1955 – Letter from the Pennsylvania Department regarding the unnecessity of disinfecting mail originating at a Tuberculosis Sanitorium

Hamburg, Pennsylvania, 1955. Unbound. Very good. This two-page letter was sent by Dr. R. H. McCutcheum, the Chief of Medical Service at the Pennsylvania Tuberculosis Sanatorium at Hamburg, Pennsylvania on August 26, 1955, in answer to a query regarding the sterilization and disinfection of mail sent by patients.

Dr. McCutcheum provides a brief history of the practice in Pennsylvania, especially at the Mt. Alto facility, and identifies a host of reasons why such practice was ineffective and unnecessary. It reads in part:

“It was probably in 1907 0r 1908 that the sterilization of outgoing mail from patients was started. One corner (truncated) of each envelope was clipped and I believe the letters were then placed in a box with a wire mesh bottom, under which disinfectant was placed, and the whole sealed in a closet. The thought then in vogue was that [this] would prevent the spread of tuberculosis to [those] receiving these letters. . .. I ordered the discontinuation . . . for two reasons: (1) because it was not necessary; and (2) because such sterilization would only give a false sense [sic] of security to the family or friend if it were not efficient. We no longer believe that the disease was spread by such indirect means as a letter.

“The original disinfection consisted of burning a sulfur candle beneath the box of letters. Later, and the date is not know, formaldehyde disinfection was used. . .." . A very interesting summary for anyone interested in the quarantine, disinfection, sterilization, and fumigation of mail for health concerns.

At the time of listing, nothing similar is for sale in the trade. The Rare Book Hub shows nothing similar has appeared at auction, and OCLC shows no similar first-hand explanations are held by institutions. . (Inventory #: 010521)