The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-05-27 00:00:00

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

The weekly meeting of this Board was held yesterday,
Mr. Granger in the chair. There were also present:—
Messrs. Brooks, RoHinson, IRBingham, Rhodes, Pate-
shall, P. Pargeter, 'l'. H. Pargeter, Paskins, Darby,
Higgs, Guest, Fiddian, Fereday, ,Teffries, and Grithil
Adniitted into the hose during the week, 14; dischaged,
18 ; dead, I ; reinaluing 420. Cornaponding week last
year, 399. Out-door relief: Kiugswinford district, £4O
131 8d ; Stourbridge district, £24 181 6d Halesowen
£25 is td; total, £9O 19s 54,1, against £9O 16s Sd last
year.
" • •

, _
The Stafford County Rate, due at Midsummer, am-
ousting to £193 its 141,1, being a decrease of £398 3s 94
in the corresponding quarter last year; and the Worces•
ter County Rate, Use at the same time, amounting to '
£492 19s 3d, being an increase of £4l Is Sd in the cm-
responding year, were both ordered to be paid.
Mr. Jeffries read the report of the Committee appall..
ted last week to consider the emdition of the Workhouse
in regard to infectious diseases, and the report of the
Medical Officer. It stated that the number of inmates
in the Workhouse last week was 426, out of which num-
ber the medical officer had on his hooks, 123 cases. The
list included 59 afflicted with measles, and 25 with gene.
rat debility. 'The former complaint had been scatter, d
over the house because of the impossibility of providing
for them separate wares. The complaint was introduced
into the house by a woman and child admitted a ft w
weeks ago; but the officials were unaware of their afflic-
tion at the time, and they being permitted to mingle with
the other inmates of the house the result was that the
epidemic spread very rapidly amongst them from the in-
ability of the medical officer to place the persons so
afflicted in isolated places. The Committee, however,
felt satisfied that through the attention of the medical
officer and other is-door officials, a large number of in-
mates were either recovered, or were recovering. The
prevalence of measles in the Workhouse afforded an op-
portunity for attention to be drawn to the fact that there
was an entire absence of suitable wards for infectious
di. , such as smallpox, measles, scarlet typhoid.
and typhus fever. Both of the medical officers and the
governor (Mr. Hill) were agreed that if an infectious din.
ease were taken into, or broke out in the house, they
must be utterly at a loss to know where to place those
affeeted without a most serious risk to the other inmates.
The COMM I,tee concurred with them that nothing short
of isolated , anis for infectious diseases would afford the
means of avoiding or mitigating the spread of such dis-
etas,. The two roonis at present used for these diseases
were small and the ventilation imperfect. The Commit-
tee reminded the Board that it is necessary to be pre-
pared for the reception of the out-door infectious cases
f..r tee whole of the Union, wkich had increased in
population since its formation in 1836 from 35,911 to
73.383 in 181. as well us the house-patients. If the dis-
trict should be unhappily ',Silted by emallpor or other
epidemic it would simply be impossible that recourse
could ha had to the Workhouse. the present accommo-
dati,n being inadequate to its ordinary requiretneots
The house was situated its a healthy locality, and until
lately had escaped epidemic.; but being an old house,
to which numerous additions and alterations had been

; VER

ma Is from time to time, it was ill adapted for the clas.
sitication which was almost indispensable in a workhouse
of its kind. Every room in the Workhouse was now or.
cupid, except that which was formerly the boys' dormi-
tory, and that would have to be used after the present
week. The Committee were accordingly forced to the
conclusion, therefore, that provision for infectious
diseases should be made without delay, and recommended
the building of wards for each cases in some isolated po-
sition at a safe distance from the Workhouse. After
anise other remarks with reference to a correspondence
which had taken place upon the subject of isolated wards
between the Poor Law Board and the Guardians, from
1859 to 1868, the report was concluded.
Mr. Jeffriea moved " Thav the report now read be re-
ceived and entered upon the minutes, and the meeting of
, the 9th proximo be made special to take Lito considera•
I tins the adoption, or otherwise of the same.-
, Mr. P. Pargeter seconded the motion, and it was car-
ried unanimously.
A letter was read from Miss Rye, stating that she
would be able to meet the Board on Mom; ay or Tuesday
next.

The Board decided to meet her on Tuesday next at 12
o'clock in reference to several children being taken by
her to Canada.

There was no other business of importance.