Dear Anna,
Every week you give me a new treat to enjoy. This week I was especially intrigued by Wagner's dedication to hygiene. Also, I was fascinated by the fact that he designed Kirche am Steinhof to serve a mentally ill population.

The implementation of his ideas in the church at Steinhof was almost revolutionary in terms of hygiene and care for the mentally ill. For example, he replaced the holy water basin with standing water with a dispenser from which the consecrated water dripped. This was to prevent infections, but also undue "splashing around".

I can't tell you how affected I am by this. Wagner has a fan here. Not only is his architecture stunning and functional, but it is compassionate--if I can use such a term in relation to buildings.

It seems I've written a small book on many subjects. One of them was Florence Nightingale. I was struck in your description of Wagner's hygiene planning with how this is consistent with the plans suggested by Nightingale. She didn't really understand germ theory, but nonetheless advocated for washing, open spaces, fresh air. She redesigned hospitals and wrote a book for women explaining how they could keep their homes clean and thus keep illness at bay.

I've read up a bit on Wagner since last night (when I first saw your blog), and will read again tonight. Who knows? There might be another small book in it :)

A brilliant blog, as usual Anna (though there is nothing usual about your blogs).

With regard and respect (for you and Wagner)
Affectionately,
AG