In Paris, as is well known, all bodies that are found are placed in the “Morgue” behind “Notre Dame,” where they are publicly exhibited, thus assisting identification, although the exposure of bodies in this manner is not very attractive.
In preparing designs for a group of buildings such as are set forth in the first on the list which I have given, the following requirements should be considered:
The Mortuary Chapel should be of such dimensions as are suitable for the requirements of the district, bearing in mind that if an epidemic of a fatal character was to unfortunately break out, it could either provide accommodation for the extra strain upon it or be capable of being easily extended. It should be designed so as to combine the characteristics of a chapel with the most perfect sanitary arrangements.[247] The walls should be of stone and are better lined with cement or glazed tiles, and everything should be kept as flush as possible so as to avoid projections on which dust could accumulate, the whole being easily and readily cleansed and disinfected. The floor may be of asphalte or other impervious material, and be well drained, great care being of course taken to exclude rats.
The ventilation must be perfect, the building should always be of low temperature even in the hottest days of summer. All the group of buildings should, if possible, be surrounded by a free belt of air. Their position should be isolated with respect to other buildings, and of course it is highly necessary that they should be as far away as possible from any dwelling-houses, a disused burial ground being sometimes selected as a convenient site. The furniture of a mortuary chapel should consist only of trestles or of brackets against the walls upon which to rest the shells containing the corpses.
The Dead-house should be a room smaller than the mortuary chapel, but its construction may be the same. It is here that all bodies should be brought uncoffined for the purpose of awaiting identification, or preparatory to post-mortem examination, or of bodies of those who have died from dangerous contagious maladies, and rendering immediate removal necessary; these are placed upon slabs provided for the purpose, which may be of slate, zinc, or other suitable material. In conjunction with the dead-house should be
The Post-Mortem Room, which requires plenty of light; it must also, like the mortuary chapel and dead-house, be thoroughly ventilated and drained and be easily cleansed. Its furniture must consist of the necessary post-mortem table of slate, zinc, or wood covered entirely with lead: this table must slightly dish towards the centre and be drained into a pail or on to a grating. Plenty of water is essential, conveniently laid on, and the room must be fitted with good arrangements for gas or other means of artificial lighting. Some method is also necessary for the purpose of heating water whenever it is required.
The Coroner’s Court may be simply a large room with convenient seatings and tables for the coroner and his jury, accommodation being also provided for the press, witnesses, &c. with the necessary retiring rooms and offices.
In addition to the above requirements the following accommodation should also be provided:
A caretaker or resident attendant should have accommodation at or near the main group of buildings.
A Laboratory and Weighing Room should also be provided in connection with the post-mortem room; and a Store Room for spare shells and disinfectants, &c.