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Public Health

Contagion of Liberty: Politics of Smallpox in the American Revolution

December 7, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Contagion of LibertyInoculation, a shocking procedure introduced to America by an enslaved African, became the most sought-after medical procedure of the eighteenth century. The difficulty lay in providing it to all Americans and not just the fortunate few. Across the colonies, poor Americans rioted for equal access to medicine, while cities and towns shut down for quarantines. In Marblehead, Massachusetts, sailors burned down an expensive private hospital just weeks after the Boston Tea Party.

The Revolutionary War broke out during a smallpox epidemic, and in response, General George Washington ordered the inoculation of the Continental Army. But Washington did not have to convince fearful colonists to protect themselves against smallpox ― they were the ones demanding it. [Read more…] about Contagion of Liberty: Politics of Smallpox in the American Revolution

Filed Under: Books, History Tagged With: American Revolution, Massachusetts, Medical History, Military History, Public Health, Science History

Air Pollution Spotlight: PFAS, Forever Chemicals

November 19, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

PFAS fire suppressionWhat do non-stick pans, firefighting foam, microwave popcorn bags, cleaning products, fast food containers and wrappers, cosmetics, and stain-resistant carpets have in common? They all may contain forever chemicals called PFAS. [Read more…] about Air Pollution Spotlight: PFAS, Forever Chemicals

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: Environmental History, Industrial History, PFAS, pollution, Public Health

Saratoga Spa in 1935: A State Health Resort Opens

August 14, 2022 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

Architectural Rendering - Saratoga Spa Guide Book 1935“The Spa is new in every sense of the word. In addition to new equipment, new buildings and new treatments, it presents a new conception of the treatment of disease—the conception of health and recreation and enjoyment while finding that health. It is a place where the patient, by the very life that teems around him, will be made to forget he is ill.” – Pierrepont B. Noyes, President, Saratoga Springs Authority. Address of Welcome. The Saratogian, July 26th, 1935. [Read more…] about Saratoga Spa in 1935: A State Health Resort Opens

Filed Under: Capital-Saratoga, History Tagged With: Medical History, Public Health, Saratoga County, Saratoga County History Center, Saratoga County History Roundtable, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs

Microbial Ecology: Mind Control, Fecal Transplants & Zombie Laternflies

August 13, 2022 by Paul Hetzler Leave a Comment

Lifecycle of Toxoplasma gondii courtesy CDCIf you believe we’re the master of our actions, think again. Better yet, have a fungus, bacterium, or protozoan tell you what to think. Jedi mind tricks are nothing compared to what microbes can do to animals, human and otherwise. [Read more…] about Microbial Ecology: Mind Control, Fecal Transplants & Zombie Laternflies

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: insects, nature, pets, Public Health, Science, small mammals, Spotted Lanternfly, Wildlife

Islands of Punishment and Exclusion

August 9, 2022 by Jaap Harskamp Leave a Comment

View of a PoW Camp, Isle of ManThe exclusion of “undesirables” to remote lands has a long history. The shameful attempts by contemporary governments to “solve” the refugee problem in that manner has had precedents.

During the mid-1930s Mussolini dumped socialists and anti-fascists in the inaccessible and malaria-ridden southern areas of the country.

The use of islands as off-shore detention centers has a parallel history. The government of Charles I locked up its opponents at Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isles of Scilly. Having lost the English Civil War, Charles I himself was incarcerated in Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight. Faced with continuing sedition and agitation, Charles II sent several former leaders of the Interregnum into island isolation. [Read more…] about Islands of Punishment and Exclusion

Filed Under: History, New York City Tagged With: Asian-American, Crime and Justice, Ellis Island, Immigration, Italian History, Legal History, Medical History, New York City, Political History, prisons, Public Health, Rikers Island

Skin Mites Play A Beneficial Role

July 30, 2022 by Paul Hetzler 1 Comment

Demodex folliculorum courtesy Wikimedia user BlauerauerhahnApparently, if you suck face for too long, you can become part of that visage, fused forever. And by “you” I mean all the Demodex folliculorum skin mites that read this essay. [Read more…] about Skin Mites Play A Beneficial Role

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: nature, Public Health, Science

Forests & Their Benefits for Children’s Health

July 16, 2022 by Paul Hetzler Leave a Comment

Striped maple growing at the edge of a forest with pine and hickory in the background courtesy Wikimedia user N3362Although the Grimm Brothers’ tale of Hansel and Gretel surviving alone in the woods after being abandoned by their parents is based on a grim reality – the famine of 1315-1317 – there are compelling reasons to take kids into a forest today.

As long as they are kept out of the clutches of evil witches, and are brought to their respective homes right afterward. [Read more…] about Forests & Their Benefits for Children’s Health

Filed Under: Nature, Recreation Tagged With: Education, nature, Public Health, Science, trees

Under Threat: Willard State Hospital at Seneca Lake

June 20, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Willard State Hospitals Hadley Hall c 1887Willard State Hospital in Romulus, Seneca County, NY has defined the physical landscape and cultural environment of its rural corner of the Finger Lakes region for nearly 175 years. The hospital complex was the largest of its kind in the 1870s, with dozens of buildings, open space, and working farms.

Once comprising over 1,000 acres, its current size is about 400 acres including a mile of Seneca Lake shoreline and an institutional cemetery containing approximately 6,000 burials. Despite the loss of several architecturally important buildings, about 70 buildings still stand today. [Read more…] about Under Threat: Willard State Hospital at Seneca Lake

Filed Under: History, Western NY Tagged With: Architecture, Crime and Justice, Department of Corrections, Empire State Development Corporation, Finger Lakes, Historic Preservation, Medical History, Preservation League of NYS, Public Health, Romulus, Seneca County, Seneca Lake, Willard State Hospital

Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders

April 21, 2022 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

Distribution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5 and H5N1 in North America, 2021 2022The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus has been found in multiple wild bird species in several areas of New York State.

No known HPAI human infections are documented in the U.S., and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these recent cases of HPAI do not present an immediate public health concern for most people. However, people in contact with known infected or possibly infected birds should take precautions to protect against infection and avian researchers are concerned that bird baths and bird feeders can help spread the virus and are asking that they be taken down for a few months.   [Read more…] about Avian Influenza Detected in New York’s Wild Birds; Take Down Feeders

Filed Under: Food, Nature Tagged With: birding, birds, DEC, local farms, nature, Public Health, raptors, Science, waterfowl, Wildlife

A Poison Ivy Vaccine May Be Available Soon

March 5, 2022 by Paul Hetzler 9 Comments

Poison IvyNow that the V-word has joined the list of things we mustn’t say in polite company, I hesitate to bring up the topic. No, I mean the other V-word – vaccine. Even if vaccines give you a headache, there’s a new one on the horizon which you may well like.

I realize this claim smacks of a Green Eggs and Ham-style discourse. Not to worry; I won’t stalk you with promises that you’ll like getting jabbed with a mouse, in a house, in a box, with a fox, here or there, in car, or anywhere. Now that I think on it, Green Eggs and Ham was a creepy kid’s book. [Read more…] about A Poison Ivy Vaccine May Be Available Soon

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: gardening, Native Plants, nature, Public Health, Wildlife

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