The latest episode of the Lake George Battlefield Moments podcast features infectious disease specialist Dr. Richard Leach discussing the nature of the smallpox virus, its impacts on 18th Century military conflicts in North America, and General George Washington’s strategy during the American Revolution to lessen its effects on Continental soldiers.
A major smallpox epidemic broke out between 1775 and 1782 that killed an estimated 130,000 colonists with about 400,000 infected, about 1/16th all North American colonists. One important smallpox hospital was located on the shore of Lake George at Fort George. It’s estimated that smallpox killed far more people during the American Revolution than the enemy.
You can listen to the podcast here.
The Lake George Battlefield Moments podcast is produced by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance, a friends group supporting the Lake George Battlefield Park Historic District in Lake George, Warren County, NY.
For a full list of New York Almanack podcasts announcements click HERE.
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