Cottage Hospital, Tynewydd Estate, Colwyn Bay: New Operating Theatre

NEW OPERATING THEATRE. The new theatre has been designed and built under the direct supervision of Messrs J. M. Porter and Elcock, Colwyn Bay, who gave the whole of their invaluable services gratuitously, Messrs Wood and Co., Colwyn Bay, being the general contractors. The room is about 20 feet. long by 20 feet wide and 12 feet high. Half the roof and practically the whole of one side is glazed by Messrs Pilkington's (St. Helens) special process, which ensures abundant light on the operating table, the special steel work in the roof lights being fitted by Messrs Wragge, of Manchester. All the walls are to a great extent covered with tiling specially made for this work by Mr J. C. Edwards, Ruabon. The corners are not constructed in the usual way with separate small ties, but arranged so as to give as few joints as possible with the object of affording no foothold for dust. With the same intention all corners of the room both on the floor and in the ceiling are rounded and coved. Particular attention has of course been paid to the ventilating system, and by a neat arrangement of canvas- covered screens (designed by the architect) all the air will pass into the room well filtered, and at the same time regulated in point of temperature. A particular feature of the fittings are the large basins which are arranged with special revolving knobs so that the taps may be turned by the surgeon's elbow rather than bring his hands to bear on a handle, and in a simple manner he may regulate the heat of the water he draws from cold to hot. An ingenious arrangement is also provided for the flow of the water out of the basins into a drain pipe which cannot at any time emit foul air. The basins are in fact on precisely the same lines as those recently fitted in the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, and are regarded as the most perfect in the market. They were specially designed by Messrs Shanks, of Glasgow. Yet another new feature of the fittings is the hot water pipes which convey heat to the radiators along the walls outside the room, thus obviating the tearing up of the floor in the event. of repairs being necessary. The radiators arc placed on sills, keeping them off the floor, washings, etc., and the room may be heated to 98 decrees so that operations on the brain may be carried out with every chance of success. The windows all open out to the full extent, ensuring abundant air in case of the collapse of a patient under anaesthetics. The floor is of marble terrazzo specially laid. Instrument cases are fixed into the wall, glass taking a prominent place in their construction. A sterilising room adjoins the "theatre." and the appliances there are on the same modern plan as everything else throughout the new building [Welsh Coast Pioneer 15 December 1910 page 4]

Reference    Welsh Coast Pioneer 15 December 1910 page 4
Reference    British Architect, 23 December 1910 Page 450