10. Furniture, Bedding, Linen.
As little ward furniture as possible. As much clean linen as possible.
A very large and convenient clean linen-store, light and dry, must be assigned to the matron: very much larger than would be required for a general hospital; but no general hospital in London supplies a good standard for such.
There must be in each scullery, besides, a clean linen-press.
There should be a very ample and convenient place for bedding.
Mattresses, blankets and the like, have to be renewed, taken to pieces and washed—especially those used in the delivery ward—many times oftener than in any general hospital.
The rack for linen should be along the middle of the linen-store.
There should be space for a bedding-rack along one end, taking about three feet six inches from the length of the room for linen. Space for some spare mattresses and bolsters will be necessary; and they should be stowed near to a lift.
A linen-store requires thorough lighting, ventilating, and warming. Three windows are better than one. The linen must of course be kept dry and aired.