The Smallpox Epidemics in America in the 1700s and the Role of the Surgeons: Lessons to be Learned During the Global Outbreak of COVID-19

Today’s COVID-19 pandemic offers many similarities with previous pandemics hitting our country. In particular, the smallpox epidemics during the 1700s threatened the lives of multitudes and created panic and fear in the society, similar to the situation caused by the coronavirus. Remedies that were...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:World journal of surgery 2020-09, Vol.44 (9), p.2837-2841
Main Author: Hasselgren, Per-Olof
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdominal Surgery
Aggression
Betacoronavirus
Cardiac Surgery
Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease Outbreaks - history
Epidemics
General Surgery
History, 18th Century
Humans
Immunization - history
Inoculation
Mass Vaccination - history
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Outbreaks
Pandemics
Physician's Role
Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology
SARS-CoV-2
Smallpox
Smallpox - epidemiology
Smallpox - history
Surgeons
Surgery
Surgical History
Thoracic Surgery
United States - epidemiology
Vascular Surgery
Viral diseases
War
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Summary:Today’s COVID-19 pandemic offers many similarities with previous pandemics hitting our country. In particular, the smallpox epidemics during the 1700s threatened the lives of multitudes and created panic and fear in the society, similar to the situation caused by the coronavirus. Remedies that were instituted, especially inoculations, were met with opposition and even violence when first introduced. The newspapers were filled with headlines reflecting the disputes. There was a “six feet rule” during the smallpox epidemics, although it had a different meaning than today. Politicians and other leaders of the society were engaged in the war against the infection. Boston became involved in the fight against the smallpox by Dr. Zabdiel Boylston’s and Rev. Cotton Mather’s introduction of inoculations. When George Washington realized the benefits of the procedure and ordered mass inoculations of the Continental Army, it became an important factor in winning not only the fight against smallpox but the Revolutionary War as well. Looking back at history, realizing that we have survived previous outbreaks of devastating diseases, can provide hope during the current pandemic.
ISSN:0364-2313
1432-2323
DOI:10.1007/s00268-020-05670-4