The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-13

through several corridors into another garden,
where stood a long, one-story building, com
pletely isolated and reserved for cholera cases.
The Perfect and NJ. Quentin were on the spot
already. Pressing through a hall paved with
stone, your correspondent saw door on either
side of him. That on the right gave access to the
male cholera ward-that on the left to the female
ward Both were lofty, and had beautifully
clean walls and floors of stone which seemed
marble. Each contained eighteen beds, all oe
cupied. The change from the clear, crisp at
mosphere outdoors to the hot.house air within
was disagreeahie but in few moments one got
used to it. There was trace of foul smells or
dirt detachable thanks to the careful use of phenle
acid and the seIupulous neatness of the patients,
separated each from the other by several feet.
The bedsteads were of iron, covered with clean,
white sheets and blankets. At the foot of each
was a card giving the name, age and profession
of the patient and day of admission. All be-
longed to the poorest classes-seRmstresse
rag pickers or Servants Several had been in
the ward three days; the most about twenty
four hours A few had just been admitted
Joining the prefeet and NJ. Quentin your cor
respondent passed from bed to bed, hating in
front of each. Of eighteen female cases, only
four or five seemed dangerous. 1t was easy to
tell them by their dark and livid faces and their
lack luster eyes, The rest of the women were
suffering very slightly and seemed feverish and
hot. When we arrived the nurse was rubbing
the limbs of one poor wretch who groaned fear
fully. From time to time one would raise her
low, or call for bel p On one bed lay something
wrapped and twisted up in sheet 1t was the
first victim of the day. On the whole the light
was infinitely less dreadful than might sup
pose. There was nothing in it to appal
healthy imagination.
In the male ward there was a repetition
of all this, but here the cases were more seri-
Gus, and a smaller proportion was likely to
recover.
''How many patients could be accommo-
dated in Parish asked yeur correspondents, as
he passed out into the open air again with the
Project.
'.Any number" replied the Project.
1--WE have room for 200 at Montrouge alone,
and in twentyfour hours VIC could find whatever
room might be wanted
Besides, the Paris hospitals have room for
IL, 900 patients of ali kinds" added NJ. Quen-
tin, and it has been remarked that wherever
the cholera breaks out the hospitals grow
strangely empty People won't come to them.
This would gvo more room, but we hope we
shall not need it."
The weakest point in the organization is the
transport service. Theoretically one can get
patient removed to hospital within one hour by
telegraphing TO the Project of Police through
any district commissary, but in practice the sys-
ten has been broken down. Already for the
whole of Paris not dozen special ambulance
wagons reserved for cholera cases are available,
and at least in one instance servant had TO wait
half day before she was removed, though her
master offered to take her away in his own car
riage. Before long, however. 1t is hoped that
the New York ambulance system may be adopted.
The principle is adopted already, but red tape
and want of funds have hitherto blocked the
way as usual A committee, including NM
Jules Simon, Leon Say, Renan, 2asteur, the
Due de Broglie and other celebrities, has been
formed at the invitation of DR.. Nachtei, of New
York, to raise the 500 900 francs required. Once
the ambulance service is reformed, every preteXt
for panic will have been removed