Craigleith House. - Royal Victoria Hospital

In Bank Street Edinburgh, Dr R.W. Philip, (1857 - 1939) a pioneer in the treatment of Consumption /TB, found that the premises were too small for the growing number of patients. He then rented Craigleith House, amongst acres of open land in the north west of the city. His sanitorium had fifteen beds. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. The hospital established a method for treating patients by advocating fresh air and beds were wheeled outside or patients wrapped up and were put into wooden chalets, in the grounds, in all weathers. Later a new hospital the 'Royal Victoria Hospital for Consumption' was extended into the grounds where the 'butterfly wards' had patios for the open air treatment. When TB was rare and cureable the old wards were demolished and other new wards were built on the site. This was then a Geriatric Hospital for many years. Known as The Royal Victoria Hospital. The word Consumption was no longer thought to be the right word to use.
Now in it's 128th year these wards are threatened to be demolished and private houses built in the grounds. The house is listed and will survive.
Today was the annual hospital fair which will probably be the last one. Many folk turned up to enjoy the fun and to look at the exhibition of medical items and old photographs .
Edinburgh has always been at the forefront of medicine with many pioneers like Dr Philip. Unfortunately there are always new diseases to treat.