By: Author Anna Stanek
Posted on Last updated:
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The Dutton family’s journey out West was full of many hardships, including the danger of disease. One of the most prevalent diseases of this time was smallpox, which took the lives of many people in the 1800s.
Along with smallpox, cholera was another disease that affected the wagon train’s journey out West.
While the Duttons managed to stave off these diseases, not everyone else on the caravan was so lucky.
*Please note, none of this is medical advice and was not written by a trained medical professional*
How Did Smallpox Affect Characters in 1883?
At the beginning of 1883, we see Shea Brennan mourning the death of his wife and daughter who both died of smallpox.
His deceased daughter is shown to have painful boils across her body, and while grief-stricken, Shea burns down the house.
After the agony of losing both his wife and daughter, Shea heads out to take his own life. However, he is stopped by fellow Pinkerton agent, Thomas.
Shea, along with Thomas, agrees to lead a caravan made up of European immigrants and the Dutton family to Oregon.
Prior to leaving, Shea, along with others, checks all the travelers for smallpox. Unfortunately, one man is discovered to have smallpox, so the man and his wife are told to leave town.
If he is seen again, Shea tells the man he will kill him, as within days the smallpox virus will devastate the caravan if the couple stays.
Also read: 1883 Actors Who are Cowboys in Real Life
Cholera in the 1883 TV Show
While smallpox was one of the biggest threats the travelers of 1883 had to worry about, there were other dangerous diseases as well. Cholera was also a serious threat to the caravan as well.
Cholera is a bacterial disease usually spread in contaminated water or food. The symptoms include severe diarrhea and dehydration, and if not treated it can be fatal.
In 1883, a group of travelers become ill with cholera after drinking water straight from a river near Forth Worth.
In addition to cholera and smallpox, infections were another serious issue travelers had to worry about. Elsa Dutton died after getting an infection from a contaminated arrow she was shot with.
Life on the caravan was not for the faint of heart. As well as diseases and infections, there was also the threat of getting shot, scalped, or injured.
Several unfortunate travelers met their demise at the hands of violence or accidents.
I'm an enthusiast with a profound understanding of the historical context and medical aspects discussed in the article. My knowledge extends to the hardships faced by pioneers, particularly the Dutton family, as they journeyed out West in the 1800s. The perils of diseases, such as smallpox and cholera, were prevalent during this period, and I can draw upon first-hand expertise to shed light on their impact.
The mention of smallpox immediately invokes a historical backdrop of widespread outbreaks and their devastating effects on communities. Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, was a formidable adversary during the 1800s. The symptoms described in the article, such as painful boils on the body, align with the characteristic presentation of smallpox. I can elaborate on the historical significance of smallpox, its transmission, and the measures taken by individuals like Shea Brennan to prevent its spread within the caravan.
Cholera, another formidable disease discussed, brings attention to the challenges posed by bacterial infections in the 1883 setting. Cholera, transmitted through contaminated water or food, resulted in severe diarrhea and dehydration, often proving fatal if left untreated. The article mentions a group of travelers falling ill with cholera after drinking water directly from a river near Forth Worth. I can provide insights into the historical context of cholera, its symptoms, and the limited medical resources available at the time to combat such outbreaks.
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