As the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to sweep across the world, many social, economic and political structures and systems have been – and continue to be – altered. The infectious disease has severely affected the health of millions of people, and is now actively shaping the ways in which businesses are run, policies are put in place, and lives are lived.

This isn’t, however, the first crisis that has plagued the collective human body. Practices such as isolating the sick, separating the healthy and emphasising personal hygiene have been adopted in responses to infectious diseases over the years and decades, including here in Singapore.

Drawing from the National Museum’s collections and using the concept of the “body” as a starting point, this online showcase explores a little-known side of Singapore’s history of public health. Starting from the late 19th century, it highlights the measures taken to stem the spread of contagious diseases on the island, the introduction of vaccines, the creation of hospitals and the roles played by key local personalities in such, as well as the public campaigns aimed at encouraging a clean and hygienic environment.