Category Archives: New Hampshire Glossary

An example of small pox, from book, “The diagnosis of smallpox, “by T.F. Ricketts, 1910

Before the introduction of inoculation, small-pox was the most fatal disease in Great Britain and the American colonies. It killed about one out of four of those who contracted it, and left many survivors blinded, scarred and weak for life. After inoculation became common practice, the disease killed only one in several hundred people.

Eventually as a preventative, and to limit deaths, New Hampshire townships were given the power to isolate individuals and families who had small-pox or those who had come in contact with the disease. These people were placed in pox-houses (or sick-houses). Doing so often reduced the number of people who came in contact with them, and contracted the disease themselves. Continue reading →