St. Luke's Hospital - El Paso, Texas

St. Luke's Hospital - El Paso, Texas

The image shows the St. Luke's Hospital in the 1900s. It was one of the first hospitals in town which treated tuberculosis patients. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, tuberculosis spread rapidly in the United States. Throughout most of the 19th century, pulmonary tuberculosis was thought to be a hereditary disease aggravated by humid air, damp soil, lack of exercise, inadequate diet, and overcrowded and poorly ventilated housing. However, in 1882, German physician Robert Koch described the rod-shaped organism called the tubercle bacillus that causes tuberculosis. The microscopic bacteria were impossible to destroy unless exposed to heat or light. Since most infections came from people with pulmonary TB, such people needed to be isolated to check the spread of the disease. The Southwest, including El Paso, was considered ideal for the treatment of TB because of its dry, warm climate. It attracted TB patients from all over the country. The completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1881 encouraged tuberculars to come west. Early care of TB patients consisted of sitting in parks to absorb the sun and convalescence in private homes. This method was ineffective and many people died. The migration of infected persons in search of a climatic cure created a major public health problem for sections of the Southwest from the late 1890s through the 1920s. During this period, many sanatoriums and hospitals opened to treat tuberculars and this deadly disease helped establish El Paso as a health center. Dr. J. Shelton Hoseley opened St. Luke's Hospital at 199 Missouri Street in El Paso, Texas in 1900. He sold it to Dr. Charles B. Hanson in 1903 and then founded another large hospital treating mainly TB patients.

Área: Central / Downtown

Fuente: El Paso County Medical Society

Cargado por: El Paso Museum of History

Comentarios

Hacer un comentario
Gracias por su comentario

Reportar esta entrada

Elige la razón más importante para este reporte

Tu nombre

Tu correo electrónico

Detalle opcional

Gracias por su reporte

Más sobre la misma comunidad-colección

Memories w/ friends

A few friends enjoy each others company and the view of El ...

My family and me during the 2016 Christmas event

This is a picture of my family and me during the 2016 Christmas ...

El Paso Star

This picture represents El Paso and everyone who lives here. It ...

El Paso Star

The El Paso Star overlooking downtown with the sunset in the ...

Overview of El Paso

Overview of Downtown El Paso

Our roots

Teaching my daughter about her Mexican heritage.

Podium Finish

The Podium created by Jo Ann Underwood. By a passion of ...

Cristina Fernandez se une a Podium Finish

Cristina Fernandez joins PodiumFinish Sport Boutique on her ...

My friends and I enjoying Chalk the Block

Chalk the Block was a beautiful experience, especially with my ...

John B. Tays Mariscal de la Ciudadu

John B. Tays a former Texas Ranger (Salt War fame), served as El ...

Kress Store, El Paso, TX, circa 1945

This is an old photo of the Kress store between the 1940-1949's.

Baseball Snack the El Paso Way!

A night at the Ballpark celebrated with a unique El Paso flair!

Plaza San Jacinto

Historic San Jacinto Plaza located in the heart of downtown El ...

Plaza SAN Jacinto

Historic San Jacinto Plaza located in the heart of downtown El ...

Plaza San Jacinto

Historic San Jacinto Plaza located in the heart of downtown El ...

Plaza San Jacinto

Historic San Jacinto Plaza located in the heart of downtown El ...

Plaza San Jacinto

Historic San Jacinto Plaza located in the heart of downtown El ...

Centro

Kids looking for places to skate and shoot video

BICI

KIDS RENTED BIKES AND RIDING AROUND TOWN

1st visit

Our first visit to the El Paso Digital wall

EPHP Towntalk Sports El Paso High school football media guide

The cover for the El Paso HeraldPost Towntalk Sports El Paso , ...

August 3rd Community Memorial Service

The City of El Paso is hosted a Community Memorial Service to ...

August 3rd Community Memorial Service

The City of El Paso is hosted a Community Memorial Service to ...

home.search_collection