The New York herald., 1872-09-09
NEW EMIGRANT INSANE ASYLUM.

The necessity for improved accommodations for
insane immigrants has long existed. The refuge
ana hospital on Wards Island are large, substan
TALLY constructed and well adapted to the purposes
for which they are used The building, however
occupied by the insane patients. under charge OF
Of the Commissioners Of Emigration is DID, diapi-
dated and in every respect lily adapted for the
medical treatment of the unfortunates who are
held there The number Of insane persons among
newly-arrived foreigners is exceedingly small, but
the laws OF New York make provision
for the support of sick and INDECENT
immigrants for the term OF five years
after landing. The head tax collected from each
and every foreigner who lands at this port creates
a fund more than sufficient to meet all just and
necessary expenses. 1t covers all outlays for the
benefit Of immigrants who may during the period
mentioned become unable to support themselves
or who may require medical treatment. The city
and state are not chargeable for their maintenance
and care. The number OF insane patients in charge
OF the Commissioners is about fifty. Some time
since IL was resolved to erect building adapted to
their accommodation and calculated to improve
the condition OF those who are durable. The
original design was to expend a sum of 5000 600 on
the structure, but many delays occurred, from one
cause or another until finally 1t was determined
to put up several paviOns, at cost OF 100000.
CONDITION OF THE BUILDINGS.
The plans accepted were prepared by Messrs.
Renwick ~ sands. Tney consist or nve pavilOnS
connected by corridors, with boiler house and
physicians residence. The work has been some
time In progress, and pavilion No. Is already
covered in. The other buildings are we'll advanced
The site Is in the southern part OF Wards Island
In the midst OF large open field, and commands q
fine view OF the East River and surrounding cOun-
try. The grounds are to be handsomely enclosed
and beautifled by plants trees, shrubbery &c
Particular pains are to be taken In providing ample
space for exercise Us well as for the thorough ven-
tilation and heating OF all the buildings.
PAVILf0NS AND CORRIDORS.
Each OF the four paviions, twenty-feet apart,
forming distinct building will be 120 feet by 10
the first story viii be fifteen cells feet by l2 feet
making sixty in all. These are arranged on one
side and are well lighted by windows In front Is
o corridor, eight feet wide, running the entire
length OF the pavilion, and lighted by numerous
openings looking towards the river. At one end Ia
the solar rays can be enjoyed for greater part Of
the day, and at the other living room for the
Keeper. There are to be piaZZas extending around
each building, which are TO be connected by cor
rd0rs twenty feet long, and which are also to be
well lighted by windows The corridors are to have
each pavilion, necessary measure to prevent
escapes and avoid multiplicity OF keepers, but
the corridors are provided with cutoff doors, which
remain open during the day.
PAVILION no. l.
Pavilion No. l, now about finished, differs from
the Others. II is three stories high and Is to be
used IN part as offices, re0ms for clerks, Keepers,
&c. There Is In 1t also large dining room for pa
tients, besides kitchen, closets, nc. portion Of
the upper stories Is for the accommodation OF In
sane persons whose treatment requires seclusion
and quiet. The boiler house, also connected with
the other buildings BY corridor s so feet by 100
feet Ene beating Of the estaRltshmept VIII 10 ef.