New York State Board of Charities Questionnaires on Hospital Accommodations of County Poorhouses

Alphabetical by county.

Questionnaires provide information on medical facilities and conditions in poorhouse hospitals.

Officials from poorhouses completed these four-page questionnaires and submitted them to the Board. Each form contains the following information about poorhouse hospital facilities: amount of space; amount and type of facilities, including special facilities such as those for surgery or quarantine; names and salaries of medical personnel; dietary practices and kitchen facilities; sanitary conditions; heating, plumbing, and other utilities; number of patients in the past year; number of deaths, and the causes; number of recoveries; and number currently being treated and their illnesses.

The following general information about the poorhouse itself is also provided: number of male and female inmates; number of inmates capable of working; number of births in the past year; number of insane, retarded, and epileptics; and suggestions for improvements or changes in the institution.

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through inter-library loan.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.