Although the Pest House Medical Museum was once technically a hospital, most who checked in were simply quarantined for the inevitable outcome. It was the grim reality of those suffering from contagious illnesses who lived in Lynchburg in the 1800s. Learn more about the tragic history behind this historic landmark.
Virginia Hill/flickr The Pest House, short for pestilence, was the first hospital in Lynchburg. Upon seeing the size of the graveyard that surrounds the house, one could conclude that the outcome for patients who checked into the hospital was grim.
Virginia Hill/flickr The historic site was built in the 1840s, a time where medical standards and procedures had not been developed anywhere near today’s standards. For this reason, almost every patient that entered the hospital also died there. By the early 1860s, the Pest House was also used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers.
William B./TripAdvisor The House was located on the outskirts of town, conveniently near the Public Burying Ground which was also known as the City Cemetery. Nearby residents afflicted with diseases such as scarlet fever, cholera, or smallpox were sent to the Pest House to be quarantined.
Virginia Hill/flickr
Wikipedia Fortunately at that time, a 33-year-old doctor by the name of Dr. John J. Terrell heard of the terrible conditions of the Pest House and decided to offer his medical services. With thorough and dedicated care, most Confederate soldiers were discharged and sent home. Those who visit the Pest House Medical Museum today will see some of Dr. Terrell’s tools, including his operating table and what was known as the asthma chair.
While the Pest House was a site of tragedies, it is because of the help of Dr. John J. Terrell that patients were ultimately treated with the best help available. Today, this site in Lynchburg is a fascinating place to learn about the medical practices of the the 19th century.
Virginia Hill/flickr
The Pest House, short for pestilence, was the first hospital in Lynchburg. Upon seeing the size of the graveyard that surrounds the house, one could conclude that the outcome for patients who checked into the hospital was grim.
The historic site was built in the 1840s, a time where medical standards and procedures had not been developed anywhere near today’s standards. For this reason, almost every patient that entered the hospital also died there. By the early 1860s, the Pest House was also used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers.
William B./TripAdvisor
The House was located on the outskirts of town, conveniently near the Public Burying Ground which was also known as the City Cemetery. Nearby residents afflicted with diseases such as scarlet fever, cholera, or smallpox were sent to the Pest House to be quarantined.
Wikipedia
Fortunately at that time, a 33-year-old doctor by the name of Dr. John J. Terrell heard of the terrible conditions of the Pest House and decided to offer his medical services. With thorough and dedicated care, most Confederate soldiers were discharged and sent home. Those who visit the Pest House Medical Museum today will see some of Dr. Terrell’s tools, including his operating table and what was known as the asthma chair.
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