Wow! I just saw the note, that's amazing! The link I put in the piece takes you to photos of the disused hospital which is what you must have visited. You are having quite the serendipitous week indeed! (I saw the earlier note about the persimmon tree).
Yeah, I might have old photos from a crappy early digital camera, but it's definitely the same place. What I remember about it is that everything was sort of kept in tact. There was music still on the piano, some plates left on tables. It was definitely eerie in the best way possible.
Really interesting synopsis. I know nothing of this history and feel ignorant about it. My wife, who is from Peru, has much more experience with TB as it is still rampant in that country. She told me that racism exists there as well in the hospitals with the whiter Peruvians who are often of Spanish descent living in the wealthier areas and having access to more resources, while the darker Peruvians who tend to be of native descent (as is my wife), are often relegated to the poor houses. This goes for workers as well as patients.
Thank you, Matthew. I was totally ignorant also! I do remember being told that my grandfather and his siblings suffered with TB as young children and I believe he was the only one to survive it. These stories seem so distant that you don't always realise the full horror of their impact. I was shocked to realise that it was still affecting people in every country worldwide. Thank you for sharing your wife's experience.
Wow your newsletter always introduces me to new people - and these women sound incredible. It’s great to see marginalised voices coming to the forefront as we discover their stories :)
Fascinating! Thank you for sharing this aspect of medical history unknown to the masses (me) for so long. I wonder the extent to which the nurses themselves contracted TB and died. Who took care of them when that happened?
The degree of how much Black people endured to benefit everyone in the world is incalculable.
Absolutely, David...I was sickened reading the accounts of racism amidst such important work 😞 it really was shameful.
What incredible women! Thank you for highlighting their story here, Kate.
Weren't they? Glad you enjoyed reading 📚
Kate, I have been to this hospital! Just posted a note about it.
Wow! I just saw the note, that's amazing! The link I put in the piece takes you to photos of the disused hospital which is what you must have visited. You are having quite the serendipitous week indeed! (I saw the earlier note about the persimmon tree).
Yeah, I might have old photos from a crappy early digital camera, but it's definitely the same place. What I remember about it is that everything was sort of kept in tact. There was music still on the piano, some plates left on tables. It was definitely eerie in the best way possible.
Ooh, wow, that is eerie...
Thank you for sharing this!
You're welcome! 😀
Really interesting synopsis. I know nothing of this history and feel ignorant about it. My wife, who is from Peru, has much more experience with TB as it is still rampant in that country. She told me that racism exists there as well in the hospitals with the whiter Peruvians who are often of Spanish descent living in the wealthier areas and having access to more resources, while the darker Peruvians who tend to be of native descent (as is my wife), are often relegated to the poor houses. This goes for workers as well as patients.
Thank you, Matthew. I was totally ignorant also! I do remember being told that my grandfather and his siblings suffered with TB as young children and I believe he was the only one to survive it. These stories seem so distant that you don't always realise the full horror of their impact. I was shocked to realise that it was still affecting people in every country worldwide. Thank you for sharing your wife's experience.
Wow your newsletter always introduces me to new people - and these women sound incredible. It’s great to see marginalised voices coming to the forefront as we discover their stories :)
Oh, thank you! 😊 They were so humbling, and the book really brought home the realities of TB and the conditions for patients.
What important work. Thank you so much for sharing about it here!
Thank you, Haley! I know...I felt so humbled when reading about their experiences, as well as gratitude for the medical advances we now have.
Fascinating! Thank you for sharing this aspect of medical history unknown to the masses (me) for so long. I wonder the extent to which the nurses themselves contracted TB and died. Who took care of them when that happened?
Thanks Emily, I too was ignorant to this history. The book does a great job in bringing it to the masses.