For many years the practice of sending foundlings and other infants committed to the Department to the Almshouse prevailed, where they were placed in charge of the female inmates. The records show that the mortality of this unfortunate class during this period amounted to the appalling figure of eighty-five or ninety per cent., and it is even believed that excepting the few adopted none survived the first year. In 1866, the Commissioners appointed a matron, and employed paid nurses to take exclusive charge of the infants, and although the mortality continued large there was a manifest change for the better. The next year wet nurses were transferred from the general hospitals to nourish them. Life by this means was so prolonged, and the number so increased that it became necessary to convert several wards of the Almshouse into nurseries, and on the completion of the Inebriate Asylum, the infants were temporarily transferred to that building. The necessity of providing a large and well-arranged hospital, devoted wholly to this class, had long been felt. Such an edifice was begun in 1868, and a portion of it was made ready for the reception of the nurses and children on the 9th of August, 1869. The building stands on the western side of Randall's Island, facing northward, is constructed of brick and stone, in the most approved style of modern hospital architecture.

The plan consists of a long, three-story pavilion, with three large traverse sections, the eastern one not yet having been erected. The offices and private apartments for the physicians are located in the northern portion of the central traverse section, the latter being well arranged on the second floor. The edifice was erected under the supervision of the Medical Board, and contains every facility for light, heat, and ventilation. It is at present divided into eighteen wards, and has accommodations for 153 adults and 217 children, though 260 of the latter class have already been under treatment in it at one time. The completion of the section yet to be added will greatly increase the accommodations. Children are taken as foundlings, orphans, and are often attended by their indigent mothers. They are divided into three classes: the "wee nursed," the "bottle-fed," and the "walking-children." Unless reclaimed by their parents, they continue in the Hospital until two or three years old, when they are placed in a nursery where one nurse can take charge and instruct ten or twelve of them. As many wet-nurses as possible are obtained, though the supply is never equal to the demand. 1,516 infants were under treatment during the year closing January 1, 1870, 710 of whom died. Since entering the new Hospital, the rate of mortality has been greatly lessened. During the five months of 1868 (from August to December inclusive), 383 deaths occurred, or 21.10 per cent. per month of the inmates. During the same period in 1869, 156 died, or 10.07 per cent. of the inmates, a decrease of over one-half. The statistics of mortality during the whole year of 1870 were 58.99 per cent. of all foundlings received, and 15.06 of those received with their mothers. The chief physician, Dr. Dunster, believes that the annual mortality will be further reduced by the full development of the plans of the Commissioners. It is doubtful whether any better place for foundlings will be provided among the charities of New York.

The nursery population has several times been sadly overtaken with epidemics, now believed to have resulted, at least in part, from an inadequate supply of good water. This evil has now been obviated by the laying of more pipe, affording an abundant supply of pure Croton. The engine-house, containing, besides the heating and ventilating apparatus for the Hospital, the washing and drying apartments, is situated at some distance from the main building. A gas-house for the manufacture and supply of this illuminating agent to all the buildings stands in the rear of the engine-house. The grounds, which slope gracefully to the river, adorned with a row of chestnut, hickory, and oak trees, are being nicely graded, and will, no doubt, in time be highly ornamental. The roads and walks are being built in the most substantial manner, on stone foundations, varying from one to two feet in thickness, and macadamized.