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Tuberculosis has probably always been an insidious disease on the Faroe Islands with a relatively high mortality. But about the end of the 19th century, it suddenly spread with almost epidemic proportions. Especially when the Faroese started the large scale fishing with ships, and men lived together in narrow conditions on the sloops, there was an immense risk of infection. One man could infect an entire ship’s crew. It did not help that seemingly healthy people could be carriers of the disease. People feared the disease. Originally it was assumed that it was hereditary – fair assumptions, as it often were members of the same family who got the disease. But when people realized that it actually was infectious, the fear became even more intense. The infected individuals were shunned like poison, and the poor people who became sick sometimes had to suffer in isolation and solitude. This also caused that some people tried to cover up that they had the disease, which lead to even more infection.
The Sanatorium in Hoydalar
In 1908 a tuberculosis sanatorium was built in Hoydalar near Torshavn, and people from all over the Faroes were brought there. There was no effective threatment for the disease, the patients were taken care of, placed in roofed verandas every day to get as much fresh air as possible, fed properly and had a lot of exercise and rest. The doctors from Torshavn consulted the sanatorium a couple of times a week, but in the thirties, the Dane Dr. Lynge was hired to run the chest clinic at Queen Alexandrine’s Hospital in Torshavn and the sanatorium in Hoydalar. On the first stamp we see some of the first patients in the sanatorium in Hoydalar and parts of the buildings. In the front you can see one of the roofed verandas, where the patients were placed in beds for several hours a day, swept in blankets.
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Location and size Situated in the heart of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic at 62°00’N, the Faroe Islands lie northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway. The archipelago is composed of 18 islands covering 1399 km2 (545.3 sq.miles) and is 113 km (70 miles) long and 75 km (47 miles) wide, roughly in the shape of an arrowhead. There are 1100 km (687 miles) of coastline and at no time is one more than 5 km (3 miles) away from the ocean. The highest mountain is 882 m (2883 ft) above sea level and the average height above sea level for the country is 300 m (982 ft). Climate The weather is maritime and quite changeable, from moments of brilliant sunshine to misty hill fog, to showers. The Gulf Stream encircling the islands tempers the climate. The harbours never freeze and the temperature in winter time is very moderate considering the high latitude. Snowfall occurs, but is shortlived. The average temperature ranges from 3°C in winter to 11°C in the summer. In sheltered areas, the temperature can be much higher, but the air is always fresh and clean no matter what the season. Population The population is 48.520 (1st April 2008). About 19,400 people live in the metropolitan area which comprises Tórshavn, Kirkjubøur, Velbastaður, Nólsoy, Hestur, Koltur, Hoyvík, Argir, Kaldbak, Kaldbaksbotnur, Norðradalur, Syðradalur, Hvítanes, Sund, Kollafjørður, Signabøur and Oyrareingir, while about 4,700 people live in Klaksvík, the second largest town in the Faroe Islands. Form of Government Since 1948, the Faroe Islands have been a self governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It has its own parliament and its own flag. It is not, however, a member of the European Union and all trade is governed by special treaties. Languages Spoken Faroese is the national language and is rooted in Old Norse. Nordic languages are readily understood by most Faroese, and English is also widely spoken, especially among the younger people. Religion Religion plays an important part in Faroese culture and over 80% of the population belong to the established church, the EvangelicalLutheran. 10% of the population belong to the Christian Brethren (Plymouth Brethren). Industry The fishing industry is the most important source of income for the Faroes. Fish products account for over 97% of the export volume. Tourism is the second largest industry, followed by woollen and other manufactured products.
