Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/569

Rh the ward keepers, lights, etc. It is his duty to see that the doors and great gate of the hospital are locked at the usual hour at night, and to take care that all the officers on duty have retired.”

The religious functions of the establishment were performed by a prior, a vice-prior, and eight priests of obedience. Of these the vice-prior was always a native of Malta. A Greek pope also received an annual gratuity to administer the sacrament to such of the sick as belonged to the Greek church. The medical staff consisted of three physicians, two assistant-physicians, three surgeons, two assistant-surgeons, a lecturer on anatomy, and six medical students called “barberotti;” also a barber-surgeon for phlebotomy, and an experienced female nurse for cases of scurvy. The physicians and surgeons were each on duty for one month in three, residing during that time in the Hospital. The assistants were also on duty each alternate month. The statutes lay down that “Physicians shall be employed for the cure of the sick, experienced and talented, who shall be bound to take a vow before the eight brethren of the langues that they will watch over the sick with great care and according to the prescribed rules of medical science; that they will visit them twice daily; that they will order such things as are necessary for their cure, and will do everything without delay in spite of all obstacles. They shall receive their salaries from the funds of the common treasury, and are strictly forbidden to receive any remuneration for their services from the sick.”

As a committee of inspection over all these officials, the Grand-Master in council appointed two “prud’hommes,” or controllers of the infirmary, who were held responsible for its proper management. Their duties were thus laid down:—“They must attend to the wants of the sick, looking after the quality and quantity of the allowances, the distribution of the medicines and all necessary provisions and food. They must also note the daily expenses and consumption of articles in the infirmary, signing with their own hand the vouchers for payments. They assist with daily alms many poor incurables who are incapable of providing for themselves, and distribute to others, in addition to what remains in the cauldrons, a large quantity of soup and macaroni which is cooked expressly every day. They also give away