Figure 1.-- We note what was described as a children's hospital on Randall's Island in New York City, but are not quite sure what to make of it. We see a nurse which suggests a hospital. We also see unformed parients. They seem to be wearing white pinafores, but it is unclear what they are wearing under the pinnies, ecxept a long-sleeve top. They even have e same broad brimmed, flat top hats. Uniforms like that were not common at hospitals. We see a lot of children, both boys and girls, but there also seem to be adults, or at least older teenagers. Put your cursor on the image for a closer look at the children.

There are a range of health/medical institutions. These unlike schools, orphanages, camps, reformatories and other instututions, most health institutiins are not specifically for children. Wenote hospitals, sanatoria, and asylums, The most important of health are of course hospitals. There are a wide range of hospitals, inclusing private, religious affiliated, state and charity. There are also specialized hospitals, such as children's hospitals. We note what was described as a children's hospital on Randall's Island in New York City, but are not quite sure what to make of it. We see a nurse which suggests a hospital. We also see unformed parients. They seem to be wearing white pinafores, but it is unclear what they are wearing under the pinnies, ecxept a long-sleeve top. They even have e same broad brimmed, flat top hats. Uniforms like that were not common at hospitals. We see a lot of children, both boys and girls, but there also seem to be adults, or at least older teenagers. Randall's Island itself is an interesting place. In the 19th century, unlike today, the Island was not well connected with the est of New York City. An it was used as a place for what the City wanted to het rid of or at least put out of sight. So they dug of tens of thousand of bodies in grave vyad and moved them to the Island. And facilities for people they waned no contact with to the Island. One authot tells us not only potters fields and the treatment facilities for the City’s less fortunate citizens were moved to the island. The City's policy was to phyically separate itself from issues and people they found distasteful. Thre was a House of Refuge for indigent immigrants, an 'Idiot' Asylum, a homeopathic hospital, the Inebriate Asylum, and the City Insane Asylum. [Lovejoy] We do not see any mention of a children's hospital. Of course all of this could not be more different today. The parks, green areas, bike paths, and ballfields of Randall's Island are a vital part of the nodern City.

Souces

Lovejoy. Bess. "Islands of the Undesirables: Randall’s Island and Wards Island," Atlas Obscura (June 2, 2015).

Created: 9:47 PM 7/24/2019
Last updated: 9:47 PM 7/24/2019