Wiktionary
n. The section of a workhouse where tramps and itinerants could be accomodated for one night.
Usage examples of "casual ward".
Friday, September 28th, Kelly returned to the lodging house at 55 Flower and Dean Street in Spitalfields, and Catherine stayed without him in a free bed at a casual ward.
The newspapers will give me a reward, that's what I told the superintendent of the casual ward, and I meant it, by God!
He suspected she had spent the two days in the casual ward of Spitalfields workhouse infirmary, since the last time he'd spotted her, near Spitalfields Church, she had been telling a friend that she was seriously ill and wanted to spend a couple of days in the casual ward, resting and getting the medical help she needed.
He suspected she had spent the two days in the casual ward of Spitalfields workhouse infirmary, since the last time he’.
From absolute solitude I seemed to be rapidly developing into the keeper of a casual ward.