The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-17
ST. YINCBN1rS s HOSPITAL
Completed and Now in Charge Of
Sisters Of Charity in Their
Noble Work
A SPLENDID BUILDING !.
With Every Necessary Comfort for
Sick and Injured-A Great
Pride to Billings.

by December Il, was delayed until two
months later. All Billings may we'll
take pride ia this institution. for our
citizens have contributed toward its
completion and feel All interest in it's
success. The sum Of $4,000 and the
site, one entire block of ground, was
freely given toward the erection of this
most worthy and benevolent institution.
The building is a magnificent and beau
tiful brick structure, two stories high,
with basement, and would do credit TO
a city having many times the popula-
tion of Billings. Its floors are Of maple,
the finishing is Of hard pine, while the
stairs are Of oak. Although the con-
tract price was 5000, the building,
complete with heating apparatus,
plumbing and furniture, will cost
nearly $4,000.
Few Of our people realize the com
pleteness Of the hospital from the base
ment to the top floor. 1t is we'll light
cd and ventilated, heated throughout
with hot water radiators and lighted by
electricity. Nothing essential to the
comfort Of the sick has been omitted
and it is all made to have homelike
appearance. The sewerage is excellent
and although cesspool is caring for
the waste, it is hoped that ere long a
connection can be made with the city
sewerage The basement is finished
with about as much neatness and exact
ness as the first and second floors The
kitchen is large room where all the
cooking and dishWashing is done. The
laundry room is modern one, having
all the necessary details for such work.
There are the washtubs Of slate, fur
mace upon which to boil the laundry,
as we'll as to heat irons and last the
drying room.
The patients dining room is a large,
we'll lighted and CHEEKY place. Room
has been made for seating capacity Of
about seventy 1t occupies the
south portion, off from the kitchen.
There is the Sisters dining room,
which is back Of the kitchen to the
north. Off from this, across the hall,
is the store rooAL, where all the eata-
bles are kept. In the east end are two
large rooms which will be furnished
for patients, and are almost as desira-
BILE as any on the upper fcors a
complete bakery is in connection. To
the extreme north is the engine room.
which supplies the heat for the build
ing, and is in charge of competent
fireman. The first and second floors
contain forty rooms. At the north and
on the west side of the hall is the
operating room, the floor Of which is Of
thing. This room is to be furnished
with operating tables and modern surg
ical appliances. Adjoining this is q
room Of glass cases, in which are con-
tanned the surgical instruments. The
wash basins here are of the latest inven-
tion, being SO arranged that after a
surgeon s hands have been covered with
blood, he can wash them by using a
foot pressure, it being well estab-
lished rule that surgeon must touch
nothing with his hands after once hav-
ing commenced an operation. On this
floor are three lavatories and bath
rooms.
The Sisters have room which is
used for work room. The west wing
Of the building serves as a chapel,
where services are held each Sunday.
At present it is not furnished, but will
soon contain pews and an altar. On
this floor as we'll as on the upper are
living closets, where all the bedding
and extra wearing apparel are kept.
There are also serving closets. A dumb
waiter runs from the kitchen to these
closets, 80 that when patient is too
feeble or i'll to 90 to the dining room
his meal 10 brought to him. The eat
ables are carried on the dumb waiter in
covered dishes and are then placed on
individual dishes and taken to the
rooms.
Drs. Rinehart and Andrew Clask
have furnished private rooms. In nice
manner. on this floor. which are do.
mated 10 tho Sisters. Rev. Father Vsn
Olaxsnbeck haa Furnished one on the up.
par door and tho rot In ons Of kindness
and oonnisndabls - we'll. An appsop-
yiately fusnishsd reception and consalt.
ing room fcR the doctors 70 convenient
10 The opssasin9 roam. AcSoss from
this 10 ohs drug room. The two large
soome on either side of the mxin en-
tsaaes ASe The reception seomA