HOSPITAL, a place appointed for the sick and wounded men, provided with physicians, surgeons, nurses, servants, medicines, beds, &c.
HOSPITALS with military superintendants—There are four British general hospitals of this description, viz. at Plymouth, Deal, Gosport, and Portsmouth, and Chelsea.
The surgeons at Portsmouth and Deal have not any rank attached to the situation, but they receive five shillings per-day extra allowance in addition to their nett pay of ten shillings. At Plymouth a physician has charge of the hospital; he receives twenty shillings per day, but has no extra allowance. York hospital at Chelsea is attended by an assistant surgeon, being under the immediate direction of the surgeon general.
The military superintendants have five shillings over and above their nett pay, according to the rank they hold in the army.
At Gosport the military superintendant has one guinea allowed per week for lodging money, together with coals, candles, &c.
A fifth military superintendant was appointed in 1800 to take charge of the temporary hospital at Colchester.
The cause of humanity has lately been espoused by the belligerent powers of Europe in a manner which reflects credit on the enlightened age we live in. The following two articles which have been agreed upon between the Austrians and the French are illustrative of our observations.
Hospitals ought to be considered as inviolable.
Art. 1. The military hospitals shall be considered as so many inviolable asyla, where valor shall be respected, shall be assisted, and shall be free, whatever the army may be to which these hospitals belong, and upon whatever ground they may be established.
Art. 2. These hospitals shall be marked out by writings placed on the adjacent roads, in order that the troops may not approach, and that in passing they may observe silence and cease beating the drums, or sounding the trumpets.