Life and Death in a Victorian Workhouse Infirmary (So Bad it Inspired Oliver Twist)
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2022
- Could you survive a stay in a Victorian workhouse infirmary? This was so horrific it inspired Dickens' Oliver Twist! Can you think of anything worse than being poor in Victorian Britain and having to live in a workhouse? How about being poor, but also sick - and having to stay in a workhouse infirmary. Being poor in the 19th Century was struggle enough for most people, but being sick could often be a death sentence. They were not hospitals as you would think of them today, but more like receptacles for the sick poor, that had nowhere else to go. Medical professionals were few - you were more likely to be cared for by a fellow pauper without the most basic of skills than a trained nurse. In this video we hear an eyewitness account of a medical officer's horrific experience of infirmary conditions in a visit to the Strand Union Workhouse, London, in 1855.
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Credits: Narration - markmanningmedia.com
CC BY - A dishevelled nurse with her disgruntled patient, A grumpy nurse carrying a bowl and candle-stick, A monthly nurse, who looks after a mother and a new born baby, A quack doctor selling remedies from his caravan - satirizing, Facial expression in a case of chronic tetanus, Louisa Twining, Poor people coming to a workhouse for food, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London Kenton ward. Photograph, c.1908, St Pancras Smallpox Hospital, London; housed in a tented camp, The dance of death the apothecary by Wellcome Collection; Plaster model of feet showing frost-bite by National Museum of Health and Medicine; The able men's dormitory - The Workhouse, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, The Dungeon - The Workhouse, Southwell, Nottinghamshire by Glen Bowman; Video of a Carpet beater at a Carpet beat stand by Work With Sounds
CC BY-SA - 33/33a Dean Street by Stephen Richards, 33 Dean Street Soho by Spudgun67; Former Workhouse, Cleveland Street by Stephen Richards via geograph.org.uk; Medicines at 1752 Apothecary, Moravian Bethlehem by Bestbudbrian; Women's dormitory, The Workhouse, Southwell, Nottinghamshire by Torecles
Footage - Shaking dust out of prayer mats by Videvo.com; Factory Worker Processes Steel Welding In Workplace Area by Videezy.com
Map of Cleveland Street - Map Data Copyright OpenStreetMap contributors
#VictorianLondon #VictorianDocumentary #VictorianLondonDocumentary #VictorianEraDocumentary #VictorianLife #Victorian #19thCentury #VictorianEra #Workhouse #WorkhouseDocumentary #FactFeast
Enjoy this content? Please like, and share it out wherever you can 📲 It really is a big help to grow audience. Thank you 👍
That really is very much appreciated! Thank you for your help.
You'd be amazing at narrating audio books, your expressive London accent makes these stories really vivid! 👍
I'm glad you think the narration brings life to this history. Thank you for your comment.
@@FactFeast The Royal Society for the Blind used to have 'talking books'. It don't know if the still have and if course it would depend upon your time and whether you wanted to take on the commitment for each book.
As a born and bred Londoner I can tell you that narrator does not have a London accent. Easy to spot in his pronunciation of "Cleveland" and "Chairman" and other words for example. Nevertheless, it is a good presentation of the subject.
Such profound despair, destitution and filthy poverty is beyond imagination, but your use of sources as descriptions invoke the sensory experience so well, that I can almost conceive the overwhelming smell of the place. Thank you, very much, for the unique insights into the social history of Britain you describe. I look forward to Sunday when you release the videos. ATB.
Workhouses were dismal enough if you were healthy, but researching this really showed me what evils the poor faced, and not just from disease. Thank you for your comment.
Thank you for this mind shattering insight into the workhouse infirmary’s of the past. I reeled back in absolute horror when confronted with the abominable conditions of the poor souls who had to spend time in these nightmarish tombs. My weekly awakening now complete, I will relish in the heavenly conditions for which I find myself in today.
Horrific conditions, lack of medicine and being attended to by drunkards. Thank you for your comment.
Having stayed on the streets and in a shelter for the homeless, I can attest that there were many nights I was far more desperate to be dry and warm inside or at least sheltered from the wind...being clean was a luxury. A growling stomach hurt but nothing was worse than dehydration and the ache from cold joints. I am glad there are those who sought to help these poor souls, and those who seek to help people like myself now. For reference, I am not addicted to any substance. Merely in debt and struggling to find a job that will pay enough to let me rent an apartment. Low-income housing is extremely sparse in America.
I hope you're now safe, warm and free from hunger.
I think the direction the UK is going at present, there may well be a place for the return of the workhouse. History has a habit of repeating itself.
Oh god! When I start complaining about life I come to these videos and start to feel better. I cannot imagine living in these conditions. I wonder what was the life expectancy during this time. Great content from Fact Feast again.
Thanks for taking the time to write. These conditions were terrible, though luckily there were some medical professionals to witness what was going on and work for change.
@@FactFeast why did I read your comment with your accent? Lol.
These videos are incredibly important. I've changed a few people's opinions on labor relations with them. We've tried a lot of things in the past, we have to make sure we don't repeat them.
Thank you for sharing my videos, it's much appreciated!
It's always a good thing to be reminded that things were always worse before and that progress is always needed and we can't be nostalgic with rose tinted glasses on or start to stay stagnant on always improving things for those worse off as that's how a society should be judged-on how well treated the least advantageous are
These videos are brilliant 💯
This is a voice and a way of speaking I could listen to all day
Thank you! Lots more like this on my channel.
Victorian and Edwardian eras were the most horrible, respect to those who lived during those times.
Very much an existence more than living for some.
Excellent and informative as always Mr Feast . On the strength of your content I purchased Jack London's " The people of the abyss " recently . As harrowing as it is , I always hear your dramatic voice in my head as I read it ! Thank you for your work .
That's great! I imagine he will make another appearance on the channel in future. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I also read the book on your suggestion. Thank you .
PAUL, I'VE READ THAT BOOK AS WELL.... IT'S BEYOND HARROWING , IS IT NOT?? BY THE WAY, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS.... IT'S NOT AT ALL HUMANE AND PEOPLE TREATED US LIKE GARBAGE ...I WISH ALL PEOPLE WOULD HAVE COMPASSION FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE...THE ECONOMY IS SUCH THAT IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE ONE OF YOU!!! PLEASE REMEMBER THAT...AND MY HUSBAND AND I THANK YOU....
I bet those apartments in the building they managed to save in 2011 are super haunted! Current and past tenants probably have some good stories about their time spent living there. LoL! 👻😨
I always learn interesting things from your videos
Glad to hear that! It's nice to know you find them useful. Thank you for your comment.
Good stuff. When we think that things are terrible, consider what happened the past.
A grim existence as an inmate in a Victorian workhouse.
I have my great great grandfather's hand written diary from 1888 when he was hospitalized in new York City with pneumonia. He writes it was extremely lonely and the man next to him died. Yet his experience there was heaven compared to workhouses. And after watching one of these workhouse documentaries last night, my comfortable bed had a whole new meaning. We have no idea how blessed most of our lives are in comparison to what these poor souls endured.
Amazing to have such a diary to read! That really is history in your hands.
Yep Mr Feast is right, that's just incredible. I'd give anything to own such a relic from within my own family, even though I wouldn't be able to understand the language.
Yet another exquisitely delivered fascinating history lesson. Thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you so much
My pleasure! Thank you for being a regular viewer.
Another interesting slice of London's social history ably narrated by Mr. Feast. Brilliant! Thank you. :)
A bit of a dark episode from the workhouse ...thanks very much!
We have an old workhouse that’s been converted into flats in my town. All the flats sell but no one has ever bought/rented the basement flats, turns out it was the morgue.
I'm not surprised! The Strand Union Workhouse site lies on an old parish burial ground.
Sounds cool, lots of drawers!
Are they cheap?I'll take it!
Rowan Bradford
As a student nurse, I once used the word "morgue" and I was told that the word I meant to use was "mortuary" because morgue is an Americanism and we are not from the colonies. So, no, not the morgue, the mortuary. Mort is the Latin root word for death or dead. Morgue follows the French word for death house. If this is wrong in any way, please feel free to explain, with references as to my mistake, but languages are good and I like to learn.
Wow it would be interesting to know if those living in the apartment complex are experiencing a lot of paranormal activity
That would be fascinating. Hauntings are supposed to be caused by lost souls suffering and this fits perfectly. Graveyards are rarely haunted by my experience, nor hospitals, but this place would be, if hauntings are going to happen.
Absolutely brilliant
Much appreciated! I’m glad you enjoyed watching.
Yet another incredibly fascinating and educational video. This has become one of my favorite channels . Please keep the videos coming.
I will do. Thank you for supporting my channel!
Thank you for another great video
My pleasure! Thank you for being a regular viewer.
Wonderfully presented , informative and excellent to learn of our past social history.
Thank you.
It's great to know you find this type of social history interesting. Thank you for your comment!
Viewing the workhouse from our now comfortable lives they may seem almost barbaric but they were a massive step forward, both for the individual and society, than just a decade earlier. My grandfather was born in a workhouse in 1889. His mother lived until the 1930s so was able to tell my family of the circumstances which were quite straightforward - without the workhouse she and he would have had no medical care or a roof over their head and would in all probability have died. For the poor going to the workhouse for relief,especially for those requiring some medical attention, was the norm.
Victorian London was a mass of people who flocked to the city for the simple reason that life there was better than rural life where the poor had no care, food or housing. Workhouses were one of the main reasons the rural poor headed for the towns and cities.
Thank you for your comment. As you say, there was little employment in rural areas and that was a huge pull factor for towns and cities.
In the early to mid 19th century they were actually terrible places, as fact feast said, and
people did all they could to keep out of them.
People were forced to move to town and city to find work, but your comment about moving there BECAUSE of the workhouse is very interesting, as you have it straight from the horse's mouth.
But yes, they saved many lives.
I believe attitudes towards the poor have actually never changed through the ages - there is certainly a much bigger divide today and a resurge in resentment towards the unemployed.(The 'undeserving poor' in 19th century lingo.) Makes me wonder if they might bring the workhouse back.
@@thehangingparsiple5692I wouldn't be the least surprised if they do. They've wanted to bring them back since Thatchers day
Another great video. Thank you.
Great to know you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to comment.
Another first rate video, thank you 👌
Thank you. More to come!
I think I would have fancied my chances in medieval times than a 19th century slum
Robert Peel (1788-1850) was the founder of the first new Metropolitan Police Force at Scotland Yard in 1829.
The Peelers.
Thanks for the vid!
Thank you for checking out the video!
How are you doing sir thank you for your cultural documentary channel victorian age as i mentioned before it’s dark sad period especially for poor people low class but interesting topic at same time we are as foreigners subscribers as overseas students want to increase our cultural level improve our English language as well as always iam gathering key points about topics you mentioned briefly here it’s workhouses definition it’s houses for correction for persons who were guilty of minor law violation and clothes they wear wollen material shawls to wear red flannel black shoes men wear thick corduroy trousers thick black socket there but people would not want to live in workhouses it’s considered shameful. They shared sleeping space eating space work side by side watched by guardians had their weekly bath kid’s taught there writing reading arithmetic religious instructions have master or mistress time table for prayer brake fast work dinner . Workhouses were built in 1824 developed by reverand John becher and George Nicholas in 19 th century. Punishment for children at workhouses noisy swearing locked for 24 hours only bread water it’s same for disorderly at prayer time fighting at school no cheese for one week quarrying fighting no meat for one week children learned there variety of skills needing to be small work as scavenger in cotton mill to have push heavy coal trucks along tunnels in coal mines poor themselves hated and feared workhouses riots in northern towns poor law in 1834 students there make beds clean shoes in 1948 poor law system was finally abolished.
I'm glad you found the workhouse topic interesting and thank you for your support.
50 pounds in 1855 was comparable to 4000 pounds in 2021
Thank you!
I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for your comment.
Thank you
Well...That cheered me up!
Workhouses can do that! I did try and say something more positive at the end 🙂
@@FactFeast LOL!
Sounds like healthcare in the USA.
Sweden is worse
Not every country is well off or organised properly. That explains the USA. One place crippled by Capitalism. It runs, but it grinds the poor underfoot mercilessly. The citizens are controlled and programmed by the government that USA is the greatest country in the world, then they need three jobs just to keep their heads above water.
Oliver Twist. 1837 Novel by Charles Dickens.
Great!!!
Much appreciated! Thanks for checking out the video.
Bishops Stortford Union Workhouse.
Saffron Walden Union Workhouse.
I wish the narrator would talk normal. Yes the people living there today definitely know about the history of their address.
And I guess the workhouses in Ireland were just as bad.My great grandmother died in one.Dont ever let the English upper class lecture you on anything
Social Reform ... yes indeed ... *TY Fact Feast*
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
@@FactFeast 👍
Yes being poor in Britain in 2022
Oliver Twist Movies. 1968 and 2005.
I’d rather be poor in Victorian England than poor in North Korea now
You may be born poor, but you’re free to improve your lot in life
Hello
Just from the interduction i can say that .the doctor ,was dealing withe the pateninte not healing weak good person whome had fell in a difficulty of streangth to sepirate of him safe to another patiente.
And the socitey is a dealer and undealer dealout with each and each other comunety .not good news for eneybody want to get proud of beaing in outhorety wateve whoever.
Thing like thee are found in eney other comunity .just like what you see .but simpley their is better way whoever .but i dosent mean in never never land realy.i am joking😊
Last part of my research work houses under poor law regime 1832 royal commission into operation of poor there are too small badly with poor sanitary different categories of patients were mixed together sometimes shared same bed workhouses usual word for hospitals was relatively at that time provided almost everything dinning hall for eating, dormitories for sleeping, kitchen, school rooms nurseries chapel mortuary it’s overcrowded leds to illness diseases most common meals small pox typhus fever cholera 14000 people died every year there government was ignoring medical statistical evidence and pauper nurses clean up wards carry food bed from wooden box as coffin it’s home for men women children they had strict rules work houses medical officers unmarried young women placed their infants at workhouses in their survival was questionable places for orphans too between 1947 and 1851 almost two thirds of whom were under age of six when they died food they eat at workhouses diet bread gruel porridge dinner meat few onion turnips iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English language as none native speakers thank you for giving us chance to read learn new information stay safe blessed iwish for your channel more success and progress good luck to you your dearest ones
The workhouse was not a place where you would want to be sick. Thank you for your comment.
Being poor in ancient Japan.
Slaves were treated better.
Fact