TUBERCULOSIS

TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis was the dominant chronic infectious disease of the first half of the twentieth century. Caused by a slow-growing bacillus, there was no effective drug treatment until the 1950s when antibiotics came into common usage. Thus, with exposure of nearly every person alive, most developed a primary infection which healed spontaneously, usually without symptoms. However, many primary infections, over a period of months to years, slowly progressed to secondary tuberculosis which often led to relentless, slowly evolving lung destruction. With sparing use of chest x-rays early in the twentieth century, primary tuberculosis was rarely diagnosed and secondary tuberculosis was readily diagnosed by a simple chest x-ray only after symptoms of cough, bloody sputum, fever, and weight loss.

TB IN KETTLESTONE

In his diaries the Rector writes of two young women with TB, Edith Williamson , and Effie Clarke. Effie died in 1918 aged 26 and is buried at Little Snoring. Edith died in 1928 aged 32.

16th August 1917 Rector gives a recommendation to Hunstanton Convalescent Home for Effie Clarke [24] of Alethorpe with knowledge and approval of the Rector of Little Snoring – the Clarke’s house being within the borders of that parish though they mostly attend or have attended here

24th August 1917 Private communion at Edith Williamson’s. In Hut behind father’s house. This as usual for some time

26th September 1917 Gave a recommendation for Edith Williamson [22] to go as an inpatient to Norwich hospital.

22nd April 1918 Edith Williamson – private communion. In advanced stages of consumption

DOUBLE TRAGEDY FOR BOTH FAMILIES

Edith and Effie both had brothers who were killed in France. Thomas Williamson is remembered on the Kettlestone war memorial and his details are on the web pages concerning Kettlestone soldiers. Effie's brother Willie was in the 8th battalion of the Norfolk Regiment and according to military records he was killed on 12th August 1917. He is buried at the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground [Transport Farm] Belgium [see below]