What was small pox and how did it affect people like Anne Bradstreet?

What was small pox and how did it affect people like Anne Bradstreet?

Resources

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002332/ Pubmed Health

http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/infection/smallpox.html Kidshealth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdIjKIMtoac Photos of smallpox patients

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox Wikipedia

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-diseases/smallpox-article/   National Geographic

               Smallpox, one of the most deadly diseases in the world, was very common in the 18^th to 20^th century.  The disease traces its roots from long ago, “the first case found” in the Egyptian period.  Smallpox has been mentioned in stories of Indians as well as several in the bible.  It has been compared to the Bubonic plague, and had a very high mortality rate during the time of "thirty percent".  Many people came into contact with the disease during this time.  Smallpox could be transferred from person to person very easily.  It was proved to be spread by “saliva, bed sheets, and articles of clothing”. It could spread within “six feet” of contact with an infected person.  As long as the infected person had the painful rash, he or she was considered contagious and was forced to stay in bed to rest.  Many important historical figures came down with the diseases such as the Egyptian, Ramses V, a few monarchs, and our very own Anne Bradstreet.

The symptoms of smallpox were very distinct.  The victim would develop large bumps that could appear anywhere on the skin.  The most common areas were the face and trunk of the body.  These bumps would then blister, and eventually scab over and fall off.  Smallpox could do permanent damage to the face such as severe scarring and cause mutations.  The symptoms would generally occur within “twelve to fourteen days” after the person had come into contact.  Other symptoms of the disease included “a fever above 101 degrees F, headache, vomiting, backaches, diarrhea and vomiting”.  People who came down with the smallpox would also face “respiratory” problems as well.

Smallpox could take shape into two common forms, “Variola major and Variola minor”.  Variola major, as you can tell from the word “major”, was the most devastating.  Variola minor often was curable and eventually went away.  Variola minor only killed about “one percent” of the infected people.  Two other, rarer types of the disease were “hemorrhagic and malignant” which almost always resulted in death.  If I were to take a guess, it would be that Anne Bradstreet developed the Variola minor form since she lived. 

Eventually, the “World Health Organization” created a vaccine that would end the smallpox disease.  Because of this breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of smallpox, the last case ended in the 1977.  Despite the extinction of this disease, it has been rumored that in some laboratory, a small vial of it is kept.  The American government, as well as the governments in other countries, is fearful that it could be used as a “weapon” and could come back to haunt us in the future.  However, the chance is coming in contact is extremely low and should not be feared.  The chance of dying in a car wreck, getting attacked by a shark, dying in a fire, or being in a plane crash are on the optimistic side much higher.

What were some of the common rituals held by Indians such as the "Powhatan" tribe?

Who were the "Powhatan" and what was their relation with John Smith?

We all know the adventures of John Smith, the famous explorer looking for wealth in the Americas.  He was the same guy who supposedly "fell in love with Pocahontas".  Who we may not know much about is Pocahontas, who was part of the "Powhatan" tribe.  We also do not know much about her neighbors and the inhabitants that lived around her.  Like most towns, Indian villages had political figures, great heroes, and women and men who had certain professions.  However, what I find to be most intriguing and unfamiliar about Indian culture is the spiritual rituals they held. 

National Geographic- "Girls Rite of Passage" Ritual

One of the most important rituals held in Indian culture is the "Girls Rite of Passage" ritual.  This ritual signifies a young girl who is entering adulthood as well as the hope that she will represent her community proudly.  Before the ritual, the girl must choose a medicine woman. This woman will most likely help her deliver a baby in the future and tend to the girl when she is sick. This ceremony consists of large feasting and continuous dancing that usually lasts all night.  The ritual is put into place with the "rising of the Morning Star".  The girl is sprinkled with pollen and cannot smile or show any emotion.  She experiences little to no sleep and hunger for she cannot eat.  The girl and her friends must "circle a basket of pollen" four times and run toward the star.  At last, the final day the girl is to dance and pray.  Finally, now a young woman, she receives the tribal name and removes the clay mask.

The "Sun Dance" Ritual

The "Sun Dance" was a common ritual that was used to renew Earth's natural valuable resources that the tribes relied on.  The ritual created a fine line between birth and death. It was intended to show that there was life after dying.  The dance took place during "Summer Solstice" and lasted for "eight days".  Men were to find a tree with a "fork in the top" which was a symbol of an "eagle's nest", cut it down, and treat it as if it were a traitor.  A buffalo was then tied to the wood, or pole, from the tree.  The dancing then would begin.

Torture with the "Sun Dance"

Indians were known to harm themselves during the ritual.  During the Sun Dance some unfortunate ones would suffer injuries, or even sometimes death.  This was seen as an important part in the renewal process.

"Sweat Lodge Ritual"

The "Sweat Lodge" was the Indian's version of a sauna.  Today, when we enter a sauna, we are usually only doing it to feel better or for relaxation.  The Indians, though, used this for the ritual of cleansing themselves from European influence.  A sweatlodge was a small bungalow built to the East that was built in front of a fireplace.  The Indian was to first fast before entering the lodge and have avoided any alcohol or bad influence. 


In conclusion, Indians had many rituals for many different occasions.   The Indians had rituals for almost every situation they ran into in life.

Introduction Blog EH 201- Elizabeth Prince

Hello, fellow bloggers of my American Literature Class, my name is Elizabeth Prince.  I attend Jacksonville State University and I will be majoring in biology.  I have a strong passion for poetry and writing which is why I have enlisted in this course.  I am a part of the Delta Zeta sorority, and it plays a very large role in my life.  I am the only child and I am from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  However, I am a huge Auburn fan which is not always the best thing when I live in such a rival city.  I enjoy jet skiing as a past time activity, creating beautiful works of art, singing, shopping, and white water rafting.  I am a person that enjoys nature, yet I am very girly at the same time. 

If I absolutely had to pick my favorite artist it would be between Lady Gaga and Adele.  I love both vocal styles, and both live performances of each.  If I ever get famous for music than I could only hope to be as great as both of them combined.  I love all types of music: blues, R&B, rap, hip & hop, metal (as well as any type of rock) and country.  I do not discriminate between any genres, for all of the artists in each are very passionate about what they do.

I am a very colorful and artsy person.  A perfect day to me would be going to an art museum.  Crafting is one of the only things that keep me sane after a hard day.  My favorite medium is pastels, because I love working with bright colors.  I believe decorating each object or room can really have a positive effect on your mood, as well as others’ moods.  I also love using black charcoal on white paper to create contrasting images. 

I believe that by the end of each person’s lifetime, the world should be changed in some way.  Someone could change the world in music, art, community service, or develop the cure for cancer.  Each person can do his or her part.  Helping others and giving back to the community is something I strive for.  Selfishness will only get you so far in life, and will leave you with nothing to be remembered by.   I believe in living every day like it’s your last and pushing for goals no one thinks you can reach.  Without big dreamers, many things in our culture would fail to be in existence.

In conclusion, I look forward to this class and working with all of you.  If you took the time to read all this, I commend you.  I really hope to learn as much from this class as I can, and hope it will enlighten me for future use in my daily life.