Folios 332-334. Letter from Thomas Day, Clerk to the Guardians of the Bromsgrove...

Folios 332-334. Letter from Thomas Day, Clerk to the Guardians of the Bromsgrove Poor Law Union, to the Poor Law Commission, enclosing a report from the medical officer of the workhouse about sickness prevalent among the inmates. The board deems it prudent to follow his advice and provide out relief to able-bodied paupers, and not to admit any more, until he judges it proper to do so. Day wishes to know if the Commission will accordingly allow them to depart from the rules and regulations.

Enclosed report from T S Fletcher [Thomas Swindell Fletcher], dated 10 June 1844, stating that of 29 cases of diarrhea [diarrhoea] reported last week, two have died. Thirteen have recovered and he expects the remaining ten to be well soon. He ordered rum punch for several which is cheaper and, with the spice, he believes more efficacious than wine. He asks the governors to sanction his request to the governor to give bread and meat on soup days. As fever may follow this debilitating disease and as the weather is so unseasonable he recommends giving out relief where possible.

Enclosed report from Fletcher dated 17 June 1844. Of 18 cases of diarrhea last week, two have died, two are very ill, ten are better and four have got well. There were two fresh cases who are expected to recover. There is one case of typhus. Mr Hodgson of Birmingham has visited the workhouse and has recommended continuing a diet of meat, rice milk instead of broth, and wine and brandy for the sick. Those with fever should be kept separate from other inmates. He asks them to consider building a new ward for the hospital and enlarging the school which is too small for the children.

Enclosed dietary for the union showing the daily amounts of the following foods allowed for men and women: bread, gruel, cooked meat, potatoes, soup, suet or rice pudding; cheese and broth.

Annotated: the Commission will allow any out relief which may be necessary. Ask for weekly reports. Case to be reported under Article IV. Refer the papers to Mr Austin [Alfred Austin, Assistant Poor Law Commissioner]. Annex the dietary.

Paper Number: 10038/B/1844.

Poor Law Union Number 526.

Counties: Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.