Rotherham’s workhouse hospital (later Known as Moorgate Hospital) had been treating tuberculosis cases for a number of years but some patients needed specialised help. The Board of Guardians had paid for some twenty of these specialised cases to go to Deanhead near Leeds for open air treatment. The cost of this proved to be so expensive that the Guardians formed a committee to inquire into the matter. In 1909 alone 13 males and 2 females were sent to various sanatoriums in England for open air treatment at a cost of £572,18s, 7d. for the Guardians. The committee advised the Guardians that they should maintain a sanatorium of their own. Various sites were visited and the one selected was to stand in the grounds of Badsley Moor Lane Hospital. Negotiations took place between the Rotherham Board of Guardians and representatives of the Rotherham Corporation, to talk about adapting a building on the grounds, for the use of treatment of Tuberculosis. Dr. Robinson was one of the many officials who attended the meeting. All the Guardians agreed that they should purchase a building for the cost not exceeding £375, subject to the approval of the local Government Board. The renting of land was agreed at a cost of £18 8s per annum. Although the building was on the site at Badsley Moor Lane, patients would be under the care of the Board. Chronic cases would be treated indoors at the Workhouse Hospital on Alma Road. Guardians felt, after the meeting they had achieved a sound business plan for the coming year.
By January 1910 the shelter was opened for 12 male patients, a shelter for women had also been considered however this was not provided until much later at Kimberworth Sanatorium. The open air shelter was a strange construction for a hospital, as one side of the ward was uncovered. This allowed the patients to have plenty of fresh air, which was part of their treatment. The estimated capital cost of the structure and equipment was £150. The shelter slept up to 12 males, and was provided with lavatories and water closets so it was placed away from the main isolation wards, so no extra risk of infection could occur. The Guardians soon became delighted with the low running cost of the shelter. The cost per patient per week had also been as low as 15s, these also included capital charges, maintenance, medical attendance, and any miscellaneous expenses. The cooking and nursing staff were supplied from the administration block of the Isolation Hospital, and therefore entailed no extra cost for the Guardians. The Corporation were to bear all charges in respect of the maintenance and treatment of patients, except as agreed, those who had been sent by the Guardians, under the Poor Law for these patients the Corporation charged £2 per week per patient.
The main treatment then being quiet and rest, so games that would increase the body temperature or excitement were avoided. The men were not allowed to join in any sing-a-longs because of the strain on their voices. They could only smoke if they were given special permission from the doctor. Tuberculosis is a disease that may affect almost every part of the body, but most frequently the lungs. It is caused by a germ called Tubercle Bacillus which was discovered by Robert Koch, a famous German bacteriologist who was born in 1843 and died the year that the shelter opened in 1910. The main treatment of the time of tuberculosis was rest, plenty of fresh air regardless of the weather, and good wholesome food. Patients who suffered from T. B. had the common persistent cough that was often more severe in the morning. When patients become seriously ill the patient will try and cough as little as possible on account of the pain the cough will cause. Every case of tuberculosis had to be reported to Dr. Robinson, the medical officer so he could keep in contact with the patients. Now someone with tuberculosis has many x-rays taken, but in 1910 this was not a common practice and an x-ray machine did not come to Badsley Moor Lane Hospital until much later. Tuberculosis was a difficult disease to cure for many working class men. As they returned home they would often return to the conditions that helped the disease to progress in the first place. The average stay for the men in the shelter was 86 days.
This was a normal diet for a T.B. patient, 6:30 a.m. 1 pint milk. 8:45 a.m. Porridge, Bacon, Butter and Jam and 1 pint tea. 11.00 am 1 pint milk 12:45 p.m. Roast beef and vegetables followed with a milk pudding and ½-pint milk. 3:00 p.m. 1 pint milk. 5:30 p.m. 1 pint tea, butter and jam or an egg. 8:00 p.m. 1 pint milk and bread. Other meats like pork and lamb were also served and a choice of cake or an egg was on the menu three times weekly.
The open air shelter, once thought a revolutionary treatment was showing poor results. Patients were not getting better any quicker, and at times were even taking longer. When Oakwood Hall was re-opened in October 1921, there was now no need to keep the open air shelter open, so it closed on the 14th January 1922, when the last patient was moved to the new tuberculosis hospital. The structure was moved to Kimberworth Sanatorium were it continued to be used for many years to nurse very ill patients.
© Neil and Janet Croft 2005