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February 10, 1907
THE "WHITE PLAGUE".
Archbishop Michael Francis Howley, of St. John’s published a Pastoral Letter on this date (10 February 1907) encouraging parents and guardians of children, and especially school teachers, to ensure children do not spit on the floors of houses, as it spreads the "White Plague".
The “white plague” was the term used to refer to tuberculosis. It was also called "consumption.”
In 1899 the population of Newfoundland was 212,000. In that year 655 people died of tuberculosis. This was the highest death rate in North America. It caused a lot of public concern. But it would still be a few years before the fight against TB finally began.
In 1907, the first steps to form an association to fight tuberculosis were taken. In other Pastoral letters, Bishop Holwey describes threat of consumption, its symptoms, and suggests means to prevent it.
In February, 1908, the Newfoundland Association for the Prevention of Consumption was formed. Bishop Howley in March 1908 in his Pastoral Letter encouraged Government to provide funding for a sanatorium to treat tuberculosis.
Church Term: A Pastoral letter, often called simply a pastoral, is an open letter
addressed by a bishop to the clergy or laity of his diocese, or to both, containing
either general admonition, instruction or consolation, or directions for behaviour
in particular circumstances. In the Catholic Church such letters are also sent out
regularly at particular ecclesiastical seasons, particularly at the beginning of
fasts.
Archival Document: 106/9/4 Poster. Regulations for Lent and schedule of
devotions, signed by Bishop Michael Francis Howley, 10 February 1907.
For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese. www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca
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Larry Dohey
Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s
P.O. Box 1363
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5M3
709-726-3660
E-mail: archives@nf.aibn.com
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