Meriden Board of Guardians: VISITING REPORT: The Clerk read a report made by Mrs. Pinsent, one of the Local Government Board visitors, who recently paid a visit to Meriden. The report stated: “One of the four women who were on the list of certified cases when this workhouse was last visited by a commissioner has since died. I saw the other three to-day; two of them were quite well and active and are usefully employed. The third is in the sick ward and is in bed. She seemed cheerful and happy. I have no doubt that all three are well looked after and treated with kindness and consideration. The beds and bedding were clean, and so were all the dormitories and dayrooms which I had occasion to visit. I saw two epileptic women, who seemed to me to be of unsound mind. I would like to draw the attention of the medical officer to both these cases, as they appeared to need careful watching. I saw a boy who, I think, is mentally defective. He looked about ten years old. He was awarded with the men. I understand that his mother is in an asylum. I think he is a boy who would benefit by training in an institution for the feeble-minded, such as Hopwell Hall, near Derby.” The Clerk said the first part of the report was very satisfactory. In regard to the two women, he suggested that a copy of the report should be sent to Dr. Harvey Smith. He thought it was a very good suggestion to send the boy to a home. He was not only mentally defective, but he had spinal disease as well. He was warded with the men, which was not good for him. The Board adopted the suggestion of the Clerk, with regard to the women, and also decided to send the boy to the institution suggested.
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Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949