Deadly epidemics have been challenging the populace since the earliest settlers came to American shores. This database presents newspaper, books and first person accounts pertaining to disease and epidemics across a wide range of sources.

Part I: Newspapers, 1736-1922

Examine administrative and community responses to diseases devastating to public health as found in the press from colonial America through World War I. This database enables comparison of past outbreaks, civilian and governmental reactions, and disease control practices with what is happening today.

In the 1600s smallpox and diphtheria spread and killed many Pilgrims as well as Native Americans. In the late 18th century, the smallpox vaccine was the first inoculation to be developed in this country.

Around the time control efforts to stop the spread of smallpox were starting to work, yellow fever was introduced into the country from the Caribbean. Philadelphia saw the brunt of the disease causing the government to set up the first American isolation wards, or quarantine stations as they were called, in 1798 to assist in fighting this epidemic. Today the disease has been virtually eradicated.

Part II: Books, 1823-1928

Monographs and county histories can provide on many aspects of public health and contagious diseases. Searches will retrieve results from books published in the 19th century through World War I.

In the early years of America, state and local municipalities controlled many aspects of infectious disease control but worked with the federal government on enforcement and appropriations. Even so, national laws were also critical to saving lives. The development of public and private cooperation can be traced in this rich database.

This collection documents details of early quarantine and sanitation practices in cities and towns across the country.

During the Civil War, infectious diseases such as pneumonia, dysentery, cholera, killed more soldiers than combat did. This collections includesrelevant accounts from letters, regimental histories, speeches, essays, and more.

This file is no longer sold. It remains available to those who purchased or subscribed prior to August 2023. It’s currently offered on the Accessible Archives platform and will migrate to the History Commons platform early in 2024.