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Ward at Holborn Union Infirmary, Highgate, London
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Ward at Holborn Union Infirmary, Highgate, London
Interior of a ward at the Holborn Union Infirmary, Archway Road, Highate, North London, designed by Henry Saxon Snell and opened in 1879. In a departure from the usual practice of the time, beds were arranged head to head against low partitions rather than being placed just along the walls of the ward
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Media ID 4464879
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10416093
1879 1896 Arch Way Beds Health Holborn Homeless Homelessness Infirmary L Aw Pauper Paupers Poor Poverty Saxon Snell Ward Workhouse Workhouses Partitions
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the interior of Ward 1 at the Holborn Union Infirmary, located on Archway Road in Highgate, North London. Designed by Henry Saxon Snell and opened in 1879, this Victorian-era institution was a departure from the usual workhouse design of the time. Instead of lining the beds along the walls, Saxon Snell arranged them head to head against low partitions. The image offers a glimpse into the living conditions of the paupers who sought refuge in this institution during the late 1800s. The ward is filled with rows of simple iron beds, each with a thin mattress and a single blanket. The low partitions offer a semblance of privacy, but the cramped quarters suggest the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness that many Londoners faced during this era. The Holborn Union Infirmary was one of many workhouses established in the 1830s as part of the Poor Law Amendment Act. These institutions were intended to provide shelter, food, and medical care to the destitute, but the conditions were often harsh and inhumane. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the living conditions that existed during this period and the challenges faced by those who were unable to support themselves. The photograph, taken in the late 1890s, offers a rare glimpse into the history of medical care and social welfare in 19th century London. The Holborn Union Infirmary, with its unique design and commitment to providing care for the city's most vulnerable residents, stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of those who sought to improve the lives of the poor and homeless during this time.
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