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Smallpox patient arriving at Long Reach, near Dartford
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Smallpox patient arriving at Long Reach, near Dartford
A smallpox patient arriving at Long Reach, near Dartford. Patients were transported by river ambulance from London then transferred to the hospital buildings via a tram. Date: circa 1900
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Media ID 14352368
© Peter Higginbotham /Mary Evans Picture Library
Ambulance Arriving Dartford Patient Patients Reach Smallpox Transferred Transported Tram
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, a smallpox patient is seen disembarking from a river ambulance as they arrive at Long Reach, near Dartford, circa 1900. Smallpox was a highly contagious and often fatal disease, and during this time, those diagnosed with the condition were isolated and transported to specialized hospitals to prevent the spread of infection to the general population. The patient, dressed in a protective outfit and wearing a mask, is carefully assisted off the boat by medical personnel. Once on land, they will be transferred to one of the hospital buildings via a tram, which is visible in the background. The use of a river ambulance was common during this period as it allowed for the efficient transport of patients from London, where many of the hospitals were located, to the outskirts of the city where facilities like Long Reach were situated. Long Reach Hospital, which opened in 1867, was one of several smallpox hospitals in the Dartford area. The hospital was designed to accommodate up to 500 patients and featured separate wards for males and females, as well as an isolation ward for those with the most severe cases of the disease. The hospital's location near the River Thames allowed for easy access to London, making it an ideal choice for transporting patients. Despite the advances in medical care and the eventual eradication of smallpox in 1980, the image of a smallpox patient arriving at Long Reach serves as a stark reminder of the fear and isolation that those diagnosed with the disease experienced during this time. The use of protective clothing and masks, as well as the separation of patients from the general population, were necessary measures to prevent the spread of infection and protect public health.
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