Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 6 

Meetings held from 7th November 1848 - 28th November 1848

[41]
Meeting held on 7th November l848

In consequence of extreme pressure of business the register book was not examined.

[42]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[45]
Medical Report:-
We have had 79 new cases of fever and l4 of small pox since last report, a great many of the patients have been only a short time in the house, some of them removed in fever from the probationary wards shortly after admission. Those in general are bad subjects for fever, many of them having been previously reduced from diarrhea and other cases, dyssentry [sic] most frequently follows the disappearance of fever in such cases and is very fatal. The deaths this week have been of fever 10, diarrhea 8, dyssentry 8. I cannot too strongly recommend to the vice guardians the propriety of reducing the number in the female side of the house with the least possible delay as it is the most crowded, even on the boards in the auxiliary workhouse they would be better circumstanced than crowded together as they now are. I would also strongly recommend that every part of the house be at once white washed and that the lime be slacked in the wards. Also that the beds, stretchers, and  every other article of furniture, but more particularly the bedding, to be exposed to the air in the yards. Every dry day for this purpose, l0 male or female paupers might be told off by the master or matron every morning. The day room accommodation is very small, and those I think should becleaned out for two hours everyday, that a plentiful supply of pure air may be admitted, with such  means and the ventilation as recommended by Dr. Phelan and now nearly completed. I hope soon to see the house in its usual healthy condition. 
The total number now under treatment for fever is l77, diarrhea and dyssentry and small pox 82.

                                                            Charles Finnucane. M.D.

[46]
Read commissioners' orders:-
-Out door relief, sealed order, authorizing outdoor relief to all classes but able bodied men and women who have not been married, and all able bodied who have a wife and only one child dependant on them respectively.

The above order was Read to the R. officers, and they were enjoined most strictly by the vice guardians to be most scrupulous in availing themselves of it.

The following letters were read:
- Circular - monthly return of collection of poor rate - 3rd Nov, l848, requiring the form to be furnished by l0th inst.
- Circular - monthly return of expenses and liabilities by 3rd Nov, l848, requiring the form l5th inst. 4th Nov, 1848 - The Secretary, Central Board of Health, requiring to know what steps, (if any), have been taken to elect a medical officer for the Ennistymon Union. In pursuance of a suggestion contained in the report of Dr. Finucane,
Resolved:-
- that 60 married women with their families under two years of age be transferred on to morrow to the auxiliary workhouse at Miltown Malbay and that the other suggestions of Dr. Finucane in reference to the bedding and clothing be strictly carried out by the master.
[47] - that the commissioners be requested to appoint a medical officer for the auxiliary workhouse at Miltown Malbay, the vice guardians beg leave to recommend for the officer, Dr. Costello at Miltown as being duly qualified for the office. The vice guardians having appointed Dr. Costeleo medical superintendent of the temporary fever hospital at Miltown, and, not having fixed his salary, they want the commissioners opinion as to the amount of compensation that should be paid to him for both institutions.
- that the clerk be directed to invite tenders for the supply of the following:
            -Medicine for 12 months
            Tables and forms
Specification to be seen on application to him, tenders to be taken into consideration on this day fortnight, advertisement to appear one post only.
- that the letter addressed by Mr. Henry Daly, R.O.to the vice guardians be submitted to the commissioners for their opinion, he requests them either an increase of salary or a division of his district.
[48]
The master requires the following articles for the use of the workhouse, 200 large combs, 2 shifting coffins, 2 moveable bedsteads, iron rails to the top of the doors.
Ordered that the above be procured, as soon as possible.

[51]
Meeting held on the l4th day of November, l848

The register book was signed from No.7923 to No.8001.

[52]

[55]
Medical Report
I am glad to be able to report to the vice guardians that the health of the house is improved, last week's report was new cases of fever 79, - whereas the new cases of fever this week are only 48, last weeks report of small pox was l4, this week 3. The total number now in fever is l85, dysentry, small pox and other diseases, 98.
The deaths were of fever 9, dysentery 7. I think there is a great improvement in the keeping of the house, and though we cannot expect to get rid of fever at once, it is evidently on the decline.
                                                Dr Charles Finucane M.D.

[56] Read commissioners' letters -
- 8th Nov, l848, Circular about the Nusiance Removal and Disease Prevention Act.
- 8th Nov, l848, enclosing copy of memorial from Sarah Haran, paying for O.D.R.
- 11th Nov, 1948, enclosing copy of rate payers in Rathborney.
- 11th Nov, l848, intimating that M. Connelly will not be paid for his attendance at Moymore F.H. out of the rates.
- 11th Nov, l848, about the application made by Messrs. Curtin and Hynes, R. Officers for an increase of salary.
- 11th Nov. l848, enclosing copies of the explanations given by Messrs. Hynes and McMahon about the w.h. register not being authenticated on l7th ultimo.
[57]
Resolved:-
- that the clerk do advertise, inviting tenders from persons desirious to let house within the union adapted for w. house accommodation. Each house, however, capable of containing at least 500 persons.
- that the clerk do procure from Hodges and Smith a copy of Morris' Poor Law Union & Electoral Divisions in Ireland and also the appendix of population, l841 Co. Clare for use of the union.
- that the clerk do advertise for a porter for the Fever Hospital in Miltown.
- that the clerk do procure 50 hand bills offering for sale on the workhouse lands a quantity of manure and mangel wurzel.
Tenders were received from the following persons for the supply of Indian meal in the electoral divisions of Ennistymon, Miltown, Liscannor, Kililagh, Kilshanny, Kilfenora, Corofin, Rath and for the workhouse purposes including barley and oatmeal, viz., Messrs. J.N. Russell,
[58] Limerick, Messrs. J. Banatyne & Son and Michael McNamara, Ballyvaughan.
Resolved that the tender of Messrs. J. Banatyne and Son be accepted on the following terms to continue until the 25th March, l849. Indian Meal £10.14 per ton, to be delivered to the various meal depots and distributed at his expense. Barley meal £l0.l4.0 and oatmeal £13.14 if paid for within two months after delivery, if not at £11.5 for Indian, £11.5 for barley and £l4.5.0 for oatmeal. 

The master requires the following articles for the use in the workhouse 600 no. 3 needles, 240 yds.of shrouding calico, one suit of clothes for the porter, l000 yds. cheque and l000 yds. grey calico.
Ordered that the respective articles be procured as soon as possible from the contractors.

Resolved that the application of the medical officers for an increase of salary from the additional duties imposed upon them to be submitted to the commissioners for their opinion.


[61] Meeting held on the 21st. of November l848

The register book was signed from No. 8002 to No. 8019.

[62]

[65]
Medical Report:-
We have had only 29 new cases of fever since last report and l5 of dysentry and other diseases. The number now in fever l77. Dysentry, small pox and other diseases 110.

The deaths since last report were of fever 12, dysentry 13, small pox 3. Of these, 9 were over l5 years of age, all the other children or infants, a great many of them taken into the house so far advanced in disease as to be quite unrecoverable to the health of the house is improved with respect to the spRead of fever [sic].
   
                                                    Dr. Charles Finucane. M.D.

The clerk reports the completion of the outdoor relief register and is now prepared for authentication.

Letters from the commissioners and others were read
[66] -The Secretary, Central Board of Health, l4th November, l848, requesting to know immediately what steps have been taken in regard to Dr. Costeloe's salary.
- l4th Nov l848, about the duties of R. officers.
- 14th Nov l848, copy of a memorial from Sarah Harhen praying for out-door relief.
- l8th Nov l848, drawing attention to the vice-guardian about the Medical Report on 7th inst.
- l8th Nov l848, requesting additional information about Mr. H. Daly's application for a division of his district.
- l6th Nov l848, intimating that growing crops cannot be seized for poor rates.
- l8th Nov l848, about the appointment of Dr. Costeloe as superintendant of the Miltown Temporary Fever Hospital and Auxiliary Workhouse.
[67]
Tenders were received from the following persons undertaking to revalue the union - John L. Morrell C.E, Ralph Cullinan and Thomas Cahill, Messrs. Petty, Gauley and O' Driscoll, C.E.S, Pat Jourdan, William O' Brien and Pat Shannon and Peter O' Loughlin. The vice guardian came to the decision of not making a selection until this day week.

Resolved
- that Mary McInerney be appointed assistant school mistress at the workhouse at a salary of£ l0 per annum, with rations.
- that John McInerney be appointed porter to the Temporary Fever Hospital at Miltown Malbay at a salary of £l0 per annum, with rations etc.
- that the rate collectors of this union be directed to lay before the vice guardians each week a list of the six highest rate payers who have not paid their portion of poor rates in each electoral division of their district respectively.
- that the clerk be directed to enquire of Messrs. Lessie
[68] & Co., Bride St., Dublin, if they will deliver the medicine at the prices stated in their proposal free of the expence of carriage at the Ennistymon Workhouse and its auxiliaries and in such quantities as the medical officer may direct.

Various tenders were received from persons desirous to let houses for W.H. purposes. The vice guardians declined accepting of the proposals until they could visit the respective houses.

Resolved:-
- that the clerk do advertise for a contractor for the supply of rice for the workhouse and its auxiliaries up to the 25th March, l849 to be delivered free of carriage.
- that the clerk do advertise for a contractor for the supply of coal to the workhouse.

The master requires the following articles for workhouse purposes - clerk's office - one set of fire irons and fender, 2 pairs of candle sticks, 2 pairs of snuffers, 3 basins and ewers, 1/2 doz cups and saucers, 2 creams ewers, 3 cover dishes, 1/2 dozen tumblers, 1/2 dozen knives and forks, 1 dozen house buckets, washing stand and basin for clerk.
Orders that the above be procured.

[71]
Meeting held on the 28th day of November, l848.

The register book was signed from No. 8002 to No. 8019.

[72]

[75]
Medical Report:-
Since last report up to this day, we have had 41 new  cases of fever and 22 of dysentry, diarrhea, small pox and other diseases. Those attacked by fever are mostly children, a few women and fewer boys and men. Dysentry is not confined to any particular class. I think it would be well to let them have barley meal bread for dinner. I think an addition of rice to the stirabout would be also very necessary.
We have had 9 deaths of fever, dysentry, small pox 12, decline 1, natural decline and old age 2, of the above l6 were infants or children under 14.

                                                        Signed       Charles Finucane M.D.

Ordered that barley meal be exclusively used for dinner for all classes in futher [sic] in accordance with the above report.
[76]
Read Orders:-
Sealed Order, bearing date the 27^th day of November, 1848, authorizing the vice guardians to hold weekly meetings for dispatch of business at any other place within the union, as well as Ennistimon.

Read commissioners’ letters:-
- 27^th November 1848, enclosing forms to be sent weekly showing the numbers of deaths in the workhouse.
- 25^th November 1848, requiring to know the reason why the house has been overcrowded so much of late.
- 25^th November 1848, requiring to know the vice guardian’s opinion about an increase of salary to the M. D.s of this workhouse.

Resolved: that the salary of Dr. Costello as medical officer of the Miltown Malbay Temporary Fever Hospital, be fixed ar £70 per annum, and his salary as medical officer of auxiliary workhouse at £30 per annum, subject to the approval of the commissioners.

[77]Resolved
that the clerk do inform the Poor Law Boundary Commissioners in reply to their letter of 16^th November that the division of this union as laid down by them seems very desirable, so far as regards the future meetings of guardians, relieving officers and the convenience of the poor resorting to the workhouse and that this is the general opinion of the gentry and rate payers of the union, but in it is involved the serious question from what source is the expence of building another workhouse at Ballyvaughan to be derived – the division seems wholly unable to bear the expense.

The master requiring the followong articles for use of the workhouses:-
1000 yrds. of ticking, 500 rugs, 200 pairs blankets, 1000 yds Bengal stripe, 2000 yds of grey calico, 1000 yds, linen, 1500 yds. Of green flannel, 200 suits men’s clothing, 100 pairs of men’s shoes, 100 do women’s, 2 dozen cradles, one large stove for laundry to be repaired, 500 yds frieze, 100 yds moleskin, 600 yds corduroy.
Ordered that the above be procured from the respective contractors.

Resolved that Messrs. P. Leslie, Bride St. Dublin be declared contractor for the supply of medicine to the workhouse and its auxiliary for 12 months from this date.

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