Dinner Knife

This dinner knife is stamped with the letters ‘WLA’ for Worcester Lunatic Asylum.

A typical breakfast at the asylum was porridge and bread, and supper usually consisted of tea or coffee, and bread and butter. Dinner was more varied, but generally included meat, vegetables, rice pudding, soup, pie, and potatoes. Lunch was given to patients who were involved in physical labour.

First annual report of the county and city of Worcester Pauper Lunatic Asylum, 1854
Source: Wellcome Collection