Collection

Cast iron hospital bed

Made:
1851-1900 in England
Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. Full 3/4 view, graduated grey background. Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at
Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. Full 3/4 view, graduated grey background. Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. Full 3/4 view, graduated grey background.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English. This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Hospital bed, second half 19th century, English

This simple bed is probably typical of the type found in hospitals at the time. Short and low-standing, it would have been difficult for an elderly or very ill patient to get out of this bed as it is not adjustable in height. Made of cast iron and without springs, the bed would probably seem uncomfortable to the modern user, especially if the mattress was thin as the cast iron bars would dig into the back and sides. However, compared to the beds Victorian patients may have been used to at home, this may have been an improvement!

Details

Category:
Nursing & Hospital Furnishings
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A602003
Materials:
feet, lead and whole, iron (cast)
type:
hospital bed
taxonomy:
  • furnishing and equipment
  • furnishing - artefact
  • furniture
  • bed - furniture
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust

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