy, as a macadamized road is distant but a single square, and connection with it can readily be established. 24 THE GOOD SAMARITAN' There is a small two story building in the yard, 17 by 29 feet, with feet ceilings, containing four rooms, each holding six beds, and allowing to each bed 357 cubic feet of air. The ventilation is deficient. This hospital war, opened October 12, 18G1, and placed in charge of Thomas McMartin, ]\I. I). It was at first used exclusively for the treatment of Measles, while that disease prevailed in our camps — Pneumonia and Capillary Bronchitis supervening taxed the well known medical skill of the eminent surgeon in charge. In this hospital, there are no female nurses, the doctor declining to employ them. The general appearance of the house, as to order and cleanliness, has not been worthy of especial praise. The whole number of admissions is 1,718 ; of deaths, 149 — or 8] per cent. No. DESCRIPTION OF GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL. of Room. l.en^tli Widih. Hight. Cnpncity ia cubic feet. Beds. Cubic feet for eacli bed. Windows Trun'in lights. § 1 17 5-3-5 15 1425 Office q 23 18 15 6210 9 690 3 3 5 9 17 17 15 4335 6 722j^ 3 2 12 lo 18 16 14 4024 6 672 3 2 18 16 14 4024 6 672 3 2 K 1.5 17 8 14 1904 3 ^^11 1 O O 16 17 8 14 1904 3 1 ^ - 17 17 8 14 1904 3 617| 1 *18 17 8 14 1904 3 617| 1 (M 19 33 18 14 8316 12 694" 2 [ 2.) 23 18 14 5796 9 644 3 3 22 23 17 17 13 3757 6 626-1-6 3 2 17 17 13 3757 5 757-2-5 2 2 24 17 8 13 1768 3 589. 589; 1 pi 25 17 8 13 1768 3 1 o 26 17 8 13 1768 3 589; 1 I 27 17 8 13 1768 3 589; 1 *28 17 8 13 1768 3 589. 1 Q 29 17 34 13 7514 12 626 1-6 5 Ci 30 17 24 13 5304 9 589-3-9 3 5 Garret. 78 25 3,8) 8,1 1 11,063 32 395.3-28 10 6 5 2 1 17 14 9 2142 6 357 2 1 ^ ^ 2 17 14 9 2142 6 357 2 1 PQ 3,4 17 14 9 2142 6 357 2 1 u ■< pq *Nun THE FOURTH STREET HOSPITAL. This hospital is located on Fourth street, between Morgan street and Franklin avenue, in a part of the city usually occupied by market- wagons until a late hour in the morning. It is a new building, with an imposing marble front. It has five stories and a basement, and was designed for a hotel. The front and rear only are open, the sides are built up. It is under the charge of Dr. Madison Mills, Surgeon, U. S. A. It has accommodation for 387 patients, but has received as many as 500, 40 of whom were placed upon the floors. Most of the wards are cut up in small rooms, with the exception of the firsts the rooms of which are quite large, but badly lighted and ventilated. The east end of all the rooms in this ward is glass — show windows — perhaps one- quarter of it is susceptible of being opened. The opposite side of this street is built up with four story houses, — the rays of the sun are consequently excluded from this ward, except perhaps a few feet from the front windows. In the rear are two windows, but, being under a veranda, and facing outhouses, they do not admit much light. The few windows in front and rear are the only means of ventilation. The air coming in from the front is vitiated by the effluvia from a street occupied by market- wagons, horses, etc. ; and the air coming in from the rear is tainted by the exhalations of a series of laterines which are not more than 20 feet from the windows. The patients in this ward have a larger allowance of space than in any other hospital in this city, being from 969 to l,4l9 cubic feet each, yet the air in this ward is not pure, invigorating and healthful. The want of sufficient light make these rooms gloomy, though they are kept in the best order, and scrupulously clean. The dining room is on the same floor ; it is a large, dingy, close room, and at meal times the air in it is oppressive. The kitchens and nurses' rooms occupy a part of this floor. The kitchens are hardly large enough for the demand on them. In the basement are the store and baggage rooms, large and spacious, but dark, close and cheerless. On the second floor are eleven rooms, — four only are occupied by the sick, — the rest are offices, a pharmacy, linen room, etc. ; the}' are well adapted to the purpose, and are kept in good order. Only room No. 7 — designed as a dining room of the hotel — is of ::G the Fouiixri stiieet hospital. large size, and makes a very good \Yard. It is well lighted by thirteen large windows, well aired in warm weather, but not so in winter, when most of the windows were closed, and the room heated by four monstrous stoves. This room has thirty-six beds, and allows to each patient 869 cubic feet. Rooms Nos. 1, 7 and 11, fronting on Fourth street, are roomy, airy and light, and are finished in parlor style, contrasting strongly with the humble furniture therein. They accommodate from four to seven beds each. The double room, No. 10, is too dark for the occupancy of patients. On the iliird JJoor are twenty-four rooms, fourteen of which are occupied by patients, the rest by nurses and employees. They are all small, and of unequal size, averaging from four to six beds, and of a capacity, in cubic feet, from 515 to 992 per patient. Rooms 21, 22, 2o, 24 are so dark and so badly aired that they should be closed. It must be an irksome task for both physician and nurses to attend the sick in small rooms, and difficult to keep them in order or to police them. The fourth JIuu?' has thirty-three rooms, — the twenty- four for the patients contain from two to seven beds each, with a cubic capacity of from 700 to 1,224 feet per bed. The same may be said of the fif/h Jloor, which has also thirty- three rooms, twenty of which are for the sick ; from two to ten in a room, with from 600 to 1,000 cubic feet for each patient. Ventilation is effected exclusively through doors and windows, and when in winter, these are closed, the air in the rooms is vitiated. They are heated by stoves. The labor is very great of coaling, firing and cleansing seventy stoves or more. The water reaches to the fourth floor. Each floor has its own dead room, which was perhaps unavoidable, in consequence of the peculiar construction of the house. The water closets are only on three floors; are kept clean and in good order, but are insufficient in number. Two tiers of laterines had to be improvised in tlie already very small yard, which are liept in good order, and liberally treated with deodoizers. The rear of the house has broad piazzas, on every story, an invaluable resort of the invalids. Many thanks are due to the surgeons in charge — Doctors Mills and Grove — for having made this unsuitable building answer the purpose as well as it does, and attain unexpectedly good results. FOURTH STREET HOSPITAL. 27 deaths, 229— The whole number of admissions have been 2,676 8J per cent. Like the Fifth street Hospital, it was the main receptacle of the- very sick, and of the severely wounded. Its central position renders. it most accessible. The medical and surgical records are replete- with interesting and instructive cases. DESCKIPTION OF FOURTH STREET HOSPITAL. No. of Room. Length. Width. Hight. Capacity in cubic feet. Beds. Cubic feet for each bed. Windows. Doors. ij 104.00 22.00 17.00 20.00 28.00 16.00 (l3.4 51,484 46 111910-46 1 front. 4 roar. 2 ly 2 98.00 16.00 13.4 20,906 Dining rooms. 2 2 ( 20.00 ) 3 98.0) 24.00 } 13.4 38,314 27 1419 2 front. 2 ( 16.00 ) 4 98.00 20 . 00 13.4 26,133 27 767-10-27 2 2 5 Kitchn and nurses' rooms. g f 1 ^4 ^ 24. 9 20. 6 13.2 66571 7 959- 4-78 3 I 56. 8 42. 2 13.2 31, .304 36 869-20-39 13 2 ^ 1 10* 20. 4 15. 7 13.2 4148 4 1037 2 1 a (^ 11* 20. 4 15. 7 13.2 5148 4 2037 2 I 2 24. 8 20. 4 11.6 5750 6 958-2-6 3 I 3 24. 8 17.00 11.6 4964 5 992-2-5 2 1 4 24. 8 16. 3 11.6 4692 6 782 2 I a 5 16. 9.00 11.6 1656 2 828 1 I ■< 6 24. 8 16. 3 11.6 4692 6 282 2 I ^- 7 24. 8 17.00 11.6 4964 5 993 2 1 9, 10 22. 8 16. 9 10.0 3740 6 623-2-6 2 2 CO 11,12 18. 4 16. 8 10.0 2000 4 515 2 2 21,22* 18. 4 16. 8 10.0 2060 4 515 2 2 23, 24* 22. 8 16. 2 10.0 3740 6 623 2-6 2 2 r 1 24. 5 13.10 10.9 4305 5 861 2 2 24. 5 15.10 10.9 4305 5 861 2 3 24. 5 16.11 10.9 6120 5 1224 2 4 24. 5 16.11 10.9 6120 5 1224 2 5 17. 3 8. 4 10.9 1643 2 821i 1 6 24. 5 16.11 10.9 6120 5 ^ 1224 1 7 24. 5 16.11 9.0 4878 5 975i ■2 iQ 16.10 12. 7 9.0 2547 849 1 Q 11 16.10 9. 4 9.0 1674 2 837 1 ■< 12,13 16.10 18. 5 9.0 3520 4 880 2 ^■ 14 16.10 8.10 9.0 27.36 2 1368 1 19 10. 6 16. 8 9.0 2385 2 11921 2 1 20 16.10 9. 4 9.0 1674 2 837 1 22,23 16.10 18. 5 9.0 3520 5 704 2 2 24,25 22. 4 16. 8 9.0 3366 7 480-6 7 2 a 28 20. 9 12. 8 10.9 4161 4 1015i I 29 20. 9 7. 4 10.9 1859 2 9291 1 30 20. 9 7 4 10.9 1859 2 929I 1 31 20. 9 7. 4 10.9 1S59 2 929i- 1 32 20. 9 7. 4 10.9 1879 2 929I 1 L 33 20. 9 17. 4 10.9 3870 5- 774 1 28 FOrRTIl STREET HOSPITAL. No of Room. Length. Width. Eight. Capacity In cubic feet. Bods. Cubic feet for each be.l. Windows. Doors. f 1.2 24. 2 27.11 8.8 6312 10 601-2-3 4 2 ;i 24. 2 17. 2 8.8 4529 7 647 2 4 24. 2 16. 8 8.8 448.') 6 747 2 5 24. 2 16. 8 8.8 4485 5 897 2 6 8.00 16. 8 8.8 1088 2 544 1 8 24. 2 17. 2 8.8 4529 6 754-2-3 2 !t* 17.00 18.11 8.8 3496 5 699 1-5 1 c 11) 17.00 9. 1 8.8 1528 2 764 1 ~ 17 17. 3 16.10 8.8 3336 none 3 > i;i 17. 3 9. 3 8.8 1624 2 812 2 2:i 17. 8 9. 3 8.8 1624 2 812 2 H 24 17. 3 16.10 8.8 3336 5 667-1-5 1 at: 2(5 20. 6 13. 1 8.8 2728 4 682 1 27 20. 6 7. 6 8.8 1928 2 804 1 28 20. 6 7. 6 8.8 1928 2 804 1 29 20. 6 7. 6 8.8 1928 2 804 1 30 20. 6 7. 6 8.8 1928 2 804 1 31 20. 6 17. 6 8.8 4148 4 1012 1 32 16.10 17. 6 8.8 4 810 4 I" Very dark. PACIFIC HOSPITAL. This hospital is situated on Spruce street, betAveen Seventh and Eighth, within one square of the depot of the Pacific Raikoad. It is four stories high, of brick, and fronts south. Its proximity to the Pacific Raikoad induced the Western Sanitary Commission to select it for a Receiving House, where patients, arriving at night, by rail, might receive care, and medical or surgical treatment, until distributed among the various hospitals. This humane arrangement was not permitted to be of long continuance, it being soon converted into a general hospital by the Medical Director, J. J. B. Wright, Surgeon, U. S. A. On i\i.Q first floor, and nearly level with the sidewalk, is the office of the steward, the pharmacy and the dining room. There is also one ward with sixteen beds, allowing each patient 654 cubic feet of air. It is poorly ventilated by a front window, which can be opened only in part. In the rear building is a small kitchen. The yard is small, paved with brick, and contains a two story brick privy, placed near the kitchen. A narrow hall extends throughout the second, third and fourth floors, from front to rear ; there are three rooms on each side, the front ones having two windows each, the centre ones being without communication with the external air, except through small doors. They are consequently neither lighted nor ventilated ; they contain from four to eight beds each, and allow from 480 to 750 cubic feet of air to every patient ; Nos. 2 and 6, which were abandoned, were, together with Nos. 10, 11 and 14, totally unfit for use ; No. 1& leaked badly. The rear rooms on the west are furnished with a single window, near the rear building, and are consequently inadequately lighted or ventilated. Those on the east were furnished with two. The second story of the back building contained a nurses' kitchen ; and an open gallery communicated with the upper privies. Between the main and rear building, a narrow open space was used as a receptacle for soiled linen. The advantages of this hospital are — Its convenience to the depot of the Pacific Railroad, which, with its branch, penetrates nearly to the scene of active military operations in South-west 30 PACIFIC HOSPITAL. MissouTi and Nortli-wcst Arkansas ; its Southern frontage in the direction of the prevailing suninier winds, which are not interrupted bv other buiklings. 7/5 disadvantages arc — That it is old and poorly built, badly arranged and illy adapted to the uses to which it is applied; the adjoining property is occupied by small shops or tenements, and is never well kept or thoroughly clean ; the privies situated in the yard do not communicate with a sewer, and consequently demand constant care and frequent cleaning; having a market house immediately opposite, it is rarely quiet, market wagons and carts passing frequently during nearly all hours of day and night. For the same reason Hies are unusually troublesome, and the odors of the market and its surroundings are decidedly disagreeable ; the dark centre rooms, and the dimly lighted ones of the rear, are neither of them at all suitable for hospital purposes ; and so with the narrow stair- ways and corridors. Considering its many disadvantages, its general appearance has been creditable, and E. M. Powers, M. D., U. S. V., and 0. Martin, M. D., U. S. v., who have had charge of it, deserve commendation for the success of their administrations. The number of cases admitted was 626, and of deaths 59, or 9J per cent. This building has been abandoned as a hospital. DESCRIPTION OF PACIFIC HOSPITAL. No. of Pvoom. 1 Length. Width. night. ! Capnoity in | cubic feet. : Beds. Windows. Doors. 1 St Floor. l".f i;}i-6. 10,472 1 16 6541-2 1 1 2(1 Floor. 2 •3 6 7 18i 18| 1.5| 15| 19' U4 14. 14; 15i 10-5-6 10-. 5-6 10-5-G 10-5-6 10-5-6 3410 2620 2620 2620 4520 486 6-7 630 630 630 753 1-3 2 1 1 none. 1 1 1 ^d Floor. 10 W 13 14 8 13i 14- 7-12 18:r IBir 15;^ 15; 1^1 9| 9| 9§ 9| 3276 3537 4536 4536 4536 4536 655 1-5 884 756 648 567 647 1* 2 none. 2 1 1 1 I 4th Floor 16 17 18 20 21 15 15- 7-12 13-11-12 18- 2-3 18- 2-3 1311-12 15- 7-12 14^ 13-7-12 14-1-K 14-1-li: 15-7-lS 14^ 9-2-3 1 9-2-3 1 9-2-3 9-2-3 9-2-3 9-2-3 3537 1998 3615 3615 1998 3537 6 6 4 5 607 2-5 499 1-4 602 1-2 602 1-2 499 1-4 607 2-5 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Very bad. SMALL POX HOSPITAL. This hospital is situated on Duncan's Island, in the Mississippi river ; it was selected by the city authorities years ago as the most isolated spot on which to erect a small pox hospital ; the channel is upon the eastern side of the Island, and it is approachable from the western shore only by skills ; it is uncultivated, and above high water, having been entirely submerged but once, in 1844. The city building is a comfortable frame house, 30 by 120 feet; the hall running north and south ; there are verandas on both sides ; the rooms are designed for tAvo patients each, and have a cubic capacity of from 1,430 to 1,870 feet; they are well ventilated, and susceptible of being lighted, or darkened at pleasure ; it is capable of accommodating 40 beds. During the winter of 1861-2, small pox frequently occurred among our troops, and the accommodations became inadequate ; Government then erected a similar building quite near, and upon the same plan ; it has not as great cubic capacity, and, having been built during frosts, was not plastered. During the winter great difficulty is experienced in crossmg to the Island, in consequence of storms, or floating ice ; an old vacant stone building on the St. Louis shore, was therefore taken as a receiving house, and patients attended there until an opportunity for crossing occurred. Many cases occurred of small pox, complicated with typhoid fever of long standing ; pneumonia supervening measles, or compound comminuted fractures, frequently transported great distances, and suffering from extreme exhaustion. As a result, the mortality has been great, being 63 deaths out of 276 admissions, or 23 per cent. The result may be regarded as fair when the circumstances are considered. 32 SMALL I'OX IIOSI'ITAI., The Government at first puid the cit}' steward 40 cents a day for each patient, but finding that they Avere not properly cared for, the hospital was placed under military control. It is now well organized, and is most ably conducted by E. F. Smith, ]\I. D., the health oilicer of the city, an energetic, faithful and skillful physician. DF.SCRIPTION OF SMALL-1'OX HOSPITAL. No. of Rooms. Length. Will. 1 i; 1 .acapnci- 11 cub. ft. No. of beds. Cub. ft for No. of each bed. mndows. No. of I Venti- Doors. ! lators. 1 8 each, ' lU- 11 12 " llj IC^- 24 cacli* 7^ 12^ 10 10 8 1430 1879 7G8 2 2 2 :.')0 935 2 1 K 1 1 ; 1 ' 1 ' * There never was more than one patient in a room in tlie Military Department. HICKORY STREET HOSPITAL. This hospital is in two adjoining three story and attic dwellings, built of brick, facing south, and fronting Hickory street. Like all such structures, they are inconveniently arranged for hospital purposes. In the east house, the office is in the front parlor, and the pharmacy in the rear. In the west house, the parlors are used as sick rooms. In each house, there are two chambers on the second floor, containing eight beds, with 871 cubic feet of atmosphere for each. On the third floors are ten beds, giving but 489 cubic feet of air, too crowded for comfort or health. The attic is not now used for the sick, not being suitable. On the first floor of one of the back buildings is the kitchen ; of the other, the dining room, both in good order. On the second floors are two sick rooms, with three and four beds, respectively, and 405 cubic feet of air for each bed. They are hot and badly ventilated. The kitchen chimney passes through the partition wall. The use of these rooms for the sick ought to be abandoned. Both of them are scrupulously clean, although the service must be {very laborious in these contracted houses. [ No female nurses are employed in this hospital. It is in charge of S. H. Melcher, M. D., U. S. V., and was intended for the use of the reserve corps of Missouri Volunteers. There have been 1,240 admissions, and 20 deaths, or 1 5-8 per cent. DESCRIPTION OF HICKORY STREET HOSPITAL. 2d floor, . . 3d floor, . , Length. Width. Hight. Capacity m cubic feet. Beds. Cubic feet for each Bed. Windows 32 16 5-6 11 1-3 6974 8 871 3-4 4 32 16 5-6 9 3-4 4896 10 489 3-5 4 15 5-12 11 1-6 9 1-2 1620 4 405 1 15 5-12 11 1-6 9 1-2 1620 3 540 1 The same in adjoining house. All the rooms are offices. THE CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, NO. 1, This hospital is situated in a building in the Fair Grounds, known as the "Mechanics' ILill," which was used during our annual agricul- tural fair, for exhibiting manufactured articles of large size and ponderous weight ; its shape is nearly that of a Maltese cross, with so many additions, that its original design is entirely obliterated. It is a lofty, roomy, frame building, battened, amply ventilated and lighted by wimlows, doors, belfry-ventilators, and transom lights. An addi- tional floor has been laid, 16 inches over the old and rough one, which rested immediately on the ground. Thus, a current of air is admitted under .the new floor, w^hich adds greatly to the healthfulness of the rooms. There are four wards in the main building, furnished with Ijunks, which stand very close together. Fortunately the invalids spend nearly all their time out of doors, thus preventing the air becoming foul. Ward No. 1 is nearly square, and accommodating 98 patients, with 609 cubic feet for ench; there is a reasonable space between the bunks. It is admirably ventilated and lighted. Ward No. 2 is even better; there are 52 bunks standing still further apart, and giving 867 cubic feet to each patient. Ward No. 3 is not as good; it is a long narrow room, with 52 bunks, all in one row, but so closely packed as to allow only 434 cubic feet for each patient. Still the ventilation is good, owing to the numerous windows, and the clearstory lights over the whole length of the room. Ward No. 4 is 220 feet long, of ua^qual width and hight ; 232 invalids are stowed away in it on as many bunks, which are arranged in four long rows, with no space to pass between them. But for the hight of this ugly looking room, and the lights along the whole length of the roof, it would be impossible for so many persons to lie so closely together. Ward No. 5 is a neat cottage building, about 75 feet from the ther, standing isolated in a handsome grove of stately trees ; it wat formerly used for exhibiting textile fabrics. Those of the valetudi- THE CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, NO. 1. 35 narians who are obliged to keep tlieir beds, are lodged and attended there ; it is admirably adapted to the purpose, with light and air in superabundance— 2,133 cubic feet for each patient— and a cheerful- ness about its whole appearance that never fails to produce a happy eflect on the invalid. To this Convalescent Hospital is attached a large comfortable reading room, well supplied with books and periodicals, a large dining room, and a hath house, of sufficient capacity to accommo- date all the invalids who desire to indulge in the luxury of a warm or cold bath. On the whole, as a convalescent hospital proper, when it is intended that a patient should spend much of his time out of doors, this hospital is very good. Its location in the Fair Grounds, with their quiet and shady walks, and ample supply of water, can hardly be improved upon. Add to it, the wholesome and abundant fare, the kind and indefatigable attention of the surgeon in charge, Dr. W. S. Dyer, and the other attendants, it cannot fail to answer its end well, provided it is not again overcrowded, as it was when first opened. At present it accommodates 454 bunks. A reduction of one-fourth of that number is a great desideratum. The number of admissions has been 1,688, and the deaths 35, making 2 1-8 per cent. DESCRIPTION OF CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL. No. 1. No. of Ward. Length. Width. Higbt. Talal capa- city in cu- bic feet. No. of Beds. Cubic feet for each Bed. No. of Win- dows. No. of Doors. No. of Belfries No. of transom lights. * 1 •2 .S 70 47 99 62 19 1.5 15 12 G0760 45126 22572 98 52 52 609 1-4 867 42-52 434 3-12 6 8 8 4 3 3 2 2 5 6 12 1- 5 77 122 38 38 15 ) 19^ 110,640 232 476 208-232 7 4 21 59 20 37 19) 43660 20 2133 2 4 6 Transepts all around. THE MARINE HOSPITAL. The United States Marine Hospital occupies one of the finest and most elevated sites in the vicinity of St. Louis, overlooking the Father of Waters for many miles, and having a view of the ■vvliole city, the " American Bottom," and the range of wooded blufls in the State of Illinois. It was commenced by the United States Government about 1854, for the benefit of sailors and boatmen. It not being required for that service, (the blockade of the river destroying the commerce of the port,) it was converted into a military hospital. It is constructed of stone, iron and brick, is thoroughly well built, and cost an enormous sum of money. It fronts south- west, and is suiTounded by extensive grounds, partly cultivated by the convalescent patients as a kitchen garden, and partly in lawn, interspersed with groups of forest trees. It is a high, square, ungraceful looking house, flanked by four towers, front and rear, against which abut broad verandas, on two stories. The basement is divided into numerous apartments, the external and partition walls of which are constructed of square blocks of white lime-stone. It is occupied by an engine room, lamp room, steam laundry, store rooms, ironing rooms and dead room. The three stories are precisely alike in arrangement, consisting of four large double parlors, divided by folding doors at will, with a wide hall passage through the house, communicating with verandas, front and rear, and having the main staircase rise straight from the centre. The rooms are of equal size, 18 by 48 feet, and 11 to 12| feet in hight. The whole house is heated by steam from registers ; ventilation is performed by means of doors, windows and small open fire places. On the frst floor is the pharmacy, the store room, dining room and kitchen, and a large reception room ; only one double room being used for the sick. The second and thii^d floors are devoted exclusively to the sick. The wards are all furnished with iron bedsteads, and are in perfect order. Each room contains nine beds ; and the allowance of atmos- pheric air, in cubic feet, is from 489 to 546. The towers are occupied THE MARINE HOSPITAl! 37 by staircases, water closets and nurses' kitchens— all kept in most exquisite order. •'"""' The attic is divided into a square, centre hall, from which rises a spiral staircase to the observatory ; two finished rooms, large and lofty, but inadequately lighted and ventilated, used as sleeping rooms for nurses and employees ; a very large and well arranged baggage room, where the property of patients is classified by States, and each package marked with the owner's name and contents ; and an unfinished room, containing the water tanks, which are filled by a steam pump from cisterns : from these, water is conveyed to every part of the house. The supply of rain-water being insufiicient, immense quantities are carted from the river in tanks. Ascending the spiral staircase to the observatory, a magnificent view is had, over river, prairie, hills, bluffs, villages and bound- less rolling woodlands. The whole house is well finished, furnished and policed, andkept in unsurpassable order. On the grounds are stables for ambulance and Avater- tank horses, and well constructed privies for convalescents. The house has accommodation for 162 patients, and is somewhat crowded. The number of admissions has been 289, of whom 31, or 11 per cent., have died. This hospital is in charge of Brigade Surgeon, S. H. Melcher, U. S. v., who is entitled to great credit for the admirable organi- zation and administration of his charge. The disadvantages of this building are — The arrangement of the sick rooms, in groups of four, prevents proper ventilation ; the absence of windows, on three sides of the end rooms, of each story ; the total absence of ventilating flues ; the insufficient supply of water ; the absence of out-buildings, for kitchens and other acces- sories, of the hospital. DESCRIPTION OF MARINE HOSPITAL. Boom. Length. Width. Illght. Capacity in cubic feet. Beds. Cubic feet for each bed. Windows. Doors. 1st Floor... 43| 43| 43| 24 1% 18| 181 19| \-2h n" 11 131 9S40 8806 8806 4236 18 18 18 546 489 489 2 2d " ... 2 Sd " ... 2 Attic 1 in front. 2 flues. CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, NO. 2. This hospital is located in the Benton Barracks, occupying two of those long, low, illj constructed barrack buildings, where many of our soldiers have sickened and suffered. It is universally acknowl- edged that this was an unfortunate selection of ground for a cantonement. The location of these barracks is a low basin, a dried up swamp ; the soil is a black loom, composed of vegetable matter partially decomposed ; from the surface and the surroundings, evaporations take place to such a degree, that the whole camp is overhung with a misty fog or vapor, until a late hour in the morn- ing, thus rendering the atmosphere murky, damp and chilly. The whole surface of the camp being a dead level, drainage becomes impossible ; the water is found stagnant in the trenches, ditches, even in the box-sewers around the buildings. The barrack buildings are several miles in length ; they were radically defective, and acknowl- edged to be so at the very outset, but were neither altered or improved, in order probably to preserve the original type and uniform syrametery. The laws of health were defied at every step in their construction, until at present they are irremediable ; they are long and low structures with little air or light, unsightly without, and gloomy within ; the floors are laid flat upon the carbonaceous ground, are actually lower than the surrounding surface in a large proportion of them, and, therefore, no currents of air are admitted beneath to expel the moisture arising from the soil, but it is rather invited into the apartment by the vacuum produced by Avarm temperature, hot stoves, or in the proximity of which perspiration is encouraged, only to be suddenly checked, and the body chilled when leaving them. These barracks were planned to allow an apartment for a company, but the demand for more room was so clamorous, that often two companies were crowded into one room. The laws of hygiene were outraged by this packing system, and dearly did we have to pay for it with the forfeit of many valuable lives. CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, NO. 39 These so justly decried barracks were selected by the late Medical Director, Dr. J. J. B. Wright, for a Convalescent Hospital. Some alterations were made. The several Hers of bunks were taken down and replaced by several roics, which are arranged around the walls, and in two rows, tete-a-tete, in the center. The interior has been whitened, and windows, doors and belfry ventilators have been added, to admit more light and air ; but these remedy the evil only in part. The almost flat roof, and the unshaded, thin walls, afford protection from the direct rays of the sun, but the air within is warm, musty and mephitic. There are old drains running under the buildings, which emit noxious odors — a sirocco-like air — which, at times, fills the barracks. There is but one shade tree near. The patients are limited to the very narrow veranda in front of the building, or to the room itself, to find shelter from the sun or rain. In a row of buildings of the same length, and running parallel with the barracks, but separated from them by a narrow street, are the kitchens and dining rooms, which, in dry weather, are tolerable. Dust and mud cannot be kept out of them. There is plenty of water and bath houses, but none of the comforts of the Convalescent Hospital No. 1. There are eight wards at present, occupied by 525 beds, allowing to each patient only from 390 to 423 cubic feet. As many more wards can readily be opened ; but it is certainly not desirable. The packing process is practiced here to an alarming extent. Many a convalescing soldier, sent here to recuperate, had to be returned to a general hospital; and quite a large number are under medical treatment here. It is to be hoped that these barracks will not long be used for hospital purposes. Our brave soldiers deserve to bo better cared for. The best efforts of the Surgeon in charge, and the liberal contri- butions of the community, cannot make up for radical defects of locality and structure. The Convalescent Hospital, No. 2, was opened May 1st. There have been 1888 admitted, of whom 3 died. Since the above was written, I am gratified to hear that the Superintending Surgeon of the Hospitals in the Fair Grounds and Benton BaiTacks, Dr. D. L. McGugin, U. S. V., has determined to vacate it as early as practicable, and transfer all patients to Conva- lescent Hospital No. 1. No new cases will be taken in future. 40 CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, NO. 2. DESCRIPTION OF CONVALESCENT HOSPITAL, No. 2. No of Ward. Length. Width. „, ,. Totnlcnpn- Hignt. city In g„. Mo feut. No. of Cubic fe«t for Beds, i each bod. 1 Wln- j dows. Doors. Be,. fries. Tran- som Li^'hi.s. 1 G9 40 ll.V 31,740 70 453 30-70 ' .0 fl 2 86 40 llX 39,560 93 1 425 35-93 12 3 5 3,4, 5 246 32 11; , 90,528 206 439 04-206 66 6 12 42 32 IH 20,608 52 396 22-52 16 2 2 10 56 32 11. 20,608 52 396 22-52 14 2 2 10 8 56 32 11.; 20,608 52 396 252 2 14 2 2 10 JEFFERSON BARRACKS HOSPITAL. Jefterson Barracks is situated on the west bank of the Mississippi river, on very handsome rolling ground, richly wooded and abundantly supplied with spring, well, and cistern water. The barrack buildings, erected about thirty years since, are massive stone structures, occupying three sides of a very large open square. The west side has two rows of two story buildings, with attic and basement, and verandas in front and rear, formerly used for offices and quarters for officers. The rooms are only of moderate size, low, but well venti- lated and lighted, and intercommunication is easy. The basement is appropriated to the kitchen, linen room, storage and dining room. A well paved porch is west of it, which opens directly into a large yard. The culinary department is thus entirely separated from, and yet of ready access to, the main buildings. The kitchens, pantry, store and dining rooms are in admirable order. Each building or ward has its own separate culinary and eating departments, which may be deemed unnecessary at first sight, but prooably unavoidable on account of the extent of the buildings. Wards A and B are in the buildings just mentioned. Part of the Ji7'st floor is used as offices and a general pharmacy, and the remainder for sick rooms. On the second floor are only sick rooms. There are forty rooms in these two wards' — twenty of them are 17 J by 16.1-8 feet, 11|^ feet high, allowing 998.1-5 cubic feet per patient, and twenty are 14 by 14, allowing 724.2-5 feet, yet each contains five beds. They are all models of cleanliness and order, well ventilated and lighted, and not overcrowded. The attic is chiefly used for storing baggage, which is under lock and key, and in charge of a responsible person, whose system of labeling and registering baggage is ingenious, and worthy of imita- tion. A part of the attic rooms are fitted up with beds, to be used only in emergency. The broad verandas, on both sides of these buildings, afiording protection on rainy and sunny days. The pros- pect from them is of great extent and beauty. 4J JEFKERSON HARRACKS HOSPITAL. Ward C is on the south-cast corner of the square — is preciselj similar in construction and arrangement to tlie two preceding wards. It has twenty rooms of the same dimension as above, and hoh.ls as many beds. The attic, at all times an uncomfortable place, contains nine beds, with only 428 cubic feet per bed. It should never be used. On the north and south sides of the square, or parade ground, are two long rows of one story stone buildings, with verandas on both sides, the barracks of former days. The partitions have been taken out of these buildings, and they are thus converted into very long wards, capable of acconmiodating from forty to eighty patients each. Unfortunately, these rooms are only 10|- feet high, consequently the number of cubic feet allowed to each patient is far below the minimum : yet the air in these rooms is perfectly pure and sweet ; for the number of windows and glass doors, with transom lights over the doors, is large — one for almost every 6 or 8 feet ; beside these are open fire places, and belfry ventilators, so that, even in winter, when doors and windows are kept closed, the renewal of air is sufficient for practical purposes. The wards look ncAV, and have a very cheerful appearance, and may challenge comparison with any sick room of this or any other country. The conveniences in these Avards are great, each having cellars, out-houses and large yards, which facilitate the labors of the attendant, and add greatly to the comfort of the patient. Each of the Avards is a separate establishment in all its details. These buildings constitute Wards E, F, L, with several large rooms each. There is a pavilion on an eminence, just north of the barracks, in the midst of a grove of large forest trees, which w^as originally the Post Hospital. It was the first Military Hospital in this Department, when this war broke out. It is a two story stone building, with a high basement and an attic, surrounded on all sides with a broad veranda, (also two stories high,) giving the establishment an air of comfort and beauty. The whole building has l)een renovated from garret to cellar. In the basement are the kitchen, pantry, store and dining rooms. On the first floor are the pharmacy, the surgeons' and stewards' quarters, and two large wards, with twenty beds each — the bedsteads are of iron. JEFFERSON BARRACKS HOSPITAt. 43 On the second floor are four rooms, witli forty-two beds, partly of iron and partly of wood. In all these six rooms, the allowance in cubic feet per bed is 586. The profusion of windows, and the high and isolated position of the building, renders the air in the rooms quite pure. But in the garret are also thirty beds, with only 325 cubic feet per bed, to be used only in winter, and in a great emergency. This house, standing, as it does, on a maraelon, and being almost all windows and doors, the ventilation is perfect, St. Louis may be justly proud of the hospital at Jefferson Barracks-, and the soldier may deem himself fortunate in being able to spend the days of his sickness there. Jefferson Barracks Hospital can readily accommodate 1,000 patients. In case of need, all the verandas could be readily converted into comfortable wards in summer. The hospital is susceptible of great expansion at a comparatively small cost. The one story stone barracks are of great strength ; the roof could be raised by means of screws, and another story of brick could be quickly added, which would at once increase its capacity about 400 beds. This is the idea of the energetic and talented surgeon in charge, Dr. M. W. Fish, and he has suggested it to the proper authorities, with reasonable prospect of success. To him is due the credit for all the improvements and changes made about these barracks to fit them for a hospital ; and the last, though not the least of them, already in course of completion, are a thorough sewerage and the bringing of river water on the premises, by means of a steam engine, which will supply the main desideratum. A new and well constructed dead house has also been completed. The chapel refitted and furnished with a melodeon. The ?noraie of the patient is as much cared for as the p/ii/si(jue. Thanks to the indefatigable efforts, enlarged experience and laudable ambition of Dr. Fish, these buildings have been converted into an admirable hospital. The largest steamers can land and deposit their freight at Jefterson Barracks. The Iron Mountain Railroad brings them within forty minutes of the city, so that patients, stores and materials can be brought to and from the city, with more facility, than to any other hospital in the vicinity. There are two female nurses attached to each ward, who supervise chiefly the food prepared for the very sick. 44 JEFFERSON DARRACKS HOSPITAL. As soon as the laundry and the bathing house are in working order, this hospital will leave nothing to desire. Admissions, 1,443 ; deaths, 215 ; or 15 per cent. DESCUIPTION OF .llCFfKUyON HA11RACK3 HOSl'lTAL. Ward. Length. WUUhJ lllght. Oapncity In cubic feut. Beds. Cubic feet for each Win- .lowf DoorB Venti- lators. b: 1 1 ^'t 16 1-6 lU 4,991 5 in each 998 1-.5 , 1 14 UJ 111 3,622 5 in eacli 724 2-5 2 1 ^■'li 2S| -mSI 3,853 9 428 3-9 2 1 1 Room 1 35 22 IOt 7,956 14 586 8 3 p 2 35 22 lo| 7,956 14 586 8 3 o . 3 17^ 22 10| 3,978 7 586 6 2 K "' 4 35 22 lol 7,950 14 586 8 4 > 5 35 22 lol 7,956 14 586 8 2 C 17^ 22 10| 3,978 ' 586 6 1 pd f Room 1 135 20 lOJ ' 27,775 55 505 31 lit 2 e 2 95 20 10 . 19,475 40 486 35-40 14 8t 2 5 3 95 20 :io \ 19,475 40 486 35-40 14 8t 2 ?=^ I 4 IS 20 ,10l 3,690 7 525 2-7 3 2t 2 f^ ( Room 1 135 20 lOj 27,775 55 505 31 lit 2 ! 3 95 20 10, 20 lol 20 lOg- 19,475 40 486 35-40 14 8 2 95 19,475 40 48G 35-40 14 8 2 ^ I 4 18 3,690 7 525 5-7 3 3t 2 Ward L. Room 1 210 20 |10i 4,350 80 538 1-8 31 31t 4 ex I? . ... 1 35 22 6 11-12)5* l4 [51 4,235 15 325 4 3 6- 2 35 22 6 11-12(5.; 4 UJ 4,235 13 325 4 3 .. . 3 17i 22 6 11-12 1.51 4 Ul 2,117^ 13 324 4 1 • Garret. + 1 1 Tninsepls. t Transepts. t Trnnsepts. t IG Transepts. t Transepts. ARNOT'S AND THORNTON'S HALLS. After tlie battle of Shilob, our hospitals became full to overflowing, especially as the high water rendered the extensive hospital at Mound City untenable, and required the immediate removal of the inmates. Other battles were expected, and additional hospital accommodation had to be promptly provided ; several, large halls were rented by the Western Sanitary Commission, and fitted at considerable cost. One of them was situated over Thornton's stables, measured 50 by 93 feet, and was 14-| feet high. Another, over Arnot's stable, wa& 42 by 77, and 12 feet high ; there were three other large rooms, capable of containing 100 beds. It was the aim of the Commission to maintain a reserve of from 800 to 1,000 beds to meet a possible emergency. With the evacuation of Corinth ended all expectation of a great battle in the Mississippi Valley, and these rooms were abandoned, the existing hospital accommodations being deemed adequate to the probable requirements of the service. OVER AENOT'S STABLE. No. of Room. Length. Width. Eight. Total capacity 1 in cubic feet. No. of Windows. No. of Doors. 6 10 Hall. Large Hall. Ward over Thorn- ton's stable 19 20 43 (93| 18 17 .50 42 50.1-6 14 12 11 12 14 4,788 4,680 23,6.50 38,768 67,3 ?3 I 6 19 10 1 2 1 2 4. REGIMENTAL HOSPITALS. Duving the winter and spring of 1861-2, there were several regimental hospitals established near Benton Barracks. They Avere located in private residences and farm houses, as well as in the various exhibition buildings in the Fair Grounds. They were usually improvised in one day, maintained during the stay of the regiment, iind abandoned. No medical records are known to exist. Regimental hospitals are indispensable to a moving army, but experience has demonstated that tents arc better for the purpose, than illy adapted houses ; severe or protracted cases being transferred to a post, or general hospital whenever practicable. The system prevailing here was certainly detrimental in the extreme ; the buildings Avere unsuitable, the supplies inadequate, and the attendance was by convalescing soldiers, Avho were untutored, incapable and unwilling to act as nurses. The result was unsatis- factory. MILITARY PRISOX HOSPITAL. The hospital, connected with the Military Prison at McDuwcirs College , must not be omitted in this report. The beautiful octagon hall, the former amphitheatre of the college, has been appropriated, and quite judiciously arranged for that purpose. The hall is 68 by 60, and 10 4-12 feet high, has consequently a capacity of 69,300 cubic feet. It has six large windows opposite each other, and an opening in the ceiling communicating with a large open, vacant room above, thus securing perfect ventilation. There are 60 beds in this hall, 16 are placed in two rows in the centre, and 44 are arranged in double superposing bunks around the platform ; MILITARY PRISON HOSPITAL. for each bed there is an allowance of 1,155 cubic feet. The culinary department is a house on the other side of the street ; the meals are sent and served to the sick in their room. The hospital is very well kept, and reflects credit on its late Surgeon, Dr. Melcher, and on the present incumbent, Dr. Drechsler. The milder cases only are attended to here, the more seriously sick are transferred to the general hospitals. The nurses are taken from among the prisoners of war, whose faithful attention to their charge is worthy of commendation. This hospital is supplied by the Western Sanitary Commission in same manner as the military hospitals, and they have devoted much attention to it. FLOATING HOSPITALS. The history of the ^lilitary Hospitals of St. Louis would not be complete if the Floating Huspllals were not mentioned — which, though ridiculed at first, have found so many imitators. They are emphatically of St. Louis origin, in this war. The idea of Floating Hospitals, or Hospital Steamers, was first suggested to me by the able Medical Director' of Major-Gen. Grant's corps iParine^ Dr. Simmons, which I duly reported to my colleagues of the Western Sanitary Commission, where it met with a prompt and hearty response- The wise and judicious Commander of this Department, Major-General Halleck, approved of the plan, and it was at once carried into execution. Steamers were purchased and chartered, properly organized, and put in active operation, not a day too soon. They have been kept constantly employed for the last three months, and have rendered invaluable service. They were the means of rescuing the lives of hundreds of our soldiers, and met the expectations of their most sanguine friends and advocates. To those not familiar with the form and the various arrangements of a large Western river steamer, it will be difficult to comprehend how from 300 to 800 patients can be comfortable, each in his own tidy bed ; how they can be nursed, and medically and surgically attended to ; how the most delicate surgical operation can be performed on them as in the best hospital on shore. Indeed, in many respects the patients are better ofi on these boats than in the hospitals ; for nowhere is the air purer and the light better. The Western river boats (side wheels) arc generally from 240 to 300, and even more, feet long, and from 40 to GO feet beam. The high pressure steam engines are on the first orboiler deck, occupying, perhaps, one-fourth of the whole space, and leaving considerable room forward, but more aft. The boiler deck is very roomy, and is usually used for freight ; and in the reiu- are also the bunks for the crew. The dimensions of a boiler deck are about 40 x 200 feet, and 20 feet high, open fore and aft, allowing a free circulation of air^ and, when the boat is in motion, causing a strong draft. FLOATING HOSPITALS. 49 On the guards, on each side of the boilers, is abundant room for beds or cots. Thej are protected from above by the guards of the cabin deck, and on the sides by curtains of sail cloth, which are impervious to water and the rays of the sun. From 200 to 300 and even 400 beds or cots were systematically arranged, in four rows, on on that deck, with ample walks between them. It had a novel, but a comforable appearance, and the patients were usually quite satisfied. On the cabin deck is the spacious saloon, extending over nearly the whole length of the boat, well lighted and ventilated by clere- story lights and doors, affording accommodation for about 100 beds. All around the main saloon are state-rooms, with two berths in each. The bulk-heads, or partitions between these rooms, were removed, in order to allow a free circulation of air, and free access to the patients in these berths. These state-rooms have two doors, one leading into the saloon, the other out on the guards, thus rendering them light, airy and accessible. The guards are about 8 or 10 feet wide, affording room for a series of beds throughout their whole extent, and on the fore-deck three or four rows of beds can be placed. These are usually the choicest places, as offering a view of the passing scenery, and being perfectly protected from rain and sun by the hurricane deck and canvass curtains. There are three or four kitchens on each boat : one for the officers and crew, one for medical officers and attendants, and the third and fourth for the sick — the latter under the exclusive charge of the female nurses. There is an operating room, a pharmacy, bath and linen room, a commissary and stewards' department, an office for surgeons, clerks, etc. It is quite land-like in its arrangement. The stores are usually kept in the hold. The VAty of Louisiana was the first boat chartered for this service. She is very swift, and has a light draft of water. The Government supplied her with beds, mattresses and commissary stores, the Western Sanitary Commission completing the outfit at a cost of $3,000. They also furnished assistant surgeons, an apothe- cary and male and female nurses, as well as maintaining a constant supply of hospital stores, renewed upon the return of the boat to St. Louis. This boat was in charge of C. Wagner, M. D., Assistant Surgeon U. S. A. She has conveyed 3389 patients, of whom 59 died in transit. 4 50 FLOATING HOSPITALS. The second steamer, D. .^. January^ was purchased by the Government, and fitted up in all respects like the " Louisiana." She has not quite the capacity and is not as fast as that steamer, but is kept in admirable order. This boat is in charge of A. II. Hoff, M.D., Brigade Surgeon, U. S. V. Her records are unusually well kept by Miss Kate Houghton, the efficient clerk. This boat has transported 2G92 patients, of whom 83 died. The United States Hospital Steamer, D. A. January, made eight trips, as follows : She left St. Louis — Cases. Died. 1. Ajnil 5 — For Pittsburg Landing:, and rctnrned to St. Louis, iirriv- ing April 14, with 441 of whom 17 2. April 15 — Left 8t Louis for Pittsburg Landing, whence slie went to Keokuk, Iowa, aniving April 23, with 284 " 4 3. April 24 — From Keokuk for Pittsburg Landing, thence to New Albany and Cincinnati, arrivinir May 5, with 300 " 39 4. May G — From Cincinnati for Pittsburg Landing, thence to Jeffer- son Barracks, arriving May 14, with 284 " 7 Had to lay up to make repairs. 5. June 1 — From St. Louis for Pittsburg Landing, thence to Jefier- son Barracks, amving June 12, with 375 " 1 6. June 13 — Left St. Louis for Pittsburg Landing, thence to Paducah, Jefferson Barracks, and Keokuk, arriving June 23, with 459 " 3 7. June 24 — Left Keokuk for Patlucah, thence to Evansville and Louisville, arriving July 8, with 232 " 2 8. July 9 — Left Louisville for Paducah, Columbus, and Helena, Ark., thence to Jefferson Barracks, arriving July 21, with 317 " 10 Total, 2092 83 The third floating hospital was the large new steamer E7npress, chartered and furnished by Government, and receiving her hospital stores from the Western Sanitary Commission. Together with the Imperial^ she was taken to aid in transporting the wounded from Pittsburg Landing, after the battle of Shiloh, for which her great size and speed peculiarly adapted her. She was in charge of Thomas F. Azpell, M. D., Brigade Surgeon U. S. V., and is now withdrawn from service. The Sisters of Mercy of Chicago were the female nurses on her, who will ever be kept in grateful remembrance by the physicians and patients. The "Empress" made six trips, as follows: Cases. Deatba. iRt trip— April 10. To Pittsburg, thence to Keokuk 349 14 2d " " 22. To L-!land No. 10, thence to 8t. Louis 477 6 3d " " 26. To Pittsburg, thence to Louisville 507 9 4th " May 13. From Pittsburg to Evansville and St. Louis 817 28 5th " " 20. To Tennessee river, thence to Evansville and St. L. 497 5 6th " June 11. To Tennessee river, thence to Louisville and St. L. 728 7 Total 3375 69 FLOATING HOSPITALS. 51 Tlie fourth floating hospital was the new and very large steamer Imperial, chartered by the President of the Western Sanitary Com- mission, under authority of Major-General Halleck, receiving her outfit, under his direction and supervision, partly from Government, but mainly from the Commission. She was in charge of T. H. Grove, M. D., Brigade Surgeon U. S. V., and, though rendering valuable service, was withdrawn early in consequence of her great draft of water. During the two months she was in service, she carried 2375 patients, of whom 25 died. The fifth floating hospital was the prize steamer Red Rover, captured by the flotilla at Island No. 10. In many respects this is the best of the hospital fleet. Being constructed for the business of carry- ing cotton ; her guards are unusually wide, and her ceilings very high; she was altered by the Government at an expense of $3,000, furnished with ice chests of 500 tons capacity, baths, water closets, extra kitchens and an operating room. Her outfit was furnished by the Western Sanitary Commission at a cost of $3,500. She is attached to the river flotilla, and is in charge of Bixby, M. D., contract surgeon. Since the St. Louis floating hospitals have been in successful operation, other cities and States, as well as the Government itself, have adopted the system, and there are several in commission at the present time, both upon the rivers and the ocean. The numerous sick and wounded after the bloody battle of Shiloh, were removed to these hospital steamers, and rapidly conveyed to remote hospitals in less than a fortnight ; a fact unparalleled in history. A large army ridding itself of the care of the sick and wounded after a sanguinary combat in so short a time, is an event worthy of record. 52 TABULAR STATEMENT of the cases and deaths in the General i 3 2 P SPEOll'IC DISEASES. NKW IlorSE (IK KKFUGK IlOSl'ITAL. ST. LODI8 HOSPITAL. CITY HOSPITAL. CITY GBNBIIAL HOSPITAL. CAMP BKNTON UOSPITAU GOOD 8amaritah Hospital. 1 < 1 1 1 1 1 157 5 5 r. 1 1 31 1 5.-, 3 3 5 94 296 130 33 3 85 24 8 1 1 .... 2 22 2 6 5 60 ■,5 1 1 3 1 7 12 4 '9 1 1 1 1 i > Fehris Coii> l"l Is 1 oil' Phthisis Pulmonalis Pleuritis Pneumonia All other diseases of this class AnjTimia Ancurisma Anj.'-ina I'ectoris Carditis i 315 1 1 2 28 16 1 67 1 Military Hospitals of St Louis, from their origin, to Ju ly, 186 2. 53 FOURTH STREET HOSPITAL. PACIFIC HOSPITAL. SMALL-POXJ HOSPITAL. HICKORY STREET HOSPITAL. CONVALES- CENT NO. 1. MARINE HOSPITAL. 00NVALB8- CBNTNO. 2. JEFFERSON BARRACKS. TOTAL BY EACH CLASS. i 1 1 6 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 Ijl 1 1 1 1 1 1 14 27 58 121 255 3 5 £6 42 2 I 6 160 162 I 6' 1 1 3 47 1 3 8 4 1 126 120 2 53 8 6 11 31 235 11 2 4 2 lo 1 1 5 2 7 24 2 5 3 1 1 5 1 7 1 64 4 3 26 "'3 31 7 2 43 "i 27 11 4 2 2 1 5 4 1 2 75 "i 22 15 33 3 1 15 21 2 1 8 276 '.'. 2 4 38 114 2 25 10 20 76 11 119 102 7 19 2 4 2 69 22 90 10 '137 3 10 11 9 34 1 1 'i 5 ■■ 2 .. 3 64 14 6 20 27 40 21 120 2 18 24 150 21 22 6 1 5 "40 1 2 66 16 6 6 '152 12 '3 12 1 1 "32 ••i5 37 1 ■•.50 6 9 4 4 6 2 2 10 "3 "2 6 6 25 51 46 12 20 "14 21 60 33 230 9 4 20 '3 5 22 1 1 ""& 1 .... 5 18 9 1 .... 11 " 5 1 10 '"70 307 '.V.'. 1 2 4 'i.37 108 42 4 1 4 5 12 3 10 11 22 5 76 35 1( ] 1 i 3 )0 1 2 6 1 1 4 8 9 >5 38 286 622 748 34 939 1632 5 53 146 1576 76 365 21 29 29 42 218 1612 800 264 203 59 25 20 7 20 26 114 208 8 8 51 41 44 747 201 8 323 26 35 221 131 1922 63 32 4 5 14 11 6 6 7 28 532 2 1 28 44 63 44 80 28 22 'e 2 2 2 2 5 1 2 1 4 1 16 3 i 81 6 414 30 54 T.^BULAR STATEMENT of the cases and deaths in (he General s s 1 8PKCIFIC DISEASES, WEW nousB OKKBFUOK HOSPITAL. ST. LOUIS 1 HOSl'ITAL 1 CITY HOSPITAL. OITT GENKRAL HOSPITAL. CAMP BKNTON HOSPITAL. 00c BAMA« H08PI 1 Q 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -c^.f Endocarditis 1 4 6 10 1 2 8 1 "is 10 20 4 2 30 1 10 11 .... 13 G 2 1 '"2 Pericarditis 1 3 ■■ .... [ [ iii Phlebitis •••i :: s-l^ ] Varicocele . . 1 '"2 '"2 1 So Varix All other diseases of tiiis class Apoplexia Cephalalgia .... c 1 Ciiorea 1 •S P !t1 Delirium Tremens Epilepsia 1 1 '"i 1 1 3 1 Initatio Spinalis 4 1 4 1 1 3 2 2 Melancholia Meningitis Neuralgia Paralysis Tetanus All other diseases of this class Bubo Syphiliticum 1 5 I 1 • 2 1 2 "2 .. 6 11 Cystitis Diabetes Enuresis Gonorrhoea 1 Ischuria et Dysuria. Neplu-itis .. ." Orchithis •• 4 ■■ 2 1 8 4 3 1 6 .... 1 3 1 'i g ■ 2 2 3 4 1 2 1 1 2 Sarcocele Strictura Urethral... 1 1 8 10 1 1 Syphilis Consecutiva Ulcus Penis Non Syphil'm 1 111 °1i All other diseases of this class Anasarca .... 21 1 2 1 4 13 1.33 128 8 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 ...... 2 2 1 Ascites Hydrarthrus Hydrocele Hydroihorax All other diseases of this class 1 Abces. Dis. of the Di and fibrous and Ulcers, mns. struct. 1 . 2 "i •• y 1 I .. 134 .. 28 2 1 . 1 a.. 8 1 Podagi-S Rlieumatismus Acutus Khcumatismus Chronicus. . . All other diseases of this class 37 . . 47 .. 6 .. 5|.. .51 2 1 Fi.tula 1 .. 1 Military Hospitals of St. Louis, from their origin, to July, 1862. 55 FOURTH PACIFIC SMALL-POX HICKORY CONVALES- MARINE CONVALES- JEFFERSON TOTAL BY HOSPITAL. HOSPITAL. HOSPITAL. HOSPITAL. CENT NO. 1. HOSPITAL. CENT NO. 2. BARRACKS. EACH CLASS. 1 1 1 6 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 i 1 J a 1 1 7 18 9 4 19 1 2 13 27 34 1 1 .... 2 1 20 1 32 3 1 3 21 1 1 1 3 1 2 6 4 5 14 1 1 1 1 1 3 5 2 1 5 3 5 3 3 29 1 16 11 7 3 61 1 5 2 1 3 1 .... .... 1 1 2 5 3 5 1 13 23 3 4 1 1 2 2 3 1 14 18 46 9. 1 4 1 1 4 1 9 2 6 3 3 "i i / 5 5 1 1 2 3 3 '"2 5 91 5 33 11 3 6 22 4 5 44 6 2 1 6 28 3 4 3 10 20 2 4 1 69 1 3 4 6 5 8 52 .... 1 10 5 4 / 3 .... 1 .... 8 35 3 33 32 2 1 2 5 12 2 8 4 1 6 1 2 5 .... 1 1 42 4 56 5 9 4 4 1 8 94 '591 3 1 12 10 23 23 2 .... 57 28 70 13 8 57 1 1 96 52 21 140 135 665 2 1 1 1 2 20 2 1 1 17 20 53 2 107 1 Q .... 1 6 14 ,... 4 6 .... 56 TABULAR STATEMENT of the cases and deaths in the General 1 SrEClFIC DI8KABES. NKW HOU8K or UKFrOK U08P1TA1,. BT. L0UI8 HOSflTAL. CITY IIOHI-ITAL. CITT OKNKRAL U08PITAL. CAMl- Iir.NTON lIOSriTAL. OOOD SAMAItlTA nOSPlTAL i i 6 Q i\l 1 1 1 10 1 a i 1 ^ 1 § T Paronyt'liiti Plilojiiuou . . . 1 2 11 6 1 47 32 4 52 1 'is 1 4 1 380 15 1 1 1 "'\ :: ..:: .... 1 3 33 2 8 2 5 1 41 1 .... 2 2 8 1 1 14 2 < ^ { Ulcus All other diseases of this class Ambustio Comussio Cfiohri Comprcssio CciTl)ii C'OiitUi Fractura Gflatio Hernia Ivuxatio , . 1 .. 2|.. 3 18 35 '2 ■? 1 *5 757 18 14 4 1 43 18 G 13 4 'rtli St. Lonis," in the making of sheets, garments and innumerable articles. Thanks are due to the German schools of the city* for an unfailing supply of lint, prepared by them in an hour devoted daily to such work, and to the Chicago, Boston and Cairo branches of the Unite9njoji •l«lldsoH tiiioa •linidson £%i) ogiDsj ; — oa •o C^ ; C^ 015C M C^ — _. C4 e- f- to . C-I 40 . C^ C- CC iO *o o •iwjldson oiiiAjano ;m-too« ; i« m c •sjooianioA -opj qio8 ; o o «o toe is" : ■BjasjunioA -ojv MJiJo •eiaa;aniOA linossiw UU :n M :«=. .0 jtuBoaQ u.qdajs -lataoeig e|q(lin3K;oJ:)i3 jauiva:)s •JDAOJf pan .13010319 I'^ll'lson s^jdtug aemuajs iirjidsoH .»ooo»o^^c^o — COl.'^ •JBII -odcnj i9inBaig jtiiidson ; o o t~ -((< :ix> o cc >o !■- o ei o 05 > J O i'j l Q jomB8 ig iBjjdsoii •otnoij ^Sioipiog . t~-o c-l ■.-: . •it -n iCi CD • OS CO ■* : M = I ■ «o ojoo :e^ t-i •jCjaioos P!V noma TWlidsoii 9uiji)jo tc o • •IBjidsoH »39J?S qW! J 1 t- M >0 .— ■ . e^ M 01 M f •IB^idsoH ?3aJ1S UIJUO J . = -^ if: Ci — c-) e-5 t~ .n C-. -* c- I ■ "Q cc -t « 1-- ^ 'O x- m ■* u. c^ CO : >0— CCOO -''-.— C^C^C il Tii •§■= s. 5 So K TABULAR STATEMENT. 73 :<= : : :<-"=' ■ <=:..::::.: .la .:■ .oiOioi , o : I— >o ;^ o ; ; o ;o o ;o < =>;:;;<=>:: ::<=>:::: ^c -5-.42 ^o oc^ = •i f i : 'i% ^ : i i urj ^ ^ i : : : :^ >— 1 :o r • • -g :;5 : : : : i : f : : : : : : 15 |ci ■a; : : o i : : ; : : : ; j i ;§ •M^ iS i : i : i i i : : : : • • -2 ;2 i :::: i i ::: i i :::::•: i ::: 1 :::: i : : : : i ; : : : i : : : : i i i : i i = i i i = ; i i = : ; ; ; io : . o : • ^ o ■ c . 3 \i \° g; s. i^ •:= 1-5 I 74 TAUl'LAH STATEMENT. .5r - •.Cj11!A«0 »I.ttOI isi O I" -J- li O 050«0!C -res oco i'" S i 5 _:l:^l:U:. •8aaa)unioA tiMOi qjn | i ^ • ^ • •iCaoiiiuv linownv pg | : ° '^' ? 13 :»«j:-=>= : ;g • i i ■:■:;;•: i iS •e"!i. 12 :=^ : : I : : -10,? JO soiiiorej ajiuijsja | : • : I I 5 1 i M i 1 M M H M i i^ ■sjajpiog Jiajs paajuqossa jw*""" :'^^ i iwSSg Ncc : :cN : — >* ; : : : :MMg •l«jld80Hq«3np«j 1 »'«=--2*2 : -Sl^SI i*^ : : • :«>::.:: :^ •9W0H .snino 1 S3S = f :§ S : : : : : ::•:::::: [irjidson nuapjiuio "^'''O 1 ssss : ;5 SS2 : S : i*'^ :* ; i i : iS! •moo 1 ^(UJV 'aon«posfiv -0 -W -A 1 : : : : : ■* : ; ; : : : ;t^ : 1 •oji^O 'uoissiiuiuof) uBg 1 S N 2! 5 M i : S : l-eo . . i i p-„to«=a. : 1 : : :£ •SMDuiSua sjossja 1 : i o « g ^ : ^ ig22 : =S iS iS'^ : i = • : : ioj •swssnii uoja^a 1 i : i S ^I i : = S S § i i : •AauY fin^no 021 575 438 1048 851 1050 814 IS? 1184 3509 119 147 •iuipaBT: Sjnqsiiij : iiilsiil ^ I c=— ooo c. i^:m"-< •'--5 coco-n vri o CO ■* ir5 o in rM o ^ • OD o • ^ SScaH; i D ;- X X C c po p5 Ph 0, 35 >4 £^ i:p;s ERRATA. 1. On page six, second line from below, read thousand." 2. On page ten, fifteenth line from the top, read ' 3. flues.' 4. ry. 6. two hundred," instead Contusio," instead " Cantusio. On page twelve, fifteenth line from below, read " hot air flues," instead " smoke Page twenty-two, last line in the table, read "78,009," instead "7,048." Pago thirty-seven, in the table, read " rooms," instead " room." Page thirty-eight, sixth line from the top, read "loam," instead "loom." 7. Page thirty-eight, eighth line from below, omit the word " or." 8. Pixgc thirty-nine, nineteenth line from the top, read " water, but no bath houses, and none," instead " water and bath houses, but none." 9. Page forty-four, last line, " transept lights," instead "transepts." 10. Page fifty-one, fifth line from the top, " J. H. Grove," instead " T. H. Grove." 11. Page sixty-one, fifth line firom below, instead "Surveyor General," read " Surgeon General." AN EARNEST APPEAL. THE WAxNTS OF THE WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION. The Western Sanitary Commission of St. Louis is under the necessity of ao-ain appealing to the patriotic citizens of tlie loyal States, for the con- tribution of money and hospital stores. The demands upon this Commission are as "Teat as at any previous time, and the field of its labors is daily enlarged. An army of not less than one hundred and fifty thousand men, in Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri, and the gunboat flotilla, looks to St. Louis for nearly all its sanitary supplies and must continue to do so through the war, as the most convenient and accessible place at all seasons of the year. Heretofore the Commission has been able to meet all requisitions. It has never refused to send liberally and promptly, to any point, whatever has been needed to alleviate suffering and to cure or prevent sickness. At • the present time arrangements are in progress to supply regiments in the field with vegetables and other articles of food for sick and convalescent soldiers. At Corinth and Columbus, this will be done by co-operation with Dr. Warriner, agent of the U. S. San. Com., and elsewhere by the Western Commission alone. La Missouri, Tennessee and Arkansas, the demand for all kinds of hospi- tal supplies is great, and increasing, for a war of unprecedented malignancy has begun to be waged, and exposures of our brave men both to disease and wounds are fearfully great. Those who are at a distance from the scene of action, can have no adequate idea of the privations and hardships of the service, or of the number of those broken down by it. The casual- tics of the battle-field are but a small item in the estimate. Forced marches, the murderous rifle of an unseen and skulking enemy, who knows the work of the assassin better than that of the soldier, fill our hospitals and thin our ranks. To such risks are our sons and kindred exposed from day to day, in defense of the country which we all love so well. lias money any gteater value than to supply their need ? Ought we to become niggardly in gifts, or weary of work in such a cause? Can the women of America enjoy or endure the luxury of peaceful homes, except on condi- tion of giving the labor of their hands and the prayers of their hearts to those who are defending them at such a cost? For nearly two months past the Western Sanitary Commission has been left to rely almost exclusively upon its own resources and the liberality of the citizens of St. Louis. The attention of the loval States has been LIBRARY OF CONGRESS III i II II aire.to.l cl.idly to the an.ii.> of tlio r-.tomar ; 013 743 623 1 "^ Dt.parlmentot'thc Mississippi lias Wen comparalively turg.-un.. 1.. uie" wliole ci-l.t weeks the eontiil.utions reocive-l from all our sister States woiikl not siipplv tl.c deinan.l of a single os.sible, to ^' .James E. Veatman, Western Sanitary Commission, St. Louis, Missouri, with names on the bo.x of the party sending, so as to insure prompt ■'^•■'^""^^'"^'^'""^^"'- .TAMES E. YEATMAN. ) WM. G. ELK) r, [• Committee. M. SClllYLEK, ) 1' s —Since the above was written, and as an illustration of the deman.ls luade u'pou the Western Sanitary Commission, re(|uisitions for supplies o( all kluJs have been rereived from twenty regiments near > emphis. A sunply for the sick of an army of 15,000 men was imme.lntely sent. ( u the same day 25 large boxes were sent to the army m Arkans.ns, and '0 boxes and barrels to Dr. Warriner at Columbus. Such outlay cannot be lon^r c.ntimied without correspon.ling income. -Articles to over the value of * 150,000 have b-en distributed by the Western Sanitary Commission in Ihc last ten months.