What were health conditions like in the 19th century?

What were health conditions like in the 19th century?

Diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis (often called consumption) were endemic; others such as cholera, were frighteningly epidemic. In the morbidity statistics, infectious and respiratory causes predominated (the latter owing much to the sulphurous fogs known as pea-soupers).

What were the poor laws in the 19th century?

The new Poor Law ensured that the poor were housed in workhouses, clothed and fed. Children who entered the workhouse would receive some schooling. In return for this care, all workhouse paupers would have to work for several hours each day.

What were the three categories of the poor?

The poor were divided into three groups by the government. The first were called Helpless Poor. These would include the old, the sick, the disabled and children. The elderly and the disabled received a sum of money and possibly some food each week.

What were workhouse conditions like?

Upon entering the workhouse, the poor were stripped and bathed (under supervision). The food was tasteless and was the same day after day. The young and old as well as men and women were made to work hard, often doing unpleasant jobs. Children could also find themselves ‘hired out’ (sold) to work in factories or mines.

What were the punishments in the workhouse?

The daily work was backed up with strict rules and punishments. Laziness, drinking, gambling and violence against other inmates or staff were strictly forbidden. Other offences included insubordination, using abusive language and going to Milford without permission.

What did the investigation into the Andover workhouse discover?

It was embarrassingly revealed during the inquiry that the some of Andover Guardians had themselves bought the ground bones at a bargain price of 17 to 19 shillings a ton. Bone-crushing equipment, 1840s.

How did you get out of the workhouse?

While residing in a workhouse, paupers were not allowed out without permission. Short-term absence could be granted for various reasons, such as a parent attending their child’s baptism, or to visit a sick or dying relative. Able-bodied inmates could also be allowed out to seek work.

What was a workhouse in the famine?

Workhouses were places where the very poor, known as paupers, could go to live. Once they entered the workhouse, people had to wear a uniform and were given a very basic diet. The main food they were given was called stirabout, which was similar to a weak oatmeal porridge. Families were split up once inside.

What work did they do in the workhouse?

The women mostly did domestic jobs such as cleaning, or helping in the kitchen or laundry. Some workhouses had workshops for sewing, spinning and weaving or other local trades. Others had their own vegetable gardens where the inmates worked to provide food for the workhouse.

Why are coffin ships called coffin ships?

Coffin ships were used to transport people from Ireland during the Great Famine. They earned the name because of the high number of people who died on them.

What were soup kitchens during the famine?

It was designed to provide directly cooked food or soup as a form of relief and it was to be given freely to the people. Soup kitchens were to be established in each workhouse district or electoral division. It was in operation from June to September during the summer of 1847.