How did hospitals work 100 years ago?

A century ago, hospitals primarily functioned as places for the sick, with limited medical technology and a focus on basic care rather than advanced treatment. They often had long waiting times, and patients were frequently treated in shared wards. Surgical procedures were rudimentary, anesthesia was not always used, and antiseptic practices were just beginning to be understood. Many hospitals also served as asylums for the mentally ill, reflecting the societal attitudes and medical knowledge of the time.