n.a
reference to a disease that during the 1600s to 1800s plagued
American Indians and which early settlers to America called
smallpox. The disease was characterized by the appearance of a
rash followed by pimples which turned into pustules (
bumps on the skin containing pus), especially on the face, arms and legs. The disease was transmitted through physical
contact or by breathing the air near an infected person, and was known to
spread rapidly. It was responsible for the
death of large portions of the
American Indian population.
a coined name for the measles, a disease which causes small
red spots on the skin, a high fever and is highly contagious. In isolated communities that have long been free from epidemics of measles, introduction of infection can be followed by a devastating
epidemic which can result in
death.