after the 1892 season had ended, a dreadful shock came when it was announced that lohmann had contracted tuberculosis. in an effort to improve his health, lohmann sailed during the 1892/1893 winter to cape town. although at first it was hoped that he might return even when the 1893 season began, for two years lohmann's health did not at first improve and he could not play at all for surrey in 1893 or 1894. in fact, lohmann was not well enough to play any cricket until the 1894/1895 currie cup final where he turned out for western province.