What associations in your mind at the mention of the poorhouse?Probably not the most optimistic.Despite the fact that the meaning of this word is known today is not all, the memory of generations kindly preserved for us a subconscious attitude to the phenomenon.
modern understanding
For today's human hospice - a place inhabited by human beings, to put it mildly, not the highest income.Typically, such a designation is used in the modern world in the composition collocations such as "lit poorhouse", and operate in such situations, the expression of at least unpleasant.
In essence hospice - is not devoid of the principles of society and even cluttered room.The original meaning of the word has been quite different, but with time he gradually lost and transformed, as is the case with tokens, which means the phenomenon is actually endangered.
turn first to the word
If you look closely at the structure of the word itself, you can see there an interesting feature: one of the roots of his total with the word god.Skeptics may argue that it is - a simple coincidence.And the word "hospice" has nothing to do with God, and in this respect will be completely wrong.
One version
As mentioned earlier, the original meaning of the concept was quite different and does not have a negative connotation.If you believe the stories, hospice - it's only shelter for the homeless, the elderly and the disabled.Such people get there shelter, food, and needed assistance in general.
shelter for homeless people - the institution is not the most profitable, and therefore they often organized on a charitable basis, and mainly in the numerous churches.And there was a part of the root of the word "God."
alternative
There is, however, another explanation for this somewhat strange name.According to some sources, hospice - this is not exactly a shelter for homeless people, and a cross between a nursing home and modern hospice.It is easy to assume that institutions of this kind, people generally lived out his last days.
As the world at that time was much more religious, belief in afterlife was unshakable.As you know, the same Christian doctrine provides only two options of places where people can go after death: heaven and hell.In the second case it is assumed that otmuchilsya old or seriously ill goes to God - in a sense, these people were equated with holy fool, who, as is known, were considered sinless.Hence the time with the phrase "God to do", which later became a specific designation of the place.
who kept the place of such
For a long time it was thought that the last refuge for many - charitable institutions and therefore the practice of donations still took place.However, funds for the normal maintenance of institutions of this kind often not enough, and the conditions were in the hospice, to say the least, not the most comfortable.
Something is not about charity volunteer
should be noted that poor sanitation and lack of minimum comfort was typical of such institutions are not always.In the days of Peter and Catherine eras hospice - it's not so much a place where it is always open to the afflicted and needy, as a way to solve a rather serious social problems.Development and increase in the marginal section of society at the time was simply unacceptable, and therefore the authorities themselves were interested in the creation and support of institutions of this kind.A noble beginning of the so associated with pure pragmatics.
Previously, any hospice - this was the place, sponsored by the board, after the rural and urban reform And this duty fell on the public self.At first it was quite a big step forward, began to appear as the new social organization and the desire to prevent the impoverishment of the people was extremely strong.
patronage over institutions of this kind has been divided between the royal family, community, church and ministries.Perhaps, during the early twentieth century in relation to hospices and other institutions of this kind can be described as the most favorable.
again the difference in understanding
As seen from the above, understanding of the very name of this organization has undergone significant changes.Today, the phrase "sent to the poorhouse" does not promise anything good man, and even "dissolve poorhouse" and does no one wants.Aboriginal same meaning as mentioned phrases were almost diametrically opposed to the propertied and human suffering.
noteworthy that the almshouses themselves have not disappeared, but rather changed its name to the more modern - Hospice.And if with them and orphanages special question does not arise, then sent to the poorhouse destitute, sleeping rough on the streets and railway stations would be a good and noble thing to do.
