The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-12-09
Incidents of Hospital Life.

Mr.. George Dawson, who his been with
his wounded son In Washington hospital
writes letter to the Albany Journal in which
he thus describes days routine in hospital
life:
The business of the day begins ut five
o'clock. At that hour the nurses busy them
selves in cleaning the spittoons, washing the
faces and arms Of the patients. sweeping out
the wards, and making everything tidy.
Meanwhile. the dressers are at work dressing
and bandaging the wounds, causing intense
pain by the necessary probings, pressurcs,
plasterings. &C.. and great deal OF comfort
by their generally cheerful reports, to the
patients. of the improvements perceptihle.
lf they do not always tell the truth. they are
pardonable; for it would bc very cruel to re-
veal every bld symptom, so long rs there Is
hope Of ultimate recovery. BY seven O'Clock
everything Is ready for breakfast, which Is OF
three classes Regular. which is Tor the
mass Of the patients, well enough to eat
heartily special. which is for those whose
wounds or health require more delicate food,
and extra for those generally oiIicers) who
paw their dollar day for subsistence.
Each class of food Is substantial and excel
lent, we'll cooked and neatly served. The
stomach would be very delicate which would
revolt ut any Of il. After breakfast, there
Is more sweeping, mopping. bed changing,
&C., and two or three times week, n gen.
eral scrubbins. Al regular intervals through
the day. there is distribution OF milk
punch. becf.tea, stimnlants of various kinds,
medicines. &c., according to the directions
for the day, placed at the head Of the bed OF
each patient. Dinner at l2, supper at 5, and
the retirement of the day.nurses and the ex.
tinction of the light, ut Q. Then comes the
night watchers and silence. For hours to-
gether, sometimes, there is the stiffness OF
death-when you can hear the tread OF u
mouse and yet, amid this stiffness there is
vast deal of pain. quietly and uncomplain-
ingly borne by the nnble fellows who have
suffered in hattie. God bless them for their
heroism in tho field, and for their equal hero.
ism on their weary couches! grateful
country will remember and reward them.
Throughout the night. at fixed hours, there
is the distribution of medicines and stimu.
lants, the wetting Of the b,ndages, and such
other attentions MS are required for tho CON.
fort of the patients. And so wears away
the long. weary hours of the night.
Although there is so much suffering. and
90 little to make ono merry. in these dcpots
OF manned men. thera IL, nevertheless, some.
times something amusing happening. 1t ID
m era. for instance, when some of the one
legged fellows can take TO crutches. When
this occurs, spontaneous congratulations from
the rccumbent crowd follow him wherever
he makes his appearance ; with an OCCASION.
al "go il. ye cripple- /" "douhle quick "
"don't kick inc -. &C., &c., ciusing univer.
sal hilarity and bringing smile to the lips
of the worst cases. The happy convalesccnt
takes all this in good part. and sometimes re-.
plies. ut will he your turn next my boy: /"
"Bo patient, cap; when you get your cork
leg on it will be all right" ""this is jolly,
hut Slow" legs are better than three
and half on retreat" &c Sc.-iorget.
ting his loss in tho joy Of the moment. And
then. when some are we'll enough tn ask for
furlough to 90 home! II is the theme Of
conversation throughout tho ward and the
happy fellow hobbies from one cot to anotll-
or TO communicits the good news. There
ara great many sources Of happiness in this
world, after all.