TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUMS IN THE UNITED STATES

Volunteer Liz Robinson shares some history

In the early 19th century tuberculosis killed more people in the Boston area than any other disease. Once it was proven to be contagious, victims were treated as outcasts and sent to TB hospitals to die. Thus began the sanatorium movement.
Bancroft Male Tubercular Hospital, Tewksbury State Infirmary
Penikese Island Leprosarium and the Real Story of Hansen's Disease
 
From November, 1905 to March, 1921 Massachusetts administered a hospital for people with Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) on the barren 74-acre island of Penikese in Buzzards Bay, midway between Martha’s Vineyard and New Bedford. During those 16 years, the hospital cared for 36 patients at great expense. For these unfortunate souls, the hospital was also a prison from which none would be discharged.

Join our distinguished panelists; José Ramirez, Jr., LCSW-S, David Scollard, MD, PhD and journalist Ken Hartnett as they discuss their personal and professional connections with this misunderstood disease as we recognize the centennial of the closure of Penikese Island leprosarium.

The Virtual Public Health Book Club

Carville's Cure; Leprosy, Stigma, and the Fight for Justice

We continue the discussion about Hansen's disease in our November book club. Join in or just listen to the discussion about Pam Fessler's book examining Hansen's Disease, formerly called leprosy, and the exile of patients to the only colony of its kind in rural Mississippi.

Dr. Julia Benedetti, Director of the the New England Hansen's Disease Clinic will join Dr. Louis Fazen, Dr. Al DeMaria, Kathy Hursen and others to offer clinical perspective and history of the disease.

"America's first public health museum"