A statistical inquiry into the present state of the medical charities of Ireland : with suggestions for a medical poor law, by which they may be rendered much more extensively efficient / by Denis Phelan.

Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A statistical inquiry into the present state of the medical charities of Ireland : with suggestions for a medical poor law, by which they may be rendered much more extensively efficient / by Denis Phelan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    71/392 (page 31)
    ACTS RELATING TO HOUSES OF INDUSTRY. At least one third of the inmates of our work-houses are incurable lunatics, idiots, diseased prostitutes, and per- sons affected with various chronic and incurable complaints. These institutions being, therefore, in a great measure, me- dical charities, a brief account of the laws by which they are established and supported, may not be here unnecessary. The 11 and 12 Geo. 3, repeals an Irish act passed in the reign of Hen. 8, and another in that of Ch. ], intending to check vagrancy, by badging the poor, and erecting houses of correction, “ for the suppression of rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars,” and creates a corporation in every county, county of a city, and county of a town, in Ireland, for the purpose of “ giving countenance and assistance to those poor who are found disabled by old age and infirmities, to earn their living, and to restrain and punish those who may be able to support themselves by labour and industry, and yet may choose to live in idleness by begging.” It also empowers such corporations to grant badges to the helpless jioor, who have resided a year within their dis- tricts, which license them to beg in such districts for limited periods; and, when possessed of funds, it requires them to build “ hospitals or work-houses, to be divided into four parts: “ 1st. For poor helpless men deemed worthy of admis- sion. ‘^2nd. For poor helpless women. “3rd. For the reception of men committed as vagabonds or beggars. “dth. For such idle, strolling, or disorderly women, as shall be committed and found able for labour.” This act provides, that “ the grand juries at every spring assizes, may present in counties of cities and towns, any sum from £100 to £200, and in counties at large, from £200 to £400, for their respective poor.” The act of 1784, em- powers the judge of assize to direct the grand jury to pre- sent £100 if he thinks necessary, in addition to the funds provided for by the act of 1772. By the act of 1806, the grand juries at the summer assizes may present such addi- tional sums as shall amount to £400 at least, or at most, £500 in cities and towns, and in counties at large, from £400 to £700, the judge being satisfied that such additional suras