Your suggestion that a single individual, a black slave, brought smallpox to the New World is a new concept to me. I am not denying that it is true. However, the thought that the Spanish intentionally infected the Aztecs with the disease ranks with the legend that Europeans intentionally spread smallpox among natives in North America with gifts of blankets filled with the variola virus.
Had the Europeans developed an immunity to the disease? Had the Africans who sold that particular slave to the slave traders been infected with the disease?
It brings to mind the H.G. Wells novel WAR OF THE WORLDS and it seems totally irrelevant.
I guess they weren't "immune" in the immunity sense, it may have likely been they had "hormesis" (they were acclimated) to toxic substances in their environment that the New World locals were not acclimated to. Probably because European cities were a bit of a cesspool compared to South America at that time.
Dear Jo,
Keep in mind that the Indians from surrounding tribes willingly joined in with Cortes. The Aztecs were no saints.
Still, I'd like to see a cohesive discussion of the supposed 'die-off' of the Indians. I suspect that it's about as real as the Black Plague
Your suggestion that a single individual, a black slave, brought smallpox to the New World is a new concept to me. I am not denying that it is true. However, the thought that the Spanish intentionally infected the Aztecs with the disease ranks with the legend that Europeans intentionally spread smallpox among natives in North America with gifts of blankets filled with the variola virus.
Had the Europeans developed an immunity to the disease? Had the Africans who sold that particular slave to the slave traders been infected with the disease?
It brings to mind the H.G. Wells novel WAR OF THE WORLDS and it seems totally irrelevant.
The picture makes me feel ill.
I guess they weren't "immune" in the immunity sense, it may have likely been they had "hormesis" (they were acclimated) to toxic substances in their environment that the New World locals were not acclimated to. Probably because European cities were a bit of a cesspool compared to South America at that time.