Historical information

Commonly known as Miner's Complaint, silicosis, tuberculosis or a combination of both resulted in phthisis. This was directly caused by the inhalation of silica dust resulting from drilling into quartz reefs. Lungs weakened by silicosis were more susceptible to the TB bacterium. At first the difference between these two ailments was unknown as was the mode of the spread of TB. In 1903 there was a call for better ventilation in mines and for the use of water hoses to dampen down the dust. It is estimated that the rate of associated deaths in Bendigo was six times that of the national average.

Physical description

A 12 page paper by Frank Cusack detailing the extreme rates of death by Silicosis and Tuberculosis among the early settlers of Bendigo and the willful lack of action by the mine managers to improve health and safety.