It was Christmas Day in the West End workhouse, and the inmates received a special festive treat of beef and plum pudding together with one and a half pints of beer for every man, while women were given just a pint.

The story of those earlier, often harsh days is recalled in a fascinating new book, Half a Loaf. Compiled by 81-year-old Eric Raffo it traces the history of the South Stoneham Union Work-house, latterly the West End Institution whose buildings now form part of the present Moor-green Hospital.

Using records and archives dating from as far back as the 17th century, the historian recounts a story which began in 1664 and ran until 1948 when the Ministry of Health took control of Moorgreen.

The book is the result of almost nine years of research and dedication by Eric, a voluntary worker at Moorgreen, whose late wife Mary spent the last three years of her life being cared for by staff at the hospital.

"An attempt has been made to give a balance of history, fact and human interest,'' says Eric, in the introduction to the book.

"Some stories are full of pathos, others reveal callous disregard. Some are fully recorded but others leave one longing to know the outcome of a desperate situation.''

In those far off days it fell to the local parish to look after those less fortunate and unable to maintain themselves because of sickness, desertion, mental and physical illness, as well as providing shelter for the homeless and destitute.

The inmate's regime was rigidly set out in the workhouse rules, with the able-bodied getting up at 5.45am each day and then sent to bed at 8pm during the winter ,while in the summer they were allowed to stay up for another 30 minutes.

"Every inmate to be bathed on admission unless the Medical Officer on examination refuses. Thereafter once a fortnight,'' said the rules. "In the bathing of all classes of inmate the water used must be changed as often as possible. In all cases the inmate has the right to demand water which has not been previously used.''

"The new arrivals, if not too infirm or sick, would have to carry out tasks allotted to them by the Master,'' said Eric.

"In the case of men this would consist of agricultural work or animal care on the farm, assisting staff in the boiler room or in repairs to the building.

"For women, the work would have been assisting the staff in the kitchen, laundry, wards or in child care.''

As the years went on local firms, including the old Southampton shop E Mayes and Son, Ameys Laundry and the Southampton Tobacco Company also offered employment.

"Surprisingly, there are very few entries in the records concerning theft,'' says Eric.

"Possible explanations are that petty theft was too common to be considered worthy of action or that inmates had so little there was little opportunity for theft.''

* Half a Loaf: The care of the Sick and Poor of South Stoneham 1664 - 1948, costs £9.50. The book is available by calling Moorgreen's voluntary service on 023 8047 2258.