The 11 whieh tln-s.- huts w. d. had not l>een at tirst as e.irefn! drained as it would I TIIK CRIMEAN WAR. been if they had been originally erected for Along the sides of each intervening street, deep ditches were dug, after its conversion into an hospital, to secure the drainage, and latterly the streets themselves were paved with round stones. A corps of Tartars was constantly employed in keeping the ground clean about the huts. The cookhouse and latrines were placed behind the latter on the declivity of the hill leading down into the valley which bounded our camp from the higher plateau. These huts were erected during the winter of 1854-5, but they were not used for hospital purposes till late in the spring of the latter year.
They were barely out of range, as some of the long shots from the well-known "crow's nest" battery came at times disagreeably near; but this propinquity favoured the rapid admission of the wounded from the siege works. Each hut measured 27 feet by 15 inside, and contained, during the siege, fourteen beds; but, when the town fell, the number of beds was reduced to twelve. The air contained in these huts allowed about 260 cubic feet to each of fourteen patients. The total accommodation afforded by this hospital during the siege, was 420 beds. The arrangement of the huts was as follows: At one end the door opened without the protection of a porch (a grave fault); at the end opposite to the door was a window; and, in some cases, there were also windows in the side walls, and a fixed one above the door.
The beds were placed on either side, the heads being close.to the wall, and the feet towards the centre passage, which was three feet broad; one foot and a half of open space was left between the beds. There was a stove in the centre, and ventilation-traps cut in ' ''I in mr! in tinroof. Tinin tin- sides could be closed at Flight, or in iv weather. These huts being constructed of si' boards, and roofed with felt, were not impervious either or cold. In wet weather, water decks had to be rueted >t' waterproof sheet in of them were completely floored with planks; but some had merely a n either side for the beds.
Peat-charcoal or lime was frequently Strewn beneath the planking, and the most scrupulous cleanliness enforced. The men's kits were stowed in huts set apart for the purpose, so as to relieve -iblr from incnmbrance. The bedsteads and bedding f 'lent, tlie provision of medical comforts good, and 1 ile; so that, on the whole, a better field hospital in the camp <>f an active army, I suppose so situated, one whose ol.ject< so liubl;ation, we cannot apj ' me rules of criticism thai g ihe merits of miv That the putient"t'ten;. that the proper amount of air was not n: out to each, t!i. of the relinements of a Ion hospital were wanting, may be admitied; but doubt whether a better hospital could ' v<l -JOOO in a h< -useless region, l)efor' d energetic enemy, and almost within tinvortex of the strife.
Th; the times of g than could be supposed possible; a 1 d, as the wards were seldom full, except for short periods after some of the great battles, or assaults, it was generally beyond cavil. Unquestionably the beds were too close; the huts were too near one another, and erected within the precincts of a crowded camp and, in summer, the heat was great; but while I most willingly allow that there was much in all this which was reprehensible, still I cannot conscientiously say that I had often reason to complain of the close air of the wards. The thinness of the walls of the huts, and the numerous air-traps cut in them, did much to prevent the formation of a dangerous atmosphere, but gave rise to disagreeable currents of air, of which the men often complained.
This could not be effectively overcome by any lining, short of wood. The absence of porches to the doors greatly favoured these draughts. In winter, the huts were very cold and uncomfortable, notwithstanding the pains we took to hang up blankets and bed-covers round the beds. The routine followed in the distribution of the patients was as follows: The regimental hospitals received all those men of their respective corps who fell sick, and the wounded were also admitted into these erections during the early months of the siege, before the establishment of the general hospitals. Latterly, however, the large accommodation afforded by the general hospital, and its near neighbourhood to the works, caused most of the severely wounded to be sent there, in place of being sent to their regiments.