5
In days long ago, when I visited in one of the largest London Workhouse Infirmaries, I became fully convinced of this.
How gladly would I have become the Matron of a Workhouse.
But of a Visitor's visit, the only result is to break the Visitor's heart. She sees how much could be done and cannot do it.
Liverpool is of all places the one to try this great Reform in. Its example is sure to be followed. It has an admirable body of Guardians; it is a thorough practical people; it has, or soon will have again, money.
Lord Russell once said (what is quite true), that the Poor Law was never meant to supersede private charity.
But whatever may be the difficulties about Pauperism, in two things most people agree—viz. that Workhouse sick ought to have the best practical nursing, as well as Hospital sick—and that a good wise Matron may save many of these from life-long pauperism, by first nursing them well, and then rousing them to exertion, and helping them to employment.
In such a scheme as is wisely proposed, there would be four elements.
1. The Guardians, one of whose functions is to check pauperism. They could not be expected to incur greater cost than at present, unless it is proved that it cures or saves life.
2. The Visiting or Managing Committee of the Guardians, whose authority must not (and need not) in any way be interfered with.
3. The Governor, the Medical Officer, and Chaplain.
4. (And under the Governor) the proposed Superintendent of Nurses and her nursing staff.
There is no reason why all these parts of the machine should not work together.
The funds are provided to pay the extra nursing for a time.
The difficulty is to find the Lady to govern it.
When appointed, she must be authorized—indeed ap-
