The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-02-07
Routine Of the Hospital Department

Routine Of the Hospital Department.
Of the several d distinct depari ments that com.
prise in toto the prison. the hospital department
takes second place to none CARDS good man
agement
The hospital covers a space of 36xSO in that
part of the prison building where lure air and
natural light abundant. These two are essen
tails to every sick room and it is gratifying to
know that are not without them. here. This
space is subdivided into four compartments; viz:
Two comparatively small rooms at the end
nearest the cellroOm; and two long rooms
OF equal dimensions at the farther end.
These latter rooms the wards. In the one,
the physically sick cared 1or while in the
other the mentally sick -unfortunate cranks or
insanes-are kept confined and treated In the
first the visitor beholds OF snow white beds,
with per, nance the palld features of few suffer
ing patients. In the other. nothing greets the
visitors eye, but the three dismal cells which
comprise the sole furn ture Of the insane ward
with, Perhaps. stol dl! -glarng a fendshly-
laughing countenance Of the poor miserable
wretch no may be undergoing treatment or await
ing transfer to the insane asy lum.
The former, the two smaller compartments,
used the one, as an ante-room; the other the
dispensary, laboratory and receiving room. Here
DR.. w. H. Pratt. the rison physician. gives daily
audience to the sick and ailing who may wish to
consult him. And here also Steward F. H. Hall
issues daily the medicines and dresses the
wounds of the hurt.
Convicts desiring to consult the doctor. leave
their lanes with their respective guards and
tue se put the same down on a slate kept for that
lurl o>e. Herefrom steward Hall makes up his
list every morning; and between ten and twelve
the sex call is made.
DR.. Il all is constantly on the premises. The
reason FIR this is obvious. For ever and anon
there oe ours an acc dent, sudden fit Of illness.
or perchance a case OF sudden transit. in of
the inmates, from that noblest of all faculties
Reason to that dark and gloomy abyss-Insanity.
To encounter such emergencies, Steward Hall is
always ready and at hand.
When a convict is only slightly indisposed. his
medic ne is sent to him at his cell. CA life convict
the nurse in charge of the sick ward, and known
about the prison Ole performs this daily duty,
at noon when all the convicts are at home). But
when it becomes apparent that any inmate IS
seriously i'll, apt to become lie is taken into
the hospital; and there he remains, until he is
either, out OF danger or has joined the great ma
jority across the river on the beautiful shore be-
yond.
While in the hospital the convict is subject to
the following rules:
l. Cleanliness in every department
2. No bosterous actions or loud talking tolerated
8. No smoking allowed
4. No loungng on beds. .
5. Lights out and retire at 9 P. NJ.
6. Arise with morning bell and make up your bed
neatly.
Z. Baths once a week.
If not confined to his bed. he takes h meals at a
table spread by the nurse. AS matter of course
the diet here is prescribed by the physician in
charge. There is a lavatOry connected with the
ward which gives every facil ty tor cleanliness.
When a death does occur, the friends of the
deceased-if there be anyare Immediately nett
fed of the event. In the meantime the corpse laid
out, and if no word is received, announcing that
friends will take charge of the affair the burial
ceremony takes place. The cortege consists of
the hearse and one carriage. The only mourners,
for friendess convict, DR.. H all the steward,
the chaplain, and perchance the Deputy other
prison officers who may have, in measure. by
months years of acquaintancesh p, learned to
respect-if not love and think kindly of the poor
and frie ndless departed The cemetery
found; and here, is passed to earth the ALL that
remains of miserable and ill-spent lite. No
silent tear; flowers; nothing nothng for the
poor convict's grave
1.-The routine of the cellroom will be given next
week.
j. w. Fps Prison ssGems.''
Cant without will are cadenated mates.