Smallpox

🌿 Overview

Smallpox (variola) was one of history's most deadly diseases, killing 30% of those infected. It was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980. However, stockpiles exist and it remains a bioterrorism concern. The disease progresses through distinct stages over 14 days. Natural treatments used historically focused on fever management, maintaining skin cleanliness, and preventing pitting of the pustules.

Common signs

• Incubation: 12–14 days after exposure
• Prodrome: several days of discomfort followed by severe chill, intense headache, terrible pain in back and limbs, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite
• Fever lowers and eruptions appear on forehead, neck, and wrists
• Eruptions progress: hard red papules → clear vesicles (depressed at centers) → pus-filled pustules
• Highly contagious even as the fever lowers and eruptions appear
• Pitting (permanent scarring) common without treatment

🔎 Why it happens

Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.

• Variola virus — highly contagious
• Historically linked to unsanitary living conditions and poor diet
• Spread by direct contact and respiratory droplets
• Officially eradicated 1980; currently a bioterrorism risk

✅ What to do

Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.

1. Isolate the patient immediately; ventilate the room; maintain temperature at or below 70°F; darken windows
2. During 2nd to 4th day (skin producing eruptions): do NOT disturb stomach and bowels; avoid strong purgatives or emetics
3. When skin is hot and dry: give fluids every hour until perspiration begins; pleurisy root and ginger teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → (or yarrow and valerian tea) — 1 cup per hour until perspiration
4. For back and leg pain: hot fomentations
5. For itching: bathe with goldenseal root teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →, yellow dock root, or burdock root tea; or goldenseal mixed in flaxseed oil applied freely
6. Apply goldenseal teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea → to pustules to prevent pitting; or goldenseal mixed in Vaseline
7. Light diet of wheat-meal gruel only if appetite calls for it; then vegetable broth, oatmeal water, fruit juices

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🍽️ Eating to help

Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.

Favor these

• Lemonade (unsweetened) during fever
• Fruit juices and vegetable broths
• Oatmeal water and wheat-meal gruel (light nourishment)

Go easy on

• Heavy, rich, or hard-to-digest foods during the active fever
• Strong spices, stimulants, processed foods

Hot baths taken before or after contracting smallpox make the skin active and shorten the disease's duration.

💬 Ask Remy about Smallpox