Joseph Rogers, M. D : Reminiscences of a workhouse medical officer / edited with a preface, by Prof. Thorold Rogers.

  • Rogers, Joseph, 1821-1889.
Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Joseph Rogers, M. D : Reminiscences of a workhouse medical officer / edited with a preface, by Prof. Thorold Rogers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    I have before stated that all my nurses were pauper inmates. The responsible duties they had to perform were remunerated by an amended dietary and a pint of beer. Occasionally for laying out the dead, and for other specially repulsive duties, they had a glass of gin. This was given by the master or matron, but I was expected to sanction the supply. I have referred to the ward used for foul cases, which was in immediate proximity to the tinker's shop. It w^as altogether unsuitable for the reception- of any human being, however degraded he might be ; but it had to be used. I remember a poor wretch being admitted with frost-bitten feet, which speedily mortified, rendering the atmosphere of the Avard and shop frightfully offensive. At first I was at a loss to know whom to get to go through the offensive duty of waiting on him. At last a little fellow, called Wiseman, undertook the task, the bribe being two pints of beer and some gin daily, with steaks or chops for dinner. Presently the patient was seized with tetanus, and after the most fearful sufferings died. He was follov/ed almost immediately after- wards by poor Wiseman, who had contracted from his patient one of the most malignant forms of blood poisoning that I ever saw.