Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-07
M'KEEsroRr's MODE HOME roR THE SICK.

The diversity of opinion among experts
Oh the subject was surprising. Exhaustion
Al the lower end of the room seemed to have
the most adherentS. This was decided to
he defective, for the reason that the air by
the process of respiration will, when ex-
hailed, be found to have lost about 90 per
cent Of its oxygen bv the formation of car
homie acid which will have increased about
100 per cent, this forming about four per
cent, while the water vapor will form about
five per cent OF the volume. In addition,
the inhaled air will have been warmed, from
20 to 900 and, notwithstanding the increased
proportion of carbolic acid, which is about
one and One-half times heavier than air,
viii, owing TO the increase OF temperature
and the levity of the water vapor, be about
3 per cent lighter when inhaled. Thus it
viii be seen that the vitiated air will not
fall to the ground, as generally presumed,
hut Will naturally rise above the level of
the breathing line, and the carbonic acid
will Immediately diffuse itself into the sur
rounding air, where it should be given
means of exit.
ONLY ONE FEASIBLE PLAN.
There was but one plan that could be
adopted, were it considered indispensable
that ventilation should be at the floor, and
that was 20 exhaust the air, or create cur
rent OF warm air OF the velocity of ten feet
pcrsecond, at or near the floor line, and if this
plan alone were depended upon the vitiated
air must circulate along the breathing line
until it became cool, and consequently in
its descent it would be inhaled second
time, or al least a portion would, and the
remainder he attracted by the circulating
current of warm air. When both systems
nre adopted and fresh air is admitted at
about seven feet from the floor, without
H.
ventilation must be perfect, as the warm,
rarifed air will condense and the vitiated
viii escape at the top and lower portions,
leaving a vacuum in the middle, it is nat
urai and evident that cool, fresh air will
gradually be taken into the room by means
% specially constructed windows and oc-
cupy middle stratum at the breathing
line.
The laundry will be 30 feet square, with
driving room Of the same size, and will be
fitted with all appointments approved to
date. The kitchen will be on the upper
floor, so that no odor arising from cooking
can be detected in anv other part
OF the building. Electrical communication
through all parts Of the building will be
complete, and by this means and speaking
tubes the Superintendent room will be
connected with every ward and the rooms
Of the nurses. An automatic fire extin-
gUsher and plentiful supply of reels and
hose in all corridors will also form n feature
Of the institution. There will be three
wards, 3Ox3O feet, and one, 32x90 feet, with
private wards and padded cells of various
sizes, and an operating room, 20x3O feet
THE APARTMENTS FOR NURSES.
The nurses will nave two well lighted
and pleasant sitting rooms on each floor
and sleeping apartments over certain por-
tions of the building. The dining room
viii be 30x60 feet, and will be separate from
all wards and food will be conveyed to it by
dumbwaiters and distributed throughout
the building on special trolleys. The struct-
ure will be built of brick with stone trim
mings.
To the architects description Mr.. Phaum
adds that advantage of the slope of the
ground has been taken so AS to get base
mcnt without excavation. The heating will
be by steam or hot water, three boilers be-
ing used, one located under each outbuild-
Ing and one under the main building. They
are all connected and can be disconnected so
that in the warm weather when not needed
one or two may be dispensed with. The
operating room in the right wing will have
large windows and q glass roof SO as to
secure abundant light. To assure the most
perfect ventilation there will be fire places
III the wards, and fans will be erected in the
corridors if found necessary. The circular
corrldor VIII answer for a number of pur-
poses not heretofore enumerated. In addi-
tlon 10 the flowers and plants the library
VIII be located in it, and all in all McKees-
P"r'erS might be tempted to get sick just