200 Years Ago Today 3

The Committee on Madhouses took evidence from architect James Bevans about the new Hospital. Bevans remarked that the fact that the building was four storeys high also prevented a complete inspection, but said: "There being no glass to the major part of the windows in the patients' sleeping-rooms, makes it necessary for them to exclude the day-light with the cold air, while the patients are confined to them, which, when I consider the time that they are so confined, must in my opinion tend much to increase the malady."

He added: "I think, excepting for noisy patients, which are very few in number, that the thick brick walls between the sleeping apartments are unnecessary".