Inhalatorium, Abbotsford, Australia, 1918

Inhalatorium, Abbotsford, Australia, 1918

This "inhalatorium" was installed to protect workers' health at Kodak Australasia Proprietary Ltd. Factory in Abbotsford, New South Wales. This inhalatorium was one of many found in towns across Australia during the pandemic. Steam carrying a zinc sulfate solution would waft from the structure in the center of the room into the faces of people surrounding it. It was believed at the time that the steam would disinfect the throats of those who breathed it in, thus protecting them from the pandemic. Workers were given this treatment twice a day.

Museums Victoria, Melbourne Australia, Courtesy of Kodak Australasia Pty. Ltd.