Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/886

 718 Tlie Architectural Review and American Builders'' Journal. [May, ARCHITECTURE FOE INEBRIATES. THE Architecture of this country, as related to public institutions, is a subject that is becoming more and more important in the estimation of the people, in proportion as the popular mind is being directed into new and more numerous channels of beneficent effort. In building a city or county jail, or a State penitentiary, the question first, and uppermost, in the minds of the authorities, and of the architect, is that of security. In erecting an almshouse, security is not so much an object as economy of space. For a college, con- venience of internal arrangement, and an imposing, solid exterior, are qualities to be considered. For the benefit of insane, there are recognized' principles of construction and arrangement, which, whether thejr are the best adapted to the wants of this class or not, are generally adopted. There is a difference in meaning be- tween an asylum, and a ho ipital, and yet both these terms v are used synony- mically. An asylum, properly speaking, is a place of refuge and protection, a custodial establishment. A hospital, properly speaking, is a place for the sick and crippled, a curative establish- ment. Now, many of our institutions, are of this mixed character, and while those who are in charge of them are content with a classification that is im- perfect, architects can do no other than conform to the standard outlines of professional experts, and offer designs in conformity therewith. There is one phase of philanthropic, effort, however, which is indicated by the caption of this article, to which I desire to invite attention. Several States are now contemplating the erection of institu- tions for inebriates, and architects will be called on to aid in the develop- ment of plans for suitable buildings, hence a few suggestions, may not be out of place. The class of persons, comprehended in the term inebriates, is a mixed class, not only as relates to social position, edu- cation, &c, but as relates to the kind and degree of inebrietj'. Opium, Hashish, &c, as well as intoxicating beverages, produce inebriation in a great many persons, and in constructing buildings for their recovery, we must take into consideration the wants and tastes of these several classes. With insane, and imbecile persons, there can be an indiscriminate congre- gregation of classes, with less risk of offending taste, or compromising posi- tion, than with those referred to, and hence in providing for the care of ine- briates, it is important to guard well every appliance and arrangement, that will in any degree contribute to the self- respect of the inmates. It must be borne in mind that intemperate persons who surrender themselves voluntarily to an institution, for their own benefit, are not supposed to continue in a state of intoxication. They are just such men as we meet with every clay in the streets and at the marts of business, and when within the walls of an institution, are as sensitive to all the amenities of life, as they are when sober at home, and in general society; There is no mark of distinction between them and others. When we enter an institution for the blind, deaf, imbecile, or insane, the in- mates are marked by their misfortune so that they can be distinguished ; but it is not so, with the inmates of an institu- tion for inebriates. They are like other men, seeing, hearing, thinking, rational beings. Their infirmity is hidden ; it does not always show itself in the face, gait, manner, or deportment. For this reason, provision should be made for