The xenodochium was a more common institution than any of more specific natures, such as the gerocomium (from , ; place for the old), nosocomium (from , ; place for the sick) or orphanotrophium (for orphans). A hospital for victims of plague was called a  (guesthouse of the plague-carriers).
The xenodochium was a common type of institution, unlike more specific ones like gerocomiums (places for the elderly), nosocomiums (places for the sick), or orphanotrophiums (for orphans). A hospital for plague victims was called a  (guesthouse for plague carriers).