PREFACE
In the preparation of this volume, three classes of readers have been in mind: the trained nurse who, without practical experience in hospital management, finds herself in charge of a hospital, small or large; the practical woman who, having had no opportunity for special training, has upon her the responsibility of the direction of the domestic affairs of an institution; and the lady member of the hospital board of managers who, in the discharge of the duties of her position, becomes responsible to the public for the proper government of institutional affairs. It was thought that the latter, especially, might, through the use of this volume, secure a better grasp of the details of hospital housekeeping as a whole than is possible without some such aid. The ability to see all around a situation, to view the institution as a whole, is essential to good management. As a rule, such ability comes only by experience. Especial pains have been taken to make the volume thoroughly practical, and to present clearly and concisely lessons learned in actual dealing with, and close study of, the questions discussed. The greater portion of the contents of the volume have already seen the light of day in the columns of the National Hospital Record. Since their appearance in that journal, the papers have been carefully revised, and much new and important matter added. For assistance in preparation, the author has been under great obligation to a number of hospital superintendents, who have furnished information as to methods, and to contemporary writers, especially on the subject of dietetics. Special mention should be made of the works of W. Gilman Thompson, M. D., Mrs. Ellen H. Richards, I. Burney Yeo, M. D., Sir Henry Burdett, and of the literature of the United States Department of Agriculture. To Miss Emma Lynch, who, as hospital matron, has been for several years associated with the author in institutional work, special thanks are due for valuable assistance. Many practical suggestions have been gleaned from the papers given at the annual conventions of the Association of Hospital Superintendents. To the writers of these papers the author expresses grateful appreciation. Many of the electrotypes used for illustration have been kindly furnished by courtesy of the business firms whose names accompany them. These have been introduced because they were deemed essential to a clear understanding of the subject on the part of such readers as may not be familiar with the use of such appliances. So far as the author is aware, no attempt has previously been made to discuss the subject of hospital housekeeping as a whole. As a pioneer in the field, the book doubtless has many defects. If it proves of practical value to even a small number of those for whose assistance it was prepared, it will have justified its existence.
Charlotte A. Aikens.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Hospital Housekeeping