South Yorkshire Times, April 28, 1939
Miners have one or two occupational curses. Rheumatism is one of them; perhaps the most general and stubborn. Many collieries have to leave the pit for weight many more have to go on working in a condition of pain or great discomfort. You always know them: they are the men who tell you what the weather is doing to their “cruise” or else assure you that tomorrow will be fine “because of my knee.”
Good news.
There is good news for such men. Not news of a certain cure, but news that relief and palliation are definitely possible. Mr H. Steer, of Berman Road, Wath, can tell the facts better than anybody else. I saw him at Manvers Main Pit head baths yesterday.
“18 months ago,” he said, “I was walking about on two sticks. Rheumatoi arthritis. Gradually my limbs were setting. I weighted just over 9 stones. Some time ago members sent me to Edinburgh for the purpose of trying and aero town therapeutic bath recently invented. I had to pass. And although I knew they were improving me I felt pain after them. Anyway I decided to go on with the treatment. Manvers sent me for another week’s trial and in eight days I had seven baths. Then I felt the benefit. I was a new man. Look at me now.”
I looked. Mr. Steer is not far short of 6 feet and today he can trip up and down steps with the best. Only an occasional twinge disdains him. “I want to let others know about these baths,” he said. Incidentally, since the treatment his weight has gone up to well over 12 stones.
Personal inspection.
With these words in mind I accompanied Coun D. O. Shaw for an inspection of the bath, to which reference has been made several times previously in our columns. To delay I it is a perforated tub sunk into the floor. There is a small ladder leading into it and a metal, perforated seat. Though the perforations the water is charged, at a terrific pressure, with air and simultaneously there is a natural massaging effect over the whole body. “Six masseurs cannot do the job as well as his bath,” said Mr Steer. The whole apparatus is spick-and-span. And neatness and polish is added by the Firth Vickers “stay bright” deal which has been used in the construction, My inspection was made at the same time as that of the managers of the cannop coal company, Coleford. Gloucester. He is chairman of his own pit baths committee and he told me that rheumatism is such an intolerable evil that he is anxious to experiment with their ever town therapeutic bath in his own district. “We pay £250 a year for the services of a masseur,” he said, “and it looks to me as though this would do the work better.”
He ought to know. He had a bath himself. He told me it was most invigorating and he thoroughly confirmed Mr Steer’s opinion that the total effect was superior to 6 massuers. “I can see that these baths bring definite relief,” he went on, “and they will be a boon to collieries.”
In use all day
This week. In the early days of the installation, the path has been in use from 9 AM to 5 PM each day. Each patient is given half an hour, two bath subscribers the service is free, but a doctor’s certificate must be produced.
The management of Manvers Main are anxious to pass on the benefits of the treatment to outside sufferers. Arrangements are being made for employees wives and families to be treated during the weekends. And the staff (non-subscribers to the baths) will have the service at 2s. A bathe. Sufferers not associated with members can be treated at 5s. A bathe. Providing there is no limitation thereby of the treatment of workmen.
Not only has the Manvers apparatus attracted the interest of other colliery managements – it is the first industrial installation in the country – but local doctors are taking a keen interest in it and some are already recommending their patients to try the treatment.
It would seem that the apparatus will soon be introduced into pits throughout the country. Once more, members are leading the way.