A TRAMP in the Worcester Workhouse proved the effectiveness of speaking out on his own behalf at this time 100 years ago.
The Journal of 1903 explained: "Mr Chambers, a workhouse inmate, is sick but resolute. He suffers from consumption, and a medical man prescribed open-air treatment for him, but the Worcester Board of Guardians would not do as he wished - send him to a sanatorium.
"He therefore wrote to their 'superiors', the Local Government Board in London who, in turn, contacted the Guardians for their observations. They replied stating their unreadiness to send Chambers to a sanatorium at the public cost. Life is, of course, infinitely precious to Chambers, and he considered the Guardians' reaction to be 'inhuman'.
"In the meantime, however, a local benefactor offered to contribute £15 towards the cost of Chambers going into a sanatorium, and the Guardians have now agreed to grant 10 shillings a week for his upkeep there.
"Chambers is gratified, and we hope he will be cured. He ought also to thank Dr Dixey and others whose zeal established the sanatorium at Knightwick just a year or so ago."
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