42 The Hospital Requirements of Sydney. 



1 st. It should be far enough to afford such a change of climate, 

 and atmospheric influence, as will beneficially react upon patients 

 convalescing from severe illness endured in the central hospital. 



2nd. It should possess a climate and temperature that will suit 

 the majority of its future inmates, and tend to the recovery of the 

 largest number of sick persons in the shortest possible time. 



ord. The foregoing features being secured, it should be upon a 

 line of railway, and as near the metropolis as possible, for the 

 purpose of securing efficient supervision — the periodical visits of 

 a consulting medical staff, and be convenient for occasional visits 

 from the friends of patients. Too great a distance would induce a 

 serious reluctance upon the part of patients to go there, however 

 much such a step might be to their advantage. 



The suitability of existing institutions to meet the foreging re- 

 quirements now demands our consideration, and first upon the 

 list stands the Sydney Infirmary. This institution is situated on 

 the summit of a hill ; its grounds adjoin the Domain to the east, 

 which, in its turn, is bounded by the waters of Port Jackson, be- 

 yond which again extends the Pacific Ocean. Upon the west it 

 has a broad street, and commands a view from its verandahs of 

 the entire city, with the distant Blue Mountains. 



It is bounded at either end by Government buildings, and the 

 ground measures about 350 feet square. 



It is freely exposed to the sea breeze ; and I am disposed to 

 consider this favourable to the treatment of the majority of cases 

 of acute disease and severe injuries, and it undoubtedly is a 

 ventilating power of the highest importance. 



Finally, it occupies a position in the city convenient to the 

 shipping and wharfs, and more central to the population than any 

 other with whieh (being otherwise equally favourable) I am 

 acquainted. 



Taking all these advantages into consideration, it must be 

 allowed that it would be scarcely possible to find in any part of 

 the world a more suitable, site for a Central Hospital of a given 

 size than this, and I have been unable to meet with any argu- 

 ments in hospital literature which would in any degree justify a 

 community in relinquishing it. 



The original buildings of the Infirmary were well designed for 

 the purpose they were intended to fulfil. But structures have 

 been added from time to time until a considerable portion of the 

 enclosed area has been covered. 



At the present these consist of — 



1st. Buildings of one floor at the south front gate, and a cor- 

 responding structure at the north front gate ; these are sub- 

 stantial and in good repair, but badly designed, and cover a large 

 proportionate ground space, affording also very inefficient accom- 

 modation for the pupose for which they were intended. 



