4.8.11 The economy of cure: July 1843
On 20.7.1843 Ashley drew the Home Secretary's attention to the practice of
detaining lunatics in workhouses. The case he highlighted was one alleged
in a letter from the Chair of Dorset Guardians who said that an order for a
pauper's removal to the County Asylum made in November 1842 was not carried
out by the Relieving Officer until April 1843.
Ashley believed that such delays were widespread and "causing great
expense".
"the testimony of medical men had been obtained, and ... it appeared
... one half of the pauper lunatics in the country might be cured ...
if they were immediately sent to the proper institutions."
In many cases, he asserted, a pauper lunatic might be cured for £4 or
£5,
but because not sent to an asylum in time cost "£200, £300 or
even £400"
maintaining him for life.
Home Secretary Graham said he did not think the law was defective. He
believed it was "imperative" on Poor Law Officers to remove lunatics to the
County asylum "immediately". An unpaid officer failing to do so could be
dismissed, a paid officer "might be the subject of an indictment". He
offered to enquire into the Dorset case and, if the facts were confirmed,
"there was no doubt that the officer would be immediately discharged"
(
Hansard 20.7.1843 col.1284)
© Andrew Roberts 1981-
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