Friday, 13 September 2013

Spit is Poison

In the early 20th century Llanbedr Hall was adapted in order to become a sanatorium, primarily for the treatment of Tuberculosis (TB), and a building was erected next to the hall with huge windows and balconies so that beds containing the afflicted could be wheeled out. This was, even in the coldest temperatures of winter, in order for the patients to breathe the icy mountain air.
TB affected the whole community but especially children, and patients could be kept in the hospital for years on end, in isolation. This was particularly devastating for the children separated from their parents - in effect imprisoned and very often ill treated by today's standards.

Displayed repeatedly around the walls of the hospital was the warning 'SPIT IS POISON' a very apt alert to one of the ways of spreading the bacterium, particularly as spitting was a very common habit.

                     


                        Steps leading to the old servants entrance where the patients were admitted.



                                        Entrance to the morgue situated in the old walled garden.


Book Two - a work in progress.  'Spit is Poison'   by Polly Mullaney

It comes as no surprise that Trio Theo find themselves back in Llanbedr - desperately summonsed to the village school. But this is no wholesome rural scene:


' The swing is swaying to and fro; squeak, squeak, back and forth; a sharp, eerie sound; stark amongst 
the bleak silence.

The atmosphere is desolate, but the swing goes on and on carrying a lone figure sitting upon it. Dusk is creeping up, darkness rising around the school playground.

 Gradually, the only light filtering through the heavy air is the moonlight illuminating the scene… yet the swing goes on…to and fro, back and forth. There is a girl on the swing - friendless and abandoned.

  Clang! A bell is ringing. Clang!  The heavy school door opens slowly and a woman stands in the dark holding the large bell, tolling it up and down, up and down.  But nobody comes. No children run from the playground. No voices are shouting and laughing.  Nothing.'


Three Kids Gripped By Evil By Polly Mullaney        
Amazon Kindle, Amazon paperback




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