A FINE HOSPITAL.

Kumara Times, Issue 238, 10 July 1877, Page 2

A FINE HOSPITAL.

The New York Tribune thus describes a new hospital, which was opened on the 17th March last, "and which it is intended shall be self-sup-porting:—The main building has a frontage of 175 feet, is seven storeys high, and is believed to be thoroughly fire-proof. The floors are of tiles, laid in cement on iron girders; the wainscoting is of marble; no timber has been used except in the doors and windows, and the materials employed in the walls and floors.are non-absorbent, so as to afford no resting-place for disease germs. Two elevators give access to. the upper storeys;, and the highest of these has been set apart for a solarism, or sun chamber after the old Greek method. It is covered by a glazed roof, and contains a conservatory of rare plants, together with fresh and salt water aquaria. A supply of pure water is obtained from an artesian well be-neath-,the building; and a current of fresh air—to be warmed in the winter months by being made to pass over heated pipes—is driven to all parts of the building by means of a couple of powerful fans. A library of 15,000 volumes has been already formed; another building in the rear contains the various offices, the kitchen, and the superintendent's residence. The laundry is at the top of the house. The hospital will accommodate 200 patients and 60 attendants ; the.ordinary charge for in-patients—which will cover all expenses—will be 1 dollar a day, but private apartments, elegantly furnished, can. be secured for inralids at rates ranging from £i to £lO per week.