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Malaria was endemic in the US south of the Mason Dixon Line until the middle of the 20th century and it's had a huge effect on our history - from playing a part

Malaria was endemic in the US south of the Mason Dixon Line until the middle of the 20th century and it's had a huge effect on our history - from playing a part in the decimation of native populations to why slavery only took hold in some places to the difficulties of some Union offensives in the Civil War. Charles Mann wrote a great book, 1493, on the Colombian Exchange which I'd highly recommend. The introduction of malaria to the Americas is one underappreciated aspect of that he introduced me to.

deleted 3y ago
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js2 3y ago
> Malaria was endemic in the US south And is why the CDC is in Atlanta.
quickthrowman 3y ago
Hookworm was also a huge problem in the Southern US, up to 40% of people living there were infected with hookworm. Hookworm infestations make people tired and unable to work, but are not fatal. John Rockefeller spearheaded and funded a campaign to eradicate hookworm, which was largely successful in promoting better sanitation to prevent hookworms from entering people. Hookworms reproduce in the intestinal tract and then lay eggs, which are passed through the body inside feces. They enter the body though the feet, and the cycle starts over. Knowing this, a plan was devised to provide outhouses, shoes, and hookworm treatment to infected people, and it was successful in greatly reducing hookworm infections. Like malaria, hookworm is still around and able to infect people. https://resource.rockarch.org/story/public-health-how-the-fight-against-hookworm-helped-build-a-system/ https://resource.rockarch.org/story/public-health-how-the-fi...
- giardini 3y ago
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