The cowpox tragedy

Primary Source Spotlight: Smallpox & Inoculation

1721 proclamation mentioning small pox The Fight Over Inoculation During the 1721 Boston Smallpox Epidemic Science in the News, Harvard University An historical account of the small-pox inoculated in New-England 1726 Internet Archive George Washington Papers, Series 4, General Correspondence: Massachusetts House of Representatives, October 5, 1775, Smallpox Resolution George Washington letter to Martha Washington urging inoculation…

influenza

Timely Connections: Worldwide Health Crisis

As the world confronts global health problems such as epidemics or pandemics, involve your students in an authentic lesson that looks at past primary sources to increase understanding of health related issues. Encourage students to use past and current information and digital tools to research, make informed decisions and contribute to their own and their…

Influenza spread by droplets sprayed from nose and throat

Primary Source Spotlight: Influenza

Early influenza sources An address of thanks from the faculty to the Right Honble, Mr. Influenzy for his kind visit to this country 1803 An account of the origin, symptoms, and cure of the influenza or epidemic catarrh 1832 Kartogramma “grippa”, oktiabrʹ 1889-mart 1890 shows occurrence of influenza by province (Russia) Influenza pandemic 1918-1919 Rampaging…

Yellow Fever National Relief Commission

Today in History: Yellow Fever

Today in History–August 27–the Library of Congress features the discovery that mosquitos transmit yellow fever by U.S. Army physician James Carroll and pathologist Walter Reed on this day in 1900. The discovery was made because Carroll allowed allowed an infected mosquito to feed on him, resulting in severe yellow fever sickness. Learn more about yellow fever by visiting the Today in History section, then click…