A 19th century tragedy

I was looking at a geneology of the Taffes, an Irish family from which my mother was descended. It was probably compiled by my aunt, Marie Hyle, when she was in high school in Ohio in the late 30s.

It includes this story of Patrick Taffe, who came from County Clare, Ireland to Ohio in about 1881. Here's what the Hyles remembered of him.

He came to Dayton and was employed at the Brownell Boiler Works. While working, he cut his finger and infection set in. Three days later as he was lying on a couch, having his wound dressed, he died.

This would not happen today unless your country' infrastructure has been destroyed by bombs and missles, IMAGE: The Brownelle plant in Dayton (probably from a catalogue).