By the end of the last century, the disease called tuberculosis was the most dreaded disease known to mankind. As the disease worsened, its victims became pale in skin color, hence the term.
Tuberculosis is a disease that is caused by a bacteria.
It is spread from person to person by the inhalation of the germs in the air in which an infected person has coughed or sneezed. At that time, there was no cure for this terrible disease that was known for claiming the lives of its victims. Makeshift sanitariums were put up in those days so the tuberculosis patients could be isolated and cared for. One such place was located in Delaware. Doctor Joseph Wales treated patients there,and he knew that the sanitarium had run out of the funds it needed to keep it going.