Health and Healing in America

Summing up your #1 takeaway from Michael Willrich, Pox: An American History:

The story of how smallpox epidemics affected the public and the government control of medical treatment and prevention.

Smallpox created a sense of unity between diverse populations by bringing everyone down to the same level, which made them have to work together to find a cure.

I was struck by the violence surrounding smallpox, both of the disease itself and of the actions taken against it.

The evolution of the medical community and at times the government, deciding what is best for society with regards to smallpox.

Smallpox epidemics are moments in history where we learn the strengths and weaknesses of a community, broaden our medical horizons, and challenge previous thoughts, morals and laws.

The book depicts the history of an era from a different, yet influential point of view.

The story of how smallpox ravaged a nation and the government’s attempt to treat this unprecedented outbreak.

In an attempt to eradicate the awful disease of smallpox, Americans went against their fundamental principle of freedom, showing how fear can drive a nation.

In Michael Willrich’s book Pox, citizen are forced to get vaccinated or face legal repercussions, creating a government upheaval between those wanting and not wanting to be vaccinated.

This book shows the effect of a massive outbreak of disease can have on a society, civilians and leaders.

The book blurs the line between the public good and civil liberties.

I learned one of the most deadly and horrible diseases and the steps the government took to try to eradicate it.

Law, being of human design, is arbitrary in nature, whereas the concept of disease lies outside humanity’s sphere of understanding, yet we combat it, as we do with most things we deem to be inherently bad, even at the cost of our self-attributed rights under those laws.

Smallpox was of a time in history that is rarely touched upon, almost hidden, but out of it came the revolution and reminder of civil liberties that the people of the US hold today.

The development and growth of American health care primarily counted on smallpox, up until its cure, with its effects on physical health, medical growth, social problems and the rights of the government.

Social factors can sometimes carry more weight than medical or political; smallpox epidemics are an example of how fear drives people to take action in order to protect their loved ones and most sacred beliefs.

I learned to not underestimate the power of disease, people’s will, and the government, and also the extent to which people will go to fight for what they believe in.

Willrich illustrates how the ends justify the means in eradicating pox and how the government was seeking the greater good.