Remarks on prisons / By Stevenson MacGill.

Stevenson Macgill

Date:: 1810

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on prisons / By Stevenson MacGill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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necessary for cleansing their clothes, both at entrance and during their imprisonment. Howard recommends that an oven should be also employed. “ Nothing,” says he, “ so effectually destroys vermin on clothes and bedding, nor purifies them so thoroughly, when tainted with infection, as being a few hours in an oven moder- ately heated.” i i For the maintenance of health, it is also farther of importance, that to every prison should be attached a small infirmary for the sick. This is obviously proper, not only for the recovery of the diseased, but to prevent infection from extending its noxious influence among the healthy. The upper part of the prison will, in general, form, for this purpose, the safest and most commodious retreat, secure to the sick greater quietness, and a freer air, while it removes them to a distance from the great a body of the prisoners. It is unnecessary to add, that where an infirmary is necessary, medical aid must also be provided. These provisions will be of small effect, unless accom- panied with corresponding regulations. ♦ I suppose it to be the duty of every jailor, to inspect each morning, every quarter of the prison. In the course of this inspection, it is his duty to observe, that the windows of the sleeping-rooms be opened, for the admis- sion of fresh air. Two hours, at least, each dav, should

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