Medicine and Sanitation

Advances in medical practices, sanitation [TBC], medicines, and medical equipment have been highly successful in improving the health and longevity of Americans.

There were no remedies for infectuous diseases in early America and epidemics were frequent.   Smallpox epidemics were a constant menace in colonial times.   They occurred in Charleston, SC, for 10 months in 1698, in Boston in 1702, and in New York and Philadelphia in 1731-1732.   It was estimated that in New York 6% of the population died of smallpox during that period. ^{Carruth 49}   The first influenza epidemic occurred in New York City and Philadelphia in 1733. ^{Carruth 56}   On July 22, 1905, a yellow fever epidemic bagan in New Orleans.   It lasted until October and killed about 400 people. ^{Carruth 402}   In 1943, a polio epidemic killed 1151 people and crippled many more. ^{Carruth 518}   In October, 1918, an influenza epidemic spread to major eastern cities: Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, and eventually to the entire U.S.   Between 400,000 and 500,000 person died.   The epidemic ended in 1919. ^{Carruth 441}