Saturday, December 8, 2007

On Shetland



The Tradgardland Doctor attached to the Shetland Expedition has been worked off his feet. An out break of small pox has hit the troops in winter quarters. Fatalities have been high. Sitting in his canvas study exhausted after another fruitless day he summons up the last of his energy and looks through his papers. At last he comes across a copy of the Gentleman's Magazine of seven years ago - his eyes alight upon what he has been looking for - an article regarding smallpox and what can be done to prevent it. He opens the third last bottle of wine and reads on......

Narrator : readers are invited to click on the illustration to read what the doctor read ....

The article ignites the spark of an idea in the mind of the Doctor. He worries not upon the legality of his actions under God or man but considers that there is work to be done if the Army is to be saved........................

1 comment:

ColCampbell50 said...

Interesting article. I recently read a book titled Benedict Arnold's Navy which included a goodly description of Arnold's activities leading up to, during, and after the abortive assault on Quebec City. It included information about the small pox outbreaks in the Continental Army and the army leaders' (including Arnold) preference for troop units who had already been innoculated. But since this was before Jenner developed the cow pox innoculation, they were self-innoculated as described in this article.

Jim