Swanley History Group – May 2015 meeting
The strong smell of carbolic soap. Uniforms so stiff with starch they could stand up on their own. Polished floors and lines of neat beds. The moored hospital ships surrounded by water. A few impressions from a very informative talk on Joyce Green and The River Hospitals presented to Swanley History Group by Francine Payne at our May meeting.
Although these hospitals were known by many in the audience, few knew of the fascinating history which Francine uncovered when, following the closure of Joyce Green Hospital in 2000, she took on the role of archiving and cataloguing the many records for The Metropolitan Asylums Board (MAB).
Smallpox was rife in London in the 1800’s. Swift action was needed but medical care for ordinary people was non-existent and compulsory vaccination was not in force until 1902. Florence Nightingale was prominent in lobbying for specialist hospitals which could provide the strict isolation and cleanliness required.
As no suitable building was available, three ships were purchased by MAB. Patients were first examined at Blackwall or Rotherhithe before being taken by one of four Paddle steamer ambulance ships to the hospital ships, moored in The Thames at Long Reach. The talented Doctor Rickett, as well as treating the sick, used his photographic skills to produce photographs of the ward interiors and also designed horse drawn trams which transported the sick from the River to the admissions ward. All visitors and trades people had to be vaccinated and sign a log book which is now in the archives.
Long Reach, Orchard and Joyce Green hospitals were built to replace the ships. The hospitals were self-sufficient and we saw photographs of the farm, bath houses, laundry, kitchens and sewing room. During World War 1 Long Reach and Joyce Green became an Australian military hospital. Later other contagious illnesses such as polio, diphtheria and scarlet fever were treated in special isolation units. Not every patient recovered of course. Resting places for 6000 to 9000 smallpox victims, buried six to ten deep, are at Darenth and also in an area known as the Enchanted Woodland
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser
The strong smell of carbolic soap. Uniforms so stiff with starch they could stand up on their own. Polished floors and lines of neat beds. The moored hospital ships surrounded by water. A few impressions from a very informative talk on Joyce Green and The River Hospitals presented to Swanley History Group by Francine Payne at our May meeting.
Although these hospitals were known by many in the audience, few knew of the fascinating history which Francine uncovered when, following the closure of Joyce Green Hospital in 2000, she took on the role of archiving and cataloguing the many records for The Metropolitan Asylums Board (MAB).
Smallpox was rife in London in the 1800’s. Swift action was needed but medical care for ordinary people was non-existent and compulsory vaccination was not in force until 1902. Florence Nightingale was prominent in lobbying for specialist hospitals which could provide the strict isolation and cleanliness required.
As no suitable building was available, three ships were purchased by MAB. Patients were first examined at Blackwall or Rotherhithe before being taken by one of four Paddle steamer ambulance ships to the hospital ships, moored in The Thames at Long Reach. The talented Doctor Rickett, as well as treating the sick, used his photographic skills to produce photographs of the ward interiors and also designed horse drawn trams which transported the sick from the River to the admissions ward. All visitors and trades people had to be vaccinated and sign a log book which is now in the archives.
Long Reach, Orchard and Joyce Green hospitals were built to replace the ships. The hospitals were self-sufficient and we saw photographs of the farm, bath houses, laundry, kitchens and sewing room. During World War 1 Long Reach and Joyce Green became an Australian military hospital. Later other contagious illnesses such as polio, diphtheria and scarlet fever were treated in special isolation units. Not every patient recovered of course. Resting places for 6000 to 9000 smallpox victims, buried six to ten deep, are at Darenth and also in an area known as the Enchanted Woodland
Christina Tyler, Programme Organiser