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To: xzins
POX Americana The Great Smallpox Epidemic of 1775-82Elizabeth A. Fenn

Non-fiction

Interesting look at the spread of disease and its effect on society, particularly during the Revolutionary War. Prior to Jenner's discovery that innoculation with cowpox confered immunity, innoculation was done with smallpox itself. Mortality of the treatment was still 2-3% (as opposed to 15% or so in European stock)
George Washington, himself a survivor of the pox, was well aware of the diseases' potential for havoc in his camps and eventually got the first state-sponsored vaccination program in American history. This probably contributed greatly to the American victory.
The book also traces the diseases' path throughout north America, among the tribes dealing with the Hudson Bay Company, and throughout the mission system of the Spanish southwest. These outbreaks were vastly more damaging, with the indians experiencing a 60-90% mortality. The book presents this in a dispassionate manner, with no agenda. The smallpox changed life throughout the continent.
I give it 3 Freeps. (Well written and interesting, but not political)

6 posted on 03/23/2002 5:07:48 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Tijeras_Slim
|"John Quincy Adams", a tale of the life of one of our most famous early leaders, and his desire to lead a normal life and read his books, and how he was pulled into and called to fill positions of greater and greater importance. Also and 50 year love affair. Truly a great book.
7 posted on 03/23/2002 5:21:22 AM PST by BooBoo1000
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