HISTORY OF THE LONDON HOMOEOPATHIC HOSPITAL
Presented by Peter Morrell & Sylvain Cazalet
A new mortuary, post-mortem room and a viewing chapel have lately been built. Communicating by folding doors with the post-mortem room, and also approached by a separate entrance from outside, is a small chapel-like structure called the View Room. In this single instance the stern utilitarianism which characterises all the other buildings has been relaxed, while at the same time the aseptic principle has been preserved. The doors are of stained oak, of ecclesiastical design, the floor is laid with marble mosaic, and the walls are tiled in a pretty colour-scheme harmonious with their surroundings by the Art Pavement Company. The dim light from the lantern in the roof, supplemented by electric candles, gives a life-like look to the still features regarded by bereaved relatives for the last time.
The Chapel has been universally admired for its internal beauty, containing some handsome stained-glass windows provided by the munificence of the late Lady Tyler. In each of the twelve lights in the lantern is an angel; these are arranged in groups of three, holding scrolls on which are written the following texts, one text being apportioned to each of the four sides of the lantern :
"Blessed are the dead which die in the
"Awake thou that sleepest, arise fron the dead."
"Your life is hid with Christ in God."
"That which thou sowest is not quickened unless it die."
The angels are all looking down into the chapel. In the three-light windows facing the altar the main subject represents the resurrection of our Lord. In the central light is the figure of the Saviour and on either side are adoring angels. Below the central figure is a small picture of the High Priest waving the sheaf of corn (the first-fruits of the harvest) before the Lord (Lev. xxiii., 10-11). The blue and red curtain behind the figure of the High Priest represents the veil of the Temple which hung before the Holy of Holies.
Below the figure in the left side-light is a picture of the angel sower sowing the corn in the early morning, and on the other side is the angel reaping the corn in the evening. In this picture, on the right-hand side, can be seen in the middle distance the figure of the Good Shepherd leading His flock by "the waters of comfort." Three lights above this window represent, in the centre, "The Lamb that was slain," and under the altar "The souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held" (rev. vi. 9). In the two lights on either side are attendant angels with censers. The trree transom lights over the entrance represent children in heaven among the flowers. Below is the inscription, "Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
One is inclined to linger for a moment on the threshold of this midresting place between the bed of death and the tomb, glad to think that, thanks to the thoughtfulness of the Board of Management and their tender regard for the bereaved, as well as to the generosity of the late Lady Tyler, this reposeful chamber has been provided. Many a weary sufferer is borne to the Hospital at quite too late a stage; many a poor mangled fellow, the victim of some dreadful casualty, has been admitted, hopelessly past recovery, and it is pleasant to think that, when all is over, the decently composed from is not ruthlessly hurried away for lack of a fitting reception room.
It has always been a rule at this Hospital, and one most willingly carded out, that instead of the porter the sister or nurse who has nursed the patient should take friends to see their dead. This ensures that nothing is omitted in the matter of reverence, care and sympathy, as well as due consideration for the feelings of the mourners.
Adjoining this building the post-mortem room has space. This compartment is naturally of a different character. The walls are of white glazed bricks. In the centre of the room is the post-mortem table. All the necessary sanitary fittings have been supplied of the best and latest pattern. It is well lighted from wall and ceiling. The floors of the outer Mortuary-as distinguished from the reception chamber-and post-mortem room are alike laid in marble terrazzo. The walls are of white glazed bricks.
THE NEW POST-MORTEM ROOM.
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Copyright © Peter Morrell or Sylvain Cazalet 1999