The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-23 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1868.

All that relates to Workouse Infirmaries is sure
to attract notice, and the deputation that waited
on the Earl of DEVON, on Saturday, hal ample
reasons for making their statements. The particu-
lars of the interview will be found interesting to
peruse, and there is more likelihood of people ar-
riving at a calm decision, when there is no special
case before the public which excite indignation, and
perhaps by its individual details prejudice one
against the general principles of the matter more
than enough. A large and influential deputation
waited upon the President of the Poor-law Board,
headed by the Archbishop of YORK, who
commenced the proceeding by an address, iu which
he declared that the object they had in view was
not to " dictate terms" to the noble lord, but merely
to co-operate with him, and to lay before him the
opinions of those who were qualified to judge as to
the reforms that were necessary in dealing with the
evils of the present system. A point of great im-
portance was referred to, namely, the separation of
the sick poor from the able-bodied paupers, in order
that their treatment should be placed under a dis-
tinct arrangement. The Workhouse Infirmaries
Association has always advocated this desirable
change, and recommended it to successive
heads of the Department. Of course there
are difficulties in the way of making this
change; but, at the same time, its value and im-
portance cannot be overrated. The proposal is that
instead of sick-wards being attached to each work-
house there should be " consolidated infirmaries "
provided, where they could carry out the rules of
hospital management, which have been acknow-
ledged as efficacious in this and in other countries
of Europe. In the measure which Mr. HARDY
brought forward last year a good deal of this was
recognised, and it has been ascertained upon minute
investigation that the sick in the country work-
houses are equally in need of improved arrange-
ments as those in London can be or have been.
One great thing is to leave a sufficient space
for air. As for the expenses incidental to such
changes they would be, of course, considerable in
some instances; but it is satisfactory to know that by
the new regulations a great saving may be effected,
as the case of St. Pancras has made evident ; in
three months a saving was effected at the rate of
eleven thousand a year.
Those who understand the importance of this
branch of the subject will see at once that there is
a great deal of difference between the cases of the
sick-poor and the ordinary paupers. It is another
argument in favour of this mode of treatment that
some would be more speedily restored to health, and
therefore some of the expenses be saved to the Union.
Medical inspection of these Infirmaries is absolutely
necessary, because those who were non-professional
could not speak with the same authority, and means
would be taken by the officials to set their wishes
at defiance or render them practically useless. The
dispensaries for the out-door sick have worked so
well in Ireland that it is no wonder the Archbishop
should advocate the desirability of establishing now
such a system in England. In conclusion, his
Grace mentioned some cases in which neglect and
cruelty have conspired to bring about sad results,
and very forcibly urged the importance of having
a code laid down which would indicate the " re-
quirements of infirmary establishments," and that
the Board should h tve power to enforce such re-
gulations. Among other speeches which were
made, Mr. ERNEST HART'S remarks are worthy of
notice, since they put the evils of the present sys-
tem very plainly before one. The reports that are
given do not always permit one to judge accurately
for " want of classification," "insufficient attend-
ance," and so in reality mean far more than they
seem to do at first sight. " inadequate" and
insufficient" are convenient terms for describ-
ing some awkward circumstances. We think
that there is a good deal of truth in the
observations of Mr. HART, to the effect that
no codes of regulations that may be established can
be carried out effectually unless a staff of capable
inspectors be appointed to visit and report on the
condition of provincial workhouse infirmaries.
Those who are not intimately acquainted with such
matters are apt to think that striking changes and
great improvements are sure to follow on any
exposures that may take place ; but such unfortu-
nately is very far from being the case. When the
first excitement is over matters are very apt to go
on much the same as before, and it may be con-
sidered as a certain thing that no change will be
permanently effected unless there is a constant
supervision of an effectual character carried on
Lord DEVON'S observations were very much to
the point, and he expressed his sense of the obliga-
tions which the Poor-law Board were under to
.those gentlemen who had rendered such important
services, and enabled:them to improve that which
was amiss in the laws previously. The noble lord
seemed to doubt that Parliament would fulfil the
expectations referred to, and grant the Poor-law
Board the full powers that they might ask for ; but
it is to be hoped that the action of the
Legislature may not be found impracticable
on this point, for unless something deci-
sive be done it will be impossible to remedy
a great deal of what now militates against the
comforts and injures the interests of the paupers,
especially in sickness. Lord DEVON did not deny
that at present great deficiency exists iu some
respects in reports and other matters referred to ;
but the Board intend, as he informed the deputa-
tion, to effect some alterations, and the medical
officers are to be required to keep a book for detailed
information, which is to be laid before the guardians
at every meeting, and will furnish them with im-
portant information as to the infirmaries. It is
difficult to decide upon changes at once, and the
noble lord explaine.l that distances in the country
between the different unions rendered it more awk-
ward than in London to establish accommodation
for the sick poor by sending them to a common
point. The most sanguine could hardly expect
that the President should immediately acquiesce in
all the suggestions that were offered to him, for it
is one thing to make plans in the abstract, and an-
other to put them in practice against the decided
objections and earnest opposition of a host of offi-
cials, who have become used to the old ways, and
will not accommodate themselves willingly to
the new regime. Nothing, however, took place