R U LE S A N D R EG U LA TIO N S

FOR THE

MANAGEMENT OF POORHOUSES,

PREPARED AND SANCTIONED

BY THE

BOARD OF SUPERVISION FOR RELIEF OF THE POOR.

REVISED AND ANNOTATED.

E D I N B U R G H :

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CONTENTS.

In th is Edit ion the a l terat ions on the or ig inal Rules

sanctioned by the Board at different times will be found in

the notes appended to the relative sections. Numerous extracts

from the Board's Minutes and Letters regarding the

construction of the Rules have also been given, which the

Board hope may be of service to Parochial Boards and

House-Committees, as well as to Governors.

RULES. SUBJECT. PAGE

I . t o XIII . HOUSE COMMITTEE, 5 Notes.—Position of House Committee, 5 ; Annual

Entertainments, 6; Occupation of Poorhouses, 6; Defective Arrangements, 7 ; Double Beds, 7 ; Apartments to be 1S timbered, 7; Precautions against Fire, 7 ; Temperature of Sick Wards, 7 ; Contracts with Members, 8 ; Boarding-out of Children, 9 ; Stock-taking, 9.

X I V . to X V I I . VISITATION OF POORHOUSE,. 9 Notes.—Appointment of Visiting Committee, 10; Visits, 10

; Complaints by Inmates, 10 ; Visits by Committee, 11; Appointment of Officials, 11; Appointment of Paid Porter, 11.

XVIII. HOUSE-GOVERNOR, . 13

Notes.—Position of Governors, 13; Storekeeper, 14; Poorhouse Accounts, 15 ; Appointment and Dismissal of Servants, 15 ; Employment of Inmates, 16 ; Deaths in Poorhouses, 17 ; Post-mortem Examinations, 18.

BOARD OF SUPERVISION, March 1892. XIX. MATRON, 19

Note.—Use of Blankets instead of Sheets, 22.

SICK NURSES, . 22 Notes.—Arrangements for Sick-Nursing, 22; Regulations where a trained Head-nurse is Employed, 23 ; Claims to share in Medical Grant for Nurses, 23; Advantages of Employing trained Sick-nurses, 25; Register of trained Sick-nurses, 25 ; Resignation or Discharge of trained Sick-nurses, 26.

XX. PORTER, . 26

XXI. to X X V I I . ADMISSION OF POOR PERSONS, 28

Notes.—Rates for Boarding Paupers in Poorhouses, 28 ; Disposal of Billets, 28 ; Procedure when Indoor Relief is offered, 28; Documents to accompany Paupers on Admission, 29 ; Non-pauper Boarders in Poorhouse

RULES AND REGULATIONS

FOR THE

M A N A G E M E N T O F P O O R H O U S E S .

HOUSE-COMMITTEE. I. The management of the Poorhouse shall be under the

immediate control of a House Governor, assisted by a Matron, subject to the orders of a Committee of the Parochial Board or Boards of the Parish or Parishes to which the Poorhouse belongs; and such Commit tee , in t ransac t ing the bus iness commit ted to them, sha l l exercise all the powers necessary for that purpose which belong to the Parochial Board or Boards.

House-Committee and Governor not to be interfered with by any other Committee.—With regard to all arrangements connected with the Poorhouse, the Poorhouse Committee and the Governor cannot be interfered with by another Committee. To allow a Committee other than the House-Committee to exercise jurisdiction of any kind within the Poorhouse would be inconsistent with the powers of the House-Committee, and detrimental to the discipline of the House.—Letter, dated 29th March 1884.

II. One of the members of the House-Committee, so appointed, shal l be named Chairman, who shal l be convener of the Committee; and another member shall be named Vice-Chairman, who shall perform the duties of the Chairman in case of his absence or inability.

III. If the Parochial Board or Boards, in their minute appointing the House-Committee, shall not name the Chairman and Vice- Chairman, then the Committee shall proceed to elect their Chairman and Vice-Chairman at their first meeting, to be held within fourteen days af ter the appointment of the House-Committee , e i ther in the Poorhouse or in i ts v ic ini ty—such meet ing to be called by the House-Governor of the Poorhouse; or, if there be no House-Governor , by the Inspector of the Par ish in which the Poorhouse is situated.

4 CONTENTS RULES. SUBJECT. PAGE

Hospitals, 30 ; Hours of Admission, 30 ; Charge for Days of Arrival and Departure, 30 ; Medical Certificate required for Admission, 30; Arrangements in Proba-tionary Wards, 31; Admission of Infectious Cases to Poorhouse Hospitals, 32; Treatment of Infectious Cases, 32 ; Cancer Cases, 32 ; Venereal Cases, 32 ; Surgical Cases, 33; Vaccination of Inmates on Admission, 33; Medical Officer not to Interfere with Classification, 33 ; Vermin on Inmates, 33 ; Bathing of Inmates, 34; 'Cost of Clothing of an Absconding Inmate, 34.

X X V I I I . t o XXX. CLASSIFICATION OF INMATES, . 35

Note.—Classification, 35.

XXXI. to XLVII. DISCIPLINE OF THE INMATES, . 37

Notes.—Earnings of Inmates, 38; Modification of Rule XL., 39; Inmates of Hospital discharging themselves before cured, 40; Inmates demanding Discharge when unfit to leave, 40; Inmates with Dependants suffering from Infectious Disease demanding their Discharge, 40 ; Leave of Absence, 40 ; Holiday for Children, 41; Visitors to Patients in Hospital, 41; Inmates' Letters, 42.

XLVIII. MEDICAL OFFICER, . 42

Notes.—Daily Visits, 42; Examination of Inmates on Admission, 43; Right to put an Inmate in a Strait Jacket, 43 ; Directions to be in Writing, 43; Vaccination of Children, 43.

XLIX. to LIV. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION, 45

Notes.—Qualifications of Chaplains, 45; Registration of Religious Persuasion of Children, 45 ; Religious Education of Children, 46; Appointment of a Salaried Roman Catholic Clergyman, 46; Leave of Absence to attend Divine Worship, 47.

LV. t o LXVI. PUNISHMENTS FOR MISCONDUCT OF INMATES, . 48

LXVII. and LXVIII. DIET OF THE INMATES, . . 52

Notes.—Interpretation of Rule LXVII., 55 ; Dietaries of Children, 56 ; Use of Milk, 58.

LXIX. to LXXII. EXPLANATION OF TERMS, 59

LIST OF BOOKS, 60

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IV. The House-Committee shall hold Ordinary Meetings, at the least once in every three months, at stated times to be fixed by the Parochial Board or Boards in the minute naming the Committee; or if, not so fixed, then at such stated times as shall be fixed by the Committee.

V. The House-Committee shall hold Special Meetings at such times as the Chairman, or, in case of his absence or inability, the Vice-Chairman, shall call such meetings.

VI. The proceedings of all meetings of the House-Committee shall be recorded in a Minute-Book to be kept for that purpose in the Poorhouse, in which the minute of each meeting shall be signed by the Chairman of that meeting, or, in his absence, by a Member on the authority of the Committee, and the same shall be reported to the Parochial Board or Boards from time to t ime, or at such times as the Parochial Board or Boards shall direct by the minute appointing the Committee. Annual Entertainment of Poorhouse Committees.—The attention of the Board

having-g been called to the practice of a House-Committee providing an annual entertainment, including wines and refreshments, for themselves and their friends, at the expense of the ratepayers, we intimated that, while recognising the necessity of leaving minor arrangements as much as possible to the discretion of House-Committees, whose gratuitous services cannot be too much encouraged, we regretted to be obliged in this case to express our disapproval both of the arrangements themselves, and of the way in which they had been carried out and persisted in. We pointed out that, as there is at present no official audit of parochial accounts, the Parochial Board should on that account be all the more careful in the expenditure of the parochial funds; that they are the Trustees of these funds on behalf of the ratepayers; and that it is in the power of any ratepayer to call them to account in a Court of Law for the manner in which they dispose of them.—Abridged from 34th Annual Report (1879), p. ix.

VII. The House-Committee shall uphold and maintain the Poorhouse and premises in good and substantial repair, and shall, from time to time, remedy, without delay, any such defect in the repair of the house, its drainage, warmth, or ventilation, or in the furniture or fixtures thereof, as may tend to injure the health of the inmates —and, with a view to so upholding and maintaining the Poorhouse, shall insure and keep insured the same against damage by fire, for such sum, being reasonably sufficient to cover any probable loss, and in such manner, as the Committee may determine. But alterations of the Poorhouse or premises requiring additional building, or the removal of any bui lding or wal l , or an a l tera t ion in the authorised use of any portion of the building, shall not be under- taken by the House-Committee, except with the concurrence of the Parochial Board and the Board of Supervision.

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Fitness of Poorhouses for Occupation.—The Board resolved that in all cases in which a new Poorhouse, or an addition to an old Poorhouse, has been built the Parochial Board shall be required, before placing any inmates in such house or addition, to furnish a certificate by a competent medical man, and an architect or builder, as to the fitness of the house in every respect for the reception of inmates.— Board's Minute of 2nd December 1852. The following are the Forms in which these Certificates are required. (Blank Forms may be obtained from the Board on application. ) (1) Architect's Certificate. _________POORHOUSE. I hereby certify that on the day of I visited and minutely inspected the Poorhouse of

, and compared the whole buildings, drainage, and yards with the Plans aproved and signed by the Board of Supervision; that I find the PP whole of the said buildings, drainage, and yards executed in conformity with the aforesaid plans; and that I am of opinion that the house is in every respect safe and suitable for immediate occupation. Dated this day of

(Signature.) NOTE.—An circumstances requiring special notice may be inserted below.) (2) Medical Certificate. ___________________ POORHOUSE. I hereby certify, on soul and conscience, that on the day of I visited and carefully e x a m i n e d t h e P o o r h o u s e o f , a n d t h a t , h a v i n g r e g a r d t o t h e drainage, ventilation, furniture, and arrangements, and to the condition of the plaster work and building generally, I am of opinion that the house is in every P respect fit for the immediate reception, without risk of injury to their health, of a

number of inmates not exceeding . Dated at this day of (Signature.)

NOTE.—Any circumstances requiring special notice may be inserted below.) Defects in a Poorhouse. —We e ascertained, upon inquiry, that considerable defects

existed in the arrangements of a Poorhouse, especially from overcrowding, and that the building had not been completed in conformity with the plans approved and signed by this Board. We accordingly called upon the House-Committee to remedy the defects • and we intimated that, until that had been done, and the number of inmates reduced so as to correspond with the accommodation afforded by the house as actually built we could not hold any offer of admission to this Poorhouse to be an , offer of adequate relief.-11th Annual Report (1856), p. vii. Double Beds.—In one Poorhouse, it appeared that the number of double beds was

too great, insomuch that two adult male paupers were in some cases made to sleep in the same bed. We pointed out that although it might be true that the same thing , occurs in the private dwellings of the poor, it could not be tolerated in a Poorhouse, and ought to be strictly prohibited in future.-11th Annual Report (1856), p. vii. Apartments to be numbered.—The several apartments in the Poorhouse should be distinguished by numerals—the numbers to run consecutively throughout the house, and to include all apartments whatsoever, and every office and outbuilding; and the plans of the Poorhouse should be numbered in conformity with this arrangement.— See Circular, 23rd July 1868. Precautions against Fire.—In many Poorhouses the sick and bed-ridden occupy the

upper wards, and if a serious fire were to occur, the difficulty of removing those persons, with the help only of inmates, themselves partially disabled, would be very great. There should be a fireplug on each floor, with enough hose to reach every part of the house; and the inmates should be regularly instructed in the use of the apparatus.—See Circular, 17th June 1879. Temperature of Sick Wards.—The temperature of an ordinary sick ward in an

hospital in the colder season of the year should never be under 60° Fahr., and when the cold is severe in winter 65° and 70° would be preferable temperatures. When we deal with hospitals for sick paupers, even a greater latitude should be

allowed. And this is all the more necessary when we remember: firstly, the character of the ailments of the sick poor-chiefly bronchitis and other chronic affections of the air passages and lungs; secondly, their debilitated constitutions; and lastly, their age.

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As a person's years increase, the necessity of a higher temperature has been recognised by all medical authorities, and to keep the temperature of pauper sick wards under 60° Fahr. at this season of the year would be to lower the vitality of the patients and seriously to interfere with their chances of recovery.—Report by Dr Littlejohn, dated 9th December 1889.

VIII. The House-Committee shall, once at least in every year, and as often as may be necessary for cleanliness, cause all the rooms, wards, offices, and privies belonging to the Poorhouse to be lime-washed, and the cesspools to be emptied.

IX. The House-Committee shall purchase and procure, from time to time, provisions, clothing, linen, bed-clothes, and every article required for the use of the Poorhouse, and shall not employ any member of the Parochial Board or Boards, by which the Committee was appointed, to furnish such articles, or to execute any work connected with the Poorhouse, unless the offers for the contracts for such supplies or work shall have been, by sealed tenders, so trans- mitted, that it shall not be known to the Committee, at the time when a tender is accepted, by whom it was made.

Contracts with Members of Parochial Boards or of House-Committees.—The Secretary of a Poorhouse Combination was informed that it does not appear to the Board that the Poorhouse Committee is precluded from purchasing goods, or entering into contracts with members of the Parochial Boards within the Combination, who are not members of the Poorhouse Committee. But no such transaction can be entered into otherwise than in conformity with Article IX. of the Rules and Regulations for the Management of Poorhouses. The Board are of opinion that the Poorhouse Committee cannot legally purchase goods from, or enter into contracts with, any person who is a member of that Committee.—Letter, dated 17th July 1863.

X. The House-Committee shall cause all accounts of supplies furnished, work executed, or other expenses incurred on account of the Poorhouse, to be made out as against the House-Committee, and no such account shall be paid or transmitted to any other committee or officer of the Parochial Board, with a view to its payment, until it has been examined by the House-Committee, and docqueted by their order.

XI. The House-Committee shall determine what poor children admitted to the Poorhouse shall be boarded out, and shall see that such as are so boarded replaced with proper persons, that their education is properly attended to, and that they are trained to habits of industry. The House-Committee shall also see that proper masters or employers are provided for all pauper children under the charge of the Committee, who are apprenticed or sent to service, and that the Chaplain and the House-Governor, or other person charged with that duty, continue to exercise a regular superintendence in respect to them, so long as they are chargeable to the parish.

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Boarding out of Children—The Board are of opinion that when children are sent temporarily to the Poorhouse, with a view to their being subsequently boarded out by the Parochial Board, the Poorhouse Committee should not exercise the power vested in them by Article XI. of the Rules and Regulations for the Management of Poorhouses. These Rules were framed in 1850, when the system of boarding out children was not practiced by more than two or three Parochial Boards, and the object of Article XI. was to give to the House-Committee the power of boarding out children, where that power was not exercised by the Parochial Board. Where that power is exercised by the Parochial Board, the responsibility of selecting proper guardians and of watching over the children boarded out most properly rests with the Parochial Board and the Inspector. In such a case any attempt on the part of the House-Committee to exercise the power of boarding out, either jointly with the Parochial Board, or exclusively, would be certain to lead to misunderstanding and collision.—Letter, dated 5th June 1880. It is not expedient that the children should be detained in a Poorhouse. The usual practice is to board such children out with respectable persons in the country, and the success of the boarding out system in Scotland has been most remarkable. The Poorhouse Committee have full power to take advantage of this beneficial arrangement.—Letter, dated 15th July 1885.

XII. The House-Committee shall cause to be laid before them, at every ordinary meeting, the Register of the inmates, with an abstract showing the number who have been admitted, dismissed, have died or absconded, or have been removed, since the date of the preceding abstract; also, the record of cases of misconduct and punishment; also the Report-book of the Medical Officer, the Visitor's Report book, and the House-Governor's Journal; also a statement of the provisions, clothing, and other necessaries received, expended, and remaining in the Poorhouse also all accounts of expenses chargeable to the House-Committee, and such other books, accounts, and documents as, by these rules, are required to be laid before them.

XIII. The House-Committee shall, once at least in every year, name two or more of their number a Sub-Committee, to be present when the House-Governor takes stock of provisions, clothing, linen, bed-clothes, furniture, and other articles belonging to the Poorhouse, and the members so present shall countersign the account of stock so taken, which shall be laid before the House-Committee at their next ordinary meeting.

Stock-taking not intended to be Valuation.—It is not intended by this Rule that in stock-taking the articles should be valued, such a process being only applicable to a merchant or tradesman with a view to the striking of an annual balance, and to ascertain his financial position.—Letter, dated 19th August 1887.

VISITATION OF POORHOUSE.

XIV. The Poorhouse shall be visited once at least in every week, by a Committee of two or more members of the Parochial Board. The Visiting-Committee shall carefully examine the Poorhouse—

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shall satisfy themselves as to the quantity and quality of the provisions issued to the inmates—shall ascertain whether the House is kept clean, well ventilated, and sufficiently warm, and whether the inmates are properly attended to and accommodated− and shall write such answers as the facts may warrant to the following queries, which are to be printed on each page of a book, to be provided by the House-Committee, and kept for that purpose in the Poorhouse, and which is to be submitted by the House-Governor to the House-Committee at every ordinary meeting :—

1. Is the house, with its supplementary buildings, wards, yards, and appurtenances, clean and well-ventilated?

2. Do the inmates appear clean and decent •in their persons and clothing, and orderly in their behaviour; what is the nature of the employment provided?

3. Are the inmates usefully employed according to their capacity; and can you suggest any improvement in their employment?

4. Are the infirm in body or mind properly attended to, according to their several conditions?

5. Are the children, or others at school, making due progress and does the Chaplain attend regularly to their religious instruction?

6. Is the Medical Officer regular in his attendance? 7. Do the patients in the sick-ward appear to be in as satisfactory

a state as their ailments admit of?

8. Is there any infectious disease in any of the wards, or are any of the children not vaccinated?

9. Is the established dietary duly observed, and are the hours of meals regularly adhered to?

10. Is the separation of the sexes and various classes of inmates strictly enforced; in particular, are children absolutely separated from adults, and married women from mothers of illegitimate children?

11. Is any complaint made by any of the inmates against any official, or in respect of the provisions or accommodations?

Appointment of Visiting-Committee.—It rests with the Parochial Board to regulate

the appointment of the Visiting-Committee, and if the Parochial Board do not themselves appoint the Visiting-Committee, it is the duty of the House-Committee to do so. – Letter dated 17th of July 1879

Visiting-Committee to be accompanied by Governor or Matron.—The Visiting-Committee in going through the house on their official visits should be accompanied by the Governor or Matron. Any other course might be injurious to discipline and authority.-Letter, dated 16th May 1874.

Complaints by Inmates.—A Governor, who asked if he was bound to supply inmates with paper and postage stamps for the purpose of writing complaints, was

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informed that no obstacle of any kind should be placed in the way of an inmate who complains to the Board or to the Parochial Board of his treatment in the Poorhouse, and it does not appear that such a rule can interfere with the discipline of the Poorhouse.—Letter, dated 18th September 1878.

Any course of proceeding calculated to raise a suspicion that a complaint to this Board was resented by the Parochial authorities, would at once destroy all confidence in the management of the establishment, which ought to be such as to court rather than to shun investigation. – Minute dated, 28th July 1853

Visits by Committee. — In an exceptional case the Board sanctioned a modification of Rule XIV., whereby visits shall be made fortnightly instead of weekly. —Minute, dated 14th August 1889.

XV. The Visiting-Committee shall forthwith report in writing to the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee, any observations connected with the Poorhouse which may appear to them to require the immediate attention of that Committee.

XVI. The Members, and the Secretary of the Board of Supervision, and all officers and persons duly authorised by that Board, and all the members of the Parochial Board of a parish having a pecuniary interest in the Poorhouse, and all persons duly authorised by any such Parochial Board or by the House-Committee, or by the Chairman acting on behalf of that Committee shall be entitled to visit and inspect the Poorhouse, and to enter any remarks thereon in the book containing the questions to be answered by the Visiting-Committee; and no officer of the Poorhouse shall in any way, directly or indirectly, impede such visit or inspection, or the entry of such remarks and no other person, unless legally authorised, shall be allowed to enter the Poorhouse, so as to be enabled to communicate with the inmates, without permission from the House- Governor or Matron.

XVII. In the Poorhouse there shall be a House-Governor, a Matron, and a Porter, who shall be paid officers, and shall reside within the Premises, and the duties of such resident officers and their assistants respectively shall be as hereinafter specified.

Appointment of Officials.—The officials of the Poorhouse should be appointed by the House-Committee, subject to the approval of the Parochial Board.—Letters, dated 13th April 1877 and 5th July 1878.

In the case of a Combination Poorhouse, the appointments must be made by the House-Committee.—Letter, dated 5th May 1881.

Appointment of a Paid Porter.—In consequence of an unfortunate occurrence which took place in a Poorhouse where a pauper inmate acted as porter, the Board called on the House-Committees of several of the larger Poorhouses to appoint a paid porter not a pauper. Some of the House-Committees objected, and the following is an Opinion of Counsel as to the power of the Board to enforce the employment of a paid porter, with which the Board have been favoured by one of the objecting Committees.

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OPINION.

1. The Poor Law Act of 1845 does not confer upon the Board of Supervision any original authority to frame Rules and Regulations for the management of Poorhouses, but it imposes upon the Parochial Board, or Boards interested in the Poorhouses, the statutory duty of framing such Rules and Regulations, and submitting them to the Board of Supervision for approval, and it declares that no rules and regulations shall be effectual or shall be acted upon, except such as shall have been approved by the Board of Supervision. I understand that no Poorhouse Committees themselves framed Rules and Regulations for the approval of the Board of Supervision, but that the Poorhouse Authorities throughout Scotland accepted and acted upon the model rules framed by the Board of Supervision as their own—in some cases by minute and in others simply de facto. It is stated in the Memorial that since Whitsunday, 1865, the Governor of the Memorialists’ Poorhouse took a general superintendence of the Porter, ‘seeing to the Rules of the Board of Supervision with regard to Porters being ‘carried out.’ From this statement, and from the probabilities of the case, I can scarcely doubt that if the question were contested it would be found that the Memorialists, if not by actual minute, at all events by their actings and correspondence, had like other Poorhouse authorities adopted the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Supervision as their own, and had not during the thirty years, throughout which their (the Memorialists') Poorhouse appears to have existed, entirely failed to fulfil the statutory duty laid upon them by Section 64 of the Poor Law Act of 1845. I therefore think that the Board of Supervision would be held entitled to insist upon the rules in question, and more particularly upon those of them applicable to porters being enforced upon the Memorialists and probably upon the other Poorhouse Boards throughout the country. Although these rules and regulations have (with certain modifications) been in force for many years, I am not aware of any objection having hitherto been stated to the power of the Board of Supervision to enforce them. A certain discretion must, in my judgment, be held to be vested in that Board in regard to the enforcement of these Rules and Regulations, as may seem proper in the circumstances of each particular case. I may add that even if it were held that the present Rules and Regulations are not binding upon the Memorialists, I did not see that they would gain any practical advantage from this, inasmuch as upon that view it would become their (the Memorialists') statutory duty at once to frame Rules and Regulations and submit them to the Board of Supervision for approval; and that Board would not, in my judgment, be bound to approve of them unless they contained provisions relative to Porters similar to those which occur in the existing Rules and Regulations—these provisions being apparently reasonable. 2. and 3. I consider that the Memorialists have, in the first instance, a discretion in

selecting and appointing a Porter, and consequently, as to the kind of Porter whom they shall appoint; but if, on inquiry, it shall appear that the Porter so appointed does not satisfy the requirements of the Rules and Regulations, it is, in my judgment, in the power of the Board of Supervision to insist upon the Board removing the Porter and appointing another who shall satisfy these requirements. Upon the information submitted, it appears to me that the Board of Supervision have good and valid grounds for objecting to the present Porter being continued in office. The record of his character and antecedents, as well as the statements relative to his physical condition, seem to show that he is not a person who could be relied upon to perform the duties specified in the Rules and Regulations, and separatim to suggest a general unsuitableness on his part for the office of Porter. 4. It seems to me that the Memorialists' best course would be to comply

with the requisition made upon them by the Board of Supervision in this matter.

Opinion of

(Signed) J. B. BALFOUR.

HOUSE-GOVERNOR.

The House-Governor, who is directly responsible to the House-Committee, and to whom all the other officers employed in the Poorhouse, including the Matron, are subordinate, has, subject to the orders of the House-Committee, the entire responsibility for the management of the Poorhouse. Position and Responsibilities of Governors.—Certain charges having been brought

against a Governor by a person who had held the situation of Porter in the Poorhouse the Board found that they were groundless. But even if a small portion of them had been true, it was a breach of duty on the part of the complainer, as a salaried servant of the Combination, not to have reported them to the House-Committee at the time when the occurrences were alleged to have taken place. The Board were of the opinion that the complainer should not have been so long permitted to retain his situation, and they requested the special attention of the House-Committee to Article XVIII. (14) of the Rules and Regulations for the management of Poorhouses. It is impossible for a Governor to acquit himself of his responsibility for the discipline and management of the Poorhouse if he has not full control over his subordinates. Neither an Inspector of Poor nor any individual member of the House-Committee should interfere directly or indirectly with the management and discipline of the Poorhouse. The Inspector is in no sense the Governor's superior officer, and no member of the Committee has any individual authority over him. If any complaints against the management of the house are tendered to an Inspector of Poor or member of Committee, the complainant should either be informed that they should be transmitted to the House-Committee or the Board of Supervision, who alone have authority to deal with them, or they should only be received for the purpose of being so transmitted without delay. Any other course has a tendency to encourage unfounded complaints and to weaken the Governor's authority.—Minute of 2nd, June 1870.

XVI I I . The fo l lowing sha l l be the dut ies o f the House- Governor :—

(1.) To admit poor persons to be inmates of the Poorhouse, in accordance with the rules of the Poorhouse and the orders of the House-Committee, and not otherwise.

Admission of Poor Persons.—See Rules XXI.-XXVII.

(2.) To keep the register of inmates, and to enter therein the name, religious persuasion, date of admission, and all other particulars required to be entered in the register as to every poor person admitted as an inmate.

(3.) To lay before the House-Committee, at every ordinary meeting as an abstract, showing the number of inmates in the Poorhouse at the date of the last abstract—the number admitted, and the number who have died, absconded, been removed, or dismissed since that date; also the number of inmates of each class, and the total number remaining in the Poorhouse.

(4.) To receive all provisions and other articles purchased or procured for the Poorhouse, and, before placing them in store or

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issuing them, to compare the bill of delivery with the order given; to ascertain whether the quantities charged have been delivered, and whether they are in terms of the contract,—and if so, to authenticate the bills of delivery by his signature; or if not, to report the same forthwith to the Chairman, or in case of his absence or inability, to the acting Chairman, of the House-Committee. Inexpedient to appoint a Storekeeper independent of the Governor. — A proposal

having been made by a House-Committee to appoint a Storekeeper, who would be independent of the Governor, the Board intimated that in their opinion it would be highly inexpedient to appoint an officer to discharge a portion of the statutory duties of the Governor – such officer to be independent of the Governor, and entirely responsible to the House-Committee.—Letter, dated 4th February 1886.

(5.) To receive all provisions, bed and body clothing, and other articles belonging to the Poorhouse, or confided to his care by the House-Committee to deliver or issue them to the Matron or other persons, as may be required or directed by the rules of the Poorhouse and the orders of the House-Committee, and to see that such articles are applied to such purpose as is authorised or approved by the House Committee, and to no other.

(6.) To keep an accurate account in a book, provided by the House-Committee for that purpose, of the receipt and expenditure of all articles received for the use of the Poorhouse, showing the manner in which each has been disposed of.

(7.) To lay before the House-Committee, at every ordinary meeting, an abstract of the provisions, clothing, and other necessaries received, expended, and remaining in the Poorhouse, together with an estimate of the quantity of such provisions or other articles required for the Poorhouse, and to execute such directions as he may receive from the House-Committee thereupon.

(8.) To take stock of provisions, clothing, linen, bed-clothes, furniture, and other articles belonging to the Poorhouse, in the presence of two or more members of the House-Committee, to be named a Sub-Committee for that purpose, at least once in every year, at such time or times as the House-Committee shall determine. Stock-taking not intended to be Valuation.—See Note to Rule XIII.

(9.) To keep a book, to be called "The House-Governor's Journal," to enter therein every important occurrence in the Poorhouse not entered in any other book ordered to be kept, recording from day to day the work on which the inmates are engaged, and to lay such Journal before the House-Committee at every meeting.

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(10.) To keep the "Daily Diet Book," and daily enter therein the number of inmates in each dietary class; the quantities of each article of diet which, according to the existing dietary, shall be required for each of such classes; and the total quantity of each article of ordinary diet to be taken from store, for consumption by the inmates; also, in like manner to keep the "Sick Diet-Book," and enter daily therein the extra diet and cordials prescribed and to be issued for each sick inmate, and the total quantity of each article of such diet.

(11.) To keep all books of accounts which the House-Committee direct and require him to keep; to allow the same to be constantly open to the inspection of any member of a Parochial Board having a pecuniary interest in the Poorhouse, and to submit the same to the House-Committee at their meetings. Method of keeping Poorhouse Accounts.—In some Poorhouse Accounts the cost of

the up-keep of the Poorhouse, furniture, painting, &c., is included under the head of ‘Establishment’ Charges, and appears as ‘Management’ in the Returns made to the Board by Inspectors of Poor. This practice is erroneous, and unduly increases the apparent cost of Management, as such expenditure should be placed under the head of ‘Poorhouse Buildings’. The Board, therefore, require in all Poorhouses that the Books shall be kept in such a form, and the Accounts issued in such a manner, as will enable Inspectors of Poor, in their Returns to the Board, to allocate the Poorhouse Expenditure under the respective heads of—(1) Maintenance, (2) Medical Relief, (3) Management, (4) Law, (5) Poorhouse Buildings, (6) Lunatics, and (7) Miscellaneous.-Circular, dated 23rd January 1888.

(12.) To enforce industry, order, punctuality, and cleanliness, and the strict observance of the several rules and regulations, by the inmates of the Poorhouse, and by the assistants and servants employed therein.

(13.) To enter in his Journal, and, if necessary, to report forthwith to the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee, any transgression of the rules and regulations by any officer or person other than a hired servant or an inmate of the Poorhouse.

(14.) To appoint, subject to the approval of the House-Committee, all the hired servants employed in the Poorhouse, and to select from amongst the inmates all the nurses and helpers, and to suspend or dismiss any or all of such hired servants, and to remove any or all of such nurses or helpers, from these employments, whenever it is just and proper so to do; entering every such suspension, dismission, or removal, with the reasons for the same, in the House-Governor's Journal, and reporting forthwith the fact of such suspension or dismission of a hired servant to the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee. Appointment of Female Servants.—As to appointment of hired female servants,

see Rule XIX. (9) ; but servants, male or female, can be suspended or dismissed by the Governor only.

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(15.) To state, in his Journal, and point out to the Visiting-Committee, anything in the condition or arrangements of the Poorhouse, tending, in his opinion, to injure the health of the inmates and to direct the attention of the Medical Officer to the same.

(16.) To take care that the wards, rooms, kitchen, larder, and all other parts of the Poorhouse and premises, and all the utensils and furniture thereof, be kept clean and in good order; and, as often as any defect in the same, or in the state of the Poorhouse, shall occur, to report the same in his Journal to the House-Committee at their first meeting and if the case be urgent, to report forthwith to the Chairman or acting Chairman of that Committee.

(17.) To obtain the order, in writing, of the House-Committee duly entered in the order-book to he provided for that purpose, and signed by the Chairman or acting Chairman, before purchasing or procuring any article for the use of the Poorhouse or ordering any repairs of any part of the Poorhouse or premises, or of the furniture or other articles thereto belonging.

(18.) To read prayers to the inmates, or cause prayers to be read, before breakfast and after supper every day, in the absence of the Chaplain.

(19.) To cause the inmates to be inspected, and their names called over, immediately after morning prayers every day, in order that it may be seen that each individual is clean and in a proper state.

(20.) To provide for and enforce the employment of all the inmates to the extent of their ability; in case of the failure of suitable employment, to report the same without delay to the House-Committee in writing.

Employment of Inmates.—Suitable employment should be provided for all inmates capable of work.—See Rule XXXVIII.

(21.) To visit the sleeping wards of the male inmates before noon every day, and to see that such wards have been duly cleaned and properly ventilated.

(22.) To see that the proper quantity of each article of diet is daily given out to the Matron in accordance with the Daily Diet- Books.

(23.) To say, or cause to be said, grace before and after meals.

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(24.) To see that the dining halls, tables, and seats, are cleansed after each meal.

(25.) To visit all the wards of the male inmates at or before nine o'clock every night, and see that all the male inmates are in bed, and that all fires and lights are extinguished.

(26.) To receive from the Porter the keys of the entrance to the Poorhouse every night at nine o'clock, and to deliver them to him again every morning at six o'clock, or at such other hours as shall, from time to time, be fixed by the House-Committee.

(27.) To see that the male inmates are properly clothed and supplied with bed-clothes and bedding, and that their clothing, bedclothes, and bedding, are kept in a proper state.

(28.) To send for the Medical Officer of the Poorhouse in case any inmate is taken ill or becomes insane, and to take care that all sick and insane inmates are duly visited by the Medical Officer, and are provided with such medicines, attendance, diet, and other necessaries as the Medical Officer shall in writing direct, and to apprise the nearest relation, if any, in the Poorhouse, of the sickness of any inmate, and in the case of dangerous sickness to send for the Chaplain or other licensed Minister of the persuasion of the inmate, as well as for any relative or friend of such inmate, resident within a reasonable distance, whom he may desire to see.

Directions as to treatment of Sick Inmates to be in writing.—See Note to Rule XLVIII. (4), page 43.

(29.) To give immediate information of the death of any inmate in the Poorhouse to the Medical Officer, and to the nearest relations of the deceased who may be known to him, and who may reside within a reasonable distance; if the body be not removed within a reasonable time, to provide for the interment thereof. Registration of Deaths occurring in Poorhouses. —The duty of registering such deaths is

laid on the Governor. The Governors of certain Poorhouses having stated their inability to furnish the Registrar with certain particulars required to be registered, the Board brought the matter under the notice of the House-Committees, with the view to having arrangements made to remove the difficulty experienced by the Governors. The particulars referred to related to the parentage of deceased persons, and to their spouses in the case of married persons. The Board understand that there can be no difficulty in most cases in the Governor obtaining the requisite information from the Inspector of the Parish by whom the pauper is sent.—Letter, dated 8th November 1879.

Sudden or unexpected Deaths in Poorhouses.-1. In every case of death by accident, sudden or unexpected death, or death under circumstances of apparent or alleged suspicion, occurring in a Poorhouse, the Governor shall, with all despatch, report the same to the Procurator-Fiscal of the County within which the Poorhouse is situated. This report shall be in the form annexed hereto, and must be despatched by the first post after the occurrence of the death.

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REPORT OF DEATH IN THE POORHOUSE OF

Date of

Whether in ordinary. Names of

When last seen by

Circum-

admission Date and sick, or persons (if Medical Supposed stances Name. Age. into hour of probation- any)

present Officer cause of attending

Poor- house.

Death. ary ward at time of Death.

present at time of

Death.

previous to Death.

Death. Death.

(Date.) (Signature)

Governor.

2. In every such case of death, the Medical Officer of the Poorhouse shall make a special written report as to the cause of death, which he shall deliver to the Governor of the Poorhouse at least forty-eight hours before the body is removed for interment. But the Medical Officer shall not make a post-mortem examination of the body until he has been called upon to do so by the Procurator-Fiscal, or until the Procurator- Fiscal has intimated to the Governor of the Poorhouse that he does not intend to order such examination. If no such intimation is made by the Procurator-Fiscal within four days after the dispatch of the Report, above referred to, the Medical

Officer may conclude that the Procurator-Fiscal does not intend to make a post-mortem examination, and the Medical Officer may, if he see fit, after such four days, himself make such post-mortem examination.

3. The Governor of the Poorhouse shall, immediately upon receipt of the Medical Officer's Report, transmit copies of it to the Procurator-Fiscal of the county and to the Board of Supervision, and he shall submit the report itself to the next meeting of the Visiting-Committee and House-Committee.

4. In transmitting the copy of the Medical Officer's Report to the Board of Supervision, the Governor shall enclose a copy of the Report required by Article 1 of this circular, and shall state whether the other requirements of this circular have been attended to, and whether the Procurator-Fiscal has taken proceedings in the case.

5. The Board call upon the Poorhouse officials to give strict observance to the above requirements.—Circular, dated 28th March.

Power of Medical Officer to make Post-mortem Examinations.—In reply to an inquiry arising out of Article 2 of the preceding Circular, the Board intimated that where the Procurator-Fiscal does not order a post-mortem examination to be made, and the Medical Officer is of opinion that this is necessary, it will only be proper that, in every case of the kind, he should first obtain the consent of the relatives before making the examination.—Letter, dated 9th February 1891.

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(30.) To take charge of the clothes and other articles, if any, of such deceased inmate, and to deliver an inventory thereof to the next meeting of the House-Committee, who shall give the necessary directions respecting the same.

(31.) To report to the House-Committee, from time to time, the names of such children as may be fit to be put out to service or other employment, and to take the necessary steps for carrying into effect the directions of the House-Committee thereon.

(32.) To submit to the House-Committee, from time to time, a list of such books or other publications as he may think it necessary or advisable to introduce into the Poorhouse for the use of the inmates, and not to admit into the Collection any book or publication that has not been approved by the House-Committee.

(33.) To inform the Matron where he may be found before at any time he absents himself from the Poorhouse, and never to remain absent from the premises a whole night without leave from the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee.

(34.) To perform, as far as may be, the duties of the Matron during her absence or inability.

(35.) To inform the Visiting-Committee, and the House-Committee, of the state of the Poorhouse in every department, and to submit, in writing, to the House-Committee, at their ordinary meetings, any suggestions he may have to offer for the correction of abuses and the introduction of improvements in the management of the Poorhouse, and to observe and fulfil all lawful orders and directions of the House-Committee, suitable to his office.

(36.) To cause copies of the Rules and Regulations as to discipline and offences and punishments, and as to Diet, to be kept suspended in the respective dining-halls and wards throughout the establishment.

(37.) To attend, if directed so to do, the meetings of the House- Committee, and to write out the minutes of their proceedings, to enter them in the Minute-Book, and to procure the signature of the Chairman of each meeting to the minutes of its proceedings when so entered.

(38.) To attend, and to cause the male hired servants to attend, morning and evening prayers.

MATRON.

XIX. The following shall be the duties of the Matron:-

(1.) To assist the House-Governor in the general management

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and superintendence of the Poorhouse, and especially in enforcing the observance of good order, cleanliness, punctuality, industry, and decency of demeanour, amongst the inmates; in cleansing and venti lat ing the sleeping-wards, dining-halls , and al l other part of the premises, and in taking care of and preventing waste or loss in the articles provided for the use of the Poorhouse.

(2.) In the absence of the House-Governor, or during his disab i l i ty , to ac t a s h i s subs t i tu te in a l l ma t te r s r e la t ing to the admission of poor persons; and in all other matters pertaining to his duties, so far as she may be capable of so acting.

(3.) To take charge of the linen and stockings for the use of the inmates, and of all the other l inen in use in the Poorhouse, and also of any other clothing or articles confided to her care by order of the House-Committee and to apply the same to such purposes as shall be authorised or approved by the House-Committee, and to no other.

(4.) To superintend and give the necessary directions for making and mending the linens and clothing supplied to the male inmates, and all the clothing supplied to the female inmates and children, and to take care that all such clothing be marked with the name of the Poorhouse.

(5.) To superintend and give the necessary directions concerning the washing, drying, and getting-up of the linen, stockings, blankets, and other art icles , and to see that the same be not dried in the sleeping-wards or in the sick-wards.

(6.) To keep, in a book provided for that purpose by the House- Committee, a correct account of all linen, clothing, bedding, blankets, sheets, stockings, table napery, furniture, and other articles confided to her care, and to enter therein the date at which every article was received, the date when it was first issued for use, and the date when it became unserviceable such book to be at all times open to the inspect ion of the House-Governor and of the Vis i t ing- Committee, and to be submitted by the House-Governor to the House-Committee at every ordinary meeting.

(7.) To make a requisition for such articles as she deems to be necessary, in a book to be provided for that purpose, and which shall be laid by the House-Governor before the House-Committee at every ordinary meeting.

(8.) To report, in writing, to the House-Governor, for the purpose of being entered in his journal, any infringement of the Rules and Regulations of the Poorhouse, or of the orders of the House-Committee,

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by any officer or person other than an inmate in the department of the Poorhouse under her immediate charge and, if she shall deem it necessary, also to report the same, in writing, to the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee.

(9.) To appoint, subject to the approval of the House-Committee servants female a n d t h e G o v e r n o r , a l l t h e h i r e d f e m a l e s e r v a n t s e m p l o y e d i n t h e Poorhouse, and to select from amongst the female inmates fit persons to be employed in washing and mending the linens and other articles of clothing; also nurses for the several wards, and to see that the persons so hired or employed perform the duties required of them. Suspension or Dismissal of Female Servants.—See Rule XVIII. (14), and Note thereto.

(10.) To take care , with the ass is tance of the nurses , of the children, and of the sick and infirm inmates, and to provide the proper diet for the children and the sick, and to furnish them with such changes of clothes and linen as may be necessary, and to see that every proper assistance is rendered to them. Side-nursing in the Poorhouse. —See page 21.

(11.) To pay par t icu lar a t ten t ion to the moral conduct and orderly behaviour of the female inmates and children, and to see that they are clean and decent in their dress and persons.

(12.) To attend, and to cause the hired female servants to attend, morning and evening prayers.

(13.) To provide for and enforce the employment of all female inmates, to the extent of their ability, and to assist in training up the children, so as to fit them for service, or other employment, reporting to the Governor without delay any failure of suitable occupation.

(14.) To call over the names of the inmates in each ward every morning, at the hour fixed by the House-Committee, and to inspect their persons, and see that they are clean.

(15.) To prepare every morning, immediately after Roll-Call, a Diet-Roll of the inmates, and to hand it to the House-Governor, so as to enable him to enter up his daily Diet-Book, and to issue from store the articles of diet required for the day, in proper time.

(16.) To receive daily, from the House-Governor, the articles of diet required for that day, in accordance with the Diet-Roll and the daily Diet-Book.

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(17.) To see that the food of the inmates is properly cooked, and served up to them in the dining-hall; that each individual is supplied with a diet in accordance with the Rules, and that the food of such inmates as, from sickness or other cause, are unable to take it in the dining-hall, is sent and given to them.

(18.) To administer, as far as possible with her own hand, to each individual, the wine, spirits, or other cordial, prescribed for such person by the Medical Officer; and if in any case she cannot so administer the cordials prescribed for an inmate, to take the earliest opportunity of inquiring and ascertaining whether the quantity supplied has been duly administered.

(19.) To visit all the wards of the females and children every night before nine o'clock, and to ascertain that all the inmates in each ward are in bed, and all the fires and lights therein extinguished.

(20.) To see that every inmate in the Poorhouse has clean linen and stockings once a week, and that all the beds be kept in a clean and wholesome state.

Use of blankets instead of sheets in Poorhouses.—The advantage of sheets as a bed covering is that they admit of being regularly and speedily cleansed by washing; while blankets, on the other hand, from their peculiar texture, would suffer, and thus cause much expense, if they were similarly treated.

There can be no doubt that, on medical grounds, it is highly beneficial that persons should sleep in sheets, and not in blankets alone. The practice is more cleanly, it is cooler, and more conducive to a healthy action of the skin. This is specially requisite in the case of Paupers, who are generally old, with deficient vitality of the skin—not to speak of the habitual neglect in this class of ordinary cleanliness.

So far as parasites of all kinds are concerned, it is unnecessary to point out that in the loose, warm texture of blankets, they germinate with great rapidity.—Report by Dr Littlejohn, dated 12th May 1881.

(21.) Before leaving the Poorhouse, to inform the House-Governor where she will be found, and never to be absent one whole night without leave from the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee.

(22.) To observe and fulfil all lawful orders of the House-Committee and of the Governor, suitable to her office;

SICK-NURSES.

Sick--Nursing in the Poorhouse.—The Board printed in the appendix to their Thirty- Third Annual Report (1878) an instructive Statement, with relative Return, by their

Visiting Officer, as to the defects with regard to Nursing of the Sick then (and still to a large extent) existing in the Poorhouses of Scotland, and they have to request the House Committee's careful consideration of these documents. In the Return referred to the actual condition of each Poorhouse in the matter of Nursing will be found. The Board subsequently directed their Visiting Officer to visit a number of the Workhouses and Workhouse Infirmaries in England, and he furnished the Board with a Report, from which it appears that in general these establishments are on a

23

much higher level in respect to the care of the sick than the corresponding establishments in Scotland. The main defects in this country are—(1) the non-employment of trained nurses, and (2) the employment of untrained pauper nurses. The Board are not of opinion that a hard and fast rule should be adopted in all our Poorhouses; but they would strongly urge upon every Poorhouse Committee to consider the question at an early date, with reference to the circumstances of the House under their charge, and to make some improvement upon the present arrangements. With this view, the Board make the following suggestions as a tentative measure, which they earnestly recommend to the consideration of Poorhouse authorities :—

1. That in all the smaller Poorhouses the Matron should be required, within a reasonable time, to undergo three months' training in some Public Hospital, and that in future no Matron should be appointed who has not received similar instruction for six months.

2. That in every Poorhouse where the daily average number of sick during the year amounts to 20 there should be trained assistant in addition to the Matron, and where the number exceeds 40 two assistant nurses. 3. That where the daily average number of sick exceeds 60 there should be a trained Head. Nurse, with assistant nurses in the same proportion as is indicated in Paragraph 2.—Circular, dated 31st July 1879. Regulations where a Trained Head Nurse is employed.—The Board on 29th April 1880 issued Rules and Regulations for the management of Hospitals and Infirmaries in Poorhouses where a Trained Head Nurse or Lady Superintendent is employed, viz. : —The following Rules and Regulations shall come into operation when the appointment of a Trained Head Nurse or Lady Superintendent, together with a statement of her salary, age, and previous experience, has been reported to the Board of Supervision, and the Board have expressed themselves satisfied as to her fitness for the responsible duties of the office.

1. The Matron of the Poorhouse shall have no jurisdiction within the Hospital, and she shall exercise no authority therein; neither shall she be held responsible in any way for its condition as to cleanliness, or the condition of the patients as to their persons, bedding, or clothing.

2. The position of the Trained Head Nurse or Lady Superintendent of the Hospital shall be the same in all respects, in relation to the House-Governor, as that of the Matron of the Poorhouse to the House-Governor as regards ordinary inmates and the Lady Superintendent shall be guided in the discharge of her duties, and in the management of the Hospital, by the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Supervision for the management of Poorhouses, in so far as they can be applied, and she shall conform to any additional Rules which may be deemed necessary by the House -Committee and approved by the said Board.

3. It shall be her duty to superintend the nurses employed in the Hospital, suspending and reporting to the Governor any who may be found insubordinate, inefficient or otherwise unsuitable. ,

4. She shall take charge of the property of the Parochial Board (or Combination) within the Hospital, and check damage, waste, and extravagance.

5. She shall take charge of all ordinary inmates employed in the Hospital, pointing out to them their duties, and reporting to the Governor in case of their disobedience or insubordination.

6. She shall maintain discipline, cleanliness, and order within the Hospital. 7. She shall conform to the Instructions of the Medical Officer as to the

treatmeat of patients, and as to all matters affecting the Dietary and Hygiene of the Hospital.

8. In all other matters she shall obey the Regulations of the Hospital and the lawful orders of the House-Governor.

Regulations as to claims to participate in the Medical Relief Grant in respect of Trained Sick Nurses. Secretary of State for the Home Department having, on the application of the Board, approved of an alteration of Rule 5 of the Rules as to

24

Medical Relief, whereby ‘the cost of trained sick nursing in Poorhouses, as approved by the Board of Supervision,’ is to be chargeable under the head of Medical Relief, the Board approved of the following Rules and Regulations as applicable to Poorhouses where the sick are attended by trained nurses, for whose cost a claim may be made on the Parliamentary Grant in aid of Medical Relief, and directed the Secretary to transmit a copy to each Poorhouse in Scotland:- 1. The amount to be allocated from the Grant will be at the rate of one-half of the

actual salary of each trained sick nurse for which satisfactory vouchers are produced, together with an allowance of three shillings per week in respect of the cost of rations, lodgings, and uniform. 2. An Extract Minute of the House-Committee, certified by the Chairman,

agreeing to fulfil the conditions, shall be transmitted to the Board of Supervision, accompanied by a statement showing :— (a) The average daily number of sick persons in the sick wards or Hospital of the

Poorhouse during the last two years. (b) The number of trained sick nurses employed, or proposed to be employed, and,

the amount of their respective salaries. (c) The number of untrained sick nurses, and the amount of their respective

salaries. (d) The number of assistants, other than nurses, employed in menial duties.

3. A trained sick nurse should have been not less than two years in a Public Hospital, being a training school for nurses, and maintaining a resident Physician or House-Surgeon, and she must not be under twenty-two years of age, nor over forty-five, when first registered. 4. If the arrangements for the nursing of the sick as shown in the above

statement, or by special inquiry if necessary, appear to be satisfactory, a Schedule, which will then be furnished, shall be filled up by each trained nurse in her own hand- writing, and transmitted to the Board of Supervision, in order that her name may be entered in the Register of Trained Nurses. 5. No claim to participate in the Grant will be allowed in respect of any trained

sick nurse whose name is not entered in such Register. 6. The Governor shall intimate to the Board of Supervision the death,

resignation, suspension, or dismissal of any trained sick nurse whose name is entered on the Register, and also the appointment of a successor. 7. It shall be in the power of the Board of Supervision if they see fit, to remove

the name of any trained sick nurse from the Register and no claim in respect and such nurse shall be allowed from the date of the removal of her name from the Register. 8. In every Poorhouse where the average daily number of sick amounts to 20,

there should be one trained nurse in addition to the Matron, and this proportion should be maintained where the number does not exceed 60. 9. In every Poorhouse where the average daily number of sick exceeds 60, there

should be a trained head nurse or lady superintendent, in addition to the number of trained nurses required by Rule 8 but the proportion of trained nurses to the sick above 60 may be as one in 30. 10. In every Poorhouse where a trained head nurse or lady superintendent is

employed, the Rules set forth in the Board's circular of 29th April 1880 shall come into operation. 11. All claims to participate in the Medical Grant in respect of the cost of trained

sick nursing during the year ended 14th May, shall be made by the Governor of the Poorhouse where the nurse is employed, in the annexed form, and shall, with the necessary vouchers, be transmitted to the Board of Supervision on or before the 30th June in each year. 12. The claim will be made for the year ended 14th May, and no claim will be

allowed for the costs of trained sick nursing which has not been incurred during the financial year from 15th May to 14th May immediately preceding the date of the claim. 13. It shall be in the power of the Board to allow a smaller proportion of the cost,

or to withhold the whole Grant, if the circumstances appear to them to require it. 14. The foregoing Rules and Regulations shall be deemed provisional, and it shall be in the power of the Board to alter and amend them when necessary.

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(Form of Claim).

Poorhouse of.................................................. Claim by the House-Committee of the Poorhouse of.. ............ to participate in the Medical Relief Grant on account of the cost of Trained Sick Nursing in Poorhouses as approved by the Board of Supervision, during the

Statement of Cost of Trained Sick Nursing in Poorhouse.

I certify that the Rules of the Board of Supervision with regard to Trained

Sick Nursing have been duly complied with. (Signed) ................................................Chairman of House-Committee. (Signed)………………………………………… Governor. Date…………………..189. In the event of the House-Committee resolving to fulfil the conditions which

would entitle them to a share of the Medical Relief Grant, a copy of the Minute containing such resolution should be transmitted to the Board, accompanied by a statement of the average daily number of sick, and the number of trained nurses and assistant nurses employed, or to be employed, in the Poorhouse. The Board will then consider whether the arrangements at present in force for the nursing of the sick in the Poorhouse, or those which the Committee propose to adopt, are satisfactory as regards the above Rules and if it is found that they are so, schedules will be furnished, in order that the necessary information may be obtained for placing the trained sick nurses in the Poorhouse on the Register kept in the Office of the Board.— Circular, dated 31st March 1885. Advantages of employing Trained Sick Nurses.—The attention of House-

Committees is directed to the pecuniary advantages of employing trained sick nurses in conformity with the above Regulations. For example, if a nurse is employed at a salary of £26 per annum, with board, lodging, and uniform, the amount which may be received from the Medical Relief Grant is £20, 16s. per annum. Register of Trained Sick Nurses. – The Board desire that their Register of Trained Sick Nurses should be made as complete as possible.

Date of

Regis- Period for which Claim Refer-

Cost. Dis- allowed

is made (see Rule 12).

Name of Nurse.

tration by

Board of Super- vision. From To

Number of

Weeks.

ence Number of each

Voucher. Salaries. Board, Lodging, &c.

Total Cost.

at Audit by Board of Super- vision.

Total Cost of Trained Sick Nursing in Poorhouse, £

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The House-Committee will understand that the Registration of a nurse by the Board implies only that her training satisfies the Board's standard, and that she received a satisfactory character on the completion of her training. But it appears to the Board that if the Register contained a record of her subsequent career as a trained sick nurse in Poorhouse Hospitals the information would be of service to House-Committees as well as to the Board. To enable the Board to keep the Register up to date, in the form proposed, the

Governor of a Poorhouse in which trained sick nurses are employed whenever he receives intimation that, from whatever cause, a trained sick nurse is about to leave the Poorhouse, will furnish the Board with a note or memorandum of the circumstances under which, and of the precise date at which, her service terminates. The information thus obtained (except when confidential) will be recorded in the Board's Register, an extract from which will be transmitted, on application, to the House- Committee of any Poorhouse who may propose to engage her. The Board would also recommend that in all cases, before a nurse is engaged,

inquiries as to the manner in which she has discharged her duties in the Poorhouse Hospitals where she has been employed should be made.—Circular, dated 16th May

1891.

Name of Nurse.. ........……………….... Date of leaving Poorhouse ....... ……………. * Cause of leaving ................... ……………. * Conduct while in Poorhouse……………. * Manner in which duties were discharged……………………… Other particulars which Governor may have to state, and which will be treated as

“confidential,” if desired………... (Signature)………………………………………………..

Governor. Date ..................................................

* It is assumed that the Governor will communicate with the Head Nurse before completing these answers.

PORTER.

XX. The following shall be the duties of the Porter :—

(1.) To keep the gate, and to prevent any person, not being an Officer of the Poorhouse, or a member of a Parochial Board having a pecuniary interest in the Poorhouse, or a Member or the Secretary of the Board of Supervision, or a person authorised by law or by the Board of Supervision, or by a Parochial Board entitled to give such authority, or by the House-Committee, from entering into or going out of the Poorhouse without the leave of the House- Governor or Matron.

(2.) To receive all poor persons who apply for admission with a proper order; and if the Governor or Matron should both be absent, to place such poor person in the probationary ward or place set apart for the reception of such poor persons, until the House-Governor or Matron return.

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Admission of Poor Persons.—See Rules XXI.–XXVII.

(3.) To take charge of the clothes of each poor person on his admission to the Poorhouse, and to deposit them, when purified and washed, in a place appropriated for the purpose, having affixed to them a list of the articles and the name of the poor person to whom they belong. To expose to the air for a period not less than six hours, at least twice in each year, the whole of the old clothing placed in his charge, carefully examining such clothing, and causing to be repurified any portion which may show the presence of vermin.

Cleansing of Poor Persons' Clothes.—See Rule XXVI., and Notes thereto.

(4.) To examine all parcels and goods before they are received into the Poorhouse, and prevent the unlawful admission of any spirituous or fermented liquors, or other prohibited articles.

(5.) To take care that no poor person or inmate entering the Poorhouse, either for admission or on return from temporary leave of absence, shall take into the House or premises any spirits or other prohibited articles and for this purpose to search their persons, if he shall think fit and to require any other person whom he may suspect of having possession of any such spirits or prohibited article to satisfy him to the contrary before he shall permit such person to enter the Poorhouse.

(6.) To take care that no poor person, going out of the Poorhouse, unduly removes any article from the premises and for this purpose to examine all parcels taken by them out of the Poorhouse, and to search their persons, if he shall think fit.

(7.) To lock all the outer doors, and to deliver the keys to the House-Governor, or, in his absence, to the Matron, every night at nine o'clock, and receive them back every morning at six o'clock, or at such other hours as shall from time to time be fixed by the House-Committee.

(8.) To assist the House-Governor and Matron in preserving order and in enforcing obedience and due subordination in the Poorhouse.

(9.) To inform the House-Governor, and, in his absence, the Matron, of all things affecting the security, order, and interest of the Poorhouse, and to obey all lawful directions of the House- Governor and Matron, and of the House-Committee.

Resignation or Discharge of Trained Sick Nurse.—Form to be filled up by Governor of Poorhouse, and transmitted to the Secretary of the Board of Supervision with letter intimating Resignation or Discharge of a trained sick nurse. Poorhouse of ................................

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ADMISSION OF POOR PERSONS. Approval of Rates for Boarding Paupers in a Poorhouse neither in nor belonging to

the Parish of Settlement—I am directed by the Board of Supervision to call the attention of the Parochial Board of to the decision of the Court of Session, 26th February 1853, in the case of Watson v. Welsh, respecting the relief of paupers in a Poorhouse neither in nor belonging to the Parish of settlement. I am further directed to state that the Board observe, from a return of inmates in

t h e P o o r h o u s e o f , d u r i n g t h e s i x m o n t h s p r e c e d i n g , t h a t there have been paupers accommodated therein belonging to the Parish of ;and I am to intimate that, until the rates at which poor persons from the Parish are to be received into that Poorhouse have been approved by the Board of Supervision, in terms of 8 and 9 .Vict. c. 83, sec. 65, the Parochial Board are not in a condition to remove the ground of any complaint of inadequate relief by an offer of admission to that Poorhouse and that such previous approval is necessary in order to ensure the legality of any offer of admission to a Poorhouse. If the Parochial Board therefore propose to use the Poorhouse

of for their paupers, they ought, without loss of time, to apply to the Board of Supervision for their approval of the rates of charge, in terms of the statute.—Circular, dated 11th January 1854. Applications having been made to us by the House-Committees of several Poorhouses for our approval of the rates to be charged for the maintenance in the Poorhouse of paupers belonging to other Parishes generally, and without reference to any specified Parish, we declined to comply with the applications, and intimated that the terms of the statute, and the decisions of the Court of Session rates, required that the rates should be approved by us in respect to each particular Parish boarding paupers in the Poorhouse of another Parish or Combination. The Parochial Board of a certain Parish having subsequently applied to us to approve of rates at which the accommodation of poor persons relieved in that Parish, whose settlement is undetermined, might be charged against the Parishes ultimately found liable, we informed the Parochial Board of our opinion that a pauper relieved in that Parish could not be held to belong to any other Parish until his settlement in another Parish has been admitted or ascertained, and that the 65th section of the statute, which authorizes the Board to approve of rates for boarding paupers belonging to another Parish in a Poorhouse, was therefore inapplicable to such cases.-11th Annual Report (1856), p. viii.

A Parochial Board in a Combination cannot dispose of its billets without the intervention of the House-Committee. – The Board are of the opinion that an arrangement for the admission into the Poorhouse of paupers belonging to the Parish not included in the Combination, can be made only with the House-Committee representing the Combination, and cannot be made with a particular Parish without the intervention of that Committee.-Minute of 20th October 1853.

XXI. Every poor person who shall be admitted as an inmate into the Poorhouse, either upon a first or any subsequent admission, shall be admitted by a written or printed order signed by an Inspector, or by some other person duly authorized by the House-Committee, or by a Parochial Board having a right to send poor persons to the Poorhouse, to sign such order, and not otherwise.

Procedure wizen indoor relief is offered.—The Board require inspectors of Poor, whenever relief in a Poorhouse is offered to a pauper, to transmit to the Governor of the Poorhouse, either at or previous to the transmission of such pauper, a copy of the page in the Register relating to such pauper, together, ether with a Medical Certificate in the annexed form, as to the nature and extent of the disability and as to the mental

29

and bodily condition of the pauper, and each member of his or her family accompanying said pauper to the Poorhouse. In the case of re-admissions it will be sufficient that a Medical Certificate, as above prescribed, should be sent along with a reference to the extract from the Register previously transmitted. In the case of a pauper whose name does not appear in the Register, it will be sufficient to transmit a copy of the page in the Record of Applications relating to such pauper. Governors of Poorhouses are required to exhibit these documents to the Medical Officer at his examination of the paupers in the Probationary Ward, and to the House-Committee at their next meeting and thereafter to file them carefully for preservation and future reference. The Board further require that, in those Poorhouses in which the Medical Officer is either resident in the house or in the town in which the House is situated, every newly admitted pauper shall be examined by the Medical Officer before being shut up for the first time at night in the Probationary Ward. In other Poorhouses it will be the Governor's duty to send for the Medical Officer before the pauper is so shut up whenever, in the Medical Certificate accompanying the pauper, or in the appearance of the pauper, or any of his or her dependants, there seems to be urgent need for medical advice. —Minute of 1st February 1871, and

Circulars of 18th February 1871 and 28th July 1881.

FORM OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REFERRED TO IN THE PRECEDING MINUTE.

Parish of .............................

Name of Pauper………………..

I have this day examined the above-named pauper, and hereby certify, on soul and conscience, the particulars under-written to be true, to the best of my knowledge and belief.

(Signed) Medical Officer.

(Date)

Is the pauper in good health?...................... Is the pauper able to do any work?........................... Nature of pauper’s sickness or infirmity.. .........................................

If pauper has dependents , state whether they, or any of them, suffer from sickness or infirmity……………………………………………………………………….. Nature of sickness of infirmity of dependents………………………………………. Does the condition of pauper or dependents require immediate attention and medical advice?............................................................................................. Is pauper or any dependent “lunatic, insane, idiot or of unsound mind”?* …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Are pauper and dependents able to be removed to the Poorhouse of………………………without injury to their health?........................................ If so, state the manner in which they are capable of removal without risk of injury to their health……………………………………………………………………… As to documents required to accompany persons sent to a Poorhouse.—The Board issued a Minute, dated 1st February 1871, requiring, inter alia, " Inspectors of Poor, whenever relief in a Poorhouse is offered to a Pauper, to transmit to the Governor of the Poorhouse " certain documents, in prescribed forms, for his information and guidance. One of these—the Medical Certificate—contains the following question : “Is pauper or any dependant ' lunatic, insane, idiot, or of unsound mind' ?" and in *No Person so described can be legally sent to or received in a Poorhouse, unless it possesses licensed lunatic wards, and then only with the sanction of the General Board of Lunacy.

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a footnote it is explained that no person so described can be legally sent to, or received in, the ordinary wards of a Poorhouse. It appears, however, that the answer to the above question is frequently evaded, either by an omission to answer the question altogether, ether or by only making some such remark as “weak-minded," “formerly in asylum," &c. The question should always be answered by a categorical “yes” or “no." The Board have to point out that this deviation from the required practice is not only contrary to law, but is productive of considerable risk to the inmates of the Poorhouse, to the Governor of the Poorhouse, and to the Inspector of Poor. The Board must hold the Inspector responsible for the regularity of the documents transmitted with a pauper, and in future they will look upon any deviation from the prescribed forms as a grave offence. If, hereafter, a pauper is sent to the Poorhouse either without the required documents or with defective documents, it is the duty of the Governor at once to report the fact to the Board of Supervision, and if he fails to do so, the Board will consider it a grave offence on his part. Further, in the case of a pauper sent to the Poorhouse either without a Medical Certificate or with a defective certificate, it is the duty of the Governor immediately to send for the Medical Officer of the Poorhouse, and to obtain from him a certificate in the prescribed form for his guidance.—Circular, dated 5th March 1880.

Admission of persons not paupers to a Poorhouse Hospital as boarders.—Having been requested by the House-Committee of a Poorhouse to sanction the admission of persons not paupers into the hospital of that house as private boarders, we felt compelled to decline to approve of the proposed arrangement. Its legality appeared doubtful, and apart from that question, we were of opinion that it was inexpedient as not unlikely to interfere with the discipline of the House and the due administration of the Poor Law.-36th Annual Report (1881), p. viii.

Hours of Admission of Inmates to Poorhouses.—The Board called attention to the restricted hours for the admission of inmates to a Combination Poorhouse, and stated that they could not approve of such restriction. No such restriction exists in the Poorhouses of Edinburgh and St Cuthberts Combination, and in England admissions to Workhouses are permitted at all hours of the day or night, and even on Sundays except during the hours of divine service. The Board are of opinion that in the absence of any agreement on the subject between the combining Parishes the legality of such a restriction is extremely doubtful. But the Board would not object to admissions in the Poorhouse being limited to the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., provided all the Parochial Boards in the Combination agreed to such a rule, and instructed their Inspectors only to forward paupers to the Poorhouse at such times as would enable them to arrive within these hours. —Letter, dated 6th May 1881.

Day of arrival and day of departure should be charged as only one day.—In connection with the charges made by Poorhouse Committees against Parishes for the maintenance of paupers in the Poorhouse, the attention of the Board was called to a diversity of practice among Poorhouse authorities, some charging for both the day of arrival and the day of departure of the inmate, and others charging these as only one day. The Board are of opinion that a charge for one day only should be made. —Letter, dated 22nd October 1888.

Medical Certificate required for admission of paupers to Poorhouse.—Several cases

having recently occurred in which Paupers, certified fit for removal to the Poorhouse by Parochial Medical Officers, have died either in the conveyance by which they were transferred thither or immediately after their admission, the Board desire to direct the attention of the Parochial Board, the Inspector of Poor, and especially the certifying Medical Officer, to the necessity of exercising the right of removing sick persons with the utmost discrimination. It is no doubt possible that, in some of the cases which have come to the notice of the Board, it may have appeared to the Medical Officer that the only chance of saving life lay in immediate removal; but, on the other hand, there is reason to fear that in some the medical examination was not conducted with due care, and that removal was attended with risk to the life of the patient.

The Board are also informed that, after the admission of Paupers to the Poorhouse, they have occasionally been found suffering from obvious and acute

31

diseases other than those certified; this circumstance, when it occurs, should always be reported by the Governor to the Board, whose duty it will then be to consider whether the certifying Medical Officer can be retained as a Poor Law official.

The Board have also to direct the special attention of the Inspector and the Medical Officer to their Circular, dated 5th March 1880, in which, referring to the question, "Is the pauper or any dependant lunatic, insane, idiot, or of unsound mind?" it is stated :-

“3. It appears, however, that the answer to the above question is frequently evaded, either by an omission to answer the question altogether, or by only making some such remark as “weak-minded," “formerly in asylum," &c. The question should always be answered by a categorical “yes” or "no."

4. The Board have to point out that this deviation from the required practice is not only contrary to law, but is productive of considerable risk to the inmates of the Poorhouse, to the Governor of the Poorhouse, and to the Inspector of Poor.

5. The Board must hold the Inspector responsible for the regularity of the documents transmitted with a pauper, and in future they will look upon any deviation from the prescribed forms as a grave offence.

6. If, hereafter, a pauper is sent to the Poorhouse either without the required documents or with defective documents, it is the duty of the Governor at once to report the fact to the Board of Supervision, and if he fails to do so, the Board will consider it a grave offence on his part."—Circular, dated 7th March 1892.

XXII. No poor person shall be admitted on any written or printed order bearing date more than three days before the day on which such order is presented at the Poorhouse, unless such poor person, at the time of receiving the order, was residing at a distance of more than five miles from the Poorhouse and no poor person shall be admitted on any such order if it Wars date more than six days before the day on which it is presented at the Poorhouse. XXIII. The name and religious persuasion of a poor person admitted to the Poorhouse, with all other particulars required to be stated, shall be duly entered in the Register at the time of admission and such person shall be placed in a probationary ward or other apartment, separate from the inmates of the Poorhouse, and shall there remain till examined by the Medical Officer.

Registration of Religious Persuasion of Inmates.—See Rule XLIX., and Notes thereto.

Arrangements in Probationary Wards.- 1. In every Probationary Ward there shall be the means of communicating by bell

with the officials, and a printed placard calling attention thereto, shall be hung up in each ward.

2. In every case where neither the Porter nor any other official sleeps in the Probationary Buildings, if a Ward is to be occupied at night by only one inmate (with or without children), the Governor shall cause some person of the same sex as the inmate to sleep there.

3. Whenever an inmate of a Probationary Ward becomes ill during the night, the Governor shall be immediately apprised of the fact—Circular, dated 31st October 1878

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Medical Examination of Inmates on admission.—See Rule XLVIII. (3), and Note thereto.

XXIV. If the Medical Officer, upon such examination, pronounce the poor person to be labouring under any disease of body or mind, the poor person shall be placed in the sick-ward, or in such other ward as the Medical Officer shall direct.

Classification of Sick Inmates.—See Rule XLVIII. (4). Admission of Paupers suffering from Infectious Diseases.—The Board are of opinion

that it is not competent to any Parish to send to the Poorhouse Hospital a Pauper whose admission would be dangerous to the other Inmates of the Hospital; and that when it is believed that any pauper proposed to be sent to the Hospital of the Poorhouse cannot be admitted without danger to the other inmates, the proper course is to require the Medical Officer of the Poorhouse to certify in writing, and on soul and conscience, whether such danger would, in his opinion, attend the admission of the pauper, or whether arrangements can be made, consistent with the safety or welfare of the other inmates, for the admission of the pauper proposed to be sent to the Poor-House Hospital.—Minute, dated 10th September 1863.

Treatment of Infectious Diseases occurring in Poorhouses. —When an inmate of a Poorhouse is found to be suffering from an infectious disease, and there are not the means of so separating the patient from the other inmates as to protect them from the risk of infection, the patient ought to be removed, if that can be done without injury, to some public hospital or other suitable place. If, however, the patient should be in such a state as not to be safely removeable, then the best practical arrangements should be made in the house for the isolation of the patient, even if it should be necessary with that view, to discharge, some of the other inmates.-18th Annual Report (1863), p. ix.

In a Poorhouse Combination in which there was no public hospital to which paupers suffering from small-pox or other contagious disorder could be sent for treatment, we recommended the Combination to erect, in the vicinity of the Poorhouse, but at a safe distance from it, a small separate hospital for the reception of paupers suffering from such diseases. That recommendation was adopted.-19th Annual Report (1864), p. v.

Treatment of Cancer Cases in Poorhouses.—Cancer is not infectious, and persons sleeping in the same apartment run no risk of taking the disease. At the same time, when Cancer is accompanied with open sores, the foetor is great, and unless means be taken to prevent this, the other inmates of a ward are apt to suffer in their general health from the constant annoyance to which they are exposed. If the patient cannot have a separate apartment, the bed should be well screened in. Frequent syringing with Condy's fluid and the application of Charcoal poultices should prevent any unusual fcetor. All such means should be used at regular intervals, and the utmost cleanliness must be maintained. The Ward should at the same time be kept sweet and wholesome by suitable ventilation. No special nicety is required in the dressings, beyond scrupulous cleanliness and regularity of attention.—Report by Dr Littlejohn, dated 8th March 1876.

Admission of Paupers suffering from Venereal Disease.—The Board hold that the Governor is bound to receive all paupers (not suffering from infectious disease) who may be sent to the Poorhouse by any one of the Combining Parishes, and that it is the duty of the House-Committee to make arrangements for the isolation of such inmates so as to prevent any risk of contagion.—Letter, dated 28th March 1890.

After receiving the above letter, the House-Committee resolved, with the approval of the Parochial Boards in the Combination, to send all venereal patients to the Lock Hospital, Glasgow, and that all outlay in connection with such cases shall be charged against the Parish to which the patient belongs. The Board approved of this proposal.

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Admission, of Paupers requiring Surgical Treatment.—A House-Committee having inquired if they could refuse to admit a pauper suffering from fractured limbs, and whose case required special hospital treatment, were informed that unless they had made provision for the treatment of surgical cases it was obviously impossible for them to receive the pauper referred to.—Letter, dated 2nd November 1889.

XXV. If the Medical Officer pronounces the poor person to be free from any disease, the poor person shall be placed in the part of the Poorhouse assigned to the class to which such poor person belongs.

Vaccination or Re-vaccination of Inmates on Admission.—The Board recommend that all present inmates of the Poorhouse, as also all inmates hereafter admitted, should be examined by the Medical Officer with reference to Vaccination, and that those of them whom the Medical Officer considers it would be proper to Vaccinate, or Revaccinate, should be urged to submit to that operation.—Minute, dated 23rd March 1871.

Vaccination of Children in Poorhouses.—See Rule XLVIII. (7), and Note thereto. Medical Officer not entitled to interfere with classification Inmates.—With

reference to the power of the Medical Officer to classify the infirm and other inmates of a Poorhouse, the Board have always held that the Medical Officer has no right to interfere with the arrangements which the House-Committee or the Governor may make for the purpose of securing the due classification of the inmates. –

Letter dated 26th February 1886.

XXVI. Before being permitted to communicate with the other inmates, the poor person shall be thoroughly cleansed, and shall be clothed in the Poorhouse dress, and the clothes which such poor person wore at the time of admission shall be purified and washed, and deposited in a place appropriated for that purpose, with the owner's name and a list of the articles affixed thereto, and such clothes shall, returned when the poor person leave the Poorhouse. In case any article of clothing should be of a nature to be destroyed by washing, it should be carefully examined, and if found in an impure condition, should be burnt; but in no case should cotton or woollen clothing be stored unwashed.

Care of Inmates' Clothing.—See Rule XX. (3).

Vermin and their Ova upon the Persons and Clothing of Inmates. —The Visiting Officer has frequently reported to the Board that the ova of vermin, and in some cases even the insects themselves, have been found on the persons of inmates of Poorhouses, especially on the persons of children. These reports have been in each instance communicated to the Poorhouse authorities, but without in general producing the results for which the Board had hoped. The Board now feel it to be their duty to call the serious attention of all Poorhouse-Committees and Poorhouse officials to the discredit which must attach to any public institution in which the personal cleanliness of the inmates is not carefully attended to, and to intimate that, in future, they will require in all Poorhouses a strict compliance with the following regulations:—

1. Clothing.—The Board will not consider the clothes worn by inmates at the time of admission to have been “purified “in terms of Article XXVI. of the Rules and Regulations, unless they shall have been subjected to a temperature ranging from 212° to 225° Fahrenheit for the space of three hours, and (except in the case of external woollen garments) being thereafter thoroughly washed with soap and water before being deposited in the old clothes store.

34 2. Probationary Wards.—A careful examination of the persons of all newly-

admitted paupers shall be made after they have been bathed, and before they are permitted to put on the House clothing and are passed into the House. The Medical Officer shall give written instructions as to the manner in which this

examination is to be made, and the measures to be taken when vermin or their ova are discovered. The hair of all children not exceeding 14 years of age, upon whose heads vermin or

their ova are discovered, shall be cut before they leave the probationary ward—boys' to the length of one inch, and girls' to the length of two inches. 3. Ordinary Wards. —The persons and underclothing of all inmates newly

admitted from the probationary wards shall be minutely examined at the end of each week during the first month after the date of admission. The persons and underclothing of all inmates shall be minutely examined

thereafter, at least once every two months, the days for such examination and the number to be examined each day to be fixed by the House-Committee. All children shall be bathed once a week, the temperature of the bath to be fixed

from time to time by the Medical Officer, and their hair combed daily with a fine tooth comb. The children's hair shall be regularly cut so as to keep the length of the boys'

hair at two inches and the girls' at three inches. 4. Beds.—All beds and bedclothes in the probationary wards shall be minutely

examined at least once in every week. All beds and bedclothes in the other wards of the Poorhouse shall be minutely

examined at stated intervals, the number to be examined each week to be fixed by the House-Committee. 5. All instances in which vermin or their ova are discovered in the Poorhouse shall

immediately be reported to the Medical Officer, whose instructions thereupon shall be followed. 6. The Board will hold the Governor and Matron responsible for a strict observance of

these regulations in their respective departments.—Circular, dated 26th July 1872. Bathing of the Inmates. —The bathing of the inmates should be regulated by the

written instructions of the Medical Officer, as to the several classes of inmates, the temperature of baths, and the time of bathing.-38th Annual Report (1883), p. vi. I am directed by the Board to intimate that, in the case of paupers admitted to the

Poorhouse who are either certified in the Medical Certificate accompanying them to require immediate attention and medical advice, or who appear to be in a state of weakness or exhaustion, the bathing arrangements contemplated by Rule XXVI. and subsequent Circulars are not to be carried out until the arrival of the Medical Officer of the Poorhouse, who shall then give written instructions in each case to the Governor as to the appropriate time and manner of following them out.—Circular, dated 29th July 1889. Liability for Cost of Clothing of an Absconding Inmate.—The Board are of opinion

that the loss of clothing of an absconding inmate from a Combination Poorhouse must be borne by the Combination and not by the Parish of Settlement—Minute, dated 19th December 1889.

XXVII. Every poor person, upon admission into the Poorhouse, or on return from a temporary leave of absence, shall be searched

* These requirements are only intended to apply to children who are retained constantly in the Poorhouse, and not to those who are either boarded out or are sent out of the House to School. But if any such children should be found to be affected by vermin, they must be retained in the Poorhouse until the vermin are thoroughly eradicated.—Letter, dated 15th August 1872.

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by, or under the inspection of, the proper officer, and shall be prevented from carrying into the Poorhouse any prohibited article.

CLASSIFICATION OF INMATES.

XXVIII. The inmates, so far as the Poorhouse admits thereof, shall be classed as follows :—

1. Males above the age of 15 years. 2. Boys above the age of 2 years, and under that of 15 years. 3. Females above the age of 15 years. 4. Females above the age of 2 years, and under that of 15 years. 5. Children under 2 years of age.

XXIX. To each of the classes specified in Article XXVIII. shall be assigned by the House-Committee the apartments and yard best f i t ted for the reception of such class; and, where the number of inmates and the accommodation admit thereof, the said classes may be further subdivided.

XXX. Each class, or subdivision of a class, shall respectively remain in the part of the Poorhouse assigned to them without communication with any other class, or subdivision of a class subject, nevertheless, to such arrangements as the House-Committee shall make with reference to the probationary wards, the infirmary or sick-ward, and the employment of nurses and helpers.

Classification of Inmates.—The proper subjects for admission into a Poorhouse form two separate classes, easily distinguishable from other classes of paupers and from one another. Poor persons who are not comprised in one or other of these two classes will, with more advantage, both to the Parish and to themselves, be admitted to out-door relief. For any systematic attempt to refuse all relief, except such as may be received within the walls of the Poorhouse, would excite a baneful spirit of discontent amongst the Poor, and that part of the population with which they are most closely connected, without effecting any saving to the funds of the Parish, and, far from being countenanced, would scarcely be tolerated by public opinion in this country. The first of these two classes of paupers for whom relief in a Poorhouse is preferable

to out-door relief, comprises all destitute persons who are incapacitated by youth or old age, or by disease, whether mental or physical, from contributing in any way to their own support, and who, at the same time, from being friendless or weak in mind, or from requiring more than ordinary attendance, cannot be adequately maintained and cared for by means of out-door relief, except at a cost exceeding that for which they can be provided for in the Poorhouse. The other class of paupers for whom relief in a Poorhouse is preferable to out-door

relief, and to whom it is peculiarly applicable, either as a test or as affording the means of needful restraint, consists of applicants for, or recipients of, relief of every kind whose claims are doubtful: such as persons who are suspected of concealing or of misrepresenting the extent of their means and resources, whether arising from their own exertions and earnings, or from the aid afforded by friends or relatives or persons who, though not able-bodied, are yet not so disabled as, in the opinion of the

36

Parochial Board, to render them incapable of maintaining themselves and their dependants, if any, without relief from the Parish; but more especially all persons of idle, immoral, or dissipated habits, who, if admitted to out-door relief, would squander their allowances in drunkenness and debauchery, or otherwise misapply them. Poor persons may not be allowed to starve because they or their parents are vicious, but the law leaves to the bodies to whom its administration is entrusted, a choice as to the manner of affording relief; and if Parochial Boards desire to discourage indolence, to detect imposture, to check extravagance, and to reform or control vice, they must make work, confinement, and discipline the conditions upon which paupers of this class are relieved.—Circular, dated 2nd February 1850.

The experience which those charged with the administration of the Poor Law have acquired since 1850 has established that it is hurtful in practice to grant relief otherwise than in the Poorhouse to the following classes :—(1) Mothers of illegitimate children, including widows with legitimate families who may fall into immoral habits; (2) Deserted wives; (3) Persons having grown-up families settled either in this country or abroad; (4) Persons having collateral relatives in comfortable circumstances; (5) Wives of persons sentenced to terms of imprisonment or penal servitude; (6) Generally, all persons of idle, immoral, or dissipated habits. To make the Poorhouse a thorough Test, it is necessary to divide the inmates for purposes of discipline into the two classes described in the Board's Circular Letter of February 2, 1850 ;—the first or Test class including those who fall under one or other of the above definitions ; the second including sick and infirm inmates and children; and that the Parochial Board will best consult the interests of the ratepayers, as well as those of the industrious poor, by insisting, through their representatives in the House-Committee, on the maintenance of such discipline as shall tend to unmask imposture, stimulate filial duty, and strengthen family ties. —Circular, dated 28th Jan. 1878. On the 28th January 1878 the Board issued a Circular, in which Parochial Boards

were urged to more systematic use of the Poorhouse test, and the Board are glad to know that there is a general disposition to adopt the views therein expressed. It appears, however, from a recent Report by the Board's Visiting Officer, that in

too many Poorhouses test cases are treated with so much indulgence that the intentions of the Parochial Board, which had offered the Poorhouse solely as a test, are defeated, and persons remain chargeable to the Parish, who, if otherwise treated, would manage to subsist without parochial relief. It can scarcely be necessary to point out that this is very unfair to the

ratepayers, and a direct encouragement to the least worthy classes of applicants for parochial relief. The following statement in the Visiting Officer's Report indicates in detail the

defects in the management of Poorhouses which are referred to, and suggests the necessary remedies. The Board earnestly recommend to Poorhouse authorities the careful consideration of this most important subject, and the adoption of the Visiting Officer's suggestions. Dividing the inmates of a Poorhouse roughly into two classes, viz. :—(1) The

sick, infirm, and children, and (2) test cases, including the dissolute classes, deserted wives, and persons whose families should support them—the intentions of ' the Parochial Board towards each may be thus summarised, viz., that the first class should be retained in the Poorhouse by kindness, and that the second should be repelled by strict discipline and the deprivation of indulgence. No one wishes to see the second class treated with violence or cruelty, but without this each pauper may be very effectively tested, while at the same time he is thoroughly well treated, housed, and fed. Of course, the Governor ought to be informed, by a brief endorsement on the Admission Order, both of the cause of the order and of the treatment desired :—Thus, " A B, Family able to support—Test," "C D, deserted "wife—Test," "E F, deserted wife, bad character—Strict Test," "G H, supposed "able to work—Test," &c., and on the back of the prescribed form there might be printed these particulars, thus :—

‘'Cause of Order.

37 ‘Nature of treatment desired to be applied :—(Test or otherwise).

‘I am led to make this representation by the discovery within the last few weeks of ‘several gross cases, in which persons of the test classes have been pampered and ‘indulged in Poorhouses, with the express and admitted object of inducing them ‘to remain to do the ordinary work of the house. This is everywhere ‘inexcusable; but you will observe that it is specially bad in the case of a ‘Combination Poorhouse, or of a Poorhouse in which paupers from other Parishes ‘are boarded, for there one Parish, as a reward for following your advice, is made to ‘maintain a servant for the whole of the associated Parishes?

‘The commonest forms of abuse are these :—

(1.) Men.− If a man is useful the Governor gives him liberty, tobacco, tea, small sums of money, &c., or he places him in the position of a pauper warder or messenger, whereby he earns the working diet without much exertion; then (and this is generally the fault of the Committee) he is allowed to share in entertainments, which are beyond the reach of his better conducted fellow-paupers on the Outdoor Roll.

(2.) Women.—The most usual abuse in the case of women is the issue of a fourth meal, consisting of tea and bread (sometimes cheese), when they are scrubbing or washing; the excuse is that the working diet (framed for men) is insufficient, and to the answer given, that if so, a double or even treble ration of porridge may be issued, morning and evening, the Governor replies, "But they don't like it," which puts the matter at once on its true footing. Another common abuse is to employ them about the kitchen, and in positions of trust.

There is also in many Poorhouses great laxity in the searching of paupers on admission, and on return from " liberty," as well as in the introduction of luxuries ' by visitors;—Circular, dated 16th August 1880.

DISCIPLINE OF THE INMATES.

XXXI. All the inmates in the Poorhouse (except those disabled by sickness or infirmity, persons of unsound mind, and children), shall rise, be set to work, leave off work, and go to bed at such times, and shall be allowed such intervals for their meals, as the House-Committee shall direct,—and these several times shall be notified by the ringing of a bell.

XXXII. Half an hour after the bell shall have been rung for rising, the names of the inmates shall be called over by the House-Governor, Matron, or other person duly authorised, respectively in the several wards, where every inmate belonging to each ward must be present to answer and to be inspected; and a list of the persons in each ward arranged in dietary classes, as provided in Article LXVII . , sha l l be made out for the informat ion of the House-Governor.

XXXIII. The meals shall be taken by the inmates (except those disabled by sickness or infirmity, persons of unsound mind, and children), in the dining-hall, and in no other place whatever; and during the time of meals, order and decorum shall be maintained;

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and no inmate(except those disabled by s ickness or inf i rmity , persons of unsound mind, or children) shall go to, or remain in, the s leeping-ward, ei ther in the t ime appointed for work, or in the intervals allowed for meals, except by permission of the House- Governor or Matron.

XXXIV. The House-Governor and Matron shall fix, subject to the directions of the House-Committee, the hours of rising and going to bed for the sick, the infirm, and the young children, and determine the occupation and employment of which such inmates may be capable; and the meals of such inmates shall be provided at such times, and in such manner, as the House-Committee may direct.

XXXV. The inmates of the respective sexes, not employed as nurses or helpers, shall be dieted as set forth in the dietary prescribed for the use of the Poorhouse, and in no other manner,—provided tha t the Medica l Off ice r may d i rec t in wr i t ing such d ie t fo r any sick, or lunatic, or infant inmate, as he shall deem necessary.

XXXVI. No inmate shall have or consume any spirituous or fermented liquor, unless by the direction in writing of the Medical Officer; and no inmate shall have or consume any tobacco, or food, or provision, other than is allowed in the dietary, unless with the p e r m i s s i o n o f the House-Governor or Matron, subject to the directions of the House-Committee.

XXXVII. The clothing to be worn by the inmates in the Poorhouse shall be made of such materials as the Parochial Board or the House-Committee shall determine.

XXXVIII . The inmates of the several classes shall be kept employed according to their capacity and ability; but no inmate shall work on account of any party other than the Parochial Board or House-Committee, which shall be entitled to appropriate, for behoof of the Parish, the whole proceeds of the labour or employment of every inmate.

Earnings of Inmates of a Combination Poorhouse.—The Governor of a Combination Poorhouse having requested our opinion as to whether the earnings of inmates belong to the Combination or to the Parochial Board of the pauper's Parish of settlement, we intimated that such earnings belong to the Poorhouse-Committee, for behoof of the Combination.-30th, Annual Report (1875), p. viii.

XXXIX. The boys and girls who are inmates of the Poorhouse shal l , for three or more of the working hours of every day, be instructed in reading, wri t ing , arithmetic and the principles of

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the Christian religion, and such other instruction shall be imparted to them as shall fit them for service or other employment, and train them to habits of usefulness, industry, and virtue. Religious Instruction of Children.—See Rule XLIX. (3), and Notes thereto.

XL. Twenty-four hours after having intimated to the House- Governor a desire to be dismissed from the Poorhouse, or sooner if the House-Governor shall think fit, any adult inmate, not a dependant of any inmate, may quit the Poorhouse; but no inmate shall carry away any clothes, or other article belonging to the Poorhouse without the express permission of the House-Governor or Matron; and no poor person dismissed from the Poorhouse, or so quitting it, shall again be received therein, except in the mode prescribed in Article XXI. for the admission of poor persons.

Modification of Rule XL.—Complaints having been made to us, and in particular

by the Poorhouse Authorities of Glasgow, that the discipline of Poorhouses was seriously interfered with by the operation of the 40th Article of the Rules and Regulations for the Management of Poorhouses, which permits any adult inmate, not a dependant of another inmate, to demand a discharge from the House upon twenty- four hours' notice, we carefully considered this important and difficult question. It appeared that dissolute inmates, quite incapable of maintaining themselves, whenever they were refused leave of absence, availed themselves of their right to demand a discharge, merely for the purpose of spending a day or a few days out of the House. These persons soon thereafter applied again for relief, and were readmitted to the Poorhouse, some of them doing this many times in the course of the year. We did not feel much confidence that any change which it was in our power to make would prove effectual in abating or greatly diminishing the evil referred to, but we considered it our duty to endeavour to apply a remedy. Accordingly we framed the following alteration of Article 40, empowering the Poorhouse Authorities (under certain conditions and limitations) to extend the period of notice required, in some cases to forty-eight hours, and in others to seventy-two hours. Alteration on Rule XL. for the Management of Poorhouses :—

XL. Twenty-four hours after having intimated to the House-Governor a desire to be dismissed from the Poorhouse, or sooner, if the House-Governor shall think fit, any adult inmate, not a dependant of any inmate, may quit the Poorhouse, subject to the exceptions hereinafter specified; but no inmate shall carry away any clothes, or other articles belonging to the Poorhouse, without the express permission of the House-Governor or Matron; and no poor person dismissed from the Poorhouse, or so quitting it, shall again be received therein, except in the mode prescribed in Article XXI. for the admission of poor persons.

1. If the inmate intimating his desire to be dismissed from the Poorhouse shall have been previously an inmate and dismissed upon his own intimation, he shall only be entitled to quit the Poorhouse on the expiry of forty-eight hours after having intimated to the House-Governor a desire to be dismissed from the Poorhouse.

2. If the inmate intimating his desire to be dismissed from the Poorhouse shall have been previously, on three or more separate occasions, an inmate, and dismissed on each of these occasions upon his own intimation, he shall only be entitled to quit the Poorhouse on the expiry of seventy-two hours after having intimated a desire to be dismissed from the Poorhouse.

3. But if, after a first or any subsequent dismissal obtained upon his own intimation, an inmate shall have remained in the Poorhouse for a period of six months continuously or shall have been dismissed without having given such intimation within a period of six months immediately preceding, he shall be entitled to quit the Poor-

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house on twenty-four hours' notice, his intimation, in such a case, being regarded as his first. 4. In any case where an inmate intimating his desire to be dismissed from the

Poorhouse shall not be entitled to quit the Poorhouse on the expiry of twenty-four hours after intimation, he shall be entitled to appeal to the decision of a member of the Poorhouse-Committee; and if the House-Governor fails to procure the attendance of a member of that Committee to hear and dispose of such appeal, he shall be entitled to quit the Poorhouse on the expiry of twenty-four hours after having intimated to the House-Governor his desire to be dismissed. 5. The House-Committee shall have power, by Minute, to exempt in whole or in

part any inmate from the operation of this rule, so far as it requires an intimation exceeding twenty-four hours, of the desire of an inmate to be dismissed from the Poorhouse, provided such Minute states the name of the inmate and the reason for the exemption.-25th Annual Report (1870), p. xi., and App. (A), p. 54.

Inmates of Poorhouse Hospitals discharging themselves before fully cured.—Our attention was called to the practice of inmates of Poorhouse Hospitals discharging themselves before they were fully cured, their object being to remain proper objects of Parochial Relief and so be still entitled to out-door relief or re-admission to the Poorhouse whenever it suited them to apply for it—although their ailment was perfectly curable if they would submit to treatment for the requisite period. We stated that under the present law we had no power to prevent the evil complained of, but that, as a check upon it, we should be prepared to sanction an alteration of Rule XL., such as was done in the case of Glasgow Poorhouse (see preceding Note).-31st Annual Report (1876), p. viii.

Inmates demanding their discharge u-hen unfit to leave the Poorhouse.—A suggestion having been made to the Board that it would be advisable, when a pauper gives notice to leave the Poorhouse, that the Medical Officer should certify whether the pauper is in a fit state to leave without detriment to his health, and that the Parochial Board, through its Inspector, should have the power of detaining the pauper if so certified to be unfit to leave, we intimated that it would be right and proper that the Governor and Medical Officer should endeavour to dissuade an inmate, whose removal was considered by the Medical Officer to be dangerous to his or her health, from leaving the Poorhouse, but that the Board were afraid that the condition suggested by the Parochial Board would be illegal and could not be enforced.-38th Annual Report (1883), p. vi.

Inmates with dependants suffering from Infectious Disease demanding their discharge. —In a case where an inmate, with a dependant recovering from measles, demanded her discharge, the Board informed the Governor that, with a view to the protection of the Public Health, he should, on the certificate of the Medical Officer that infection was probable, communicate with the Procurator-Fiscal; and that if the woman insisted on taking her child, then she should be carefully watched to see that she was not guilty of a contravention of the Public Health Act, Sections 48 and 49, and warned of the risk she runs of a prosecution. They further intimated that the Governor might be justified in detaining a child in the Poorhouse until the Medical Officer certified that the risk of infection had ceased. —Letter, dated 29th November 1890.

XLI. No inmate, not being an adult, or, if an adult, being a dependant of an inmate, shall be permitted to leave the Poorhouse, except on temporary leave of absence, without the consent of his parents or guardians, or the inmate on whom he is dependant, unless by express permission of the House-Committee. Leave of absence to Inmates.—The Board could not approve of a rule which would

secure to all the inmates of a Poorhouse, or to any class or section of them, leave of absence from the Poorhouse on certain specified days recurring periodically, or what

41 are called “Liberty days." But they are of opinion that the House-Committee may authorize the House-Governor to give, if he shall see fit, to any inmate who shall state reasonable grounds for the request, permission to be absent from the Poorhouse for a limited number of hours during any day; provided that such permission shall not be given unless after due consideration of the character and conduct of such inmate, and with careful regard to the proper management and discipline of the Poorhouse; provided also, that such permission shall be withheld from any inmate who shall have abused the indulgence, either by failing to return to the Poorhouse at the proper time, or in any other manner; provided, moreover, that leave of absence for any purpose other than attending Divine worship shall not be given to any inmate more than once in 30 days, or such other number of days as the House-Committee shall determine, nor during the night, unless in special circumstances, and for reasons ascertained to be urgent.

A House-Governor to whom the House-Committee shall have given authority to grant leave of absence from the Poorhouse in the manner and subject to the conditions and provisions above stated, will be held responsible for the proper exercise of that authority, and must avoid either so free an exercise of it as would be injurious to discipline, or a capricious exercise of it which would be unjust to the inmates.—Minute, dated 14th August 1862.

Leave of absence for the purpose of attending Divine worship.—See Note to Rule L.

XLII. No inmate having a dependant an inmate shall quit the Poorhouse without taking every such dependant with him, unless by express permission of the House-Committee.

XLIII. The House-Governor may send out the inmates of each sex under the age of fifteen, subject to such restrictions as the House-Committee may impose, and under the care and guidance of himself, or the Matron, or some other person duly authorized by the House-Committee, for the purpose of exercise and instruction.

Holiday for Poorhouse Children.—The question having been raised as to the

legality of a House-Committee sending the Poorhouse children to the country for a fortnight's holiday at the expense of the ratepayers, the Board intimated to the Committee that such a proposal did not come within the scope of the Poor Law Act, that the proposed holiday might be of advantage, but that the necessary funds must be provided by private effort.—Letter, dated 2nd August 1889.

XLIV. No person shall visit any inmate of the Poorhouse except by permission of the House-Governor or Matron, and subject to such restrictions and conditions as the House-Committee may prescribe; and such interview shall take place, except where a sick inmate is visited, in a room separate from the other inmates, in the presence of the House-Governor, Matron, Porter, or other person duly authorized by the House-Committee.

Visitors to Patients in Poorhouse Hospitals.—The Board are of opinion that the

question whether visitors may or may not be admitted to see a patient in a Poorhouse Hospital must in many cases be purely a question of medical treatment, and that therefore the House-Governor cannot give an order to visit any such patient contrary to the advice and instructions of the Medical Officer, who is responsible for the proper medical treatment of the patient. The exclusion of visitors may be an important or even an essential part of the treatment. – Letter, dated 22nd December 1865.

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XLV. No inmate shall be allowed to possess, or to read in the Poorhouse, any book or printed paper of an improper tendency; and no written paper of an improper tendency shall be allowed to circulate, or to be read aloud among the inmates.

Governor not entitled to read Inmates' Letters.—The inmates of a Poorhouse are entitled to send and to receive letters without such letters being read by the Governor or other official of the Poorhouse. But it appears to the Board that this rule does not prevent the Governor from requiring a letter or a parcel addressed to an inmate to be opened in his presence, so that he may assure himself that it does not contain any article that ought not to be introduced into a Poorhouse. It is the opinion of the Board that such a restriction of the rule is essential to discipline, and it seems to them that it could be carried out in practice •without any interference with the liberty of the inmates.—Letter, dated 21st October 1878.

XLVI. No inmate shall play at cards, or at any game of chance, in the Poorhouse; and the House-Governor or Matron shall take from any inmate, and dispose of as the House-Committee shall direct, any cards, dice, or other articles relating to games of chance, which may be in his possession.

XLVII. No inmate shall smoke within the Poorhouse, or any building belonging thereto, nor shall have any matches or other articles of highly combustible nature in his possession.

MEDICAL OFFICER.

XLVIII. A properly qualified Medical Officer shall be named to attend at the Poorhouse, and the following shall be his duties.

(1.) To attend at the Poorhouse daily at such time or times as the House-Committee shall fix, and also when sent for by the House-Governor or Matron, in cases of sudden illness, accident, or other emergency, and at all such other times as the state of the sick or insane patients within the Poorhouse may render necessary.

Daily visits of Medical Officer.—In certain exceptional cases, where the situation and circumstances of a Poorhouse seemed to warrant it, the Board have sanctioned a modification of Rule XLVIII. (1).

(2.) To give, if possible, to the House-Governor and Matron, the name of a qualified medical man, who shall act for him in the event of his being prevented by indisposition, absence, or otherwise, from performing his duties at the Poorhouse.

(3.) To examine the state of the poor persons on their admission into the Poorhouse —to examine the state of the patients in the sick-wards, and also the state of any sick or insane inmates in the other wards.

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Medical examination of Inmates on admission.—The medical examination prescribed by the rules is simply for the purpose of enabling the Medical Officer to discover whether infectious disease does or does not exist, and does not differ from the examination which a medical man, called in to advise in a case of apprehended illness, would make.—Letter, dated 5th Nov. 1880.

Examination of Inmates as regards Vaccination.—See Note to Rule XXV.

(4.) To give all necessary directions as to the classification, diet, and treatment of the sick inmates, and inmates of unsound mind; and to intimate to the House-Governor and Matron, and report to the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee, any inmate of unsound mind whom he may deem to be dangerous.

Classification of Sick Inmates.—See Rule XXIV.

Diet of Sick Inmates.—See Rule LXVII. (15).

Right of Medical Officer to put an Inmate in a Strait-Jacket.—A Medical Officer inquired if he could put an inmate in a strait-jacket for persisting in removing the dressings from a broken leg. The Board consulted their Medical Officer, and were advised that if it was absolutely necessary for the safety of the patient it was the duty of the Medical Officer to take measures to prevent him from removing the bandages.—Letter, dated 29th October 1890.

Directions as to treatment of Sick Inmates to be in writing.—The Board are of opinion that it is in the interest of the Medical Officer that his directions should be in writing, as in the event of any miscarriage occurring it may be of the utmost importance that he should be able to refer to a written order see Rule XVIII. (28). —Letter, dated 12th October 1891.

(5.) To enter in a book, to be provided by the House-Committee for that purpose, and to be called the "Medical Officer's Sick-Diet-Book," all directions which he may give regarding the diet of sick inmates, and inmates of unsound mind, and to submit the same to the House-Committee at their ordinary meetings, and at such other times as they may direct.

(6.) To report in writing to the Chairman or acting Chairman of the House-Committee, any defect in the diet, drainage, ventilation, warmth, or other arrangements of the Poorhouse, or any excess in the number of any class of inmates, which he may deem to be detrimental to the health of the inmates. (7.) To give all necessary directions as to the diet of the children in the Poorhouse, and to vaccinate such as may require vaccination.

Diet of Children in Poorhouses.—See Rule LXVII. (3), Class G, and Notes thereto. Vaccination of Children in Poorhouses.—The Board think it expedient to call the attention of Poorhouse-Committees, and of the Governors and Medical Officers of Poorhouses, to the subject of the vaccination of children in Poorhouses, and to make the following Rules and Regulations, to be observed in all Poorhouses, unless the parent objects. 1. Every child admitted to the Poorhouse, before being passed into the ordinary

Wards, shall be examined by the Medical Officer for the purpose of ascertaining

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whether vaccination has been duly performed, and if on such examination it appears that vaccination has not been duly performed, the child shall be vaccinated by the Medical Officer, unless he is of opinion that the operation should be postponed. 2. Every child born in the Poorhouse shall be vaccinated by the Medical Officer,

before such child is permitted to leave the House, unless the Medical Officer is of opinion that the operation should be postponed. 3. In every case in which a child leaves the Poorhouse unvaccinated in consequence

of the Medical Officer being of opinion that the operation should be postponed, written notice that vaccination had not been performed shall be given by the Governor to the Inspector by whom the child had been sent to the Poorhouse (or to the Inspector of the parish liable for the maintenance of the child), and to the Inspector of the district to which it is believed that the child is to be taken. With regard to very young children, the Medical Officer of the Poorhouse must in each case judge as to whether the operation can be performed with safety or not. The Board having consulted Dr Husband, Superintendent of the Central Vaccine Institution for Scotland, as to the age at which children can be, in general, safely and successfully vaccinated, a copy of his reply is appended hereto. Copy Dr Husband's Letter, dated 31st March 1882.—In reply to your letter of 25th inst., I have little hesitation in stating my opinion that children may be safely vaccinated within a few weeks of birth, if the rule is strictly observed of vaccinating only such as are in good health. Probably greater caution is required in the case of children born in Poorhouses, and certificates of postponement would be oftener required than in ordinary practice. But it is evidently important to secure them against small-pox before they are lost sight of, as there is reason to fear that the vaccination of many of them will be neglected afterwards.— Circular dated 5th April 1882.

(8.) To make to the House-Committee a return of the sick within the Poorhouse, in the prescribed form, weekly or monthly, as that Committee shall direct; and to enter therein the apparent cause of the death of every poor person who shall die in the Poorhouse.

(9.) To give the House-Committee, when required, any reasonable information respecting the case of any poor person who has been under his care—to make such written report relative to any sickness prevalent among the inmates of the Poorhouse , as the House- Committee, the Parochial Board, or the Board of Supervision, may require of him, and to attend the House-Committee when required by them to do so.

(10.) To keep a Regis ter of a l l pat ients under his care in the Poorhouse, in which he shall enter the name, age, and other particulars of each patient, and an account of his visits, and also of the treatment of the more serious cases, and to submit such Register to the House-Committee and the Visiting-Committee when required so to do.

(11.) To promote peace, order, obedience, and observance of the ru le s o f the Poorhouse among the inmates and to in fo rm the House-Governor, the Matron, or the Chairman or Acting Chairman of the House-Committee, of any infringement of such rules that may come to his knowledge.

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Duties of Medical Officer in connection, with punishment of Inmates.—See Rules LV., LIX., and LXI.

Duties of Medical Officer in connection with diet of Inmates.--See Rule LXVII. (3), (7), (8), (14), and (15).

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

XLIX. The religious instruction of the inmates of the Poorhouse shall be committed to a Chaplain, who shall be a distinct officer from the House-Governor, and the following shall be his duties:—

(1.) To lecture or preach to the inmates of the Poorhouse, conjoining prayer and praise, every Sabbath-day.

(2.) To visit any sick inmate of the Poorhouse from time to time, and when he may be applied to for that purpose by the House- Governor or Matron.

(3.) To examine and catechise the children once in every month, or oftener; and after each of such examinations to record the same, and state the general progress of the children, in a book to be provided for that purpose by the House-Committee, and which is to be laid before that Committee at their next ordinary meeting.

(4.) To promote peace, order, obedience, and observance of the rules of the Poorhouse among the inmates, and to inform the House-Governor, the Matron, or the C h a i r m a n o r A c t i n g C h a i r m a n o f t h e House-Committee, of any infringement of such rules that may come to his knowledge and to perform such other duties suitable to his office as may be required of him by the House-Committee, in terms of his agreement or appointment.

(5.) To report his proceedings generally to the House-Committee at such times as that Committee shall direct, stating the name of the person, if any, who may have officiated for him since the date of his last report.

Qualifications of Chaplains.—It is not competent to appoint a layman to the chaplaincy of a Poorhouse; the chaplain must be an ordained Minister or Licentiate of a Protestant Church; a Licentiate, though not ordained, is eligible for the office.—

Letters dated 9th December 1861, 12th April 1872, and 13th July 1881 In a case where a Parochial Board were unable to find a Minister or Licentiate willing to accept the post of chaplain, the Board agreed to the appointment of a

layman, after having satisfied themselves that his antecedents and qualifications were such as to commend him for the office. —Letter, dated 22nd January 1892.

Duty of Chaplain with regard to Children apprenticed or sent to Service.—See Rule XI.

Registration of Religious Persuasion of Children in Poorhouses.—The Board arc of opinion that all children admitted to the Poorhouse, whether along with both or

46 one of their parents, or as orphans, or as otherwise, ought to be entered into the Register as belonging to the religious persuasion of their respective parents or surviving parent, when that is known or can be ascertained, provided that such children are not deserted by both parents, or by their surviving parent, at the time of their admission. When there is one of the parents who has not deserted the children, they ought to be registered as belonging to the religious persuasion of such parent.—Minute, dated 12th September 1850. The Board cannot admit that after a child, even though deserted, has been

registered as a Roman Catholic, the Parochial Board has power to alter the Register, and describe that child as a Protestant, without his or her consent; and they are further of opinion that effect must be given by the Parochial Board to the original registration in the manner prescribed by the statute and the rules.—Minute, dated 16th June 1853. In every case in which an orphan or deserted child, or a child separated from its parents, is ordered to be sent to the Poorhouse, the Inspector shall state, in the ticket for his or her admission, the religious denomination of the child as entered in the Children's Separate Register and the Governor of the Poorhouse shall enter the child in the Poorhouse Register as of that denomination; and he shall cause to be delivered, on Monday of each week, to any known minister of the religious denomination of any inmate, and who regularly visits or has been nominated to visit, the Poorhouse, for the purpose of instructing the children of his own denomination, a list of all such children then inmates of the Poorhouse, if he applies for it.— Circular, dated 3rd November 1864 – Rule VIII. of Rules for Children’s Separate Register Religious Education of Children in Poorhouses.—The Parochial Board of one of the

Parishes in which a Poorhouse was established, having passed a resolution to the effect that all the children admitted to the House should be educated in the religious persuasion of the majority of the ratepayers, the Roman Catholic inhabitants of the Parish complained to us of the injustice of annexing to participation in parochial relief a condition which must preclude some of the most destitute of the paupers from receiving it. The Rules and Regulations for the Management of the Poorhouse, which we had approved, required that, at the time of admission, the religious persuasion of each inmate should be registered; and the statute had provided that any known minister of the religious persuasion of any inmate should have access to the Poorhouse for the purpose of affording him religious instruction. We were therefore of opinion that it was incompetent to the Parochial. Board to carry out the resolution complained of. After repeated communications with us, they rescinded that resolution, and resolved to be guided by the Board's minute of the 12th September 1850, in which we stated our opinion that all children ought to be registered as belonging to the religious persuasion of their parents or surviving parent, when that was known or could be ascertained, unless in cases of desertion by their parents or surviving parent, who in that case appeared to us to have voluntarily abandoned the natural right to conduct the religious instruction of their offspring. The registration of the religious Persuasion of children thus secured to the minister of the persuasion to which each belonged a statutory right of access to the Poorhouse, for the purpose of religious instruction, and in that respect placed all children upon the same footing.-6th Annual Report (1851), p. vii. In a case in which the children, inmates of a Poorhouse, were sent for education to

schools in a neighbouring town, the Board expressed the opinion that the Parochial Board have no power to deprive parents, though paupers, of the natural right to direct the religious instruction of their children; and unless there be reason to believe that the Episcopal school referred to is improperly conducted, which is not alleged, the Parochial Board ought to permit the children in question to go to that school, in the same manner as other children, inmates of the Poorhouse, are permitted to o to other schools in the town.—Minute, dated 29th June 1854. Appointment of a salaried Roman Catholic Chaplain.—The Board are of opinion

that neither the statute nor the Poorhouse Rules (which have a statutory force) contemplate or authorise the appointment of a paid Roman Catholic chaplain as one of the officers of the Poorhouse. The right of inmates of the Poorhouse of all denominations to the benefit of

religious services and instruction by one of their own ministers is fully recognised

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and provided for by the 64th Section of the Poor Law Act (8 and 9 Vict. c. 83), and by Articles 51 and 52 of the Rules and Regulations for the Management of Poorhouses.

The Board have reason to know that these enactments have been liberally interpreted and acted upon in all Poorhouses in Scotland, and that, so far as the inmates are concerned, no change is called for.

They are not, however, prepared to say that it would be held by a Court of Law to be incompetent, where the number of Roman Catholic Inmates is large, to pay out of the rates a reasonable sum at the end of a year in recognition of services rendered by a Roman Catholic clergyman, especially such services cannot be otherwise obtained, but, having no power of audit, the Board cannot express an authoritative opinion on the point.—Minute, dated 12th June 1890.

L. All inmates of the Poorhouse, except those who are incapacitated by sickness, infirmity, or infancy, shall attend morning and evening prayers every day, and divine service every Sabbath-day; provided that inmates who refuse to attend on account of their religious principles shall be exempt from such attendance, and shall be engaged, during the time of Divine service, in religious exercises, or in reading, or hearing read, such religious book, suited to their religious persuasion, as the House-Governor shall sanction.

Leave of absence to Inmates for the purpose of attending Divine Worship.—The Statute 8 and 9 Vict. c. 83, appears to the Board to contemplate that the religious instruction of the inmates of a Poorhouse shall be conducted in the Poorhouse; and, in the 64th section, has made provision for that purpose, but has nowhere provided for any other mode for giving such instruction. The Rules and Regulations for the Management of Poorhouses, framed and sanctioned by this Board, and adopted by local Boards, are founded upon the provisions of the statute, and regulate the manner in which effect is to be given to them. Whatever, therefore, may be the supplemental arrangements proposed or adopted, the Board cannot sanction any departure from the requirements of the statute, or of the rules now in force, with reference to religious instruction in a Poorhouse. These must in all cases be fully and systematically observed; and this Board could not approve of a rule which, contemplating a totally different provision for the religious instruction of the inmates, should give them liberty to leave the Poorhouse every Sunday for the real or alleged purpose of attending divine worship. Such a rule would give to every inmate a right to be absent from the Poorhouse every Sunday, and would, in many cases, if not in all, be subversive of discipline and proper management.

But the Board are of opinion that it is competent to a House-Committee to give, or (which would be preferable) to authorise the House-Governor to give, if they or he shall see fit, permission to any inmate to attend divine worship on any Sabbath, either in the forenoon or the afternoon, at any church or chapel of the religious denomination of such inmate that may be in the vicinity of the Poorhouse: Provided that such permission shall not be given unless after due consideration of the character and conduct of such inmate, and with careful regard to the proper management and discipline of the Poorhouse; and provided also, that such permission shall be withheld from any inmate who shall have abused the indulgence, either by failing to attend divine worship when leave of absence has been given for that purpose, or by failing on such an occasion to return to the Poorhouse at the proper time, or in any other manner.—Minute of 14th August 1862.

LI. Any regular minister of the religious persuasion of any inmate of the Poorhouse shall, at any time in the day, on the

48 request of any inmate, be allowed by the House-Governor to enter the Poorhouse for the purpose of affording religious assistance to such inmate, or for the purpose of instructing his child or children in the principles of his religion; provided that such assistance or instruction shall be so given as not to interfere with the good order and discipline of the other inmates of the Poorhouse; and such rel igious assis tance or instruction shall be s tr ict ly confined to inmates who are of the religious persuasion of such minister, and to the children of such inmates.

LII. When a regular minister of any religious persuasion shall request permission to visit members of his congregation who may be inmates of the Poorhouse, orders shall be given for his admission at such hours as the House-Governor may consider proper; and if such inmates, or several of them, desire it, arrangements shall be made for assembling them in some convenient apartment, where religious instruction may be given, or divine service conducted with decorum, and apart from the other inmates.

LIII. No work, except the necessary household work and cooking shall be performed by the inmates on Sabbath-day.

LIV. No work, except the necessary household work and cooking shall be required to be performed by any poor person who shall be entered in the Register as professing to be a member of the Episcopal Church on Good Friday and Christmas day; nor by any poor person who shall be entered on the Register as professing the Roman Catholic religion on any of the following days observed as holy days in the Roman Catholic Church, that is to say, the 1st and 6th days of January, the 17th and 25th days of March, the 2 9 t h d a y o f J u n e , t h e 1 5 t h d a y o f A u g u s t , t h e 1 s t d a y o f November , Ascens ion day , Corpus Chr is t i day , Good Fr iday , and Christmas day.

PUNISHMENTS FOR MISCONDUCT OF INMATES.

LV. Any inmate who shall neglect to observe such of the Rules and Regulations of the Poorhouse as are applicable to and binding upon him;

Or shall make any noise when silence is ordered to be kept; Or shall use obscene or profane language;

Or shall, by word or deed, revile or insult any person; Or shall threaten to strike or assault any person;

49

Or shall not duly cleanse his person; Or shall refuse or neglect to work, having been required so to do; Or shall pretend sickness; Or shall play at cards, or other game of chance; Or shall enter or attempt to enter, without permission, the ward or part of the premises appropriated to any class of inmates other than that to which he belongs; Or shall behave improperly at public worship, or at prayers; Or shall not return till after the appointed time, when allowed

to quit the Poorhouse on temporary leave of absence; Or shall wilfully disobey any lawful order of any officer of the

Poorhouse;

Shall be deemed DISORDERLY, and the House-Governor may punish any such inmate, by requiring him, for a time not exceeding two days, to perform one or two hours of extra work each day, and by withholding, for the like time, all milk or buttermilk which such inmate would otherwise receive with his meals; or by deprivation of such other articles of diet , and for such time, not exceeding three days, as the House-Committee, after consulting with the Medical Officer, shall direct.

LVI. Any inmate who shall, within seven days, repeat any one or commit more than one, of the offences specified in Article LV., or who shall by word or deed revile or insult the House-Governor, the Matron, or any other officer of the Poorhouse, or any member of the Parochial Board, or any officer of the Parochial Board being in the Poorhouse in the discharge of his official duty;

Or shall wilfully disobey any lawful order of the House-Governor or Matron, after such order shall have been repeated;

Or shall attempt to introduce any fermented or spirituous liquor, or other prohibited article, without sufficient authority;

Or shall unlawfully strike, or otherwise unlawfully assault, any person;

Or shall wilfully or mischievously damage or soil any property whatsoever belonging to the Poorhouse, or to the Parochial Board;

Or shall be drunk; Or shall commit any indecency; Or shall wilfully disturb the inmates during prayers or divine

worship; Or shall climb over any wall or fence, or attempt to quit the

Poorhouse premises in any irregular mode;

50

Or shall at tempt to convey out of the Poorhouse any clothes or other article belonging to the Poorhouse or to the Parochial Board;

shall be deemed REFRACTORY, and punishable by solitary confinement, with or without an increase in the t ime of work, and an a l tera t ion of die t , s imilar in kind and durat ion to that prescribed in Article LV. for DISORDERLY inmates, as the House-Committee shall direct but no inmate shall be so confined for a l onge r pe r io d than tw en ty - fou r ho u r s o r i f i t b e deem ed right that such inmate shall be carried before a magistrate, and twenty-four hours should not be sufficient for that purpose, then for such further time as may be necessary for such purpose.

LVII . The House-Governor may punish any Disorder ly or Refractory inmate, by causing him to wear, during a period of not more than forty-eight hours, a dress different from that of the other inmates, either jointly with or in lieu of the deprivation of any art icles of diet to which any such inmate might be subjected by the regulations herein contained.

LVIII. If any offence, by which an inmate becomes Refractory, be accompanied by any of the following circumstances of aggravation that is to say, if such inmate

Persist in using violence against any person; Or persist in creating a noise or disturbance, so as to annoy a considerable number of the other inmates, or any sick inmate; Or endeavour to excite the other inmates to acts of insubordination; Or persist in acting indecently or obscenely in the presence of

any other inmate; Or persist in mischievously breaking or damaging any goods

or property of the Poorhouse, or of the Parochial Board; Or persist in refusing to work;

the House-Governor shall, without any special order of the House- Committee, place such REPRACTORY inmate in confinement for any time not exceeding twelve hours. But the House-Governor shall not confine any adult inmate without the special order of the House- Committee, except in one of the cases specified in this Article.

LIX. No inmate who is under medical treatment, or who is infirm, or who may reasonably be supposed to be under twelve years of age, or who may be pregnant, or who may be suckling a child, shall

51

be punished by alteration of diet, or by confinement, unless the Medical Officer shall have previously certified, in writing, that no injury to the health of such inmate is reasonably to be apprehended from the proposed punishment; and any modification, diminishing such punishment, which the Medical Officer may recommend, on the ground of health, shall be adopted by the House-Governor.

LX. No inmate shall be confined at any time between eight o 'clock in the evening and six o 'clock in the morning, without being furnished with a bed and bedding suitable to the season, and with the other proper conveniences.

LXI. No inmate shall be confined in any place which shall not have been previously examined by the Medical Officer, and certified to be a place in which inmates may be confined without injury to their health.

LXII . No inmate under fifteen years of age shall be confined in a dark room, or during the night.

LXIII. No corporal punishment shall be inflicted on any child excep t by the Schoolmas te r , the Schoolmis t ress , the House- Governor, or the Matron, nor except with a rod or other instrument, such as shall be seen and approved by the House-Committee, or Visiting-Committee, nor until two hours after he has been convicted of the offence for which such punishment is inflicted, nor on any child whose age may reasonably be supposed to exceed fifteen years.

LXI V. The person who punishes any child with corporal correction shall forthwith report to the Governor the particulars of the offence and punishment.

LXV. No corporal punishment shall be inflicted on any female child except by the Matron or Schoolmistress.

L X V I . T h e H o u s e - G o v e r n o r s h a l l enter in a book, to be provided for that purpose by the House-Committee, and to be called the “Report-Book of Offences and Punishments”, - 1stly All cases of inmates who may have been punished without the directions of the House-Committee, together with the particulars of their respective offences and punishments; and 2ndly, All cases of Refractory or Disorderly inmates, to be reported to the House-Committee for their decision thereon; and such book shall be submitted

52

to the House-Committee at every meeting, when they shall give directions as to any confinement, or other punishment, of any Refractor or Disorderly inmate reported for their decision, and cause such directions to be entered in the minutes of that day's proceedings, and in the House-Governor's "Report-Book of Offences and Punishments," and they shall also enter in that book their approval or disapproval of the conduct of the House-Governor or other officer, in respect to each case in which punishment is reported to have been inflicted by the House-Governor or other officer, without the directions of the House-Committee.

DIET OF THE INMATES.

LXVII. The Dietary of the Poorhouse shall be framed in accordance with the following rules :—

(1.) No article of diet which is not of good quality, and in a wholesome state, shall be issued, prepared for, or given to any inmate.

(2.) The inmates−not under medical treatment—shall be divided, for the purposes of diet, into seven classes, viz.:—

Class A. Aged persons of either sex, who are healthy, but who are not working.

B. Adults, of either sex, who are healthy, but not working, and who are not aged persons; and children, of either sex, above eight, and not above fifteen years of age. C. Adult persons, of either sex, who are working.

... D. Infirm persons, of either sax.

.. E. Children above five, and not above eight years of age.

.. F. Children above two, and not above five years of age.

... G. Infants not above two years of age.

(3.) To each of these Classes, except Class G, three meals a-day shall be allowed, which shall consist of

For Class A.—(First Rate.)

Breakfast...Meal, three ounces; and milk, half-pint imperial. Dinner . . . . . . . Bread, s i x o u n c e s ; a n d b r o t h , o n e a n d - a - h a l f p i n t imperial.

Supper ............Meal, three ounces and milk, half-pint imperial.

53

For Class B.—(Second Rate.)

Breakfast...Meal, four ounces and milk, three-fourths pint imperial.

Dinner ....... Bread, eight ounces; and broth, one-and-a-half pint imperial.

Supper ....... Meal, four ounces and milk, three-fourths pint imperial.

For Class C.—(Third Rate.)

Breakfast...Meal, four ounces; and milk, three-fourths pint imperial.

Dinner ........ Bread, eight ounces broth, one-and-a-half pint imperial and boiled meat, four ounces. Supper………Meal, four ounces; and milk, three-fourths pint imperial

For Class D.—(Fourth Rate.)

Breakfast. ..Meal, four ounces; and skimmed milk, three-fourths pint imperial.

Dinner .. . . . . . Bread, six ounces; rice-soup, one-and-a-half pint imperial.

Supper ....... Bread, six ounces; and tea, half pint imperial.

For Class E.—(Fifth Rate.)

Breakfast.... Meal, four ounces; and milk, three-fourths pint imperial.

Dinner ......... Bread, six ounces and broth, one pint imperial. Supper. ... . . . . .Meal, three ounces; and milk, half-pint imperial.

For Class F.—(Sixth Rate.)

Breakfast ..... Meal, three-and-a-half ounces; and new milk, half-pint imperial. Dinner .. . . . . . Bread, five ounces; and broth, three-fourths pint

imperial. Supper.. . . . . . Meal, three ounces; and new milk, half-pint imperial.

For Class G.—(Seventh, Rate.)

Not less than eight ounces of white leavened bread, or seven ounces of meal, and one pint imperial of new milk, daily to be prepared in such manner, and given at such times, as the Medical Officer shall recommend.

• • •

54

(4 . ) The mea l may be e i the r oa tmea l o r Ind ian mea l , o r a mixture of these two kinds. Recommendation to dispense with Indian Meal. —See Report by Drs Bell and

Littlejohn, p. 57.

(5 . ) The milk may be buttermilk, where new milk or skimmed milk is not specified. Recommendation to dispense with Buttermilk.—See Report by Drs Bell and

Littlejohn, p. 57, and Note on the use of Milk in Poorhouses, p. 58.

(6 . ) The bread, in the first six rates, may be of such sort as is generally used by the labouring population in the Parish or Parishes to which the Poorhouse belongs.

(7 . ) The broth shall be made with two ounces of meat exclusive

o f b o n e , t w o- o f b a r l e y , h a l f a n o u n c e o f p e a s e , o n e a n d - a - half ounce of carrots, turnips, or other vegetables approved by the Medical Officer, and a due quantity of salt, for each ration of one- and-a-half pint imperial; and for other quantities in the like proportions.

(8.) The rice-soup for Class D (Fourth Rate), shall be so made that for each ration for an infirm inmate there shall be four ounces of meat (which shal l be lef t in the soup or not , as the Medical Officer shall direct, in each case); r ice, one-and-a-half ounce vegetables, two ounces : salt and pepper the due quantity.

(9.) The tea for Class D (Fourth Rate) , shall be made with− sugar, half an ounce; new milk, one ounce; and tea, one-eighth of an ounce, for each half-pint imperial.

(10.) In the First, Second and Third Rates, there may be substituted, not more than three times a-week, for the broth at dinner, one-and-a-half imperial pint of pea-soup, made with two ounces of whole or split pease, one-and-a-half ounce of pease-flour, one ounce of vegetables, and a due proportion of salt and pepper.

(11.) In the First, Second, and Third Rates, there may be substituted, not more than once a-week, for the broth at dinner, three ounces of skimmed-milk cheese; and, for the broth and meat together, four-and-a-half ounces.

(12.) In the First and Second Rates, there may be substituted, not more than twice a-week, for the broth at dinner, eight ounces of white fish and in the Third Rate, twelve ounces of white fish, for the broth and meat together.

55

(13.) In the First Rate, there may be substituted, not more than twice a-week, for the bread and broth at dinner, one-and-a-half pounds of boiled potatoes, with three-fourths of a pint imperial of skimmed milk and in the Second and Third Rates, two pounds of boiled potatoes, with three-fourths of an imperial pint of skimmed milk and in the Third Rate, for the bread, broth, and meat together, three pounds of boiled potatoes, with one imperial pint of skimmed milk.

(14.) The House-Committee may, under the written advice of the Medical Officer or Medical Officers, and by an order entered in the minutes of their proceedings, direct the use of other articles, in other proportions than the above, whenever the scarcity of any article, the season of the year, or any circumstance affecting the sanitary condition of the inmates, shall be deemed to justify such changes but, in any such change, there shall be no diminution of the amount of nutriment, or of the proportion of nitrogenous or azotised nutriment required by these rules, unless with the previous consent of the Board of Supervision.

(15.) The diet for any inmate who is under medical treatment, shall be such as the Medical Officer shall prescribe for him, and shall enter in a book, to be kept for that purpose, and to be called the " Medical Officer's Sick-Diet Book," which shall be submitted to the House-Committee at every ordinary meeting. Diet of Inmates—Interpretation of Rule LXVII.—The Visiting Officer of the

Board having reported that different interpretations are given by Poorhouse authorities to those portions of Article LXVII. of the Rules and Regulations for the Management of Poorhouses, which relate to the broth to be served to the inmates included under Classes A, B, C, E, and F, and that consequently a diversity of practice prevails, I am directed to transmit this explanatory letter upon the subject for the guidance of Poorhouse-Committees and Governors. The broth is to be in all cases made from the ingredients enumerated, and in the

proportions stated, in Rule LXVII. (7) ; but it is not intended that inmates in the above classes should be served, as a matter of right, with the solid meat of which the broth is made, in addition to the prescribed quantity of broth. It is in the power, and it is the duty, of the Medical Officer to order solid meat to be given daily, or at stated intervals, in addition to broth, or to order any other deviation from the prescribed diet, in the case of any inmate whose state of health renders such deviation necessary. In Class C, each inmate is entitled to 4 oz. of boiled meat as well as broth; but it

is not intended that, besides the 4 oz. of boiled meat prescribed by the dietary, such inmate should be served with an additional portion of solid meat in the broth. In this case also, however, it is in the power of the Medical Officer to order either an increased or a diminished quantity of solid meat, when the health of an inmate requires it. The Board also find that a difference of opinion exists as to the proper manner of

carrying into effect the direction in Rule LX VII. (8), that the meat “shall be left in the soup" served to inmates in Class D, "or not, as the Medical Officer shall direct in each case." The Board are of opinion that the most expedient course is to require the Medical Officer to specify, from time to time, the inmates in this class

56

whose health will be benefited by being served with solid meat in addition to the soup, and not to leave the meat in the soup served to those inmates who are not so specified.

Poorhouse authorities should bear in mind, that while their first duty in the matter of diet unquestionably is to endeavour to maintain, as far as possible, the health of the inmates, it is also highly important that no unnecessary expenditure should be incurred, and that the diet of the healthy inmates should not be raised above that of the labouring population of the country.

The interpretation given in this letter to Rule LXVII. is in accordance with the previous practice of a large majority of the Poorhouses in Scotland, and the Board have received special reports from the Medical Officers of each of these Poorhouses, bearing unanimous testimony to the sufficiency and satisfactory effect of the dietary which has hitherto been in use.

At the same time, the Board take this opportunity of directing the attention of all House-Committees and Medical Officers to the provisions of Rule LXVII. (14 and 15). Although the prescribed dietary is laid down as the rule, it is not intended to be in all cases inflexible. It is left to the Poorhouse authorities to make such deviations and variations, within the limits specified, as the health of inmates or other circumstances may from time to time require. And upon all points bearing upon the health of the inmates, the Board would suggest that the House-Committee should invite the counsel of the Medical Officer as to whether a somewhat different or more varied diet might be beneficial in the case of any inmates, or class of inmates, especially in the case of young children, the infirm, and those served with porridge which is either made wholly or in a great part of Indian meal.—Circular, dated 18th November 1869.

Dietaries of Children in Poorhouses.—The Board have had under consideration the

Dietaries of Children, as laid down in Rule LXVII. of the Rules and Regulations for the Management of Poorhouses, and they have obtained a Report on the subject by Dr Joseph Bell and Dr H. D. Littlejohn. The Board approve of the recommendations in the Report, and direct that the Dietaries be modified in terms thereof.— Circular, dated 28th February 1888.

REPORT by DRS BELL AND LITTLEJOHN, dated 31st December 1887.

We have the honour to report to the Board of Supervision that, in accordance with the remit made to us, we have carefully considered the subject of the Dietaries of the inmates of Poorhouses classed under E, F, and G.

While the dietaries in these different classes are, in our opinion, sufficient in ordinary circumstances to maintain a healthy condition of body, we are also of opinion that, considering the class of persons at the ages in question admitted to Poorhouses, and their varying state of constitution, a greater variety of food might be allowed with advantage.

To enable us to judge more correctly of the conditions of Poorhouse life in the classes E, F, and G, we considered it advisable to inspect the dietaries of various Poorhouses, and to see the children.

We accordingly visited, in Edinburgh-Craiglockhart and St Cuthberts in Leith —North and South Leith; in the country—Inveresk; and we also made inquiries at the City and Barony in Glasgow, and at various Institutions for sick and healthy children in Edinburgh, and in the county of Midlothian.

In all the Poorhouses we were pleased to find that the Governors, acting in the spirit of the instructions of the Board, had, with the concurrence of their Medical Officers, modified more or less the dietary of the classes in question.

Without a single exception, we found the children well-tended and cared for. Only one child was in hospital, and the rest evidently enjoyed their food, and benefited by it, even although there were, in a considerable number of cases, the usual indications of a strumous or rickety constitution. In fact, considering the history of many of these children, their general appearance struck us as being highly creditable to the management of these institutions.

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CLASS E-FIFTH RATE

comprises children above five years, and not above eight years of age.

BREAKFAST—should continue as at present, with this exception, that Sweet Milk should be used, and that Buttermilk should be discontinued.

DINNER-Two ounces of meat should be added on four days in the week, and on the other days suet or other pudding might be substituted.

SUPPER-In all cases where there is wetting of the bed, the Porridge and Milk should be discontinued, and Bread and Milk substituted—the quantity of Milk being three-quarters of a pint.

Where children are at all weakly, we beg to recommend the addition, by way of Lunch, of a warm drink consisting either of Beef-Tea or of Hot Milk.

CLASS F—SIXTH RATE-

comprises children above two years, and not above five years.

BREAKFAST-No change, but an extra meal (or Lunch) consisting of Milk and Bread to be given between Breakfast and Dinner. The Milk, if possible, to be heated.

DINNER—In addition to present allowance, one ounce of Meat daily. The Broth might be varied with other Soups.

SUPPER—Bread and Milk to be substituted for Porridge and Milk in cases of wetting the bed.

CLASS G-SEVENTH RATE-

comprises infants not above two years of age. We have no suggestions to offer as to the dietary. That allowed by the Board is satisfactory; and as it may be altered according to circumstances by the Medical Officer, we have every confidence that each case will receive special consideration. WE are of the opinion that the time has now arrived when the Board may safely dispense with the alternative use of Indian Meal, and should insist on Oatmeal being used in all cases, and we beg to recommend accordingly. ,

Again, the use of Buttermilk should be discontinued, and New Milk always used in Class E. Buttermilk, we find, is of uncertain composition, and is not always easily obtained. From the perfection now arrived at in the making of butter, the residue is daily becoming poorer and less nutritious. While, buttermilk, therefore may be allowed to healthy adults, whose digestive power is stronger, we have ascertained that, in the case of young children, it either cannot be taken, or if it is, it interferes with the appetite of the child, and prevents the food allowed being consumed.

At several of the Poorhouses, our visit happened to coincide with the return of children in Class E from outdoor Public Schools, and their partaking of the mid-day meal. Nothing could be more pleasing than the healthy, contented look of those children, and their appetite for dinner. We observed with satisfaction that in all such cases pieces of meat had been put into each basin of broth, and were eagerly partaken of.

Where broth is ordered, a variety should be allowed in the kind of soup. We found in several of the Poorhouses that a rotation of soups was in regular use, viz., broth, pea, rice and potato soups. As to the ration of meat which we have recommended in classes E and F, a similar variety in the mode of cooking should be enforced. In the course of this inquiry we were impressed with the importance (whatever the ration dietary employed) of the younger children being carefully watched and superintended during the time of meals.

In Poorhouses of limited size, there was apparently more of a home arrangement, and the older paupers took a great interest in the children. In large establishments,

58

each group should be superintended by one of the pauper inmates. If these happened not to be suitable, the nurses might discharge this duty (of short duration) without detriment to their patients.

In conclusion, we have only to state that the changes which we have recommended will involve little additional expense and trouble in a well-regulated Poorhouse, and we are convinced that the comparatively slight variety we have introduced into the dietaries will not only tend to improve the health of the children, but will, by strengthening their constitution at an important period of rapid growth, enable them in after life the better to resist disease.

(Signed) JOSEPH BELL.

HENRY D. LITTLEJOHN, M.D.

The use of Milk in Poorhouses.—There can be no question that there are many diseases that require nothing more than a properly-regulated diet to secure their removal. Dealing with the under-fed debilitated class of cases that I have usually to treat in the Poorhouse, I believe I would almost rather treat them without drugs and with unlimited power to order extra diet, than with drugs and without any power to order extras. The greater proportion of the extra milk used in this Poorhouse is ordered for patients actually in hospital, or sent out of hospital convalescent but not quite well. The other cases are of two kinds. The first is the young children. I found that these were not thriving on the buttermilk, and they have latterly been getting sweet milk instead, with a very marked improvement in their health. That sweet milk is necessary for the healthy growth of children is not a point that admits of any dispute, and it is in the long run the truest economy so to feed the children that they may grow up strong and healthy and fit to take their part in the battle of life. It is the surest way of preventing them from returning in early life as permanent inmates. The other class of cases is really only this question of young children looked at from another point of view. It is the question of extra milk to nursing mothers. It is not in any way as an indulgence to the women that the extra milk is ordered. It is only secondarily for the sake of the mothers; primarily it is for the sake of the infants. No woman can keep her health and suckle a healthy child on the ordinary diet of the Poorhouse. It is a simple physiological impossibility. Every one knows that animals of all kinds require extra food when giving suck, and if they do not get it their health or the health of their offspring is sure to suffer, most usually both. The human female is no exception to this physiological law. The necessity of an extra allowance of some kind to women when nursing has always been recognized. It used to take the form of excessive quantities of stimulants, more particularly porter. Now medical men usually give among other things considerable quantities of milk, which is bound to agree in every way much better than porter, besides costing much less.

I think also that the time has come for considering whether it might not be possible to give up the use of buttermilk altogether, except perhaps occasionally. I have no hesitation whatever in saying that my opinion most decidedly is buttermilk as a habitual article of diet is for the great majority of people unsuitable and unwholesome. However fresh it may be, buttermilk is milk that is beginning to undergo the process of fermentation or putrefaction; and while a strong man with a healthy digestion may take an occasional draught of it (especially if it is quite fresh) with impunity and perhaps even with benefit, yet its use by any one not possessing a strong and healthy digestion is very generally followed by unpleasant results. It is becoming less used every day as an article of human food. The Rules of the Board of Supervision say (LXVII. (5)):—" The milk may be buttermilk where new milk or skimmed milk is not specified." This rule was probably meant to cover cases where there was a difficulty in procuring sweet or skimmed milk, and not as

59 sanctioning a constant use of buttermilk. The fundamental principle laid down, and which underlies all their rules, that the ordinary diet of the inmates is not to be better than that of the ordinary labouring class, is one that everyone will endorse. But at the time these rules were drawn up, sweet milk was little used by the labouring class, and buttermilk was used a good deal. Now, I am glad to say, the reverse holds good. Sweet milk is within the reach of all, and the more sensible of the labouring classes are freely availing themselves of it, both for themselves and their children. The difference of expense is really inconsiderable, and I am well persuaded that the saving due to the improved health of the inmates would far more than compensate in the long run for the difference of cost.—Extract Letter from Dr Moodie, Medical Officer of Stirling Poorhouse, dated 23rd April 1885.

LXVIII. Copies of the Regulations as to Discipline and Offences and Punishments, and as to Diet, shall be kept suspended in the d in ing -ha l l s and wards o f the Poorhouse and a Copy o f the Regulations as to Discipline and Offences and Punishments shall be kept suspended in each probationary ward, ands hall be read to each inmate on his admission.

Note.—In the copies of the Regulations suspended in the Poorhouse, the annotations may be omitted.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS.

LXIX. Whenever the words, the House-Committee , or the words, the Parochial Board, are used in these Rules, such words shall be taken to mean respectively the House-Committee, and the Parochial Board or Parochial Boards, appointed or acting for the Parish or Parishes to which the Poorhouse subject to these regulations belongs.

LXX. Whenever, in describing any person or party, matter or thing, the word importing the singular number, or the masculine gender only, is used in these Rules, the same shall be taken to include, and shall be applied to, several persons or parties, as well as one person or party, and females as well as males, and several matters or things, as well as one matter or thing, respectively, unless there be something in the subject or context repugnant to such construction.

LXXI. Whenever, in these Rules, any Article is referred to by its number, the Article of these rules bearing that number shall be taken to be signified thereby.

LXXII. Whenever, in these Rules, the word Inmate is used such word shall be taken to mean a poor person receiving parochial relief in the Poorhouse.

on the other hand, where stricter discipline was necessary, and was maintained, there was some difficulty in insuring careful superintendence, and there was a chance of the weaker children not receiving due attention and consideration.

Super- We take the liberty of recommending that the children at meal hours might, with vision at advantage, be divided into groups or companies, consisting, say of ten, and that Meal hours.

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INDEX. LIST OF BOOKS

REQUIRED TO BE KEPT FOR THE USE OF POORHOUSE BY THE FOREGOING RULES :-

1. House-Committee's Minute Book. 2. Register of Inmates. 3. Visitor's Report Book. 4. Receipt and Expenditure-Book. 5. House-Governor's Journal.

PAGE

A PAGE

Books for use of Inmates . . 19 6. Report-Book of Offences and Punishments. Bathing of Inmates . . 34 7. House-Governor's Daily Diet-Book. Alterations on Poorhouse . 6 8. House-Governor's Sick-Diet-Book. Apartments to be numbered 7 C

Accounts Certificate to be given by Architect 9. House-Governor's Order-Book.

To be made out as against House before Admission of Inmates . . 7

Committee . . . . .

To be examined by House Committee Method of keeping . . .

8 8

15

Certificate by Medical Officer . .

Chaplain

7 10. Matron's List of Linen, &c., Book. 11. Matron's Requisition-Book.

Duty of in regard to Boarded-Out

Admission of Poor Persons--

Rules for . . . 13, 28 Hours for . . . . .

34 30

Children . . . . .

To conduct Worship on Sundays .

To visit Sick Inmates . . .

8 45 45

12. Medical-Officer's Register and Report-Book. 13. Medical-Officer's Sick Diet-Book.

Date of Order of . . . . 31 To examine and catechise children

14. Chaplain's Children's Examination-Book. Admission of persons not paupers to Hospital . . . . . . 30

and report to House Committee . To report Infringement of Rules .

45 45

Admission of persons suffering from To report to House Committee Infectious Disease . . . 32 name of any person who may Admission of persons suffering from officiate for him . . . . 45 Venereal Disease . . . . 32 Qualification of . . . . 45 Admission of persons suffering from. Duty of, with regard to children

Cancer . . . . . .

Admission of persons requiring

32 sent to service . . . 8, Appointment of salaried Roman

45

Surgical Treatment . . . . 33 Catholic . . . . . 46

Appointment of salaried Roman Catholic Chaplain . . . . 46

Contracts with Members of Parochial

Board or of House Committee 8 Admission of Ministers to afford Complaints by Inmates . 10

Religious Instruction . . 47, 48 Cleaning of Dining Halls, Sze. .

Clothing 17

B Of Inmates . . 17, Of deceased Inmates . .

20 19

Beds, Use of Double . 7 Making and mending of . 20 Marking of . . . 20 Boarded-Out Children Care of Inmates . 27

Duty of House Committee in regard to . . . .

. 8

Cleansing of Inmates . . . Liability for cost of clothing of

33

Duty of Chaplain and. Governor as to absconding Inmate . . 34 . . . . . 8 Materials to be fixed. by House Books to be laid before House Committee . . . . . 38 Committee . . . . . . 9 Children Books to be kept by Governor Fitness of for employment . . 19

Register of Inmates . Journal . . .

13

14

Instruction of . . . 38, Holiday for . . . . .

41 41

Daily Diet Book . 15 Charge for maintenance of paupers . 30

Sick Diet Book . Order Book . .

15 16

Classification of Inmates . . 33, Classification of Inmates, • Medical

35

Minute Book . . . . 19 Officer not entitled to interfere with 33 Books required to be kept according Cancer Cases, Treatment of . . 32

to Rules . . . . . 60 Cleanliness of Inmates . . . 33

63 62

PAGE

D

Deaths, Duty of Governor in regard to. . . . . 17

Discipline of Inmates . 37 Dining-Hall, Meals to be taken in . 37 Discharge of Inmates . . . 39, 40 Dietary of Inmates . . . . 52 Dietary of Inmates, Interpretation of

Rule lxvii. . . . . 55 Dietary of Children . . . 56

E

Employment of Inmates . Earnings of Inmates . . Explanation of Terms

F

Fire, Precautions against . . . 7

Fires, Hours for extinguishing, lights and . . . . . 17, 22

G

Governor- Duty of, as to Boarded-out Children 8 Duty of, as to Stores, &c. . 9, 13,14 Appointment of . . . . 11 Position and responsibilities of . 13 To keep Register of Inmates . . 13 To Prepare Abstract of Number of

Inmates . . . . . 13 To keep an Account of Receipt and Expenditure . . . . 14

To take stock of Stores . . . 14 To keep all Books of Accounts . 15 To enforce industry, order, &c. . 15 To report to House Committee

transgression of the Rules . 15 To appoint and dismiss all hired

servants . . . . . 15 To point out any defects in condition

or arrangements of Poorhouse . . . 16, 19 To see to cleanliness of wards, &c. 16

To obtain consent of House Committee before purchasing any article for use of Poorhouse . 16

To read Prayers in absence of Chaplain . . . . . 16 To provide employment for Inmates . . 16 To visit sleeping wards before noon . . . . . . 16 To see that the Diet is in accordance

with Daily Diet Books. 16 To say Grace . . . . . 16 To see that Dining-Halls are properly cleansed . . .. 17 To visit the wards every night . 17 To receive the keys of the Poorhouse from Porter . . . 17

PAGE

Governor—continued. To see to the clothing of male Inmates . . . . . 17 To send for Medical Officer in case of illness of any Inmate . . 17

To intimate death of any Inmate to Medical Officer and nearest

relations . . . . . 17 To Register Deaths . .. 17

To report Sudden Deaths . . 17 To take charge of clothing of

deceased Inmates . . . 19 To report names of children fit for

employment . . . . 19 To submit list of books for use of

Inmates . . . . . 19 To inform Matron of his absence . 19 To perform Matron's duties during

her absence . . . . 19 To observe the Orders of the House

Committee . . . . . 19 To cause the Rules to be suspended in the Dining-Halls and Wards 19

To attend, if requested, meetings of House Committee . . . 19 To attend Prayers . . .. 19

H

House Committee

Powers of . . . . . 5 To appoint a Chairman and Vice- Chairman . . . . . 5 Meetings of . . . . . 6 Proceedings of, to be recorded in Minute-Book . . • . 6 Annual entertainment of . . 6 To maintain Poorhouse in good. repair 6 . . . . 6 To insure Poorhouse against fire . 6 To purchase provisions, &c. . . 8 To board out children . .. 8, 9 To take stock along with Governor 9,14 Hours for admission of Inmates . 30 Holiday for children . . . 41

I Inmates Complaints by . 10 Register of . . . .. 13 Roll to be called every morning 16 Rules for admission of .. 28, 29, 30 Employment of . . 16, 38 Illness of . . . . . 17 Clothing, Care of . . . . 27 To be searched on admission . 27, 34 Bathing of . . . . . 34 Discipline of . . . . . 37 Hours of work to be fixed by

House Committee . . . 37 Meals to be taken in Dining-Hall . 37 Not allowed spirituous liquor . 38 Not allowed tobacco . . . 38 Earnings of . . . . . 38

PAGE

Inmates—continued. Discharge of . . . . 39, 40 Of Hospital demanding their dis- charge before cured . . . 40 Leave of absence to . .. 40 Leaving the Poorhouse must take dependants . . . . 41 Visitors to . . . . . 41 Not allowed to read improper

books . . . . . 42 Governor not to read letters of42 Not allowed to gamble . . 42 Not allowed to smoke . .. 42 To attend morning and evening Prayers and Divine Worship on

Sundays . . 47 Infringement of Rules 1 5 , 2 0

Infectious Disease Admission of poor persons suffering from . . . . .. 32 Treatment of Inmates suffering

from. . . . . . 32 Instruction of Children . . 38, 41

L Leave of Absence to Inmates . . 40 Leave of Absence to a dependant . 40 Leave of Absence to attend Divine Worship . . . . .

M

Members and Secretary of Board of Supervision entitled to visit and

inspect Poorhouse . . . 11 Member of Parochial Board entitled

to visit and inspect Poorhouse . 11 Matron Appointment of . 11 To assist Governor . . . . 19 In absence of Matron, Governor to perform duties, . . . . 19

To act for Governor during his absence . . . . . 20 To take charge of linen, &c. .. 20 To superintend the making and mending of clothing, &c. . 20

To superintend the washing and drying of linen, blankets, &c. . 20

To keep an account of all linen, &c. 20 To make a requisition for articles required . . . . . 20

To report any infringement of the Rules . . . . . . 20 To appoint female hired servants 21 To take care of Sick and Infirm Inmates . . . . 21

To see to the moral conduct of all female Inmates . . 21

PAGE M a t r o n — c o n t i n u e d . To attend Prayers . . . . 21 To provide employment for female

Inmates . . . . . 21 To call over the names of the inmates -

every morning . • 21, 37 Toprepare a Diet Roll . . . 21 To receive from Governor the

a r t i c l e s o f D i e t . . . . 2 1 To see that proper Diet is supplied 22 To administer Cordials ordered by

Medical Officer . . . . 22 To visit the female Wards at night 22

To see that all Inmates are supplied with clea.n. linen, &c., once a week .

. . 22 To visit female Wards at night . 22 To see that the beds are kept clean 22 Not to be absent for a night without leave from Chairman of House Committee . . . To obey orders of House Committee

a n d G o v e r n o r . . .

Minutes of House Committee . Medical

Officer

Appointment of . . . . 42 To visit Sick and Insane Inmates 17, 42 Not to interfere with classification

of Inmates . . . . . 33 To attend daily . . . . 42 To name a qualified Medical man to

act in his absence . . . 42 To examine Inmates on Admission

31, 42 To give directions as to treatment of

Sick Inmates . . . . 43 To give directions as to Diet of

Sick Inmates . . 43 Right of, to put an Inmate in a

strait jacket . . . 43 To report any defect in drainage

or ventilation • . 43 Togive directions as to Dietary of

Children . . 43 To vaccinate Children . . 43 To make a return of the Sick . . 44 To make written reports as to Sickn e s s a m o n g I n m a t e s . . . 4 4

To keep a Register of all patients . 44 To report any infringement of Rules 44

Medical Certificate, Form of, required on admission of a poorperson 29, 30

Medical examination of Inmates on admission . . . . 31, 42

Meals to be taken in Dining-Hall . 37

0 Overcrowding in Poorhouse . 7 Order for admission ofpoor persons,

as to date of . . . . 31 Observance of Sabbath Day and Holy

Days . . • . 48

. 38 .

. 38

. 59

47

22

22 19

64 65

PAGE P Poorhouse

To be insured against fire . 6 Alterations on . . 6 Occupation of . . 6 Overcrowding of . . Use of double beds in . . Apartments to be numbered . . 7 Wards to be lime washed . . 8

Porter Appointment of paid . .Opinion of Counsel as to appointment

of paid . . To keep the gate . . To receive all persons who apply

with a proper order . .In absence of Governor and Matron,

to place new Inmates in Probationary Ward .. . .26 To take charge of clothing of poor

persons on admission . . .27 To expose all old clothing twice a year . 27 To examine all parcels and goods

before received . . . . 27 To prevent unlawful admission of

spirituous liquors . . 27 To see that no person removes any

article from the Poorhouse . 27 To lock all doors and deliver keys to Governor . . . 27

To assist in preserving order . To obey orders of House Committee

and Governor . . Prayers, Governor to read in absence

of Chaplain . . . Post-mortem examination, power of

Medical Officer to make . . Probationary Wards

Inmates to be placed in, till examined by Medical Officer . . 31 Arrangements in . 31

Punishment Of Disorderly Inmates . . 48, 50 Of Refractory Inmates . . 49, 50 Of Inmates under Medical Treatment. 50 Time of, and bedding to be supplied 51 Place of confinement to be certified

by Medical Officer . . . 51 Of Inmates under 15 years . . 51 Of Children . . . . . 51 Of Inmates, Governor to keep a record of . . . 51

R Register of Inmates

To be laid before House Committee 9 Governor to keep . 13

PAGE Name and Religious Persuasion to V

be entered in .. 31 Visitation of Poorhouse 9 Registration of deaths 17 Visiting Committee Rules and Regulations to be hung in the Appointment of 10

wards, Dining-Hall, &c 19, 59 To be accompanied by Governor 10 Rules, Infringement of 15, 20 To report to House Committee 11 Rates for boarding paupers, Venereal Disease, Admission of approval of 28 paupers suffering from 32 Roll of inmates to be called 21, 37 Vaccination of inmates 33 Religious Persuasion of Inmates 31 Vaccination of children 43 Religious Persuasion of Children 45 Religious Education of Children 46 Religious Instruction, Admission of minister of any denomination to afford 47, 48 S Sick Wards, Temperature of 7 Stores

House Committee to purchase Duty of Governor in regard to Duty of Matron in regard to .

Storekeeper, appointment of . Servants

To be appointed by Governor. 15 Female, to be appointed by Matron,

subject to approval of Governor 21 To be dismissed by Governor .. 15 To attend Prayers . . . 19, 21

Sudden deaths, Governor to report 17 Sudden deaths, form of report .. 18 Sheets, use of double . . . 22 Shares in Combination. Poorhouse,

Disposal of . . .. 28 Sick Inmates

Treatment of . . .. 17, 43 Hours of rising and going to bed . 38 Meals of . . .. 38

Spirituous liquor not allowed, unless by direction of Medical Officer . 38

Smoking not allowed in the Poorhouse 42 Sabbath Days and Holy Days, observance of . . 48 T Temperature of Sick Wards 7

Trained Sick-Nursing .. 22 Regulations where a Trained Head Nurse employed 23 Regulations as to claim to participate in in grant in respect of 23 Form of claim 25 Advantages of 25 Registration of Nurses 25 Registration or Discharge of Nurses 26 Tobacco not allowed unless with sanction of Governor 38

11

12

26

26

27

27

16

18

PAGE Vermin on the person and clothing of Inmates . . . . . 33 Visitors to Inmates . . . . 41

W

Wards, &c. To be lime washed . . 8

Cleanliness of . . .. 16 To be visited at night by Governor

and Matron . . 17, 22 Washing and drying of clothing. 20 Working hours to be fixed by House

Committee . . . . . 37