THE WEST END HOSPITAL FOR NERVOUS DISEASES. [To THE EDITOR
OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The fact that the West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases has recently entered upon a new phase of its career by trans- ferring the bulk of its activities from 73 Welbeck Street to St. Katharine's Lodge, Regent's Park, seems to me to be a matter of no small importance to all who are interested in this and similar institutions. The hospitality invariably extended by the Spectator to all deserving charitable appeals is my excuse for encroaching upon your valuable space with a brief review of the hospital's past history, and a sketch of its future plans and prospects.
The West End Hospital was first opened on July 9th, 1878, under the patronage of H.R.H. the Princess of Wales, our present Queen Alexandra. It was then equipped with ten cots. Thirteen years later it was entirely rebuilt, and by 1918 ninety-two further beds had been added. The number of out- patients had meanwhile increased •from 523 to 3,760, with a total of 36,133 attendances, there being more new cases, not- withstanding the scarcity of male patients, than in any other hospital for nervous diseases. This year the out-patient depart- ment has become even more popular, and on one single day, January 8th, the cases dealt with numbered 247. The hospital has always given especial attention to the indoor treatment of children, and during the war many beds were set aside for the use of military patients.
At the 'beginning of 1919 the necessity for the reconstruction of the hospital, which had been under consideration for a long time, became more than ever imperative. The number of patients suffering from nervous diseases was increasing daily, owing to the strain of the war and the additional difficulties of living. Moreover, the work of the hospital was severely hampered by the inadequate accommodation at Welbeck Street, where the premises were too much enclosed by other buildings and too noisy for the welfare of the patients. A fresh site was, therefore, sought for in various parts of London, and at last the most perfect situation was discovered at St. Katharine's Lodge, Regent's Park.
St. Katharine's Lodge was formerly the residence of the Master of St. Katharine's Charity, originally founded by Queen Matilda on the site of St. Katharine's Docks, whence it was moved in 1845 to its present position within a stone's-throw of the new West End Hospital. The house was subsequently occu- pied for some years by the family of the late .Mr. Brinsley Marley, at whose death it was bequeathed, together with the many artistic treasures it contained, to the Fitzwilliam Museum. In 1912 it was purchased as a private residence by the late Mr. William Salomon, of New York, who on the out- break of war converted it into a luxurious and well-appointed hospital for officers, under the control of the American Red Cross. Within the past year the Committee of the West End Hospital entered into negotiations with Mr. Salomon with a view to acquiring the lease, and, largely owing to the owner's benevolence and generosity, the question of purchase was settled upon terms most favourable to the hospital, and the patients transferred thither on the 17th of last month.
It is no exaggeration to say that a more ideal situation for a London hospital dealing with nervous diseases could nowhere be found. The house contains magnificent accommodation for in-patients, and is surrounded by its own grounds and gardens of five acres. In order, however, satisfactorily to carry out the scheme of reconstruction, a large sum is required. I cannot help thinking that many of your readers may be willing to help in the good cause of moving the hospital to healthier sur- roundings, ensuring the best possible treatment for Navy and Army pensioners, adult civilian patients and children, and enabling many additional cases to be dealt with. For this pur- pose increased endowments, donations, and subscriptions are urgently needed, and should be sent to the Treasurer, West End Hospital, 73 Welbeck Street, W. 1.—I am, Sir, &c.,
[We are sure that Captain Harry Graham will not appeal in vain for this invaluable hospital in its new and most interesting surroundings. The field of nervous disease has become terribly large. The hospital for which Captain Graham pleads has always played a distinguished part, but for obvious reasons its needs grow even faster than its opportunities, great and increasing though these are. To say that the State can do nothing in such matters at present is to make the appeal to the individual benefactor stronger than ever:—ED. Spectator.]
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