[6] Barter became interested in the use of hydropathy having seen its use during the cholera epidemic of 1832, and subsequently opened St Ann(e)'s Hydropathic Establishment in Blarney, County Cork in 1844.
[7] He drew on the work of David Urquhart and later asked him to supervise the construction of what became the first Victorian Turkish bath in Great Britain and Ireland, the foundation of which was laid on 7 June 1856 at Blarney.
[8] Barter later adapted the design to incorporate a hot-air vapourless system which was based on Roman baths rather than Turkish.
[10] He also travelled extensively lecturing on his patented bath system, which he claimed prevented and cured disease.
He also edited chapters from Urquhart's The Pillars of Hercules under the title The Turkish bath, with a view to its introduction into the British dominions.