Catalogue description Content: Folios 401-406. Letter from A Power [Alfred Power, Assistant Commissioner],...

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Details of MH 12/14017/284
Reference: MH 12/14017/284
Description:
Content: Folios 401-406. Letter from A Power [Alfred Power, Assistant Commissioner], to the Poor Law Commission. A request has been made by the Kidderminster Union Inmates for an increase in their ration of bread and potatoes. A report from Thomas Thursfield, Medical Officer, recommends increasing the meat allowance and decreasing the ration of potatoes, thus adding 9 ounces to the 'total bulk of solid food' per week. This will increase the cost of food each week for an adult inmate from 2s 8d to 3s 1d. He considers Thursfield's views are based on economy not 'sanitary grounds'. It is suggested that he amends the diet to reconcile the view of the inmates and the medical officer without increasing the cost. The guardians agree and authorisation is requested to change the diet for a trial period; to be overseen by himself and [Thursfield]. Request from the inmates of the Kidderminster Union Workhouse describing amounts of different foods given to men. Copy of the report of Thomas Thursfield, to the Guardians of the Kidderminster Union. Additions to the diet of the inmates 'without greatly increasing the ratepayers expense' are suggested. These changes would be more conducive to the health of the inmates and would obviate the necessity for keeping many convalescent patients on 'full diet'. This opinion is given solely on medical grounds. It is noted that with the increased allowance the diet is below the usual for prisons. Kidderminster Union. Copy of dietary table which shows weekly dietary regulation for able bodied paupers, describing amounts of different goods given to men and women. Annotated: to sanction. Paper number: 6421/B/1842. Poor Law Union Number 530. Counties: Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Date: 11 May 1842
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

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