Me too, I had quinsy, which my mother swore I got when I was pushed into the local open-air swimming pool, and stayed under the water rather longer than expected - didn't drown, but could not swim, and someone sort of rescued me! I am not sure when antibiotics became available, and so not sure what treatment I had, but still remember the heat and pain, no hospital, but about two/three weeks off school.
My gran always said it was 'growing pains' and a warning about piles, and keeping kidneys warm. Chilblains were always a problem, and I seem to remember something called "Zambuc" was rubbed into these.