, FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. minarets, domes, and buildings cf every kind, glit- tering\in the sunshine, almost bewilder the senses: The waves of the Bosphorus are now enlivened by crowds of shipping. Here we see the gigantic steamers hurrying on, crowded with their living freight ; there the transport ships, carrying ammu- nition, food, and clothing to the troops ; nearer still, perhaps, other transports, or merchant ships, unload- ing stores for the hospitals or, bringing down the wounded ; while amid all these gigantic monarchs of the wave may be seen the graceful Turkish caique, laden perchance with the veiled beauties of a harem, or with officers in splendid uniforms, stealing grace- fully and quickly along, its white sail bending to the breeze that sweeps up from the Euxine." Scutari contained two principal hospitals,-the General Hospital, and the Barrack Hospital, which had been given up by the Turks to the English for their sick and wounded. The condition of these hospitals was so appalling, so frightful, that the mere recital thrills one with horror. Neglect, mis- management, disease, had united to render the scene one of unparalleled hideousness. Fever and cholera rioted ; there was a miserable scarcity of medical aid, of accommodations, and even of food. The beds were placed on the cold stone pavement ; and there, day after day, their occupants, officers and men, . destitute of every comfort or kindly sym- pathy, laygroaning in helpless anguish, or speechless from exhaustion. " Nearly all," wrote one, " are 18
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=