British Honduras / Belize Medical Tb Cover

The date on this (1962) would seem to be far too late for the "Disinfected" covers that were seen in the 1800s and very early 1900s. There does seem to be some strong connection with a sanitorium or hospital though.

The markings must tell a story though it is quite incomplete. First, the cover is stampless though one marking indicates that the postage was collected.

A second circular marking at the top perhaps indicates OHMS Paid though it is incomplete and could just reference the string of letters on the rectangular Min (Ministry?) marking.

A third oval stamp to the left contains the reference to tuberculosis (Tuberculosis Control Service)and is initialed by the Chest Physician.

Can anyone shed some light on this cover?

Hi backroads,

The letter was sent to a charity associated with Markfield Hospital which was a TB sanatorium in Markfield, Leicestershire but is now closed.

It appears to have been sent from the TB Control Service in the Ministry of Education, Health etc. The Ministries were only introduced in 1961 and they changed their names from time to time.

I agree the large round stamp could say "OHMS Paid" or simply "Official Paid".

It does kind of fit as a letter that was sent to another TB Sanitorium. I think I remain more puzzled about the oval hand stamp than anything else. It is almost as if there were a requirement for a letter to be certified as safe for handling by a patient's Dr. Whether this was the case or just an enthusiastic outburst of official stamp-pad wielding over the collection and dispursal of forty cents will most likely remain unknown.

Thanks for the info about the Markfield Hosptital.