As the new commander of continental forces around Boston in 1775, George Washington was faced with a dilemma. Smallpox had broken out in Boston and neighboring towns. People, fleeing British occupation in Boston, were bringing disease into the rebel army camps. Most of the rebel army had little experience with smallpox, Vaccination (essentially inserting puss from a small pox survivor into a cut on the arm) was not always effective. In many instances the vaccinated individual, died of the disease and spread it to others. Prior to vaccination the patient was isolated from those with infections and often was given a special diet. After inoculation it was necessary to quarantine the patient, who often became ill with a hopefully weaker version of the disease. Many American towns forbade the procedure and there often were religious prohibitions. Cotton Mather introduced the controversial practice into Boston but practice was still considered somewhat experimental.
The continental army in 1775 was besieging the British in Boston. This provided Washington with the option of quarantining his previously unaffected troops in the camps and entrenchments. Washington was a smallpox survivor. He contracted the disease in 1851 and had a good idea of how dangerous it was. Rather than roll the dice on infecting his army with a failed inoculation program, General Washington chose quarantine. It worked. There were few cases of smallpox in his fragile command. In 1777, when faced with another outbreak, while the army was maneuvering against a more mobile foe, Washington chose inoculation. Throughout the war pockets of smallpox preyed upon the contending armies and the refugees they created. Increasing numbers of smallpox survivors and those inoculated helped the Continental armies stay in the field and eventually win their revolution.
Greetings incabinate Americans. I have been remiss for a couple of days dealing with veterinarians as we attempt to save a sick dog. It is interesting that the veterinarians now come out to the car and collect the dog returning them after the examination or treatment. We now have over 2,000 confirmed cases in Florida and one in my home town. The Governor continues to whittle on the porch, doing next to nothing. Beaches are still open, Stores are open. Few mobile hospitals and testing centers are springing up. We are cast to the wind and soon this will be the next New York. I wish we could borrow Governor Cuomo, but we're stuck with a partisan clown. Seniors, such as myself, are told that we should stay indoors... something we've been doing over two weeks. Until those beaches are closed and the parties come to an end, this is going to remain a peninsular petrie dish.
We remain in good health (97.3) for the moment. You all keep safe and be good to one another.
The continental army in 1775 was besieging the British in Boston. This provided Washington with the option of quarantining his previously unaffected troops in the camps and entrenchments. Washington was a smallpox survivor. He contracted the disease in 1851 and had a good idea of how dangerous it was. Rather than roll the dice on infecting his army with a failed inoculation program, General Washington chose quarantine. It worked. There were few cases of smallpox in his fragile command. In 1777, when faced with another outbreak, while the army was maneuvering against a more mobile foe, Washington chose inoculation. Throughout the war pockets of smallpox preyed upon the contending armies and the refugees they created. Increasing numbers of smallpox survivors and those inoculated helped the Continental armies stay in the field and eventually win their revolution.
Greetings incabinate Americans. I have been remiss for a couple of days dealing with veterinarians as we attempt to save a sick dog. It is interesting that the veterinarians now come out to the car and collect the dog returning them after the examination or treatment. We now have over 2,000 confirmed cases in Florida and one in my home town. The Governor continues to whittle on the porch, doing next to nothing. Beaches are still open, Stores are open. Few mobile hospitals and testing centers are springing up. We are cast to the wind and soon this will be the next New York. I wish we could borrow Governor Cuomo, but we're stuck with a partisan clown. Seniors, such as myself, are told that we should stay indoors... something we've been doing over two weeks. Until those beaches are closed and the parties come to an end, this is going to remain a peninsular petrie dish.
We remain in good health (97.3) for the moment. You all keep safe and be good to one another.
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