21 June 1875

"A casual visitor to Cowbridge would never suppose that the little town was smitten with a loathsome sickness. The long and tolerably wide street, which forms the principal, and almost sole, thoroughfare, looks bright and cleanly (sic). The pavements, though often broken and irregular, are free from dirt; the fronts of the private houses, both rich and poor, are gay with rose bushes & flowers; the people have the reputation of keeping their homes smart and attractive, and there are gardens and plenty of room for ventilation behind. But appearances are often deceitful and, in truth, Cowbridge is a victim to the ravages of scarlet fever.

Since the year when the Prince Consort died (18 months previously), and when the place became a veritable fever den, the inhabitants have never been so harassed by disease as they are now. It would be difficult to estimate the losses with which the little community has suffered in valuable lives, and the stagnation of business…..there is a general concurrence of belief in the theory that social relationships which exist between friends and neighbours have (been) done a great deal of mischief….(including) the sending of children out to school".

South Wales Daily News

With thanks to Betty Alden who compiled this article.

Note:

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness, also known as scarlatina. It features a bright red rash that covers most of the body and is almost always accompanied by a sore throat and a high fever.

Scarlet fever is most common in children 5 to 15 years of age. Although it was once considered a serious childhood illness, antibiotic treatments have made it less threatening, but, if left untreated, scarlet fever can result in more serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys and other parts of the body.