cultural purposes. Five miles away, going south, lying on the Potomac's eastern shore, directly opposite Alexandria, is Godding Croft, a farm of nearly 350 acres, where a small colony of the working male patients has been established, and where, with the bringing in of abundant water supply during the present year it is proposed to increase the number of colonists to 100 working men. This departure bids fair in the future to become a leading feature of the hospital, while to its present inmates Godding Croft already affords a pleasant home. There is a view shown of the manor house and a plat of the farm at Godding Croft. Returning now to St. Elizabeth, in addition to the plat of the grounds showing position of the buildings is a reduced reproduction of the architect's elevation of the main hospital edifice as planned by Dr. Charles H. Nichols, the first superintendent, and executed by Thomas U. Walter, architect. The plan was a liberal one, a grand conception, much in advance of most of the hospital structures of its time. The building, of plain, unpressed brick, but thoroughly built, was commenced in 1853, and a portion occupied as early as January, 1855. The whole exterior of the building as shown in the elevation was completed in 1860. Extensions have since been made to both wings. The views illustrating this are St. Elizabeth, main entrance, Ivy Tower, and St. Elizabeth Retreat wing. The administration portion of this building divides the male from the female wards. Here all patients are received, and as a rule kept a short time for observation. There is a physician in charge of each department, and a night medical officer is on duty for any emergency. The central male group comprises the west wing of the main hospital, with its Dawes and Garfield extensions, and the West Lodge a distinct building for colored male patients. The extensive additions now being made to the Lodge will give an infirmary provision that was much needed for this class, and will carry up the accommodations in this central male group to 500 inmates. These are the wards from which transfers to other male groups are constantly being made. The view of the West Lodge was taken before the present extension was commenced. The east wing of the main building, with its retreat extension, is for the female patients, and, together with the East Lodge for colored females, Dix buildings Nos. 1 and 2 for white female epileptics, and Dix 3 for colored female epileptic insane, these constitute the female department. This group has distinct grounds, with groves and lawns. There is an infirmary ward in the main building, with suitable appliances for the sick and infirm, with a day and night service of special nurses. The excited wards of the retreat have also continuous service of attendants. The Dix buildings are wards with bedsteads and furniture specially fitted to the needs of this unfortunate class. They also have day and night service, with open wards, broad piazzas, and pleasant grounds, tempting to an outdoor life in all pleasant weather. The female group is crowded, having to provide for over 400 inmates. As the Dix Nos. 1 and 2 are specially planned for care of the epileptic white females, ground plans are presented. Views are given of the Retreat addition, with east wing; also of the Dix Nos. 1 and 2, East Lodge. Connected with this female group, though a distinct building, is the Borrows cottage, which was built with funds given by Mrs. C. Z. Borrows to provide that there might be, in the language of the law, "vacancies" for private or pay patients at St. Elizabeth, and that her afflicted daughter might always have a home there. The pleasant cottage and its surroundings are an ornament to the grounds and a fitting memorial to its donor. A view of the building is given herewith. It is the only existing provision for pay patients at the hospital. The third, or west, group is for homicidal and criminal male patients. This is a distinct provision, with separate grounds. Howard Hall, as the building is called, is built in four wings that completely inclose a paved court, where in pleasant weather the inmates can with entire safety be in the open air. There are eight wards, with 120 single rooms and one associate dormitory for dangerous epileptics, it being a provision for 132 in all. The building, which is under the charge of a physician, has extensive arrangements for labor, which is a prominent feature in the care of this class; also dining rooms, a large smoking hall, and an amusement room. There are also distinct grounds where a part of these men are employed on the land. The separate provision for the dangerous class gives greater freedom to the rest. A view of Howard Hall will be found herewith. The fourth, or eastern, group is for male patients for the most part of a chronic and quiet type. Here dwell a majority of those veterans from the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, who are each year advancing toward age and infirmity. The group consists of eight buildings, with a physician who resides on the grounds and keeps the oversight of 600 patients. Here are several acres in distinct grounds, where in pleasant weather most of those not elsewhere employed, or too infirm to leave the buildings, live in the open air. They have a large dining hall, workroom, bowling alley, and billiard table, and fireproof smoking apartment. The buildings occupied are known as Atkins Hall, which is a working men's abode; the Relief, the Home, the Dining Hall, and Allison buildings, viz, A, B, C, and D. These are all shown in the illustrations. The Allison buildings are a subgroup just completed and fitted up for the infirm and bedridden veterans. They are intended to make what remains of life as comfortable as possible, and both indoors and outdoors they invite the tired pilgrim to rest here from his wanderings. They represent the high-water mark of comfortable provision thus far at St. Elizabeth. The fifth, or southern group, is a third of a mile away from the main building, but connected, as are most of the buildings at St. Elizabeth, by subterranean gallery with the other groups. This, like the last, has a resident physician, and is for the class requiring active treatment, also for male epileptics. The group consists of a distinct kitchen building, specially designed, for this group, the Toner building, and the Oaks Nos. 1 and 2. Views of these, with ground plan of the same, accompany this report. The Oaks are constructed with special reference to the care of the epileptic class, with large dormitory for the majority, and single rooms with latticed doors for the observation of those requiring such provision. Sharp angles and projections have been avoided in finishing, and the furnishing has been with cane furniture, having in view the protection from injury in falls. The dormitories are above, the day rooms below; the latter opening on broad piazzas invitingly free. Life passes as pleasantly here as in any part of this extensive community of mental invalids. Ground plans of these epileptic wards are submitted herewith. The provision of this group is ample for 200 inmates, nearly one-half of whom are epileptics. The remainder are cases of active disease, or, if chronic, the attempt is made to select those that it is hoped may be benefited by active |