When Mum was still in school, there was public testing for TB. The patch was applied to the student's arms for a day then could be analysed to see if they had been infected.
When Mum came home from school, my grandmother removed the patch, and only put it back just before Mum left for school the next day.
Grandmum was very concerned that they'd get a positive test. TB was considered a disease only poor people got, and didn't want to risk it.
Many decades later, mum was in hospital and during some screening it was noted that she had scarring in her lungs consistent with a TB infection.
I still have a difficult time reconciling that story with the Grandmum I knew. She was always very concerned for people and their health. Everyone has a blind spot I suppose.
tantramar