Warneford in Context 1840-1900
Unlike the era preceding it, the period between 1840 and 1900 may not have seen a change in monarch (Queen Victoria would stay on the throne until 1901), but change came in almost every other possible way, for both the Warneford and the country. Technology and industry saw the most notable changes, with their innovations radiating change into the medical, social, and military sphere. Nevertheless, the stalwart that was the British class system held true, something which can be found in the archives of the Warneford hospital as well.
This period saw widespread support for British imperial policies and the military. In the 1860s and 70s, the Cardwell reforms introduced the need for those in command to be qualified to lead armies, rather than simply buying their rank with inherited wealth. Whilst this may seem an obvious requirement for a leadership position today, the rigid hierarchies of the then British class system created an assumption in the inherent superiority of the upper classes. This belief can be seen reflected in the Warneford’s archives, as only those deemed ‘of good character, and sober habits’ by the local upper classes were deemed fit for treatment at the hospital. In the admissions records of 1843, the people ‘recommending’ each patient were recorded, with those deemed eligible to make character recommendations including ‘the warden and fellows of New College’, and ‘the Mayor of Oxford’. Class was not a concept that was broadly questioned at the time, and was embedded deep within the Warneford hospital’s system. There were three types of patient accommodation according to social class, and all patient records denoted whether an individual was an ‘inferior’ or ‘superior’ patient, based on their social class.
Class was not a concept that was broadly questioned at the time, and was embedded deep within the Warneford hospital’s system.
During this period, the industrial revolution was in full swing, mills and factories were hubs of hard work for little pay and welfare provision, despite many attempts at reform laws in parliament. In Oxfordshire, Witney became a town known for its significant role in the blanket making industry, with wool woven into blankets that were transported across the Empire for much of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. One of the town’s mills caught fire in January 1883, and the best efforts of the townspeople could not save the expensive spinning equipment in the building. This impacted the residents’ livelihoods for the 7 years it took to rebuild the factory.
With this radical shift in pace of life came a curious new condition: ‘General Paralysis of the Insane’. The illness was often attributed to hysteria and involved paralysis with no then known cause. Contemporary commentators were inclined to blame this affliction on laziness or malingering, but it was actually a symptom of late-stage syphilis.
Social change was also a significant factor in the Warneford’s development at this time. The technological boom that came out of the industrial revolution produced new inventions on an unprecedented scale. In 1844, Oxford got its first railway line, operated by Isambard Kingdom-Brunel’s GWR (Great Western Railway) company. The impact of the increase in new technologies can be seen in the Warneford archive, with the content of patients’ worries and fixations being influenced by fears surrounding newfangled inventions, like electric lighting and telephones. In 1895, Alice Druce was certified as requiring treatment in the Warneford after describing ‘a dread of an imaginary night visitor which is supposed to be connecting her by telephone’ and being ‘much troubled by flashes of electric light being driven into her room’.
With technological change also came medical discovery. In the 1880s, the scientist Robert Koch proved that microbes caused most disease. This was a departure from ‘miasma theory’ that postulated that “bad air” was to blame for diseases like diphtheria. A significant part of the Warneford’s treatment model revolved around the gardens in this period. ‘During the day, a wide range of amusements and activities were provided for the patients… once convalescent, the patients were expected to take exercise and relaxation… in the grounds.’ This was partly because of the prevalent belief that ‘good air’ could aid the recovery of several illnesses, including mental health problems; the converse of miasma theory.
‘During the day, a wide range of amusements and activities were provided for the patients…‘
These medical developments would have influenced the Radcliffe Infirmary to the north of the city. The services the hospital provided underwent significant expansion in this period, the most notable example of this being the Oxford Eye Hospital, which opened on the site in 1886. However, the infirmary was only the epicentre of health improvement in the area. There was a growing awareness of the importance of sanitation and other public health measures in cities. The landslide victory of the Conservative party in the 1874 general election is often credited to their emphasis on the need for “sanitary reform”. Although this term’s precise definition was hotly disputed, Benjamin Disraeli’s party had correctly identified the desire of the electorate for healthier conditions in their homes, workplaces, and across their communities. This resulted in an increased focus on the containment of infectious diseases, with the 1853 Vaccination Act introducing compulsory inoculation against smallpox for infants.
In Oxford’s urban centre, 1868 was the first year that students at the University were allowed to ‘live out’. Many Oxford residents were affected as a result of this, as rent prices were driven up by the comparatively affluent students living outside of their colleges. Just like today, housing concerns would have been key contributors to some of the psychiatric breakdowns detailed in the Warneford’s admissions records. Whilst the world of 19th century Oxfordshire may seem very different to the county we know today, further investigation shows that some things have stayed the same.
Overall, the 60 years between 1840 and 1900 were a busy time for the Warneford. The hospital grounds continued to expand until 1925. However, despite the social and industrial upheaval taking place in the world around it, the hospital continued to be a refuge for the ‘middle and professional classes’ to seek treatment and support for their mental health.
