THE IRISH PENNY JOURNAL.
| Number 35. | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1841. | Volume I. |
BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF A UNION WORKHOUSE FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF EIGHT HUNDREDPERSONS OR UPWARDS.
The entrance front building, forming a distinct structure, is placed about150 feet in advance of the main building, and consists of one door (above theground), on which the Board-room and clerk’s office are placed; underneaththese are the waiting-hall, in which applicants for relief are received,and a room for a porter, who has charge of the paupers on their admission,for the purpose of seeing that they are washed, cleaned, and clothed in theworkhouse dress; he is therefore placed near the probationary wards. Distinctwards are also provided for vagrants receiving temporary relief. Thisarrangement of the probationary and vagrant wards secures the vicinity ofthe body of the house from the risk of infection from persons previous totheir being examined and declared free from disease.
The main building is separated from the entrance front by a courtyardand garden, which divide the two front yards for the boys and girls; thecentre of the main building contains the master’s house, which is placed immediatelyamong all classes, and from which ready access is had to any ofthe rooms; the kitchen offices are close under the master and matron’s inspection,as well as the several stores.
The wash-house and kitchen offices are placed in a situation distinctfrom the paupers in the yards, and none but those immediately employedin them have access thereto; on each side the master’s house are placed therooms for children, who have separate staircases, used also by the masterand matron; the extreme wings contain on the ground floor rooms for theold and infirm people, and some accommodation also for the able-bodied,which class, however, being employed (the women in the wash-house, &c.,and the men at a mill, in breaking stones, or other useful occupation,) thesame extent of day room is not requisite. The chapel and dining hall answersthree purposes, inasmuch as it also serves, by means of a double partition,for day rooms for able-bodied men and women, should occasion requireit. The situation of this building as a dining-hall is, from its centralposition, best suited for all classes, and is most convenient as regards theserving the food from the kitchen; the two rooms for boys and girls willalso serve the purpose of a chapel, if required.
The Infirmary is placed at the back of the building, occupying a positiondistinct from the wards of the house, and sufficiently convenient for thesupply of food from the kitchen offices without entailing the necessity ofa separate establishment.
Wards are placed on each end of the infirmary buildings for idiots, epileptics,and lunatics, in which cells are provided for those for whom occasionalrestraint is unavoidable, or whose habits render distinct accommodationnecessary.
The arrangement of the building is made with true regard to ventilation.At each end, in the centre of the building, a large hall, containing a superficialarea of 425 feet, is carried up to the roof of the house, on which isconstructed a large ventilator, containing windows hung on centres, andmoveable with a line, to admit any circulation or change of air required.The several rooms throughout are arranged to open at once into the landingof the stone stairs, which are carried