Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/775

 1869.] Descriptions. 627 have shown to be desirable in such insti- tutions. The separation of the sexes, and the use of two distinct buildings, give a degree of minuteness of classification, not elsewhere known ; the arrangements permitting no less than sixteen classes for each sex. The history of this institution is one of great interest. It dates back to 1751, in which year a number of the benevo- lent citizens of Philadelphia united in founding the Penns3 - lvania Hospital, which was soon after incorporated by the Provincial Assembly, its charter be- ing general in character, and providing for the reception and care of the insane, and of those afflicted with other diseases, not contagious. This was the first pro- vision for the insane in America. Ex- cept some assistance towards the erec- tion of the original buildings, on the square between Spruce and Pine, and Eighth and Ninth streets, it has, ever since its foundation, been entirely de- pendent, for its support, on the liber- ality and philanthropy of private citi- zens. It receives nothing from the pub- lic treasury of city, county, or State ; and all its improvements, and all its means for carrying out and extending its benevolent designs have come from individuals who were interested in the great objects for which it was estab- lished. The first patient was received into its wards in 1752, and up to the first day of 1841, the insane continued to be treated in the original structure, at Eighth and Pine streets. At the date last named, a new building, called " The Pennsyl- vania Hospital for the Insane," was opened, two miles west of the river Schuylkill, between Market and Haver- ford streets ; and to this structure, the insane were removed, with as little delay as practicable. These grounds were purchased, and this building erected and furnished, from the proceeds of certain A'acant lots, surrounding the old hospital, which, although they had cost only about $10,000, ultimately yielded more than $325,000 ; and with which sum the work was accomplished. In process of time, the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane became crowded with patients; and Dr. Thomas S. Kirk- bride — who had been its Chief Physician and Superintendent from its opening — in his report for 1853, urged the erec- tion of an entirely new hospital on the grounds belonging to the institution, and a complete separation of the sexes ; and recommended that this should be effected >y an appeal to the liberality and benevolence of the community After mature deliberation, these sugges- tions were approved by the Board of Managers; and ultimately, the whole scheme was carried out, in a most thorough manner. The long experience of the institution, and its Superintend- ent, permitted every detail to be ar- ranged before the commencement of the work ; and under the supervision of Samuel Sloan, architect, the whole was finished, in a manner, which ten years' experience in actual use, has demon- strated, for all the purposes of such an hospital, to be equal, if not superior, in all points, to the edifices and accessories of any cognate institution, erected either before or since. This is high commenda- tion, but fully justified by the testimony of the many professional men who have inspected it, and especially by the reso- lutions adopted by the American Asso- ciation of Hospital Superintendents, after their visit, in 1867. It is this new hospital, — the Depart- ment for Males, — that we specially pro- pose illustrating in the present number of the Review, as exhibiting the present advanced state of hospital architecture, and as a structure which, after being- thoroughly tested by nearly ten years' use, it is believed can hardly be improved either in regard to the completeness of its arrangements, or its facilities of every kind for carrying out the great work, to which it is dedicated, — the comfort and restoration of the insane. Before we enter into the details under