It started from a toe nail

From the article, Recognising the benefits of tea tree oil,

In 1978, his (Eric White) stepson Christopher Dean was trekking through Africa and contracted a severe toenail infection. For five months, he failed to find a cure.

The London School of Tropical Medicine told him that his infection was incurable. The only solution was the surgical removal of the toenails and infected tissues.

Around this time, his brother Michael Dean arrived in London on business and brought a bottle of tea tree oil produced by White.

Within 10 minutes of applying the oil, the intense itching and agonising pain of the infection lessened. Within four hours, the swelling of the toes and redness subsided. Within four days, Christopher’s toes were completely healed.