This film is part of Free
Devonshire Hospital Buxton
Rheumatic soldiers are treated with the latest in hydrotherapy at the Devonshire Hospital in Buxton, Derbyshire.
Overview
Buxton has a long history of remedial treatment thanks to its natural mineral springs. In 1858 the Buxton Bath Charity opened a new hospital in the Duke of Devonshire's magnificent former stables. By 1916 the hospital boasted the latest thermal bath equipment, tested in this film by troops returning from WWI battlefields. We see soldiers massaged with water jets to relieve muscle and joint pain.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that debilitating rheumatic disorders were rife, particularly among soldiers who spent long periods in the trenches. The intention of this newsreel item was presumably to reassure the audience that 'our boys' were getting the best possible treatment using modern methods and equipment.
Related
Shower Baths in the Trenches Shower Baths in the Trenches
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
A humble scrub is all it takes to get these French troops in a lather.
Airship No. 9 Airship No. 9
Non-Fiction 1916 14 mins Silent Location: Walney Island
The maiden flight of Britain's first successful rigid airship – just don’t call it a zeppelin…
The Scarecrow The Scarecrow
Comedy 1916 12 mins Silent
A tramp steals the clothes from a scarecrow, but when he realises two couples are using its pockets to pass messages, he sees an opportunity.
Tubby's Typewriter Tubby's Typewriter
Comedy 1916 11 mins Silent
Newlywed Tubby fancies another man's typewriter and ends up in hot water with his new wife
Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale
1916 8 mins Silent
Preston North End play Liverpool (probably) in a regional football competition during WWI.
Industrial Sidelights Industrial Sidelights
Interest film 1916 7 mins Silent
Goat farming, salmon farming and copper mining all feature in this enlightening oddity.
ECA Conference and Whipsnade Zoo ECA Conference and Whipsnade Zoo
Amateur film 1934 7 mins Silent Location: Matlock
Join Sydney Bligh and his fellow delegates as they tour Derbyshire spa towns, visit castles and cathedrals and still have time to see the animals at Whipsnade Zoo
Oxnead and Buxton Watermills Oxnead and Buxton Watermills
Amateur film 1974 8 mins Silent Location: Oxnead
Since before the Norman Conquest the River Bure has powered two watermills barely a mile apart, near the Norfolk villages of Oxnead, Buxton and Lamas.
The Federation of Soroptimist Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland Tenth Annual Conference, Buxton The Federation of Soroptimist Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland Tenth Annual Conference, Buxton
Amateur film 1939 12 mins Silent Location: Buxton
Female members of the Soroptimist organisation congregate in the Derbyshire town of Buxton for their annual conference.
Derbyshire on Britain's Cresta Run Derbyshire on Britain's Cresta Run
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Buxton
Snow in the High Peak sees Buxton locals take to the slopes for some winter sports in this attractive newsreel.
The English Switzerland The English Switzerland
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: Buxton
A winter paradise in the Peak District: beautifully-composed shots of snow-clad Buxton.
'If Winter Comes' - It Has! 'If Winter Comes' - It Has!
Non-Fiction 1923 1 mins Silent Location: Buxton
Dashing through the snow; on a six-horse open plough... The streets are ready for sledging in 1920s Buxton.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.