Workhouses 3
Breaking stones and pints of gruel
The official regulations quoted below, which were to be displayed in all workhouses, really bring home the alarmingly harsh regimes which were maintained in these places over many years. The following extracts are taken from Regulations of the Local Government Board dated December 1882, with later amendments, as applicable to "Casual Paupers".
County Archives
Dietary
Table: Supper.Males above 15 years of age - 8 oz. of Bread or 6 oz of Bread, and 1 pint of Gruel or 1 pint of Broth.
Females above 15 years of age, Children from 7 to 15 years of age - 6 oz of Bread, and 1 pint of Gruel or 1 pint of Broth.
Breakfast - same as Supper.
Children under seven years of age:
For each child under the age of seven months - half pint of Milk and half oz of Sugar. For each child between the ages of seven months and two years - half pint of Milk, half oz of Sugar, and 2 oz of Bread. For each child between the ages of two years and seven years - half pint of Milk, 4 oz of Bread, and half oz of Cheese.
Tasks of Work.
Casual Paupers who are detained for more than one
night:
As regards Males, for each entire day of detention -
The breaking of seven cwt. of Stones, or other such quantity
not less than five cwt. nor more than thirteen cwt. as the Guardians
having regard to the nature of the Stone, may prescribe. The
stone shall be broken to such a size as the Guardians, having
regard to the nature thereof, may prescribe; or
The picking of four pounds of unbeaten or eight pounds of beaten
Oakum; or
Nine hours' work in digging or pumping, or cutting wood, or grinding
corn.
As regards Females, for each entire day of
detention -
The picking of two pounds of unbeaten or four pounds of beaten
Oakum; or
Nine hours' work in washing, scrubbing and cleaning, or needlework.
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