Meaning: The quote by Peter Allen highlights the significant impact that the concept of infection had on society, particularly in the context of hospitals and medical care. In the past, the understanding and acknowledgment of infection were not as advanced or widely recognized as it is today. However, as the quote suggests, there was a pivotal shift in perspective that led to a more serious consideration of the implications of infection, particularly within the healthcare environment.

The idea of infection being taken far more seriously than before signifies a turning point in the understanding and management of diseases. This shift may have been prompted by the emergence of new plagues or diseases that posed significant threats to public health. The response to these new challenges forced hospitals to adapt and transform their practices in order to effectively address the spread of infection within their facilities.

The transformation of hospitals in response to the new plague reflects a period of adaptation and innovation in the medical field. It underscores the need for healthcare institutions to evolve and improve their practices in order to effectively combat the spread of infectious diseases. However, the quote also suggests that these transformations were not always positive. In the face of fear and uncertainty, hospitals sometimes resorted to drastic measures that had negative consequences for their patients.

The mention of hospitals casting their ulcerated patients out into the streets in fear reflects a disturbing reality of how some institutions responded to the threat of infection. This action not only exposes the vulnerability of the patients who were abandoned but also highlights the lack of understanding and compassion that prevailed in some medical settings during this period. The fear of contagion led to the mistreatment and neglect of those afflicted with infectious diseases, further exacerbating the challenges of managing and containing the spread of infection.

The quote by Peter Allen serves as a reminder of the complexities and ethical dilemmas that arise in the context of infectious diseases and healthcare. It illustrates the profound impact that the recognition of infection had on society, particularly within the medical community. The response to the new plague, characterized by both positive and negative transformations in hospitals, sheds light on the evolving understanding of infectious diseases and the corresponding changes in medical practices.

In conclusion, the quote by Peter Allen encapsulates the profound changes that occurred in response to the heightened awareness of infection. It underscores the transformative impact of this awareness on hospitals and medical care, as well as the ethical and humanitarian challenges that arose in the face of fear and uncertainty. The recognition of infection as a serious and pressing concern marked a pivotal moment in the history of healthcare, shaping the way in which infectious diseases were understood and managed.