War, Welfare & Wallets: during the Napoleonic Era

Inflation and the Infirmary (1796–1815)

The Napoleonic Wars were fought not only on the battlefields of Europe but also in the ledgers of Britain’s charities. As Britain grappled with the financial demands of prolonged warfare, institutions like the Salisbury Infirmary faced the full force of rising prices, shrinking donations and uncertain economic winds.

 

The price of war

When the Bank Restriction Act of 1797 allowed Britain to suspend the gold standard and print money to fund war with France, inflation swiftly followed. Prices for everyday goods like salt, malt, and butter skyrocketed. Between 1767 and 1810:

• Malt prices rose by 200%
• Salt shot up by nearly 293%
• Grocery costs soared over 1,000%

The cost of running the Infirmary surged. In 1801, the auditors lamented:

“Expenditure has much exceeded the income … the unexampled rise in all kinds of provisions … we must always be prepared.”

Charity in crisis

This inflationary storm struck the Infirmary at a time when patient numbers doubled (from 216 to 421 annually), stretching already thin resources. Subscriptions from local parishes, often the charity’s financial backbone, were frequently inadequate:

“… so small in most instances as to be far below the cost which a single fracture … would occasion.”

Though benefactions occasionally saved the day, they were unreliable. In 1811, when the Infirmary sold off part of its capital stock to cover debts, public anxiety surged, prompting headlines like:

“We most fervently hope that some means will be devised for preventing the breaking in on its capital …”

Tightrope economics

The auditors tried everything, such as cutting costs, pleading for donations and urging tighter subscriptions. Some years saw momentary relief:

1798: A rare surplus prompted the auditors to celebrate a £154 balance

1802: A cautious victory “a momentary prosperity,” they warned

But by 1810, the cracks widened:

“The inadequacy of the permanent income … arises from INADEQUATE PAROCHIAL SUBSCRIPTIONS … and a triple increase in the price of consumption.”

 

More than just inflation

Though inflation was a constant concern, not all issues stemmed from economic forces. Bad harvests, inconsistent local support and the charity’s own operational decisions all played a part. Still, by 1815, the institution showed signs of resilience:

“Strict economy adopted … there is great reason to suppose [the deficit] will be made up by the contributions of the ensuing year …”

A few standout quotes:

• “We have made it our business to inspect every department and retrench our expenditure wherever we could.” – 1796
• “… The amount of annual subscriptions is considerably less than that of the necessary annual expenditure.” – 1807
• “To reduce its expenditure, without at the same time reducing its present extensive utility, is quite impossible …” – 1811

 Despite financial fragility, the Infirmary endured. Its story offers a vivid lens into how charities, then and now, depend not only on donations, but also on foresight, transparency and adaptability during crisis.

 

Written from research by Stuart Wakefield, The Salisbury Infirmary 1767-1870