Report of the Barrack and Hospital Improvement Commission on ventilation of cavalry stables.

  • Great Britain. War Office. Commission Appointed for Improving the Sanitary Condition of Barracks and Hospitals.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Barrack and Hospital Improvement Commission on ventilation of cavalry stables. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    including the roof, being 17 feet. The superficial area per horse is about 137 square feet, and the cubic space about 1,900 feet. Each stall is 6 feet 6 inches wide. (The regu- lation width of stalls with partial divisions, viz. 6 feet is too narrow for any divided stalls). The stalls are 9 feet-6 inches long, and the passage behind them is 11 feet 6 inches wide. Ventilation is provided for by a louvre carried along the ridge; by a continuous course of ventilating air brick carried all round the stable at the eaves ; by a course of air brick along the foot of the wall opposite the stalls, and by an air brick between the heads of every two stalls. For lighting and additional ventilation, when necessary, each stall has a swing window 2 feet. 3 inches high by 2 feet 6 inches wide. There is also a row of windows in the opposite wall, and a continuous skylight along the roof. The paving and drainage are of the same kind as already proposed for the model stable. For loose boxes the construction shown in the plan (No. X.) includes every requisite. Each box is 17 feet by 12, and allows 204 square feet for the horse. The wall is 11 feet 6 inches high, and with the slope of the roof the cubic contents are about 2,700 feet. The partitions between the loose boxes should always be carried up to the roof. Each box requires a louvre in the ridge, a ventilating course of brick under the eaves, an air brick close to the ground on the two opposite sides, and also opposite swing windows. These requirements for ventilation have been the result of our examination of the loose boxes at different stations. In none of those we found occupied is the provision of fresh air sufficient. 6. Model Forge and Shoeing Shed. We beg to call special attention tp the excellent new forge and shoeing shed at York, of which we have given a plan and section (Plan X.) It is a model of its kind. The only improvement we have introduced in the plan consists of skylights and a low wall for shelter in front of the shed. With these alterations we beg to recommend that similar forges and sheds be introduced at other stations. We desire to conclude this report with our acknowledgments to commanding and other officers for the facilities afforded us in our inquiries, and also to the Principal Veterinary Surgeon, for useful information and assistance. We are glad to say that he concurs with us in the views expressed in this report; and we are all of opinion that stables con- structed on the principles we have laid down will improve the health and stamina of their occupants, and will be economical to the public service. Richard Airey, Q. M. Gen., President. Douglas Galton. John Sutherland. T. G. Logan, Insp. Gen. of Hospitals. Edward Belfield, Dep. Dir. Works. (Signed) J. J. Frederick, Secretary, War Office, 31st October 1863.