(II.) The tendency to miasma is greatly counteracted, both by getting rid of the damp, which encourages and spreads the exhalation of the organic saturations; and by making the floor impervious, preventing dirt, and with dirt miasma, finding its way into holes, chinks, and corners of the floor.
(III.) The mode of cleaning this flooring, while it avoids damp, daily purifies the ward air.
(IV.) The floor, and its mode of cleaning, get rid more than by any other way of dust, and of the miasma dust often conveys.
(V.) The time, labour, and expense of scrubbing are saved.
(VI.) The Berlin authorities consider that these oiled boards, with a small quantity of laque, are, on the whole, decidedly cheaper than the common boards; that the boards last rather longer; and that the avoidance of scrubbing saves more than the extra preparation and its renewal cost, apart from the sanitary gain.
VI. Against these advantages, the following disadvantages are to be placed:
(I.) This flooring shows where most used, instead of the uniform appearance of the white scrubbed boards.
(II.) Scratches show, and remain upon it; so all furniture must be lifted, not dragged over it.
(III.) The tread sounds a little more, little, but more, than on white boards.
(IV.) It would not stand the constant tread of nailed shoes; and patients of a ward so floored, ought to wear slippers with moderately thick soles. (The German Doctors consider the use of slippers preferable to that of shoes, by the patients, as keeping a ward much quieter, cleaner, and disturbing the severe cases less.)