Cheltenham women and provincial medical care in the early nineteenth century.

The focus of the history of Cheltenham has been primarily upon the rich, while little recognition given to the suffering poor. Both categories co-existed and the former were often there to help the latter. In the early nineteenth century there was the initiation of a range of charitable institutions and domiciliary care in which the rich played a prominent role, most giving generously of their time and money. This paper highlights some of the women associated with the fledgling institutions, those who played a quasi-medical role, during the period in which the medical profession slowly gained recognition.