Dewhirsts Stonemasons of Halifax Yorkshire

[prinnyroyalz]

My ggg grandfather James and his son Benjamin were both stonemasons, they lived in Halifax. Benjamin 1839-89 died from an occupational disease Phthisis Pulmonalis from which he had suffered for about 2 years, this is a type of TB known as stonemasons disease.

[ClaireDulanty]

TB was called by many names in the past and they related to where the disease showed itself.
'Phthisis' was of the lungs and, when it caused general wasting of the body, was known as 'comsumption' or 'tabes'. 'Pulmonalis' means 'of the lungs'. 'Scrofula' or the King's Evil' (because it was thought the King's touch could cure it) was TB of the glands, especially the neck.'Lupus'(vulgaris)had swellings of the face and neck. In the bones, one of the names was 'Hip Joint Disease'. It was also called 'bronchitis', 'hectic fever', 'gastric fever' or 'inflammation of the lungs'. Death certificates have all of these as causes of death.
The disease spreads by breathing in the bacteria. Spit & other discharges from a person with TB swarm with bacteria, which, when dry, can stay active for years. Only bright sunlight kills it quickly, so in the dark, filthy factories & homes of the 19th C, it spread easily. Hence the importance of 'spitoons', the Vicorian belief that 'cleanliness is next to Godliness' and the importance of public heath and hygiene.
It can also be spread by food, particularly milk (bovine tuberculosis), though pasteurisation from late 1800s, removed the risk to people.

[prinnyroyalz]

Thanks for the info. it's good to fill in details.