Date:Not Recorded
Description:The Vichy Douche was first introduced at the Royal Pump Rooms in 1926. During treatment the patient was sprayed with warm water at high pressure to stimulate the skin. This was combined with massage and excercises, which loosened the muscles and improved circulation. The temperature was usually 97/98 degrees farenheit with a pressure of 4 to 6 pounds per sqaure inch. The towel hanging from above was to protect the patient's face from the water. Treatment lasted approximately 20 minutes and was followed by wrapping the patient in warm towels, then sending them to lie down in the cool room of the Hammam. Vichy Douche was used to treat the whole body for general aches and pains or generalised osteoarthritis. The treatment bench in the photograph is made of wood, but later benches were made of concrete in the Royal Pump Rooms workshops. A concrete Vichy Douche slab is also in the collections of Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum.
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 ...
Leamington BathsInk on paper240mm x 335mmThis aquatint print of the Royal Pump Rooms ...
Leamington By John Fairfax (1804-1877) 376mm x 284mm This lithograph print depicts ...
Black and white photograph by Walden Hammond of The Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington ...
A portrait of Alice Willes c.1880-1910.
Portrait of S T Wackrill A photograph of S. T. Wackrill sitting at his writing desk ...
A photograph of Edith Gaskin, aged 13, in fancy dress as a night-light, c.1917. ...
A postcard by Valentine & Son of Victoria Bridge and the Royal Pump Rooms in Leamington ...
Black and white photograph. This photograph depicts Princess Margaret with Mayor ...
The mayor's attendant is helping Councillor Nichols into the Mayoral robes of Leamington ...
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Donor ref:LEAMG : M3535.1990.28 (69/18648)
Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.