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Smallpox virus virions TEM PHIL 1849-2-

The smallpox virus under a miscroscope.

Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, derived from varius ("spotted") or varus ("pimple"). The disease was originally known in English as the "pox" or "red plague"; the term "smallpox" was first used in England in the 15th century to distinguish variola from the "great pox" (syphilis). The last naturally occurring case of smallpox (Variola minor) was diagnosed on 26 October 1977.

Smallpox was localized in small blood vessels of the skin and in the mouth and throat. In the skin it resulted in a characteristic maculopapular rash and, later, raised fluid-filled blisters. V. major produced a more serious disease and had an overall mortality rate of 30–35%. V. minor caused a milder form of disease (also known as alastrim, cottonpox, milkpox, whitepox, and Cuban itch) which killed about 1% of its victims. Long-term complications of V. major infection included characteristic scars, commonly on the face, which occur in 65–85% of survivors. Blindness resulting from corneal ulceration and scarring, and limb deformities due to arthritis and osteomyelitis were less common complications, seen in about 2–5% of cases.

Smallpox in Agent of Byzantium[]

A smallpox epidemic hit the city of Constantinople in 1307. The first identified case was a man face down in the road who was discovered by Basil Argyros.[1] The pox spread quickly. Those who could afford to flee the city did, while those who couldn't stayed home as much as possible. The city's economy proved erratic as a result. Only the churches remained crowded; the rest of the city was practically deserted.[2]

Smallpox in Crosstime Traffic[]

Except as a bioweapon smallpox was extinct in the home timeline.[3] However, smallpox was a threat in several low-tech alternates. Crosstime Traffic employees were required to keep their immunizations up to date before traveling.[4]

Smallpox in The Valley-Westside War[]

Smallpox was common in an alternate which had been devastated by nuclear war in 1967. Some cultures there believed that Kennedy half-dollars were powerful amulets against smallpox. Crosstime Traffic agents needed to be vaccinated against smallpox when they went to such timelines since the home timeline had eradicated the disease and did brisk business in copies of half-dollars.[5]

Smallpox in Through Darkest Europe[]

A Persian healer developed the world's first smallpox vaccine. By the 15th century AH, smallpox had been eradicated in the developed world, and was a danger only in primitive backwaters such as England, where people eschewed modern medicine as contrary to God's plan.[6]

Smallpox in The War That Came Early[]

Unit 731 had experimented with smallpox along with other infectious diseases. A detachment from Unit 113 based on Midway used this in their raids on Hawaii leaving spore on Midway to potentially infect the Americans who succeeded in taking the island back from the Japanese. One marine did become infected and died from smallpox despite his inoculations.[7]

References[]

  1. Agent of Byzantium (2018 edition), pg. 37, loc, 709, ebook.
  2. Ibid., pgs. 37-40, 750-774.
  3. In High Places, pg. 18, pb.
  4. See, e.g.Gunpowder Empire, pg. 70, In High Places, pg. 18, pb., The Valley-Westside War, pg. 40.
  5. The Valley-Westside War, pgs. 40-41, hc.
  6. Through Darkest Europe, pg. 87, HC.
  7. Last Orders, pg. 244, HC.
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