Phthisis in Herts villages

[behindthefrogs]

Milk from turberculin tested accredited herds only became common in the 1930s.

David

[Rick]

TB was a great problem in England well into the 20th Century until the advent of mass immunization and antibiotics.  The pulmonary TB infection is usually spread by droplets in the air from infected individuals.  Whilst it was more common in urban areas because of the density of the population rural dwellers were also at risk. 

For example, folk went from villages to markets in nearby towns.  Goods were brought from the towns into villages. The villagers would congregate in the church on Sundays and the clergy and their wives and daughters would visit the sick in the parish.  All these normal everyday movements and events could help with the spread of the disease.  Drinking unpasteurized milk may also have increased the risk of developing the disease.

Today folk are tested before being given the BCG vaccine to see if they have any antibodies against the disease – many do because they have come into contact with an infected person and their body’s defences have sprung into action to give them immunity.  Those who do not develop this immunity run the risk of contracting the disease and so are given the BCG immunization.  Historically it would be safe to assume that a similar situation was present and some individuals would develop immunity and others less fortunate would develop the disease because immunization was not available.

Rick

[Aunt Sally]

Thanks to all for all these interesting replies! 
Fascinating stuff!

Aunt Sally

[Lady Di]

Two children of my 3 x great G'parents died in Buntingford in the mid 1850's. The first was only 6 mths old - cause of death was Bronchitis. The second was in 1852, a girl aged 7 who died from "Medanteric Disease" which I believe is related to TB and the consumption of "fresh" milk.

I believe this was one of the reasons why the family immigrated to Australia. Sadly 4 of their other children died in Oz of the same disease - albeit when they were in their 20's. 

Di

[Aunt Sally]

Hello Lady Di,

my ancestors lived and died in Great Hormead, just two miles away from Buntingford.

Aunt Sally

[Lady Di]

Hi Aunt Sally,

I also have ancestors from the Hormeads. My 7 xgreat g'father was the Vicar of Little and Great Hormead in the mid 1700's. He may have married/buried/baptised some of your folk  .

Di

[benzon]

I too have ancestors from Great Hormead.  Can see a listing for Herts among your names.  What was the surname?  Wouldn't be Lawrence by any chance, would it ??

[portquin]

  Hello, I have just read your first enquiry and the resulting posts.  Phthisis could also be caused by dust and particles, miners suffered from it.  My great great grandfather died of this in 1855 in London.  He was 48 and suffered for two years.  He was a painter and glazier all his working life so the chemicals in paint and glass particles and the general dust may well have contributed to his  illness and death.

[Aunt Sally]

Hello Portquin,

That´s useful info to know. Hope you´ll enjoy rootschat.

Best wishes,

Aunt Sally