Hopefully, we are coming to the end of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. In the UK by the beginning of August 2021 we have had 5,982,581 cases which tragically resulted in 130,086 deaths, or a mortality rate of 2.17%. This is the story about the smallpox pandemic which hit Britain 150 years ago. The first state hospital to try to deal with the disease was built in Hampstead, near Haverstock Hill and Pond Street. The site is now covered by the Royal Free Hospital. What is Smallpox? Smallpox is a variola virus, worldwide killing a third of those it infected, and in the 20th Century alone an estimated 300 million people died from the disease. The initial symptoms of the painful disease included fever and vomiting. This was followed by formation of ulcers in the mouth and a skin rash over much of the body. Soon the skin rash turned into characteristic fluid-filled blisters. The cause of death from smallpox is not clear but involves multiple organ failure. Those who survived were often left ...
Stories about the history of Hampstead, Camden Town, St Pancras, Holborn, and other parts of London by Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms. You can contact us using the drop down button on the right side of the page next to search. If you want to be alerted about new stories please send your email.