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Infection and citizenship: (not) visiting isolation hospitals in mid-Victorian Britain
1Institute of the History of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, USA.
Abstract:
Local authority provision for the sequestration of infectious people mushroomed in Great Britain from the mid-1860s. By the First World War, more than 750 isolation hospitals contained almost 32,000 beds for infectious patients, most of whom were children. Trips to an isolation hospital were problematic because visitors might contract infection there and spread it to the wider community. Various strategies sought to minimise this risk or eliminate it altogether. This chapter argues that the management of isolation hospital visitors was typical of Victorian public health's tendency to regulate people's behaviour. By granting rights to, and conferring responsibilities on, the relatives of patients, visiting practices enshrined notions of citizenship that sought to govern 'through' the family.
Insights
Victorian isolation hospitals managed visitors to prevent infectious disease spread. Practices regulated family behavior, reflecting public health
Area of Science:
- History of Medicine
- Public Health Policy
- Social History
Background:
- The late 19th century saw a significant increase in isolation hospitals in Great Britain.
- These facilities primarily housed children with infectious diseases.
- Managing visitors was crucial to prevent further disease transmission.
Observation:
- Visiting isolation hospitals posed a risk of infection transmission to visitors and the community.
- Strategies were developed to minimize or eliminate these risks.
- The regulation of visitor behavior was a key aspect of hospital management.
Findings:
- Isolation hospital visitor management exemplified Victorian public health's control over individual behavior.
- Visiting policies granted rights and responsibilities to patients' relatives.
- These practices integrated family roles into public health governance.
Implications:
- Visitor management in isolation hospitals shaped public health interventions.
- The study highlights the role of the family in implementing health policies.
- This approach to governance influenced societal norms regarding health and citizenship.
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