![]() Clinging to human droplets thrown into the air, the advantageous bacteria bounced from one happy host to another, laying dormant in most people’s lungs, while ravaging the life force out of the weak and unwell, leaving them pale, wasted away and dying slowly. Tuberculosis (TB) was Australia’s leading cause of death by the 20th Century and poor urban settings were its preferred playground overcrowded living conditions were, and still are, an ideal backdrop for the contagion to spread. Tuberculosis was Australia's leading cause of death ![]() Patients on the verandah in the fresh air at Hamilton Base Hospital c1930s PROV VPRS 10516-P3-Box 12 ![]() It was 1872 and Consumption Tuberculosis (TB), also called the white plague, was robbing the world of its youth, and in Emma’s case, a ruptured blood vessel of the lung made hers a memorable departure. Emma died moments later while her brother wiped her face with water and a neighbour gently cradled her away. By then blood was dribbling from her nose and she whispered for water, Edward ran to get help nearby, but looking back he saw Emma cry out, clasping her hands together against her face as blood now covered her mouth and dress, she fell down sideways onto the road. Edward jumped off his horse and pulled them both over to the fence so he could help Emma dismount, before seating her gently on the ground. She tried desperately to stifle it, pushing a handkerchief into her mouth not to draw attention to herself, but it did little. Please note the proceeding text describes records related to illness and death and may be upsetting for some readers.Įmma Williams and her brother Edward were riding their horses back from Sale, regional Victoria, cantering along Maffra Road outside the Turf Hotel, when Emma was hit by another coughing fit.
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