Date:1953
Description:
Black and white photograph of a polio treatment class in the therapeutic pool at the Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, in 1953.
The children in this class are possibly patients of a severe polio epidemic in the late 1940s. The saline water in the pool was very bouyant, this allowed gentle exercise to retrain and strengthen muscles and joints. The white metal frames to the left of the pool were known as walking frames. Patients would hold on to the bars with their hands and practice their walking up and down. The walking frames were made on site in the workshops at the Royal Pump Rooms.
The therapeutic pool replaced the original swimming pool which was installed in 1863. In 1890 it became known as the Ladies' pool when the De Normanville pool was built and used by men. In 1950 the Ladies' pool was partially filled in and a ramp was installed so that it could be used for physiotherapy treatments. Patients suffering from the effects of polio and arthritis as well as those injured in road traffic accidents received treatment in the warm, buoyant water. The therapeutic pool was converted into the Art Gallery during the refurbishments of 1997 - 1999.
The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.
Paul Sandby (1730-1809) The Entrance Of Warwick Castle From The Lower Court Ink ...
J. Walker Soho, Staffordshire, 1 September 1798 Ink on paper 190mm x 235mm A landscape ...
John Preston Neale (c.1771-1847) Offchurch, Warwickshire, 1819 Ink on paper 185mm ...
Print by J & F Harwood of London Royal Baths And Pump Room, Leamington (No. 526), ...
(No. 4908) Lower Parade, Leamington (No. 4909) New Pump Rooms, Leamington Rock ...
A photograph by Bullock Brothers of the gold casket presented to Queen Victoria ...
Edith Gaskin aged four, sitting on a low bench with a tabby cat, 1 January 1908.
A photograph of the Leamington College for Girls choir, the winners of the Leamington ...
Black and white photograph of the Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa, c.1951 - 1961. ...
The mayor's attendant is helping Councillor Nichols into the Mayoral robes of Leamington ...
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Donor ref:LEAMG : M3535.1990.26 (69/18646)
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