administrative questions; but it must be noted that the whole policy of the Central Authority in the matter rested on the assumption, on which no criticism was expressed, that the sick would, as a matter of fact, be relieved in their homes. [165] Instructional Letter, 6th May 1836, in Second Annual Report, 1836, pp. 50-51. [166] Minute, 27th March 1840; in Sixth Annual Report, 1840, p. 95. [167] _Official Circular_, No. 34, 30th April 1844, p. 76. [168] _Ibid._ p. 74. [169] Report on the Further Amendment of the Poor Law, 1839, pp. 73-81. [170] pp. 129-142 of Eighth Annual Report, 1842. When the sick entered the workhouse they were dealt with as a class by themselves, in the general establishment which alone was then in existence. We shall deal with the policy with regard to them in a subsequent section. It may be noted that in 1840 the Central Authority supported the proposal of the Government Bill of that year for the establishment of district infirmaries, but these were not for the sick, but for the infirm.[171] The proposal was never proceeded with. In 1842 the local authorities are incidentally reminded that they have power to send sick persons to hospitals outside the union.[172] [171] _Official Circular_, No. 5, 16th June 1840, pp. 51-53. [172] Letter, 2nd August 1841, in Eighth Annual Report, 1842, p. 77. _F._--_Persons of Unsound Mind_ A separation of lunatics from the other inmates of the workhouses had been suggested in the Report of 1834. But it was in the course of this period 1834-47 that persons of unsound mind became recognised as a distinct class. It was, however, long before any settled term was used. We read of "idiots" (1), dangerous (2), or not dangerous (3), curable (4), or not curable; "the insane" (5), "persons of weak intellect" (6), or suffering from "mental infirmity" (7), or from "mental imbecility" (8), or from "disease of mind" (9), or merely "persons of unsound mind" (10).[173] [173] (1) (3) Consolidated Order for the Administration of Relief in Town Unions, 7th March 1836, in Second Annual Report, 1836, p. 89. (2) General Order, 24th July 1847, art. 101. (4) Letter of 5th February 1842, in Eighth Annual Report, 1842, p. 111. (5) (10) General Order, 3rd December 1841, in Eighth Annual Report, 1842, p. 183. (7) Form of Order, 1839, in Report on the Further Amendment of the Poor Law, 1839, p. 106. (8) General Order, 30th April 1842, in Eighth Annual Report, 1842, p. 177. (9) General Order, 5th February, 1842, in _ibid._ p. 80.