With regard to the able-bodied independent woman, we have shown that the Central Authority developed, between 1834 and 1847, two distinct policies which became applicable to two different geographical areas. In the thirty-two unions in which the Outdoor Labour Test Order was alone in force, the discretion of the local authorities to give outdoor relief to able-bodied independent women was left unfettered by any rule, instruction or advice of the Central Authority.[135] [135] We ought to state that in one of the early Orders (intended to be temporary) the Central Authority did expressly prescribe a policy for "single women not being aged or infirm." It was evidently contemplated that they were to be dealt with quite differently from the "able-bodied male pauper," who was to be put to "parish work." The outdoor relief to be granted to them was to be at least half in kind (p. 85 of First Annual Report, 1835). No such clause appears in the General Orders subsequently issued. In the 477 unions in which the Outdoor Relief Prohibitory Order was in force (either with or without an Outdoor Labour Test Order), outdoor relief to able-bodied independent women was prohibited, with certain exceptions, which, between 1835 and 1844, steadily increased in number. As crystallised in the Out Relief Prohibitory Order of 1844 (still in force) outdoor relief was allowed to such able-bodied independent women, (1) On account of sudden and urgent necessity; (2) On account of the sickness, accident, or bodily or mental infirmity of any member of their families (unlike a father in like case, the independent mother was not required to produce a medical certificate); (3) For defraying the expenses of burial of any of their families; (4) If a widow, for the first six months of widowhood or, without limit of time, if, unable to earn a livelihood, and having one or more children dependent on her, she had had no illegitimate child since her widowhood.[136] [136] Amended Forms of Order prohibiting Outdoor Relief to the Able-bodied, 1839 and 1840, in Report on the Further Amendment of the Poor Law, 1839, p. 105, and Seventh Annual Report, 1841, pp. 99-100; Out Relief Prohibitory Order, 1844, art. 1. In the Circulars issued with these Orders, the only instructions with regard to any class of able-bodied independent women relate to widows. In these instructions the grant of outdoor relief during the first six months of widowhood, without any mention of its being considered whether they had children or not, or whether they were employed for wages or not, is specially and repeatedly brought to the notice of the local authorities as laudable.[137] [137] Instructional Letter, December 1839, p. 107 of Report on the Further Amendment of the Poor Law, 1839; ditto, August 1840, p. 102 of Seventh Annual Report, 1841.