[From administrator to laundrymaid - aspects of the conditions of the staff at the Municipal Hospital of Copenhagen (Kommunehospital) after the opening in 1863].

The opening of the biggest and most advanced Danish municipal hospital of its time took place on the 19th of September 1863 in the city of Copenhagen. The hospital had the capacity to host about 700 patients and was equipped with modern facilities such as water closets, electricity, running water and baths. The daily routines at this large institution had to be throughly organized. This article focuses on the working environment, the rights and duties of the staff and its hierarchical structure. From the historical source material we have been able to classify the staff members into five different groups: the administrative personnel, the medical personnel, the attendants, the caretakers and finally the housekeeping personnel. Many members of the staff lived at the hospital, and a chief physician who wished to leave the premises for more than 36 hours had to obtain the permission of the Mayor of Copenhagen. The instructions regarding the rights and duties of members of the staff, dating back to 1863, shows that a very strict staff policy was needed to keep the hospital running. As an example, the administrator had to stand surety for furniture and equipment used at the hospital along with the stock of goods, for which he was responsible. WOrking in the hospital was a dangerous job. As surety he paid 1000 Rigsdaler, which was more than his yearly salary. The risk of being infected by the patients (e.g. with smallpox) was always present, and the modern machinery, the boiling steam and the treatment of patients in the baths of white spirit, resulted in serious injuries and even deaths. The nature of the working conditions of the laundrymaids is well illustrated by the fact that they were likely to be so worn-out after only six months that they had to give up their job.