Dunnwyche — NCNA’s Home For Tubercular Nurses

In the early twentieth century, tuberculosis (TB), a highly contagious disease, was a leading cause of death in North Carolina. During that era, TB treatment consisted of long bed rest, proper nutrition and fresh air. About half of the people who contracted the disease died within five years. Many nurses worked as private duty nurses and lived in the homes of their patients. Unfortunately, nurses often became sick with the same diseases as the people they were caring for. Often, private duty nurses were single and had limited means. When they became ill, many could not afford private nursing care for themselves and had nowhere to live.