was opened not one sick person sought for admission, in the years 1862–3, when large additions were made to the building, the wards were filled to overflowing. In 1866, the year of removal from the Octagon to King street, the number fell to 124; but several years afterwards, when free immigration was in full swing, another enormous increase necessitated the addition of two large temporary wards in the annexe, and the conversion of small rooms in the main building into sick chambers, and even then every bed in the Hospital was occupied. Now, however, one hundred is the daily average. This reduction in the number of inmates is of great advantage to the Hospital, not only on the score of economy, but chiefly on sanitary grounds, as it enables the authorities to keep two wards in turn empty, which, while unoccupied, are throughout their length and breadth and height cleansed and disinfected and repainted. By this system the Hospital is kept in as thorough a state of purity as it possibly can be.
Until within recent years the Hospital was from force of circumstances made in part to serve the purpose of a home for incurables. As there was no place for the accommodation of such unfortunates, they had to be retained as patients, and in the course of the years their numbers increased considerably. This inconvenience, however, was obviated by the erection of the Old Men's Home at Caversham, to which the hopelessly infirm and disabled were gradually transferred, and the institution in King steeet is now wholly what it was intended to be—a curative establishment.
The Hospital stands in the centre of a block of five acres, and on each side are extensive, well-laid-out gardens, with gravelled walks and abundance of seats. The one on the south side is the exercise ground for such of the male patients as are not confined to the wards; the other on the north side being reserved for female patients. A portion of the latter also forms the playground of the young people in the children's wards. Besides the comfortable seats under the shade of the trees, wheel-chairs are provided for those who are unable to walk, but whose condition permits them to go out into the open air and sunlight.
