Pox Americana : the great smallpox epidemic of 1775-82 / Elizabeth A. Fenn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fenn, Elizabeth A. (Elizabeth Anne), 1959-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Smallpox--United States--History--18th century.

Smallpox.

Smallpox--history.

History.

United States.

History, 18th Century.

Medical Subjects:

Smallpox--history.

United States.

History, 18th Century.

Physical Description:

xiv, 370 pages : illustrations, maps ; 22 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Hill and Wang, 2001.

Summary:

Ahorrifying epidemic of smallpox was sweeping across the Americas when the War of Independence began, and yet we know almost nothing about it. Elizabeth A. Fenn is the first historian to reveal how deeply variola affected the outcome of the war in every colony and the lives of everyone in North America. Her remarkable research shows us how the disease devastated the American troops at Quebec and kept them at bay during the British occupation of Boston, and how it ravaged slaves in Virginia who had escaped to join the British forces. During the terrible winter at Valley Forge, General Washington had to decide if and when to attempt the risky inoculation of his troops.

The destructive, desolating power of smallpox made for a cascade of public-health crises and heartbreaking human drama. Fenn's innovative work shows how this mega-tragedy was met and what its consequences were for America.

Contents:

1. Variola 13

2. Vigilance 44

3. Control 80

4. Surrender 104

5. Entierros 135

6. Traders 167

7. Connections 196

8. Passages 224.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [279]-358) and index.

ISBN:

0809078201

OCLC:

45879842