The twenty-second report of the Committee of Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell : January quarter sessions, 1867 / [Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum].

  • Middlesex Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The twenty-second report of the Committee of Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell : January quarter sessions, 1867 / [Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    A further improvement could, I think, be made in the arrangement of the Pipes and Hydrants for use in case of fire. I am glad to say that I am not led to this subject by any mishap here on this occasion, but I cannot forget the fact that this Building is not so fire-proof as it was before the additional stories were raised, and whilst the stone floors, &c., &c., remained, wood being now largely sub¬ stituted everywhere for brick and stone, and it therefore behoves me, with warnings around, to make the best arrangements possible for rapidly meeting the enemy; and I cannot leave this subject without again respectfully drawing your attention to the fact that this large pile of buildings is left totally unprotected externally during the night, no watchman being kept to give an alarm or render assistance in case of need. Even near the Metropolis, where the Police are numerous, and persons frequently passing during the night, watchmen are kept at most larg'e establishments, and it is well known that it is the Police outside who discover most fires, and rouse up the inmates. Here one solitary Policeman passes twice, at most, during the night. I shall have the pleasure of submitting my arrangements for increase of Fire Mains to you at an early date. The Gas Works are in good condition and working satisfactorily, but as the consumption increases, I ami afraid they are likely to become a nuisance from the large quantities of purifying matter to be dealt with; everyi precaution is taken to clear away early in the morning, and1 by cleanliness, to render the works as little objectionable as possible, but from their close proximity to the buildings . this is no easy task. The total cost of supplying the Asylum with Gas forr