Morning, noon and night
Three random things I learned, or remembered, todayArchive for September 17, 2007
Smallpox
NIGHT
LAST DEATH FROM SMALLPOX
This was a tragedy.
And another 9/11 date.
On 11 September 1978 Janet Parker died from Variola Major (severe form of smallpox). She was exposed to the virus as a result of a laboratory accident in the University of Birmingham Medical School, UK.
She did not work in the laboratory, but was a medical photographer and worked in a darkroom above a laboratory where research with live smallpox vaccine was being carried out. It was thought she was infected because the virus spread in air currents from service ducts from the microbiology department below.
Her mother also contracted the illness but survived. There were no other victims from the disease although Professor Henry Bedson who was in charge of the microbiology laboratory later committed suicide.
He left the following note:
“I am sorry to have misplaced the trust which so many of my friends and colleagues have placed in me and my work.”
1920’s headache remedies
NOON
This was the first aid treatment for headache in the 1920’s.
“There are many remedies for this. Try going out into the fresh air or take a cup of tea. Half a teaspoonful of sal volatile in water often helps and so does a mustard plaster placed on the nape of the neck. A cold application is also good and aspirin usually brings relief.”
Taken from “The Modern Housewife’s Book” (1920’s)
Cats and infection control
MORNING
Unfortunately, one of the theories believed at the time was that The Black Death was being spread by cats.
Thousands of cats were put down as a consequence.
But it was rats that were spreading plague. The households that kept their cats were less affected.
