St Luke's Hospital, Old Street Road, Moorfields

 

Situated at the north-west corner of what became Providence Row, St Luke's catered for 'incurables' (i.e. lunatics) and was in operation between 1751 until 1792. Behind the house were two large gardens, one each for women and men, where those who could be allowed out safely could take the air. Those in a more dangerous state of mind were kept in "strait waistcoats" but allowed to roam a gallery well heated with fires protected by iron bars, while "in those cells where the most dangerous and hopeless patients are confined, every thing which can alleviate their miserable state is attended to."

Interestingly, of the 4,426 admitted as incurable, 1,936 were discharged as cured.