The Construction of Hospitals for the Insane

PART I.

* Chapters 1 - 10

Chapter I
PRELIMINARY REMARKS
Chapter II
DEFINITIONS OF INSANITY
Chapter III
FREQUENCY OF INSANITY
Chapter IV
CURABILITY OF INSANITY
Chapter V
ECONOMY OF CURING INSANITY
Chapter VI
HOSPITALS THE BEST PLACES FOR TREATMENT
Chapter VII
DIFFERENT CLASSES OF HOSPITALS FOR THE INSANE
Chapter VIII
STATE PROVISION TO BE FOR ALL CLASSES
Chapter IX
THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS FOR THE INSANE
Chapter X
FIRST STEPS TO SECURE A HOSPITAL

* Chapters 11 - 20

Chapter XI
FORM OF LAW FOR ESTABLISHING A HOSPITAL
Chapter XII
BUILDING COMMISSIONS
Chapter XIII
SELECTION OF A SITE
Chapter XIV
AMOUNT OF LAND
Chapter XV
SUPPLY OF WATER
Chapter XVI
DRAINAGE
Chapter XVII
ENCLOSURES
Chapter XVIII
PATIENTS' YARDS
Chapter XIX
IMPORTANCE OF ARCHITECTURAL ARRANGEMENTS
Chapter XX
CHARACTER OF PROPOSED PLANS

* Chapters 21 - 30

Chapter XXI
SIZE OF BUILDINGS AND NUMBER OF PATIENTS
Chapter XXII
POSITION, AND GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE BUILDING
Chapter XXIII
FORM OF BUILDING
Chapter XXIV
HEIGHT OF HOSPITALS
Chapter XXV
TEMPORARY OR WOODEN STRUCTURES
Chapter XXVI
NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN A WARD
Chapter XXVII
NATURAL VENTILATION
Chapter XXVIII
CELLARS
Chapter XXIX
MATERIALS OF WALLS
Chapter XXX
PLASTERING

* Chapters 31 - 40

Chapter XXXI
SECURITY FROM FIRE IN CONSTRUCTION
Chapter XXXII
ROOFS
Chapter XXXIII
SIZE OF ROOMS AND HEIGHT OF CEILINGS
Chapter XXXIV
FLOORS
Chapter XXXV
DOORS
Chapter XXXVI
LOCKS
Chapter XXXVII
WINDOWS AND WINDOW GUARDS
Chapter XXXVIII
INSIDE WINDOW SCREENS
Chapter XXXIX
STAIRS
Chapter XL
ASSOCIATED DORMITORIES

* Chapters 41 - 50

Chapter XLI
INFIRMARY WARDS
Chapter XLII
BATH ROOMS
Chapter XLIII
WATER CLOSETS
Chapter XLIV
WARD DRYING ROOMS
Chapter XLV
WATER PIPES
Chapter XLVI
DUST FLUES AND SOILED CLOTHES HOPPERS
Chapter XLVII
KITCHENS AND SCULLERIES
Chapter XLVIII
DUMB WAITERS AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD
Chapter XLIX
RAILROAD
Chapter L
HEATING AND VENTILATION

* Chapters 51 - 60

Chapter LI
AXIOMS ON HEATING AND VENTILATION
Chapter LII
HOT AIR AND VENTILATING FLUES
Chapter LIII
LIGHTING
Chapter LIV
PATIENTS' WORK ROOMS
Chapter LV
GENERAL COLLECTION ROOM
Chapter LVI
WASHING, DRYING, IRONING, AND BAKING
Chapter LVII
FARM BUILDINGS
Chapter LVIII
COST OF HOSPITALS FOR THE INSANE
Chapter LIX
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES
Chapter LX
DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONTISPIECE AND ITS GROUND PLAN

More to come...

CHAPTER XXVIII
CELLARS.

THE basement or first story of the building should be raised three steps, or about twenty-four inches above the surface of the ground around it. There should be pavement three or four feet wide around the whole building, and the cellar should always be excavated under the entire building. The cost is small and the advantages are great in many respects, but especially, in reference to a proper arrangement of the heating apparatus and of the air reservoirs connected with it. Its depth should give seven and a half feet in the clear under the joist of the first floor, which at the height suggested, would give ample light and space for all purposes. The floor of the cellar throughout should be covered with cement or good common mortar. Cellar walls made of hard bricks, with smooth joints, make an admirable finish, being dry and easily kept clean, and only a little more costly than the material commonly used.

The importance of keeping cellars dry and clean, and of having pure air in them, is not generally appreciated in regard either to private or public buildings. Whatever there is offensive or deleterious to health in the cellar, is sure, sooner or later, and to a greater or less extent, to penetrate to the upper parts of the structure. Ventilating flues should always lead from the cellar to the main ventilating stack, or to something equivalent in character, or they should at least pass directly upwards through the roof of the building. In all sanitary inspections, the cellars and water arrangements are the parts to be specially looked after. These being all right, the parlors and bed rooms are not likely to be dangerously wrong.

Although less important, it is very desirable that the attics of a building should not be allowed to become filled with lumber or refuse materials, and, as a consequence, a harbor for vermin.

Prev Chapter | Next Chapter