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Fair
Mile Hospital |
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The Victorian asylum
Moulsford Asylum was designed to accommodate 285 patients and was almost full to capacity within the first year. It was extended in 1880 to 609 beds, and again in 1901 to 800 beds. It admitted pauper patients and also private patients if there was spare capacity.
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Poster for theatrical entertainment held at the asylum, 1872
(D/H10/F1/1/1)
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The asylum was almost a self-sufficient community with its own bakery, laundry, farm and gardens. The Medical Superintendent cared for the patients and managed the hospital, with the support of Assistant Medical Officers, nursing staff, and a wide range of auxiliary staff including a farm bailiff, an engineer, a baker, skilled and unskilled workmen, laundresses, servants and clerical staff.
The hospital also employed a chaplain and held regular services in its chapel. It had a library, and offered a varied programme of entertainments, such as sports, music, dances, and theatrical performances.
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Photograph of the interior of the kitchen or laundry (courtesy of Judy
& Stuart Dewey of Pie Powder Press)
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previous: Founding the
asylum - next: Who were
the patients?
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