Hidden Lives Revealed - Waifs and strays: 'Waif' girl

Basic sanitation was something new to most of the Society's recent arrivals. When two new girls at St Audrey's in Bedford, first saw the Home's bathroom 'they quite thought they would be 'drownded' as they had never seen baths before like that, or been in one'. In addition to a good wash, new arrivals also received a thorough medical examination, and their hair was cut short to prevent the spread of head lice.

Ref: XX23
Title: 'Waif' girl
Date: Around 1890
Location: Bristol
Creator: Unknown

Description:
Basic sanitation was something new to most of the Society's recent arrivals. When two new girls at St Audrey's in Bedford, first saw the Home's bathroom 'they quite thought they would be 'drownded' as they had never seen baths before like that, or been in one'. In addition to a good wash, new arrivals also received a thorough medical examination, and their hair was cut short to prevent the spread of head lice.

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