Updated 14 Nov 2007

WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900

Return to Front Page

MENU

Last

Photo 545

Next

Marsden's Price List of Baths 1882

This price list was issued in 1882 by the firm of D.Marsden & Son, located in the Market place in Wirksworth. The goods mentioned were mostly used by the Hydropathic Industry, of which there were over 20 establishments in Matlock alone. The largest Hydro was known as "Smedley's Hydro", founded by John Smedley and located at the top of Bank road in Matlock. The use to which these strange items were put perhaps can be guessed reading "Smedley's Bath Book" and "Baths", or reading John Smedley's description of his own inventions, the Ladies' running sitz and the Ascending douche.
Many thanks to Max Hodnett, who supplied scans of the original leaflet.
Ladies' Running Sitz Bath,
from Practical Hydropathy by John Smedley.


          PRICE LIST

            BATHS

1.Shallow Bath, with reclining back, Japanned, 66in.   ...2   0   0
2.   Ditto      with low back, 66 in...      ...       ...1  17   6
3.Ladies shallow Bath, with low back, 60 in  ...       ...1  12   0
   Gentleman's Running Sitz         
1.   Ditto         ditto      Jappaned       ...       ...1   5   0
2.   Ditto         ditto   small, Jappaned   ...       ...1   2   0
3.   Ditto  General Sitz, not running, do    ...       ...1   2   0
1. Ladies running Sitz, high legs, square back,  do    ...0  19   6
2.   Ditto     ditto    low legs     do          do    ...0  18   9
3.   Ditto     ditto    high ,, round back,      do    ...0  19   6
4.   Ditto     ditto    low  ,,      do          do    ...0  18   9
5.   Ditto moulded top Sitz,for spinal Affection,do    ...0  19   6
6.   Ditto     ditto         ditto     No.2      do    ...0  18   6

     Any of the above plain, (not Japanned) 8/- less

1. Foot Bath, oblong ....                  Japanned    ...0   4   6
2.   Ditto   half covered  No 1               do       ...0   5   0
3.   Ditto      ditto      No 2               do       ...0   5   6
1. Leg Bath, triangular                       do       ...0   6   9
2.   Ditto      do  with feeder pipe          do       ...0   7   6
3.   Ditto   square                           do       ...0   8   6
1. Head Bath, zinc round, plain     ...      ...       ...0   4   6
2.   Ditto     ,,  square, with head rest    ...       ...0   6   6
1. Arm Bath                               Japanned     ...0   8   9
2. Hand Bath                                  do       ...0   5   6
1. Portable Steaming Apparatus, with tube and mouth-
      piece, bright          ...    ...      ...       ...0  10   6
2. Portable Steaming Apparatus, without tubes...       ...0   7   6
1. Vaporifier, or Bronchitis Kettle with pipes & inhalers 0   9   6

      N.B.  The above can be made in Copper

1. Spirit Lamp for Lamp Bath ...    ...      ...       ...0   2   0
1. Chest Tin (tin) for Chest Affections      ...       ...0   3   3
2.    Ditto                ditto             ...       ...0   3   0
3.    Ditto                ditto             ...       ...0   2   9
4.    Ditto                ditto  hollowed   ...       ...0   3   3
5.    Ditto                ditto    ,,       ...       ...0   3   0
6.    Ditto                ditto    ,,       ...       ...0   2   9
1. Chest Can (copper)      ditto             ...       ...0   7   6
2.    Ditto                ditto             ...       ...0   6   6
3.    Ditto                ditto             ...       ...0   5   6
4.    Ditto                ditto  hollowed   ...       ...0   7   6
5.    Ditto                ditto    ,,       ...       ...0   6   6
6.    Ditto                ditto    ,,       ...       ...0   5   6
1. Stomach Tin   ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   4   3
1. Foot Bottle, (tin)        ...    ...      ...       ...0   3   3
2.    Ditto      ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   3   0
3.    Ditto      ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   2   6
1. Foot Bottle, (copper)     ...    ...      ...       ...0   8   0
2.    Ditto      ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   7   6
3.    Ditto      ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   6   9
1. Poridge Saucepan (tin)    ...    ...      ...       ...0   4   9
2.    Ditto      ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   4   0
3.    Ditto      ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   3   6
4.    Ditto      ...         ...    ...      ...       ...0   2   9
5.    Ditto         (copper) ...    ...      ...       ...0
1. Flat Foot Warmers (tin)   ...    ...      ...       ...0   4   6
2.    Ditto          (copper)...    ...      ...       ...0  10   0
1. Etna large, (tin)         ...    ...      ...       ...0   2   6
2.  ,,  small    ,,          ...    ...      ...       ...0   2   0
   Throat Bath for Throat Affections...      ...       .. 0   6   6
   Ascending Douche for Internal Diseases    ...       ...3  10   0
   Chili Paste
                    -------
   Bandages, Compresses, Bathing sheets, Spongio,
               Respirators, Etc, Etc.

Ladies' Running Sitz Bath,
from Practical Hydropathy by John Smedley.
Ladies' Running Sitz
"Double a dry sheet, and lay it over the front of the bath F, and sit upon it, and when rising, draw it round the legs to dry with. I have invented this bath, which can be used without any undressing. It should be in every lady's room, and if used as commonly as the wash-hand basin would prevent weakness of the spine, and the long list of weakening ailments to which all females are liable. It has saved lives already by stopping haemorrhage, which no other means made use of could effect. For this purpose it is used every one or two hours, two minutes at a time, with cold water; and this may be done with safety by the mostdelicate. Ordinarily it is used as a sitting bath, for five, ten, or twenty minutes, and may be made running cold by an attendent pouring water at the funnel B; F is the cover for the reserve E; D is the pipe to carry the water to A, where it rises up in the centre, and passes off through the reserve at E and the pipe C. The reserve is to prevent the water coning over the front, when sitting down. After walking or becoming heated, great benefit will be derived by its use with cold water. For piles, the water should be 65° to 70°, used twenty minutes at a time, and one minute cold, wearing body bandage night and day, as before mentioned, and if bandage not warm, put flannel over, especially at night."
John Smedley, Matlock 1869
Practical Hydropathy, page 66.

Ascending Douche,
from Practical Hydropathy by John Smedley.
Ascending Douche
"Mr Smedley's newly invented ascending douche can be used in bedrooms with perfect safety, and will be of the greatest service in cases of piles and of weakness or disease of the prostate gland or rectum, and to strengthen those parts and prevent disease.
For females it is of greatest importance, and may be used with perfect safety, the action being delicate, and can be used often without undressing.
It acts also as a slight enema very beneficially. The water need not be renewed above once a week. The pump is double action, and easily worked. Price, complete £3 5s. To be had at Office, Lea Mills, neary Derby.
Warner & Co, Jewin Crescent, London, supply the double action pump we put in these.
John Smedley, Matlock 1869
Practical Hydropathy, page 69.

Compiled, formatted, hyperlinked, encoded, and copyright © 2007, All Rights Reserved.