Circe’s Island
A young woman’s memories of tuberculosis treatment in the 1950s
By Isabel Gillard
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In 1950, when she was a student at Edinburgh University, the author was found to be suffering from TB and hospitalised in the sanatorium known as the Royal Victoria Hospital for Tuberculosis. She was in serious danger as at that time TB was incurable and relatively few people survived the disease, despite undergoing radical, often brutal, treatments.
Isabel Gillard’s memories of a prolonged period out of student life were sometimes painful to recall, as was the bizarre quality of sanatorium life. But she found she was part of an enormous success story. This lethal disease, that had held sway over humankind since prehistory, was on the verge of being conquered, thanks in part to the work of two eminent Edinburgh medical men, Sir Robert Philip and Sir John Crofton.
This memoir relives the privations and heartaches, as well as the laughs along the way, as she and her fellow patients underwent treatment. It includes an Introduction and Personal History by Professor Sir John Crofton himself.
A heavy veil has been drawn over many aspects of the subject till now, and we are fast approaching the time when it will be too late to expect first-hand accounts of this lethal disease, as it was before successful chemo-therapy drew its sting. This book lifts the veil.
Circe’s Island is illustrated by Jayne Watson who runs her own company, The Hare & Moon Press
What people are saying about Circe’s Island:
‘A captivating story…. enhanced by a brilliant testimony of the social conditions of the early fifties.’ Dr. Hugh Platt, former Postgraduate Medical Dean for Wessex.
‘I have never before treated myself to such an extended, continuous read and the journey has been so interesting and enjoyable.’ Brenda Penn, Novelist.
‘We are fortunate to have this very evocative and lively account of such an important moment in the history of tuberculosis.’ Professor Linda Bryder, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Book details:
ISBN 978-0-9558360-5-3
A5 / 148mm x 210mm
With b&w line drawings
RRP £10.99
Our price £7.99 + post & packing
(p&p £2 to UK addresses, £3 to overseas addresses)
Also available as a download in PDF format – price £4.00
File size 4.82MB
Purchase Now: 1 book shipping to UK including P&P – £9.99
Purchase Now: 1 book shipping outside the UK including P&P – £10.99
Purchase Now: 1 PDF sent via email – £4.00
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Read the First Chapter of
Circe’s Island
Available in PDF
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