[Stefan Stackhouse]

Historically, the rapidity of smallpox transmission throughout the population was generally slower than for such diseases as measles or chickenpox. Patients spread smallpox primarily to household members and friends; large outbreaks in schools, for example, were uncommon. This finding was accounted for in part by the fact that transmission of smallpox virus did not occur until onset of rash. By then, many patients had been confined to bed because of the high fever and malaise of the prodromal illness. Secondary cases were thus usually restricted to those who came into contact with patients, usually in the household or hospital.

Confined to bed where? At home.
By who? By Physicians who routinely made house calls.
House call? What's that??????

If there is a smallpox attack, every single victime is going to be taken to a clinic or emergency room. And large numbers of people who are already sick or infirm -- and thus more vulnerable -- will inevitably be infected. Many more than would have been typical in those earlier days.

Aren't you glad our new way of doing medicine is so much more "efficient?"

[TomB]

Confined to bed where? At home.

Of course. And the most severe cases can be treated at a quarantine ward of a hospital.

If there is a smallpox attack, every single victime is going to be taken to a clinic or emergency room. And large numbers of people who are already sick or infirm -- and thus more vulnerable -- will inevitably be infected.

Please explain ow this would happen, since you are sick for 2 or 3 days BEFORE YOU ARE CONTAGIOUS?

You are trying to scare people. Fortunately, you aren't doing a very good job of it.