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Early Twentieth Century1
Many monumental hospitals were constructed all over the world by architects whose practices were devoted to medical buildings. However, during World War I, these hospitals were only half of the story. Many emergency hospitals were installed in "borrowed buildings" such as houses, hotels, schools and temporary structures. These offered a much more "home-like" environment:
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St. Mary's Hospital in Shaugnessey House, Montreal, 1924.1
I can imagine that going to such a hospital would bring less fear to the patient as it looks more like you are visiting you friend at home.
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St. Mary's Hospital in Shaugnessey House, interior view.1
Somebody could argue that there were not that much space for the patients, but I would say that at least the rich architecture of the room defined a more friendly, home-like environment than the (also crowded) monumental hospitals.
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Children's ward, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, 1894. 2
At the beginning of the general hospitals, as at the Royal Victoria Hospital, young patients were integrated with adults and few specials spaces were dedicated to them. The ward were instrumental and served to locate patients according to the gravity of their conditions rather than by their age or gender. A new healing concept was introduce with the large windows: the importance of fresh air.
Keep in mind that the typical general hospital of the 1980's was meant to be "a charity for the sick poor". Rich people who could afford care at home would never send a family member (and especially not children) to the hospital.
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1 Borrowed Buildings: Canada's Temporary Hospitals during World War I.
2 Designing for "the Little Convalescents": Children's Hospitals in Toronto and Montreal, 1875-2006, p. 205
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