Everything Is Tuberculosis: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

While infected coughs and spit were known to spread TB, it was also thought that things like library books, dust, and flies could be contaminated with TB and spread the disease to humans. Many of these manners of contamination are either untrue or insignificant, but society made great efforts to protect against them, showing just how fearful people were of catching the virus. The development of germ theory once again changed fashion etiquette, with beards and certain hemlines being thought to harbor germs. “Moral hygiene” was also thought to be important in preventing and recovering from TB.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, when anti-TB medication had yet to be invented, travel was often recommended; determining where to travel, however, depended on physicians and culture. This concept of providing TB patients with a designated place to heal developed into the sanatorium, a designated facility to provide care for TB patients and limit the spread of the disease. Santitoria generally believed that fresh air and rest would provide hope for patients, a vital element of TB treatment at the time, so patients were often forced into being immobile and docile to foster such hope. Though patients found ways to entertain themselves, they were often isolated and dehumanized and additionally told that if they didn’t obey, they would die. Many of these patients were children who were ruthlessly punished for expressing any discomfort or upset. These facilities prioritized control over care, dehumanizing and stigmatizing TB patients in the process.