In 1838, the legislature gave a further grant of 500l. currency to the society, for the purpose of erecting “a separate ward for the male patients, with ten apartments capable of accommodating four persons in each,” in that part of the establishment situated near the rectory, which was finished and opened on the 15th July, 1839. An iron tank, capable of holding 7000 gallons of water, has been imported from England, and placed in the yard of the same portion of the institution. In 1840, the title of the society was changed from that of “The Asylum” to “The Daily Meal Society’s Infirmary and Lazaretto,” by which latter designation it is now distinguished.
This establishment is, indeed, the only infirmary and hospital in the island, (with the exception of the cast-iron hospital at the Ridge, near English Harbour, for the use of the troops;) and not only the destitute poor of St. John’s, but the poor from all the other parishes are admitted into it, as well as distressed and destitute sailors. The best medical attendance is procured for them; wine and other strengthening nourishment administered to the sick; and three wholesome meals allowed to each individual per day. Bedsteads and bedding are also supplied, there being “in the female ward six, and in the male ward ten furnished apartments, ready for the reception of patients at the shortest notice.”
Nor are these the _only_ accommodations this inestimable charity affords to the poor and distressed of our species, there being seven detached houses on the opposite side of the inclosure, capable of containing two, three, or four persons in each. “In these separate dwellings infirm persons are distributed, whose complaints, habits, or tempers, render it expedient that they should be kept by themselves. One house, fronting the burial-ground, is reserved for the reception of the dead previous to interment, and is used for a dissecting room when required. Eighty inmates can be comfortably accommodated at the infirmary.” The income for the last year, (1841,) including subscriptions, donations, legacies, and parochial relief, was 1361l. 0s. 4½d. currency, the expenditure, 1225l. 4s. 4d.; the latter sum would have been of greater extent was it not from the kindness of many of the Antiguan proprietors, in presenting each a barrel or two of sugar.