.
62
APPENDIX TO REPOET OF THE POOR LAW COMMISSIONERS
Appendix (B.)
Beporis of Assistant
Commissioners.
No. 8.
Report of Mr. Haw-
ley, Mr. Phelan,
and Dr. Corr,
on Unions in the
Counties of
Limerick, Tipperary,
Clare, Kerry, &c.
The prevalence of Fever in and around Fethard was so great last year, that the want of
a I^ocal Hospital was much felt. It was then stated that many Patients in Fever were left
at the Bridewell door, in order that the Police might take charge of them and have them
provided with food and attendance,—^that others were sent into Clonmel with a view of
their being received into the Fever Hospital there; but as the Managing Committee of
that Institution now refuse to admit Patients from the Fethard District, that efforts were
made to induce Subscribers in Clonmel to certify that such Patients resided contiguous to it.
A considerable Sum was raised for the purpose of estabhshing a Fever Hospital in
Fethard, but some difference of opinion as to the detaUs existuig, the Money was converted
to other and more immediately necessary objects.
At some of the Dispensaries in this Union, the supply of Medicines and the arrangements
of the Dispensary Surgery arc far from satisfactory, though we have no doubt that, on the
occasion of our expected visit, both were made to appear as well as circumstances would
permit. The same want occurs too frequently in other Unions.
Several of the Subscribers to the Medical Institutions in this Union wish the Funds for
their support should be raised as a part of the Poor-rate, considei'ing it to be the only mode
by which all who possess property as Owners or Occupiers can be induced to contribute the
sums necessary for the relief of the Sick Poor.
The annexed Statistical Table shows the Income and Expenditure of each Medical
Institution, the number of Patients treated, and such other facts as our inquiries have
enabled us to obtain. But the ivant of correct Registration at several of the Dispensaries
p revents us from supplying much that it is desirable should be known.
We have the honor, &c.,
(signed)
To the Poor Lata Commissioners.
W. H. T. Hawley,
Denis Phei.an, M.R.O.S. Lond.
Maurice Oorr, M.D.
Assistant Poor Laio Commissioners,
Enclosures in the foregoing Report.
Enclosure I.—Letter fi'om the Governors and Committee of Barrington's Hospital,
Limerick.
To the Assistant Poor Law Commissioners connected with the Medical Liquiry.
Gentlemen,
We, the undersigned, Governors and Members of the Committee of Barrington's Hospital and
City of Limerick Infirmary, in accordance with the resolution passed on the 30th of November, when
you attended our Board, beg to lay before you the Report then read, and in doing so have deeply to
deplore the circumstances under which an establishment lil:e this, calculated to render sxioh extensive
relief to the poor and afflicted, should be allowed to sink into comparative uselessness, from want of
adequate funds for its support.
It is obvious to every one's experience, that voluntary contributions are influenced in a great degree
by sudden bursts of public sympathy, and under the transitory excitement, it is true, that large sums
as Donations have frequently been collected in Limerick, for this and other Charitable Institutions,—
but this is soon succeeded by apathy and reluctance, and then the burden of the regular annual support
of them, falls with undue weight upon the liberal/bk', while applications are made in vain to the opulent
many, and this as is already shown, by the statement of Receipt and Expenditure, accompanying
the Report, has been lamentably the case with the establishment on behalf of which we now
address you.
We are therefore unanimously of opinion, that nothing short of a compulsory assessment, somewhat
on the pbinoiple of the Poor Law Rate, will be sufficient for the due maintenance and support of this
and the other Charitable Institutions, and believing as we do, that a fuiv ponce in the pound, when
spread over the property comprehended within the limits of this Union, would suffice for the mainte¬
nance of the several Charitable Establishments it contains, we beg to impress on you the necessity of
some legislative measure being adopted, to remedy the evO. complained of.
In conclusion we may remark, that if we had a sufficiency of funds at our disposal, we should be
enabled by regular periodical payment of accounts, to obtain the various articles required for the
establishment, at ready money prices, and thus effect a considerable saving of expense. And we may
also observe, that although we have hitherto enjoyed the benefit of the voluntary and gratuitous
services of the Physicians and Surgeons attached to the Hospital, we do not consider it fair or reason¬
able to expect such services to be continued unremunerated, (time being money to a Medical man,)
while so many of the wealthy inhabitants give neither money nor time.
Dated at Limerick, this iOth day of December, 18 40
(signed)
William Roche, M. P. City of Limerick,
James Harvey,
Daniel Baerington,
Pierce Bbannon,
Philip M'Ardell
Joseph Robinson.
Tabl
