HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. 7 



The accommodation provided in these Asylums is devoted to the 

 reception of cases of destitution arising from advanced age, im- 

 paired constitution, or illness of a confirmed, chronic, or incurable 

 nature. 



On the 31st December, 1873, they contained the following 

 accommodation : — Liverpool Asylum, for 650 men ; Parramatta 

 Asylum, for 240 men ; Hyde Park Asylum, for 230 vs^omen. Total, 

 for 890 men and 230 women. 



The number of inmates remaining in the respective Asylums on 

 31st December, 1873, was as follows: — Liverpool. — Greneral in- 

 mates, 423 ; hospital cases, 193. Parramatta.' — Greneral inmates, 

 229 ; hospital cases, 45. Total men, 890. Hyde Park. — General 

 inmates, 190 ; hospital cases, 28. Total women, 218. 



In calculating this accommodation the amount of cubic space 

 allowed to each inmate has been put as low as possible compatible 

 with health, and considerably below what is thought necessary 

 in England. Probably in this climate a space of about 650 cubic 

 feet may be considered enough for the general inmates, who do 

 not occupy the rooms during the day, but the hospital wards 

 should undoubtedly have from 900 to 1,000 feet. Yet it has been 

 no uncommon thing for these institutions at times to contain 

 a much larger number of inmates than above stated, and thus, 

 of course, to have been overcrowded. 



To the figures above given it is necessary to add those for 

 accommodation provided during the present year. This consists 

 of a new wing at Liverpool, intended for 170 hospital beds, and 

 a building at Hyde Park, not new, to receive 35 inmates. 



There is, therefore, total accommodation at the present time for 

 1,060 men and 265 women. 



The number of inmates at the present time is about 900 men 

 and 230 women, showing a surplus of 95 beds to meet future 

 demands, if the wretched buildings at Parramatta are retained as 

 an Asylum. 



We possess two Hospitals — St. Vincent's, and the Sydney 

 Infirmary. 



St. Vincent's is a good modern and substantial structure, under 

 the management of a lady superior. It has building accom- 

 modation for about ninety beds, of which a part only is occupied 

 at present, containing thirty-six beds. Hopes are entertained 

 that before the end of this year the fund will be sufficient to fur- 

 nish and occupy twenty -four more. 



In addition to the above, there are six private wards, which are 

 generally full, and the occupants of which pay three guineas a 

 week. 



This hospital is devoted to cases of serious disease and accident. 



The Sydney Infirmary contains 228 beds, of which seventy-seven 



are in the back south wing, and 151 in the main building, which 



