During construction the buildings were guarded day and night by 9 soldiers under the orders of General Sykes to prevent attempts of incendiarism.

[4] It covered about an acre and a half and contained ten wards along with a kitchen and an administration building two stories high on the south side, 80 feet long and connected to the back via a 275 feet long corridor to the wards (five on each side of it).

A 27 feet wide yard was added between each building to introduce light and ventilation to the wards.

The kitchen laundry and other supporting services were on the east side of the administration building.

All the buildings were constructed on piles and elevated 3 feet above the ground to limit the dampness from the soil.