Catalogue description Folios 194-196. Letter from Joseph Lowndes, Clerk to the Guardians of the Wolstanton and...

Folios 194-196. Letter from Joseph Lowndes, Clerk to the Guardians of the Wolstanton and Burslem Poor Law Union, to the Poor Law Board, acknowledging receipt of their letter of 26 February 1863 with which was forwarded a copy of a report of a visit to the workhouse by Mr Forster, Visiting Commissioner in Lunacy, and requesting the guardians' observations. The report of the workhouse visiting committee on Forster's report is enclosed. Mr Davenport, Workhouse Medical Officer, does not deem a general change in the epileptics' diet expedient, as he may direct any necessary changes in the diets of individuals. The guardians consider that if Josiah Goodwin, Male Nurse, is mainly occupied in the male imbecile wards, supervision will be adequate. A visitors' lunatic book is now in use. The workhouse committee's report was adopted except as regards the employment of an able bodied labourer, as this is considered unnecessary.

Enclosure: Report of a meeting of the workhouse committee, held on 22 May 1863, signed E Wedgwood. Present: E Wedgwood [Enoch Wedgwood] (chair), R Boighton [Richard Boughton], S Round [Samuel Round], W Lawton [William Lawton], John Rhead, Charles Davenport (Medical Officer). The letter of the Poor Law Board of 26 February 1863, and the report of Mr Forster, Visiting Commissioner, were read, relating to imbecile inmates, their diet, the need for additional attendants, and furnishing the room. Davenport considered that no alteration was necessary in the diet of imbeciles generally, but additional supervision may occasionally be required. It is recommended that Josiah Goodwin, Task master and Male Nurse, be employed solely as male nurse, mainly occupied in the epileptic wards and attending to the outdoor exercise of these inmates. It is recommended that an able-bodied labourer be employed on the ground with wages not exceeding 15s per week, occasionally as required. Twelve armchairs have been provided for the imbecile wards; some coloured prints and a bagatelle board have been ordered. Davenport considered it unsafe to remove Elijah Booth to the County Asylum. Booth died in the workhouse on 10 February 1863.

Annotated: send copy of this letter and of the visiting committee's report to the Commissioners in Lunacy.

Paper Number: 20593/1863.

See also Paper Number: 6414/1863.

Poor Law Union Number: 415.

Counties: Staffordshire.