A patient in bed raising her arm after thoracoplasty surgery, at Harefield Sanatorium

Date:
8 Mar 1942
Location:
Harefield Sanatorium, Hill End Road, Harefield, Hillingdon, Greater London Authority
Show all locations
HAREFIELD HOSPITAL, HILL END ROAD, Hillingdon, Greater London Authority, UB9
Harefield Emergency Hospital, Hill End Road, Harefield, Hillingdon, Greater London Authority
Reference:
MED01/01/2710
Type:
Photograph (Print)
Not what you're looking for? Try a new search
How you can use our images.

Description

The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.

The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: “Exercises for T.B. patients. Picture shows front view of second stage thoracoplasty patient, showing range of arm movement (not yet full).”

Harefield Sanatorium opened in 1921, on the site of a the First World War auxiliary hospital, for the treatment of tuberculosis patients. During the Second World War the sanatorium became an emergency hospital, with prefabricated huts being built on the site. As a base for St Mary’s Hospital, Harefield received its patients including those injured in air raids, and continued to receive tuberculosis patients including servicemen. The hospital became world-renown for the treatment of lung and respiratory conditions. Thoracoplasty is a surgical procedure originally used to permanently collapse tuberculosis cavities in the lungs by the removal of ribs. Often between 6 and 8 ribs were removed from the patient, over the course of several operations. The rationale for the procedure was, in part, that healed tuberculosis cavities were closed, and that the lung required rest in order to recover. The introduction of drugs in the 1940s and effective chemotherapy made this method of treatment largely obsolete. See also MED01/01/2695-2709 and MED01/01/2711-2716. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.

Content

This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection

Rights

Source: Historic England Archive

People & Organisations

Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited

Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley

Keywords

Chest Hospital, Sanatorium, Health And Welfare