Nursing with Flare: The Operators of Light Therapy, c.1890-1940.

Abstract

A much forgotten figure in the history of artificial and natural light therapies, the nurse played a central role in the administration of beneficial - and harmful - ultraviolet radiation in the treatment of skin diseases, tuberculosis and rickets, especially on child patients. As the primary operators of light therapy equipment, nurses specialised in this new and modern treatment, and both the therapy's successes and failures could be attributed to their skill, or lack thereof. This paper provides an introduction to the history of light therapy, especially phototherapy (artificial light therapy), during the early twentieth century in Britain, and to the 'invisible' technicians who contributed so much to its nascent reputation.