The Victorian Hospital

by Lavinia Mitton

During the 1830s British hospitals were a far cry from the standard of healthcare we expect today. With a lack of institutions to cater for the seriously ill, those who did receive treatment would not necessarily benefit from being hospitalized, as the care available was hardly an improvement on being nursed at home. The Victorian period saw a vast growth in the number of hospitals in Britain and these infirmaries became increasingly involved with the education of health care and medical professions. Yet despite the growing role of hospitals, there were wide variations in the quality of medical services available. This book charts the changes that took place in the Victorian era and explores the different types of hospitals that were available, from the celebrated specialist institutions served by famous surgeons to the appalling workhouse infirmaries where the patients were looked after by untrained pauper nurses. Illustrated with black and white drawings and photographs of the buildings, beds, waiting rooms and even ambulances that served the Victorian people, this book is a fascinating insight into the different healthcare available to the rich and the poor, and the advances in surgery and nursing that closed the gap between the 1830s hospital and the establishments that we are familiar with today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Victorian

Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, interesting history of hospitals in Great Britain especially in the Victorian period when hospitals went from places to die to places to get well. It does make you appreciate today's medical care!

[Don Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting information, simply laid out

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Social history meets medical history in Lavinia Mitton’s The Victorian Hospital. What tremendous advances that the health care industry has experienced in 200 short years! This book gives a general overview of Victorian hospital practices, and is filled with a variety of interesting information. In the early 1800s, British hospitals were staffed by volunteer doctors. Instead of having specialty hospital departments, specialist hospitals were created to target specific diseases and body parts, including fevers and eye health. This glossy slim book is filled with photographs of Victorian medical ads and other hospital-related images, and is a great read for any history buffs.




Mitton, Lavinia. (2008). The Victorian Hospital. Oxford: Shire Books.




My Notes




I picked this book up for a variety of reasons. First: I am a history buff. Also, before I decided to become a librarian, I had briefly thought about studying medicine. Finally, I visited the Florence Nightingale Museum in London this summer, and when I saw that there was a section in the book dedicated to nursing, I knew I had to give it a look!

[Starfish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward overview of what hospitals were during the 18th and 19th centuries, more focused on the design and the buildings themselves than what went on within them, but useful nonetheless. I thought the fact that the author has included a list of hospitals and museums you can visit at the back was brilliant. My only complaint is that it was far too short!

[McGooglykins · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book that would be primarily useful to school aged children, for help with assignments. However it was too sparse and too basic to be of much use to anyone who already holds even a basic knowledge of the Victorian hospital system or the history of medicine and nursing.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly enjoyable and informative.