Enjoy these photos of the fight against disease in Leeds and beyond. PIC: YPNEnjoy these photos of the fight against disease in Leeds and beyond. PIC: YPN
Enjoy these photos of the fight against disease in Leeds and beyond. PIC: YPN

How Leeds protected itself from the scourge of deadly disease

Leeds has had to protect its residents from a range of potentially deadly diseases down the decades.
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 8th Dec 2020, 06:00 BST

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Polio, smallpox, tuberculosis and the flu are just a few of the threats to the health of the city throughout the years. These photos showcase the hospitals, vaccination programmes which all had one common aim - to help keep people alive. The photos are a mix from the YEP archive and others published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: Changing Leeds - How the city improved its hygiene through the years LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

Seacroft Hospital was a specialist facility to treat infectious diseases, in particular smallpox. Patients were kept there for at least six weeks, families were not allowed to visit.

1. The fight against disease

Seacroft Hospital was a specialist facility to treat infectious diseases, in particular smallpox. Patients were kept there for at least six weeks, families were not allowed to visit. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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This view shows the nurses room at Seacroft Hospital, with table in centre, chairs around it. A dresser stands against the wall, nurses can be seen reading and working.

2. The fight against disease

This view shows the nurses room at Seacroft Hospital, with table in centre, chairs around it. A dresser stands against the wall, nurses can be seen reading and working. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Undated. The New Manston Hall estate was purchased from Edward Waud. A smallpox hospital was built on the site opening in 1898. Building continued until 1904. This view shows some of the early buildings.

3. The fight against disease

Undated. The New Manston Hall estate was purchased from Edward Waud. A smallpox hospital was built on the site opening in 1898. Building continued until 1904. This view shows some of the early buildings. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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An aerial view of Seacroft Hospital in 1929. It was built in 1898 as Manston Infectious Diseases Hospital, an isolation hospital specialising in the treatment of smallpox. Its isolated location (at the time) is seen here by all the fields around it.

4. The fight against disease

An aerial view of Seacroft Hospital in 1929. It was built in 1898 as Manston Infectious Diseases Hospital, an isolation hospital specialising in the treatment of smallpox. Its isolated location (at the time) is seen here by all the fields around it. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The new Smallpox isolation ward under construction in December 1914. The main infectious diseases hospital at Killingbeck was, at the same time, undergoing conversion to a Tuberculosis treatment centre. This interior view shows two stoves in the room for heating and two baths to be installed.

5. The fight against disease

The new Smallpox isolation ward under construction in December 1914. The main infectious diseases hospital at Killingbeck was, at the same time, undergoing conversion to a Tuberculosis treatment centre. This interior view shows two stoves in the room for heating and two baths to be installed. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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February 1915. Killingbeck Hospital opened in 1904 treating smallpox cases. In 1913 tuberculosis patients were sent there. The new ward has a covered verandah. Exposure to air was then part of treatment for the illness.

6. The fight against disease

February 1915. Killingbeck Hospital opened in 1904 treating smallpox cases. In 1913 tuberculosis patients were sent there. The new ward has a covered verandah. Exposure to air was then part of treatment for the illness. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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