This unusual type of vapour bath1 was once used at the Devonshire Royal Hospital, Buxton, one of several hydropathic hospitals which were once to be found in England.

Unlike most vapour baths, the patient in this one appears to be standing rather than sitting. The bath also differs in the means used to fill the cabinet with vapour.

Normally, a heater would remain outside the cabinet with a funnel allowing the vapour to pass into the cabinet. In this bath, hot pipes passed through the cabinet, over which cold water was sprayed forming the necessary vapour.