The healing springs

For centuries, the water flowing from the Hot Springs in Bath enjoyed a reputation for curing a number of chronic and disabling medical conditions.

At various times, these have included infertility, rheumatism, gout, the palsy (a type of paralysis due to lead poisoning), scabies, psoriasis, failure of menstruation, polio. In both World Wars, injured service men and women were sent to Bath for rehabilitation.

Between 1948 and 1976 about 70% of the patients treated in the spa were financed by the National Health Service (NHS).

Download Dr Roger Rolls complete paper: 'Spa Therapy Through the Ages' here.