A Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related ...

Reports of the Select Committee on Poor Law Medical Relief (chairman, Lord Ashley)
outlined a comprehensive picture of current practice; opposed the requirement for a relieving
officer to determine need and eligibility for medical attention; and favoured direct access to a
medical officer. No change followed the report. See 1861.
1844 Cont - 1846
1844 cont The Health of the Towns Association established (11 December) for the purpose
of diffusing among the people the information obtained by recent inquiries as to the physical
and moral evils arising from existing insanitary conditions and to “substitute health for
disease, cleanliness for filth, order for disorder, economy for waste, prevention for palliation,
justice for charity, enlightened self-interest for ignorant selfishness and to bring to the poorest
and meanest – Air, Water, Light”.
Ragged School Union and London School Mission formed to provide schooling for
those unable to pay the “school pence” demanded by voluntary schools. See 1861.
Turnpike Trusts numbered about 1000, and were receiving about £1.5 million in tolls
p.a.
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons formed.
“On the Value of Numerical Methods as applied to Science, but especially to
Physiology and Medicine”, and “Principles of Forensic Medicine”, by WA Guy (see 1838),
published.
1845 Lunatics (Care and Treatment) Act (8&9 Vict., c.100) and Regulation of Asylums Act
(8&9 Vict., c.126) improved the procedure for certification; and set up a Board of
Commissioners (chairman, Lord Ashley) to inspect and supervise asylums and other places
where mentally ill people were cared for. See 1853.
Poor Law Scotland (Amendment) Act (8&9 Vict., c.83) followed the report published
in 1843 of the Commission on Poor Relief in Scotland; established the Board of Supervision
of the Poor in Scotland; retained the parish as the unit of administration with parochial boards
consisting of elected representatives and, ex officio, the chief magistrate as the manager.
Each board had to appoint an inspector of the poor who had direct control of relief and could
only be dismissed by the Board of Supervision. Relief was limited to the aged and infirm
poor. Parochial boards were permitted to subscribe to any public infirmary, lying-in-hospital,
asylumor dispensary and were required “to provide for medicines, medical attendance,
nutritious diet, cordials, and clothing for such Poor, in such manner and to such extent as may
seem equitable and expedient; and it shall be lawful for the parochial board to make provision
for the education of poor children who are themselves or whose parents are objects of
parochial relief”. See 1848.
Inclosure and Improvement of Commons Act (8&9 Vict., c.118) set up Inclosure
Commissioners to supervise and remedy defective or incomplete actions taken under
previous inclosure acts and the many private acts.
Museums Act (8&9 Vict., c.43) permitted local authorities to build museums and
charge up to one penny for admission. See 1850.
Final Report of the Health of the Towns Commission (see 1844) published. It
recommended the creation of a new government department and that the arrangements for
drainage, paving, cleansing and water supply should come under one administration in each
locality. The Report deplored the extent of overcrowding; called for a central inspectorate of
housing; and recommended that local authorities should be able to demand that landlords
clean and repair properties dangerous to public health. The Report led to the Public Health
Act 1848.