Dr. William Oliver (1695 – 1764)

Dr William Oliver, already an eminent physician in Bath, was the moving spirit behind the founding of the Royal Mineral Water Hospital in 1738, now the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and a centre of excellence for rheumatology, chronic pain and many other services.  Oliver publicised its treatments and wrote several papers on the efficacy of the spa water, whose legendary healing powers had first been discovered by Prince Bladud and his fortunate pigs.  People flocked to “try the waters” then, and today we are still enjoying them at the Thermae Bath Spa

 

Panel sponsored by Thermae Bath Spa.