CO885-(20-21) — Page 646

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:--

C.O. 885

21 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

18

In connection with this hospital is a library provided by the Commission, for the use of the medical officers, where all the latest works, magazines, reports, &c., can be seen and read.

The pathological laboratory is a separate, well-fitted building in the grounds, and in connection with it, in addi- tion to the Pathologist, is a Bacteriologist, a Physiologist, a Chemist, and an Entomologist.

At all Canal Zone hospitals all employés are admitted free unless they desire special accommodation, and their wives and children are charged small fees, with the same exception. Anyone is admitted on payment and those unable to pay are taken in free. All the milk used in this institution is obtained from cows imported by the Commission and kept on a farm not far from the hospital.

Colon Hospital.

35. This hospital, which is under the charge of Dr. Bell, who most kindly showed me all over it, was originally built by the French, and consists of numerous buildings. Parts are built on cement pillars over the sea and the tile comes up beneath, but all the pavilions are raised off the ground. There are 550 beds, which number can be raised to 600 if need arises.

The staff consists of 16-20 doctors with 45 white certificated nurses, which, together with the subordinates, make a total of 153. Native attendants are trained and do very satisfactory work.

All the wards (white and coloured) are mosquito-proof, but the sea air very rapidly affects the frequent renewal. In contradistinction to Ancon Hospital, gauze, which requires however, the wards only are screened and not the verandahs. The patients have good spring beds, the bedside tables are of metal framework with glass tops, and the wards and everything in them are painted white. The different blocks are two-storied buildings, and a mess-room is attached to each for convalescent patients.

A large well-appointed mess is provided for the doctors and nurses.

There are two operating theatres, one of which is for clean cases only. A third theatre is for eye operations in con- nection with the clinic.

eye

Sinall laboratories are attached to each block for use of the medical officers, and in addition there is also a larger and better equipped one for special work. The dispensary is

19

clean, neat, and well fitted. Isolation wards are provided for infectious cases.

Dr. Bell has put cement sinks in many of the ante-rooms to the wards, which are a great convenience and have been made at small cost.

Water is obtained from the town supply, but in addition there is a distillation apparatus always kept working. Hot and cold water are supplied to each ward. electricity is used, even down to a potato-peeler.

As far as possible

As at Ancon, a library is provided for the use of medical officers.

Local Canal Hospitals.

36. At each station on the line is a dispensary and dispenser, with a medical officer in charge, who has also what is called a "sick camp," which for minor cases of short duration.

really a small hospital

Sick Train.

37. This consists of two carriages which make one journey from Colon to Panama and back daily, being attached to ordinary passenger trains.

Each is a long compartment with large doors in each side for lifting patients in and out, and smaller ones at the ends. Six or eight canvas beds are placed in each, similar to those in the labourers' barracks, and stretchers are also supplied in addition for carrying patients, which, if necessary, are used as beds.

Quarantine Station, Panama.

38. This is situated on an islet between two islands and is about three miles from Panama.

The staff consists of a medical officer and 21 employees. There are nine buildings in the station of a bungalow type, all of which are mosquito-proof. The building for steerage passengers has two floors.

There is a kitchen and a dining-room, and all the necessary conveniences are in duplicate on both floors. those in the labourers' barracks are provided.

Beds like

Cabin passengers have a large two-storey building with a hall in the centre, which is used as a dining-room, and a number of small rooms, each with two doors and two windows, containing four beds each. All necessary con- veniences are in duplicate on both floors. The kitchen with

22870

B 2