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Kettering Workhouse, Northamptonshire
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Kettering Workhouse, Northamptonshire
The womens ward of a new block erected at Kettering workhouse in 1908 for the treatment of phthisis or tuberculosis of the lungs. The sides of the building could be opened to allow beds to be placed in the fresh air. Date: 1908
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Media ID 7194481
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10529948
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the Women's Ward of the new block at Kettering Workhouse in Northamptonshire, England, built in 1908. At a time when the scourge of tuberculosis, or phthisis, was a leading cause of death and disability, this innovative design was implemented to provide better care for those afflicted. The sides of the building could be opened to allow beds to be placed in the fresh air, a crucial element in the treatment of tuberculosis. The Workhouse system, established under the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601, was designed to provide relief for the impoverished and able-bodied, while also encouraging self-sufficiency and deterring idleness. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, the conditions within these institutions had come under intense scrutiny, with reports of overcrowding, inadequate food, and harsh living conditions. This new block at Kettering Workhouse represented a step towards improving the lives of those in its care, particularly for those suffering from tuberculosis. The open-air wards allowed for better ventilation and natural light, creating a more healthful environment. The women in this photograph can be seen lying on their beds, some with blankets covering them, while others appear to be engaging in activities or simply resting. Despite these improvements, the stigma and harsh realities of life within the Workhouse system remained. The women in this photograph, and the countless others who passed through its doors, were a testament to the complex and often heartbreaking realities of poverty and illness in early 20th century England.
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