Reports of the County of Lancaster Lunatic Asylum at Prestwich : 1852.

  • County of Lancaster Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reports of the County of Lancaster Lunatic Asylum at Prestwich : 1852. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    At the same time that search was being made for a proper site, the Committee invited the competition of Architects of eminence, by offering a premium for the best design for a Lunatic Asylum adapted to the improved system of treating the insane. In the directions given to the Architects, and in selecting the plans which were ultimately agreed upon, the Committee received very important aid from Mr. Gaskell and the Commissioners in Lunacy. The building, in its general design, is on the detached principle. It consists of the following separate blocks of buildings, communicating with each other by several passages or corridors. 1. —The domestic department, containing the kitchens, laundry, wash-houses, store-rooms, work-rooms, and other offices. 2. —Quiet and orderly wards for males. 3. —Infirmary and epileptic wards for males. 4 _Violent wards for males. 5 _Quiet and orderly wards for females. 6. —Infirmary and epileptic wards for females. 7. —Violent wards for females. 8. —Houses of Superintendent and Chaplain, and Magistrates' rooms. The chapel is at some distance from all the buildings, and has the character of a small village church. The farm buildings, stable, gas and engine house, joiners’, plumbers’, blacksmiths’, and mechanics’ shops are also at some distance from the main structure. The whole building is of brick, with stone dressings. The detached plan is considered to possess peculiar advantages which do not belong to buildings of more compact design, occupying a smaller area, or connected under one continuous roof. It allows of a more