Dr. Sutherland's report on the outbreak of cholera, in the workhouse of the Taunton Union; and the reply of the Board of Guardians. 1849.

  • Sutherland, John, 1808-1891.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Dr. Sutherland's report on the outbreak of cholera, in the workhouse of the Taunton Union; and the reply of the Board of Guardians. 1849. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    girls’ bed room. Feet In. Length ... .. 38 10 Breadth .. 17 11 Height . 8 9 Superficial area ... 695 0 Cubic contents . 6084 0 Number of inmates .26 Cubic space allotted to each . 235 0 boys' bed room. Length . 26 9 Breadth . 17 10 Height . 8 9 Superficial area . 477 0 Cubic contents . 4174 0 Cubic space for each of the inmates, 26 in) 160^ 0 number ...j ^ children’s sick ward. Length . 12 0 Breadth . 17 0 Height .....». 8 9 Superficial area. 215 0 Cubic contents . 1885 0 Number of inmates.10 Cubic space to each . 188J 0 women’s bed room. Length . 41 6 Breadth . 17 0 Height . 8 9 Superficial area . 705 0 Cubic contents . 6173 0 Number of inmates... .12 and 3 children Cubic space to each . 4:11^ 0 men’s bed room. Length. 31 0 Breadth . 16 0 Height. 8 9 Superficial area. 524 0 Cubic contents .. 4589 0 Total inmates.14 Cubic space to each . 328 0 These wards may be taken as specimens of the degree of overcrowding which existed at the time of the attack. The only room fit for the pur¬ poses of a ward, in the whole establishment, is the Board-room in which the Guardians meet a few hours a week. A kind of ventilation is in practice in this Workhouse. There are a few perforated zinc plates in the roof of the wards, which communicate with the outside of the building, and the windows are hinged. Over the doors there are also wooden coverings, which are intended for the admis¬ sion of air from the staircases. The ventilating plates are utterly inadequate for the intended purpose. The windows are kept closed at night, and I saw a number of the venti¬ lating doors opening into the staircases, nailed up. The opinion ex-