Blackboard and sprinkler from the ward of a Spanish monastic infirmary

This blackboard was used to record information about patients, or enfermos in Spanish. It records notes about the patient, his or her condition, and whether they were improving, were dying or had died. It may also be a record of visitors to patients. The attached sprinkler was probably to allow regular blessings of the infirmary with holy water. Religious orders were one of the few providers to care for the sick, especially before the rise of the hospital as we know it.

This blackboard was used to record information about patients, or enfermos in Spanish. It records notes about the patient, his or her condition, and whether they were improving, were dying or had died. It may also be a record of visitors to patients. The attached sprinkler was probably to allow regular blessings of the infirmary with holy water. Religious orders were one of the few providers to care for the sick, especially before the rise of the hospital as we know it.