Massachusetts pastor's handwritten diary from 1764 sheds light on smallpox outbreaks
Massachusetts pastor's handwritten diary from 1764 sheds light on smallpox outbreaks
The handwritten diary of a pastor in Massachusetts, part of newly digitized records, is now shedding light on smallpox outbreaks in the 1700s.
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An electron micrograph of the smallpox virus (Photo Credits: SMITH COLLECTION/GADO/Getty Images)
HIGHLIGHTS
Smallpox was eradicated, but not before it sickened and killed millions worldwide
English doctor Edward Jenner inoculated an 8-year-old boy against smallpox in 1796
A highly contagious disease originating far from America's shores triggers deadly outbreaks that spread rapidly, infecting the masses. Shots are available, but a divided public agonizes over getting jabbed.