Today, Kashchenko psychiatric hospital is the main center of neuropsychiatric research in Russia. Since 1994, the institution was renamed the Moscow Psychiatric Hospital No. 1 named after Nikolai Alexandrovich Alekseev. But the people still call it simply "Kashchenko" - by the name of Petr Petrovich Kashchenko (photo below), the former head doctor of this hospital. The address of the Kashchenko psychiatric hospital in Moscow is Zagorodnoye Shosse, house number 2. The specialists of the institution are involved in all kinds of medical and psychological examinations, conduct all types of examinations and examinations.
Background to the appearance of the Kashchenko psychiatric hospital
At the beginning of the 20th century, only one hospital for the mentally ill was located in Moscow. The Transfiguration Hospital could not provide assistance to all those in need, and therefore a proposal was put forward for the construction of a new building or hospital for the needs of the population. The initiative was taken by two well-known researchers - Victor Butske and Sergey Korsakov. Financing was not issued by the state, and therefore money had to be sought from private individuals.
Main investors
Donations were collected from the entire population of Moscow, which allowed to accumulate 25 thousand rubles. At such a pace, construction could drag on for many years, if not for the help of patrons. The first such benefactor was Nazarov Tikhon Ilyich, making significant at that time 25 thousand rubles. His trust in the project made it possible to find more influential and wealthy investors.
Infusions continued to flow, and the well-known Baev family of merchants joined the project, who contributed 200 thousand rubles to the construction account. Around the same time, the manufacturer Timothy Morozov donated another 100 thousand rubles. The amount collected reached half a million, after which the building design process began.
A year later, in 1890, two more major investors appeared. They soon joined the construction. Thanks to Flora Ermakov and Yevgeny Kun, two additional buildings were opened, which they called their names.
The total amount of money raised reached a million rubles. On the territory of the psychiatric hospital named after Kashchenko to this day there is a memorial stone. The names of all benefactors and patrons are carved on it.
Opening of the psychiatric hospital Kashchenko
Work on the construction of the building began in May 1889. The start was given at a meeting of public figures. The meeting addressed issues related to the location of the psychiatric hospital, the focus of activities, and who will take up new vacancies in the Kashchenko psychiatric hospital. There were not many suitable places for such buildings in Moscow. The hospital was built on the territory of the former estate of the famous collector Beketov. This place was bought by the merchant Ivan Kanatchikov, and therefore the estate was called "Kanatchikovoy dacha." It is interesting that Vysotsky made a reference to this place in one of his songs:
Dear transmission!
On Saturday, almost crying
The whole Kanatchikova cottage
I was torn to the TV.
Instead of eating, washing,
Prick and forget
Whole mad hospital
Gathered at the screen.
On the territory of the estate they tried to build many manufactories and industries, but they all went bankrupt.
An architecture plan was established on 60 hectares of land that was developed by the city government. According to the plan formed by Viktor Butsk, the specifics of the building are the construction of two-story stone buildings, combined with long and warm corridors. The project of the architect Leonid Vasiliev also provided for the design of a psychiatric hospital in the Neo-Russian style, the facade is replete with various forms of ancient Russian architecture.
The grand opening of the Kashchenko mental hospital took place on May 12, 1894. On the same day the building was consecrated, and Viktor Butske became the head physician. In the period from 1899 to 1904, 2 additional buildings were completed, as well as hospital workshops. The architect of these structures was Alexander Meisner.
Location of buildings
After completion of all construction and facing works, all buildings were brought into full operation. The bulk of the main buildings were laid on an elevated section of the cottage, which allowed us to build houses for hospital staff in a more convenient space. The road that led to the hospital courtyard divided the entire territory into two parts. In the east were the houses of staff, and to the west - hospital buildings, as well as workshops. On the back side of the main building there were serving hospital buildings, including a laundry room, a dining room and a bathhouse. All departments of the economic building were divided into two groups, according to the gender of the patients.
Pavilion system
Each half included four pavilions. The first of them was united by a warm passage to the administration building, which ensured the speedy examination of newly arrived patients. Slightly calmer patients were located a little higher, who did not present special difficulties in caring for them. Another building was attached to the building - identical. Its lower tier was intended to treat debilitated patients. Calm patients lay a floor above. From the second building there was a warm passage to the third, in which there were exuberant patients. From this building one could get into a small wing, in which were the most neglected mentally ill.
The first three buildings are considered to be departments of a psychiatric hospital, each of which provided from 23 to 27 beds. Each department can conduct work independently of the rest and carry out its activities autonomously. Near the bedrooms there is a room in which patients are located in the daytime. Near the dining room a buffet worked, behind which there is a staircase. She leads to the kitchen. In addition to large common rooms, in each department there were five special rooms for violent and restless patients. Annexes for especially dangerous patients are also equipped with five separate rooms.
Patients under patronage
At the time of the opening of the Kashchenko Psychiatric Hospital, a patronage system was widespread. It is noteworthy that such a soft and effective technology for treating patients was never used anywhere in pre-revolutionary Russia.
It was the establishment of contact between the patient and the outside world, by settling in a strange family. It was an extremely difficult decision, which was signed personally by the head physician. Each family that received the patient was required to provide the patient with a separate room with a table and bed. The host party also pledged to feed the patient at a common table, along with the rest of the family. Such benefits were rewarded every month in the amount of 9 rubles 50 kopecks. In addition to providing money to families, the hospital provided patients with clothing, shoes, matches, cigarettes, bedding and money for personal expenses.
The cost of sending a patient under patronage was 50% of the cost of treatment in a hospital, or 170 rubles a year. Each patient was visited by a doctor attached to him. Such rounds could be up to three per day. The system was abolished in 1922 with the advent of Soviet power.
Soviet period
Since 1922, the hospital has undergone many major changes. The area of the main hospital building was reduced to 30 hectares. The patronage system was replaced, as well as the direction of one of the buildings. In its place settled the colony "Troparevo".
It is this period that is associated with the most unusual rumors and conjectures. The Soviet leadership practiced research in the field of electroconvulsive therapy for patients. Especially many such cases occurred during the war period. Many patients who have tried this technology on themselves have partially lost their memory.
The modern period, interesting facts
The famous hospital Kashchenko works to this day. For the second year now, the institution has been participating in the First Experience project, according to which it helps to integrate mentally ill people into society.
A museum of psychiatric research has been built on the territory of the hospital, where you can also learn about the history of the institution and the most famous doctors of the hospital. It shows how psychiatric hospitals worked in the past.
This institution, despite its narrow focus, is widely known. This is largely due to the frequent mention in popular culture. An example of songs about Kashchenko, in addition to the famous work of Vysotsky, is the single of the Russian singer Boulevard Depot of the same name.
Another important aspect of the formation of the hospital’s popularity is the “Through the Looking Glass” radio station opened in 2014. This is a project in which hospital doctors and patients participate.