The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-24
The LunafIc Asylum.

Fisher, the Superntending Physician, few days
since, 10 visit the North Carolina Asylum for the
insane in the course Of construction this City.
The length Of the entire building is 726 feet,
the width of wings 40 feet, width Of central Por-
ton Of building 80 feet with front Of l40 feet
There is handsome dome on top Of The central
building, commanding extensive view OF the
City and surrounding country. The wings are
designed for patients, one for females and the 9TH
or for males, and three stories in height
Each story is divided longitudinaly by corridors,
with cross line Of separation for division of pa.
tienis each corridor containing sitting room, din.
ing room, attendants rooms, bath room space, for
dumb waiter, &c. The windows OF the patients
apartments are 10 be supplied with cast iron sash.
cs, the upper half OF which will be glazed, and the
lower half without glass, with a wooden glazed
sash adjacent TO il, TO be hoised when necessary
or desired thus preventing escapes through the
windows, and furnishing at the Same time the ne.
cessary ventilation. The appearance on the ex.
terror Of the window will be that of single frame
work. The central building, four stories in height
is designed for the officers and other persons con-
nccted with the institution. 1t rests upon brick
walls 81 feet thick first, and 24 feet thick TO the
roof. There is a magnificent arcade in front,
resting on massive brick columns or pillars. The
first floor OF central building is divided by an i'm
mcnSc hall into two suites OF rooms and offices in
front, with q cOmmodious dining room, rooms for
Steward and MaIron-on one side having a dumb
waiter closet, and on the other side apothecaries'
apartment. The ceiling of the hall is supported
10y four handsome columns Of cast iron. The
cOnd floor is arranged in someW hat similar style,
and is designed for private chambers. The third
floor contains bed rooms, and large Chapel for
religious exercises on Sundays. The base of the
Totunda supporting cuPola above will be used
waller tank rooms, where a constant supply Of
fresh waller will be kept for distribution over the
building by means of pipes.
The walls of The basement which extend throuhg-
out the cEtire building are Of stone and very sub.
slantally constructed. The middle Of the base
Tnent i'll be the warm air chamber, with a pass
age on each side for purposes connected with the
building, one OF them being appropriated 10 the
landing Of dumb walters from the rooms Of the
patients above The other will be occupied by the
main soil pipe ring hOrieontaHy, and connect
cd with the CcrtIcaL pipes from waller closets
above. The air will be heated by steam contain
ed in coils OF pipe placed in sections of The cham
hcr, and will be conveyed 10 the apartments above
through fues opening into corridors and roon:s
Throughout the entire building. Each corridor will
likewise contain foul air hues for the escape of
foul air 10 the external atmosphere through
rIlaiors in the centre OF the two wings and fresh
air v i'll be constantly introduced into The warm air
chamber through aperturrs on the sides OF IFS
walls. by the aid of large fan in connection
with lhc steam apparatus ii is Intended to supply
the apartments OF the main building with abundant
currents OF fresh air during the summer months,
" hch will add much TO the comfort Of all.
The cntirc building is supplied with gas pipes
for Lighting it efftclunlly with rosin gas be
manufactured the grounds Of the Asylum
This mode OF lighting cOmmends itself both by lis
safely aud economy, aud will be great improve.
m"ut Compared with the ordinary method
Eighty feet iE the of the main building
stands The kitchen, which is so feet by 40, and
a., bj,rh vii L., rod
herr, and carried To the basement Of the main
tui!dng whence it will be convey, d 10 The upper
apartments by dumb walters, before referred to-
This arrangement is quite important, as it ensures
system and regularity and obviaes The necessity
Of servants passing through main building with
tsrud, &c.
One hundred feet in the rear of the kitchen
stands the boiler house, intended for steam engine
md boilers. There are rooms here for eng Ineef,
for fuel, &c, and the floor above will be used
laundry and drying room by steam power
Near this building is large well, from which 1t IS
expected II sUfliciCncy of wafer will be obtained
for the institution. Force pumps, by steam, will
lie used for delivering it al points where ii may be
Lccdcd. Some 10000 gallons per day will be re-
qulrcd during The summer months.
The building is to be stuccned and is ntcndcd
10 represent light sandstone. The cOrnice around
The entire building is the subject of admiration by
every visitor.
The site of The building is most eligible and
commanding. Early steps should be taken for
completing it, for furnishing it, and for making the
necessary enclosures and improvements on The
grounds.
We learn that the institution is designed 10
commodaIe $50 patients. Judging from appear
ances, it will require twelve months more to finish
and fit it for their reception.
The brick work, learn, done by Messrs.
Lane & McKnight-the stone work by Messrs.
Strumnch g. Co.-the carpenters work by M"ssrs.
J. & J. W. Conrad-the gas and steam pipes by
JOS Mason, Esq, Of New York, and the plaster
ing and stuccoing by Mr.. II. II. Russell.
The Commissioners Of the Institution, who, by
The way receive no compensation for their attcn-
lion and services, entitled TO the thanks Of The
public for the interest they have constantly mani
tested in the work. and for their efforts to BRING
10 completion on the most economical terms, hay-
ing reference at the same time, as it was their du
for the benefit not merely of those Of to-day, but
OF many generations; and that the laudabe wish
of the Legislature, embodied in the act establish
ing the institution required at their hands not only
economy, but such arrangements of location, such
improvements of grounds, and such attention 10
the personal quiet and comfort Of the insane as
would be most likely either to restore them TO rea-
son or to mitigate their sufferings. This nstitu-
ton will be open alike to the poor and to the rich
the State providing with parents kindness for
tLo andtI laitP ;he DrIYIIeUe