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;<br />

HOSPITALS. 149<br />

doubtedly the internal arrangements of many similar<br />

houses. It bears the date of 1244.1 The government<br />

of the hospital was vested in a warden, who<br />

was allowed a serving-man, two foot-boys and three<br />

horses. Two chaplains, each with his clerk, had<br />

charge of the spiritual welfare of its inmates. A<br />

baker and a brewer, with a boy to help, and a cook<br />

with his kitchen-boy formed part of the household.<br />

Five brethren, who might be either clerics or laymen,<br />

had each his allotted work in house and garden<br />

one being specially charged with the care of the sick<br />

and bed-ridden. The comfort of the latter was<br />

further consulted by their being placed, especially in<br />

the night season, under the gentle ministry of female<br />

hands. Three who wore the dress and followed the<br />

rule of a sisterhood were attached to the hospital.<br />

Two of them watched by the sick at night when<br />

need required, and all were to take a share in turn<br />

of household work. Beds were provided for thirteen<br />

sick or infirm poor, who were to be tended<br />

hinnaniter, and provided with delicate and tempting<br />

food until either health returned or death released<br />

them from earthly suffering. Day by day at eventide<br />

thirty poor persons were relieved at the gate with<br />

half a loaf of bread each and a mess of pottage. If<br />

any were too weak or infirm to proceed on their<br />

journey or to get back to their home, they had a night's<br />

lodging given them in the hospitium alongside the<br />

gate. The size of the loaves is particularised. A<br />

bushel of flour was to be made into twenty-five<br />

' Gray's "Register," p. 180.

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