Smallpox

Smallpox was an extraordinarily contagious disease. The virus spread from contact with victims, as well as from contaminated air droplets and even from objects used by other smallpox victims (books, blankets, etc.).

After acquisition of the virus, there was a 12-14 day incubation period, during which the virus multiplied, but no symptoms appeared. The onset of symptoms occurred suddenly and included fever and chills, muscle aches, and a flat, reddish-purple rash on the chest, abdomen, and back. These symptoms lasted about three days, after which the rash faded and the fever dropped. A day or two later, the fever would return, along with a bumpy rash starting on the feet, hands, and face. This rash progressed from the feet along the legs, from the hands along the arms, and from the face down the neck, ultimately reaching and including the chest, abdomen and back. The individual bumps, or papules, filled with clear fluid, and, over the course of 10-12 days, became pus-filled. The pox would eventually scab over, and when the scab fell off, left behind was a pock or pit which remained as a permanent scar.

Death from smallpox usually followed complications such as bacterial infection of the open skin lesions, pneumonia, or bone infections. A very severe and quickly fatal form of smallpox was called "sledgehammer smallpox," and resulted in hemorrhage from the skin lesions, as well as from the mouth, nose, and other areas of the body.

No treatment was ever discovered to treat the symptoms of smallpox, or to shorten the course of the disease.