The Express.
London, England, 1866-06-23 00:00:00

NORWICH.

On Thursday evening a meeting was held at the
Free Library, Norwich, to take into oonsideration the pre-
sent critical condition of parliamentary affairs. Mr. C. J.
Basting presided. On the motion of Mr. Alderman
Tillett, secomle.l by Mr. Morgan, the following resolution
was adopted unanimously : That the Norwich Political
Union beg tee xpress to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone their
heartfelt gratitude for the measure of reform introduced
by him, and earnestly hope that the government will
persevere in their efforts to carry the franchise clauses in
theirintegrity, and, if necessary, appeal to the country,
being sure that the great mass of the people are fully pre-
pared to support them.

- -
CAMBRIDGE.
An open-air meeting will be held on Parker's
Piece this evening, under the presidency of Mr. P. Beales,
the object being to support the present ministry in their
efforts to secure an enlargement of the franchise. Colonel
Torten', the late candidate for the borough, and Pro-
lessor Fawcett, M.P. for Brighton, will, according to
present arrangements, address the assemblage.

THE TREATMENT OP THE SICK POOR AT
PADDINGTON WORKHOUSE.

After our report left yesterday,
Miss Bateman said—The pauper nurses were incompe-
tent. Several of them told me they knew nothing
about nursing. I was obliged to entrust them with the
dressing of wounds. The medical officer never complained
of the way in which this duty was performed. Some of
these nurses were over 70. One was called " Pots and
Pans," as she had been a hawker of such goods. She was
over 70. These nurses were ignorantly cruel. " Pots and
Pans " was cruel in one instance which I knew of. A patient
was dying, and " Pots and Pans" went and took her pillow
away, because, as she said, "They went quicker when
their heads were low." This patient had a very bad back,
and when I first came here she slept on a straw bed, but I
got her an air bed. The patient presented a ghastly sight,
and all the other patients were horror stricken. I restored
the pillow, and the patient died shortly after. I told the
matron of this cruelty, but the nurse was not removed.
The master said, "If we get rid of her we shall
get as bad, if not worse." I was told that " Pots and
Pans" took the patients' gin, and I taxed her with it, when
she said she did not stW it, but that it was given to her.
I think the patients gave the nurses some of their neces-
saries to ensure kindness. I was told of an act of cruelty
to a child on the part of a woman, who was sent to Han.
we11...1 was told that the nurses, one of whom was Appleby,
forced a large spoon down the child's throat, and swung
the child about, saying the child ought to be sent to its
mother.
A guardian—Very hurtful, no doubt, to the child's
feelings to be told so.
Examination continued—l told this to the matron, and
she removed the nurse. There was a paralysed patient who
fell out of bed twice in one night for want of assistance.
I showed this case to the medical officer, and be said some
one should sit up with the patient (a female), or she
would fall out of bed some night and break her bones.
sent a pauper assistant to the matron to tell her of this,
but no notice was taken of my application. I know for
a fact that the pauper nurse Appleby kept all the soap on
one occasion, and for three or four days the patients of
the lying-in ward and the babies were not washed.
I hail given the nurse enough to last for a week, and
she told me she had used it in washing some petticoats. I
remember that on one occasion an insane woman was so
warded for three weeks that the occupants of the rick
ward were disturbed night and day by her cries. I asked
for mackintosh sheets for a patient who was &filleted
with sores, and who was lying on a straw bed, but
although the matron told me the master had
ordered them, they never came. If a patient has sores
and lies on a straw bed, the sores increase very
much. I was discharged the day after you (Mr. Farnall)
and Dr. Smith inspected the infirmary, and I was told by
the male nurse that the reason was that I had given " the
gentlemen" a list of my duties. When I was discharged I
was called into the board-room, and told by the chairman
that I had too much to do, and that my engagement would
cease on Monday.
Examined by Mr. Hart—l wrote to the chairman of the
board to ask why I was discharged, and I received a letter
stating that I was found inefficient in midwifery, but up
to the time I left no midwifery case had taken place in
these infirmaries. No one had examined me as to my
efficiency, and no one had found fault with me. I brought
good testimonials here. (Excellent testimonials belonging
to the witness were put in.)
Mr. Bere cross-examined the witness at some length on
matters connected with her previous history, but nothing
of importance was elicited.
Mr. Farnall said the facts which had transpired at the
inquiry had tended to strengthen the convictiiri which
had for some time possessed him as to the necessity of
communication between paid workhouse officers and in-
spectors and guardians when anything wrong was notice-
able. It was impossible for an inspector to become aware
of the blots ou the character of a workhouse unless he was
apprised of them. It was all very well to look at a medical
officer's book, and see the number of his patients and his
visits, but besides this there was a great deal more required
in order to ascertain the true condition of things.
The inquiry was then adjourned.

ST. PAINCHAS WORKHOUSE. —Mr. Farnall, poor- '
law inspector, and Dr. Edward Smith, having made an in-
spection
of the sick and insane wards of St. Pancras Work- :
house, a copy of their report to the Poor-law Board has I
been forwarded to the board of guardians, from which it
appears that the general arrangements of the hospital and 1
' other sick wards, and the system of nursing pursued is ap- I
' proved. The general arrangements of the insane wards
gaveei c,fentire..
usatisfactions.thgan a
entertaining
it was
kind should
thatp
. vided for the epileptic patients. In the infirmary ward,
the flocks in some of the beds were examined, and
were considered lumpy and insufficiently stuffed. It
was recommended that the forms used by the patients
be supplied with backs and cushions ; that looking-glasses
and brushes be provided for the use of the patients, and
pictures to relieve the effect of plain walls. It was also
recommended that in every sick ward a perfect system of
ventilation should be established, which should of itself
act independently, and not be under the control of either
nurses or patients. The board of guardians have resolved
to adopt the whole of these recommendations. Tubes are
to be placed over many of the gaslights to convey the foul
air from the gas directly outside, and perforated sine and
glow to be placed wherever practicable, and additional
, windows are to be opened in several of the wards. The
board has referred it to the house committee to employ a
surveyor to prepare specifications and estimates, and ob-
tain tenders for the performance of the alterations.
. CRYSTAL PALACE. Own SHILL/No DAT.—
1 i FRIDAY, Juan 22.—Admiasions on payment, 2,556;
ditto by season tickets. 1,491. Total visitors. 4,047.