The year is 1780 – You come to Bath seeking a cure for chronic illness and visit the Pump Room. How might your experience change depending on wealth and social status?
“Mr. Skrine tells me my Lady Rochester’s legs were as bad as mine… and that he quite cured her… with the same medicine he begins with me too night in a glass of the Bath water, and the same in the morning at the Pump.” 1723 (13 May) The Countess of Bristol
Many were drawn to Bath for its mineral waters, used in the treatment of conditions from rheumatism and leprosy to paralysis and rickets. Notably, Queen Anne made visits in 1702 and 1703 to Bath in an attempt to cure her gout. These visits attracted much attention and helped to develop Bath’s popularity amongst high society, particularly in comparison to other spa towns.
The upper classes were able to take full advantage of the city’s bathing experience, having easy access to the baths where guides and attendants were on hand to assist. The Cross Bath in particular was a favourite amongst the gentry since it offered a distinctly lavish bathing experience and additional luxuries, from seating areas (in the middle of the bath for men and round the sides for women) to music being played. Bathers could be carried between their lodgings and the Cross Bath in a sedan chair and , it appears, the benefits of the Cross Bath were only available to the wealthy. Likewise, the intention of the Pump Room was to allow the upper classes to drink the mineral water amongst the highest of society. After its establishment in 1706, its popularity grew to the extent where an extension was required in 1751 (eventually, in the 1790s, it had to be rebuilt to accommodate the multitude of visitors). Overall, it can be seen that Bath’s mineral water treatments for chronic illnesses predominantly catered to the upper classes.
For the less wealthy , however, what Bath could offer medically was rather different. The Bath General Hospital was a significant source available to the poor to help with chronic illnesses, in particular rheumatism and arthritis. The Hospital gave its patients access to the Hot Bath as part of the free treatment. Although admission was open to those from all over the country, patients had to be nominated as being worthy of the charity, thus limiting who could access medical help.
The Pauper Scheme established in 1747 assisted those who did not qualify for poor relief, providing free advice from physicians as well as directions to appropriate apothecaries, but few practical treatments. It is clear that at this time medical relief for the poor was limited, especially so since the specialised ‘Lepers’ Bath’ was demolished in 1776 and several of what would be the city’s main hospitals weren’t yet built (e.g. the Bath Casualty Hospital founded 1788, and the Bath City Infirmary and Dispensary opened 1792).
This article has been researched and written by Livia Brain, Co-Curator for the Museum of Bath at Work.
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And thank you to Dr Roger Rolls and the Bath Medical Museum for their assistance.
Image and original data provided by Wellcome Collection
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