Smallpox in Washington's Army: Disease, War, and Society during the Revolutionary War - Couverture rigide

Becker, Ann M.

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 1793630690 ISBN 13 : 9781793630698

Editeur : Lexington Books, 2022

Synopsis

In Smallpox in Washington's Army: Disease, War and Society during the Revolutionary War , the author argues that smallpox played an integral role in military affairs for both the British and Continental armies, and impacted soldiers and civilians throughout the War for American Independence. Due to the Royal army's policy of troop inoculation and because many British soldiers were already immune to the variola virus, the American army was initially at a disadvantage. Most American colonists were highly susceptible to this dreaded disease, and its presence was greatly feared. General George Washington was keenly aware of this disadvantage and, despite his own doubts, embarked on a policy of inoculation to protect his troops. Use of this controversial, innovative, and effective medical procedure leveled the playing field within the armies. However, by 1777, smallpox spread throughout America as soldiers interacted with civilian populations. Once military action moved south, American and British auxiliary troops and the enslaved Southern population all succumbed to the disease, creating a disorderly, dangerous situation as the war ends. Washington's implementation of isolation policies as well as mass troop inoculation removed the threat of epidemic smallpox and ultimately protected American soldiers and civilians from the dangers of this much feared disease.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Ann M. Becker is professor of history at SUNY Empire State College.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Lexington Books
• Date d'édition: 2022
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1793630690
• ISBN 13: 9781793630698
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 280
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
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