The Deadly Disease of Centuries
Smallpox originated approximately in 10,000 BC in northeastern Africa and the earliest examples of skin ulcers similar to smallpox are found on Egyptian mummies from 1570 to 1085 BC. In addition, smallpox existed in ancient Asian societies, ancient Sanskrit texts of India, and was introduced to Europe between the fifth and seventh centuries. Smallpox became known as the endemic of Europe and is one of the causes of the decline of the Roman Empire. During the Age of Exploration, the Spanish conquistadores along with the Portuguese explorers carried horses, wheat, and other species to the New World that affected its geology. Smallpox also traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and, as a result, the native population exponentially died and parts were even wiped out. [11]
Later on, the Greeks and Turks of the seventeenth century induced a small portion of pus from an infected person into one who was perfectly healthy and this person successfully reached immunity to the disease. In addition, the Chinese took the scabs of smallpox and a healthy person was to inhale these flakes to create a resistance to smallpox. Indeed, this method saved numerous lives from smallpox most of the time but many cases were fatal. Furthermore, those who survived developed gruesome indents throughout the body, especially the face. [17]
[11] [17] "Edward
Jenner and the History of Smallpox and Vaccination." last modified December
1, 2012,
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/>.
[12] “Smallpox Debut.” last modified October 28, 2012, <http://medicine-and-history.wikispaces.com/Smallpox+Debut>.
[13] “Exploring the Americas.” last modified December 1, 2012, <http://www.sbceo.k12.ca.us/~vms/carlton/Renaissance/columbus1.htm>.
[14] “Globalizing Networks of Communication and Exchange.” last modified December 1, 2012,
<http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/Key+Concept+4.1>.
[15] [16] “Medicine through Time- Smallpox.” last modified December 1, 2012, <http://timelines.tv/smPox/more/spread2.html>.
[18] “Smallpox.” last modified October 31, 2012,<http://www.iayork.com/Reflections/?cat=160>.
[19] “Child with Smallpox.” last modified December 8, 2012,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Child_with_Smallpox_Bangladesh.jpg>.
[5**] “The Microbial World.” last modified October 29, 2012,<http://textbookofbacteriology.net/themicrobialworld/Smallpox.html>.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1200696/>.
[12] “Smallpox Debut.” last modified October 28, 2012, <http://medicine-and-history.wikispaces.com/Smallpox+Debut>.
[13] “Exploring the Americas.” last modified December 1, 2012, <http://www.sbceo.k12.ca.us/~vms/carlton/Renaissance/columbus1.htm>.
[14] “Globalizing Networks of Communication and Exchange.” last modified December 1, 2012,
<http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/Key+Concept+4.1>.
[15] [16] “Medicine through Time- Smallpox.” last modified December 1, 2012, <http://timelines.tv/smPox/more/spread2.html>.
[18] “Smallpox.” last modified October 31, 2012,<http://www.iayork.com/Reflections/?cat=160>.
[19] “Child with Smallpox.” last modified December 8, 2012,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Child_with_Smallpox_Bangladesh.jpg>.
[5**] “The Microbial World.” last modified October 29, 2012,<http://textbookofbacteriology.net/themicrobialworld/Smallpox.html>.