Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-25
m1srfllansuns.
At the New York Aorgue.

The morgue proper is a large brick
room with q stone floor. 1t has no furni-
ture of any description, save six granite
slabs, eight feet long each, raised on four
iron posts to height of four feet. These
slabs are slightly inclined toward the
foot. and have a groove running along
the outer edges. About two feet above
the head of each slab spray OF water
from hanging jet sprinkles the entire
slab. On these slabs the remains of the
unknown dead are placed, and the spray
OF water is allowed to sprinkle the body,
running off in cutters at the sides. The
morgue is kept cool, and the bodies are
held for identification as long as the
weather will permit. Next to the morgue
proper is a room of equal size with sever
al smaller slabs. This room is used for
coroner's inquests. for post norton exam.
nations, dissecting and embalmine. Very
many OF the cases which come to Bellevue
hospital are in such an advanced stage
that the patient dies before full under
standing of the case has been gained. Un-
der these circumstances the coroner Or
ders an inquest, to ascertain the cause of
the death, and the hospital physicians fur
Their examine to acquaint themselves with
the disease. The room is frequently used
by medical students for dssecting, the
subjects being furnished them from the
dead-house, according to the laws of the
State.
The second story If the morgue is &C.
cupied by the Wood Anatomical museum,
where may be seen many human curiosi-
ties. Every peculiar case that has come
to Bellevue for treatment has been pre-
served for the museum. Either in the
original or casts OF the original are shown
the steps of the development of all
the complicated diseases which have
undergone treatment there. Before the
bodies are removed to the dead house they
are photographed and the negative pre-
served for friends. should any ever appear.
There is gallery OF these pictures num-
bering over six hundred. 1t is a CHASTITY
collection. The dull, expressionless eyes
and distorted features. and dishevelled
hair and bruised skin unite in producing
horrible effect.
This system of photographing the un-
known dead is the invention OF the pres
ent superintendent of Bellevue hospital
and has proved invaluable to friends who,
alter the lapse of months have been able
to recognize the likeness. In addition to
this, the clothing is accurately noted and
peculiarities of dress or person are care
fully recorded in book kept for that pur-
pose. The clothing is removed from each
body and is kept for three months. togeth-
er with whatever was found upon the per-
son of the deceased. These bundles of
clothes, with perhaps a ring or watch,
have often served to identify the owner
long after the remains have been buried
The officers in charge of the morgue
are required to keep an accurate account
OF the age, weight, color, sex, nationality
and general description of every body that
comes to the morgue. The data are kept
in the morgue book. Here can be seen a
record of every unknown person who has
died in New York for more than twenty
five wears. The utmost care is exercised
in all details, and the authorities in charge
have had long experience in their peculiar
duties. Friends looking for missing per-
sons are courteously received and assisted
in every way to identify the lost.