Inquiry into the treatment, condition and mortality of infant children in the workhouse of the North Dublin Union.
- Nicholls, George, Sir, 1781-1865.
- Date:
- 1842
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Inquiry into the treatment, condition and mortality of infant children in the workhouse of the North Dublin Union. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.
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![Mr. Phelan’s two years of age, as I find that of 274 of this class admitted into the North Dublin Union Medical Report. Workhouse, 218 had been under Medical treatment, and that the remaining 56 might have required Medical assistance occasionally.—[Aec Mr. Browne's evidence, Query 1689.]—An additional reason for calculating the mortality of this class in the same manner as in Hospi- tals is, that the majority of the children were in bad health on admission, and that they were all exposed after admission to the influence of Measles, Scarlatina, and Hooping Cough. By this mode of calculation the actual mortality which takes place can be accurately ascer- tained. On the 245 first admitted—those on whom Dr. Duncan’s calculation was made, and of whom 87 died, it was 35A per cent. Up to the 31st of December last, the admissions of this class amounted to 275, the deaths to 98; the mortality was therefore 35§ per cent, on these admissions. During the same period it was 35-J- in the South Dublin Workhouse. Doctor Duncan, one of the Medical Officers of the North Dublin Workhouse, estimated the mortality which took place amongst the class in question, to be 63 per cent., and stated that he calculated it to be so on the principle of constant residence in the same manner as Mr. M‘Cullocli calculates it in the English Prisons.—[See Queries 857, 858, 859, and 860, of the printed Evidence.]—But this mode of calculation is liable to two fatal objections, lstly. The relative mortality which takes place in a fluctuating population cannot be accu- rately ascertained by any such process; and 2ndly, it assumes that those who have been discharged, and those that remain, would die in an equal time and number as those that have actually died. But experience proves the contrary to be the case, as it is found that such as, on admission, are much enfeebled from the want of the necessaries of life, or who labor under chronic disorders, die in Workhouses as elsewhere, in far greater proportion than such as are differently circumstanced ; and that, as might reasonably be expected, the number discharged, in any given time, contains a far greater proportion of those who were healthy, than of those who were sickly on admission. Any results, therefore, which are derived from this mode of calculation, must, on close examination, he fallacious. In fact, the two Medical Officers of the Institution differ widely on this point. Doctor Duncan states, in answer to Query (1751,) that 63 per cent, of the infant class died in that establishment, whilst the Surgeon, in answer to Query (1693) : “Is it a fact that 63 percent, of the children admitted into the Workhouse under two years of age have died ?” replied “ I think notand Dr. Kirkpatrick observes, “ If Dr. Duncan’s calculation went before the public alone,” meaning unaccompanied by Mr. Phelan’s, “ it would be misunderstood, and persons would suppose that 63 out of 100 admitted into the house were consigned to their graves.” j To judge whether the mortality in the North Dublin Workhouse amongst the class under consideration (namely, infants under two years old,) has been excessive, it appears to me that we should, if possible, ascertain the actual mortality amongst all infants of the same age in a given population. 2. What proportion the mortality of the infants of the poor—such as are likely to be subjects for Workhouse relief—bears to the total mortality which takes place amongst the infants of all classes of society in the same locality. 3. The condition and state of health of the infants admitted into the Workhouse; and, from the information so afforded, estimate whether any, or what higher rate of mortality might reasonably be ex- pected to take place amongst the latter. Until a correct registration of births and deaths exists, every accurate information on the first point is not to be obtained, but there are some data which may perhaps be sufficient for our present purpose. It appears from returns obtained by the Census Commissioners, that in Drogheda and Tullamore the mean mortality of all infants under two years of age, during a period of five years, has been 27* per cent., compared with the total population of children of that age. Assuming this to be the amount of mortality which takes place amongst children of the same age in the City and County of Dublin, we are enabled to use it in our inquiry on the second point. When we consider the numerous privations that are endured by the class which constitutes the objects for Workhouse Relief, the insufficiency and the unwholesomeness of their food, their want of adequate clothing and fuel, the state of their lodgings, and their habits, in a word, their entire condition,—it may naturally be inferred that their children must be far more liable to disease, and that a considerably greater portion of them would die, than those of persons in a more comfortable condition. Numerous proofs to this effect could be adduced, but the circumstances are so universally known that it is needless for me to dwell on them. If the total mortality of infants under two years of age in the three portions of society.— the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor,—to be taken at 27 per cent., it will, I think, be considered moderate to estimate that of the children of the very poor to be, at least, one- third higher, which would make it 36, that is, about i per cent, above the mortality which has actually taken place amongst the infant class in each of the Dublin Workhouses. Although no Medical record exists with respect to the state of health [of these infants, when admitted, sufficient information has been obtained to enable us to form a tolerably cor- rect opinion on the subject. The Deputy Master, who registered the names, and who spoke with the mothers, or with such as had charge of the children ; the Guardians, who were Chairmen of the Admission Boards, and the two Medical Officers, gave the following evidence in reference to the health of the children on admission:—“ I think the majority were in a bad state of health.” “ The great proportion were in an emaciated state.” “ The children appeared to me to be in a * The mortality amongst the same class is stated to be 25|- per cent, in Sweden, and 32j in France](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b24914873_0016.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
