Care of the poor 7
The health of the poor
As Rhayader Union had no workhouse the care of the areas paupers was provided out in the community. As there was no national health care system, sick paupers who could not pay for a doctor became the responsibility of the Union. The records of the Union indicate the treatment undertaken by the Union's Medical Officer. These appear to be mainly broken bones and sprains and fevers. Many conditions had no cure at that time of more primitive treatments.
In the case below - recorded in February 1837- although the patient received medical attention, she does not seem to have attracted much local sympathy.
County Archives
R/G/C/8/1/1
The entry reads:-
"A complaint having been made by the Overseer of the
Poor of Cwmtoyddwr that Catherine Jones now pregnant a pauper
of the said parish is diseased. Ordered that Mr Hugh Jones surgeon
do visit and make his report to the Board on this day week and
provide her with such medicine as he thinks necessary."
Medical advance
As new preventative techniques
came along the Union certainly took its responsibilities to the
health of the community seriously, as this entry from September
1847 reveals.
County Archives
R/G/C/8/1/3
"The Board has from this day contracted and agreed with Mr Samuel Davies, Medical Officer, for the vaccination of all persons resident in the Union at one shilling for each case:-"
Although the entry does not specify the disease being vaccinated against, it is likely to have been smallpox.
