Abstract EN:

Poor relief in Chaumont in the 18th. Century was the concern of many of the inhabitants and religions communities. The relief provided gives of the extent of destitution at this time ; -the poverty of unemployed fathers of families, due to economic crises. -sickness. -destitution of orphan children and abandoned babies, of whom a great number died in the first year of their life. Relief was provided in four ways : -spiritual support, provided by the chaplain of the hotel dieu during his visits. -medical help, provided free of charge by hospitalers : doctors, surgeons and sisters of charity. During the serious epidemic of 1741, the doctors residing in the town united in their efforts to halt the spread of illness. The latest methods were employed and experimented, such as inoculation against small-pox. As much as possible, by royal decree, the practitioners struggled against tabous ans spread their learning abroad, after receiving instruction themselves by specialists. This was the cas for midwives. -distribution of food by the charitable ladies' guild, who chose ten poor people each week and gave them help. Exceptionally, during serious grain shortages, the town assumed responsibility for the suppying of the markets througt the intermediary of a subsistance office. -the foundation of a charity workhouse in 1770-1771 gave work to the ablebodied, to help to feed their families during the winter and early spring. This help, providing work under state financing, was an idea that was greatly devloped by ministers at the end of the 18th. Century. The revolutionaries continued the voluntary work while recommending state responsibility for all the destitute. The different institutions in Chaumont carried on : the hotel dieu became the public hospital, the charity office became the welfare board. Abandoned children were taken under the wings of the public assistance, and girls from the country districts went to midwifery classes.