MovieChat Forums > The Nun's Story (1959) Discussion > mh hospital/steam tubs

mh hospital/steam tubs

posted 10 years ago by dharvestmoon
4 replies | jump to latest

I remembered this scene vividly from watching as a little kid. Watching today. Missed the purpose of why people were placed in those steaming torture devices.

[–] bonidea 10 years ago

They weren't "steaming torture devices." The nurse who was explaining this to Sister Luke said the baths were kept "comfortably warm" and unruly, violent patients were placed in them until they relaxed and calmed down. I daresay back then this seemed like a good idea, but what happened to a patient who had to go to the bathroom?

[–] pjglynndoora 10 years ago

You wouldn't see that nowadays

[–] UKscreenwriter 10 years ago

Agreed. It's a really disturbing depiction of people with mental health issues, very much of the era I suppose.

[–] cananny 9 years ago

There was steam coming out of the first "tub"... I guess a warm bath could soothe them it soothes babies.