Evening star., 1895-09-14

in the Hospital.
II ere is no interruption of any kind, and
that all the wards communicate with their
neighbors, like the confusing passagewavs
of an inextricable labyrinth The red gable
roofs, covered with patches of moss
through which project chimneys of every
form and size, contribute to form a pleas
ing picture. The nine courts are studded
with shrubs and flower beds, and are tray-
ersed by graveled walks lined by shady
trees. with an srbor here. a statue there, a
fountain in still another place. and COM
Portable benches on every side.
A National Institution.
The poorer people Of Vienna and the in
habitants of not only Austria, but the Bal
tic and Balkan provinces as well, have been
taught to look upon the general hospital
of Vienna in case of sickness as the most
preferable retreat in Europe. This teach
ing has come to them from their fathers
and forefathers. who have patronized the
institution for years and who continually
impress upon their children its greatness
and Importance. With them 1t is as natural
to repair to the "Kranken Haus" when af-
hicteo with disease as it Is for one to eat
when hungry. 1t is not to be wondered at,
then, that the present hospital, spacious
though 1t be- is inadequate to meet the de-
mands made upon 1t by these many classes
who are continually reminded Of its gram
deur, nor Is 1t strange that one beholds so
gated about the entrance when gazing from
the street through the main portal at the
time when the large clock in the belfry of
the administration building has struck the
TOUR quarters and is striking in deeper
key upon louder and more sonorous bell
the hour of 2. On these occasions when
the gates are thrown open to the visitors
and the patients who are not confined to
their beds flock around their friends as
they enter. the daily life reigning within
the hospital is to be studied to the best
advantage. If the weather is fair, host
and guest for such in reality are the pa
tients and the visitors) seek seats either in
some isolated spot in the extensive grounds
or places upon the long row of benches
hanking the main walk leading from the
first to the second court
Cosmopolitan Crowd.
believe that I speak the truth when I
say that the strangest and most diversified
set Of people upon the globe will be found
upon those benches, and promenading be-
fore them. The dress of the patients who
are clad in white suits of towel-like ma
terial, relieved by narrow red longitudinous
stripes, is odd to say the least. Every
stitch of clothing Of both the men and
women Is made Of this one cloth; likewise
the badly-fitting stockings which are worn
by the male patients either beneath or on
the outside Of the trousers. The sheets
upon the beds in the wards, the pillow
cases, the towels, the napkins and the hand
heTCIlIelS are also H1dQe OF tnlS coarse tex
ture With few exceptions, the feet of all
are covered with rough leather sandals
which flop about the patients, giving them
shuffling gait. There are no buttons on
any of the garments, everything being
fastened by means of strings. Uusually
the women go bareheaded: some, however
have their hair done up in bandannas match
ing their clothes. The men wear blue and
white striped caps, and. If the weather be
cold, long coats Of the same material as
their hats or paletots with hoods, made
from rough blanketing similar to that
which is used in the wards upon their beds
Jew and Gentle, Turk and Greek Russian
and italian, American and Englishman, Ger
man and Austrian, clergyman and priest,
student and soldier, patient and nurse, phy-
sician and visitor, merchant and farmer, in
short most cosmopolitan congregation,
frequent these long rows of benches. Good
fellowship reigns on every side, and no one
is offended at the humble peasant who,
taking his seat close to ones side, piles his
neighbor with questions pertaining to the
sickness of his wife or child. Here the
students while away the time intervening
between the different clinics in jest and
laughter. while the patients enjoy the pa
pers and refreshments brought to them
from the outside by their friends. The
nurses wear long checkered blouses, and
may also be seen upon these Seats knitting
or reading, and taking their well-earned
rest.
The Conva1escent Patients.
Such a sight as 1t is to behold these de-
formed and manned individuals who fit
about like phantoms. entirely oblivIous Of
those who watch their movements. Every
department Of the great hospital is repre-
sented during this daily promenade. The
patients from the surgical clinic are there
in great numbers, hobbling about upon
crutches, with arms in splints and hands
in sings, with bandages upon their heads
and steel braces and mechanical devices
which are worn to overcome acquired and
congenital deformieies: likewise a contin-
gent from the skin clinic with faces rem
dered hideous and repulsive Ivy masks of
cloth and powdering of starch, as well as
men, women and children with green
shields and goggles; and those who breathe