The hospital in this photograph was built in 1873 on the site of an old cemetary used by the army until 1868. It contained a dispensary, a kitchen, a dining room, isolation rooms for quarantined or critical patients, and even a surgeon's office. There were only 12 beds, however, and no operating rooms or laboratories.
The hospital staff included a hospital steward, a matron, and one or more attendants (nurses). The steward was a regularly appointed non-commissioned officer who would most likely be permanently attached to the medical corps. He would be the wardmaster, record keeper and pharmacist. Only one steward was allotted to a hospital.
The matron (a woman) would assist the attendants and do laundry. One matron was allotted per hospital (two for posts with five or more companies in residence.)
The hospital attendants were ordinary soldiers, usually privates, who were detailed for hospital duty. One attendant was recommended for every two companies of soldiers stationed at the post. Attendants were exempt from most of the other normal duties of a soldier, but had to attend parades and weekly inspections. Hospital duty was not popular among the soldiers.
