Workhouse boys died after being given mercury-based ointment

In early January 1868 an inquest was held in Preston before coroner Miles Myres following the death of Patrick Burke, son of Stephen Burke who had been executed in March, 1865 for the murder of his wife.

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Orphaned Patrick had been a resident of the Walton-le-Dale workhouse, situated in Bamber Bridge, off what became Station Road, and close to the Withy Trees cotton mill. Two days before Christmas Day the Governor Mr. Matthew Pattison thought he would make the boys perfectly clean and vermin free when inspected by visitors and obtained from the surgery a pot of 'blue ointment' which contained a considerable amount of mercury.