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Letter to Editor
February 3, 1764
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from Swanzey reports the spread of smallpox in Swanzey, Dighton, Norton, Freetown, and one family in Middleborough, causing many deaths. The outbreak's rapid spread is unaccountable but attributed to dogs from other towns, with dogs attempting to attack a corpse during a burial in Dighton.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Extract of a Letter from Swanzey.
"The Small-Pox has spread much among us, that is in Swanzey, Dighton, Norton, Freetown, and one Family at Middleborough; it proved very mortal, many, many have died; by what Means it spread so much is very unaccountable; but it is now generally concluded that it must be by the Number of Dogs that were amongst us, of which several have come many Miles from other Towns; I have been credibly informed that at the Interment of a Man at Dighton, who died of that Distemper, it was very difficult to keep the Dogs from falling on the Corps, while they were committing it to the Grave; which is here accounted very strange, having never heard of the like."
"The Small-Pox has spread much among us, that is in Swanzey, Dighton, Norton, Freetown, and one Family at Middleborough; it proved very mortal, many, many have died; by what Means it spread so much is very unaccountable; but it is now generally concluded that it must be by the Number of Dogs that were amongst us, of which several have come many Miles from other Towns; I have been credibly informed that at the Interment of a Man at Dighton, who died of that Distemper, it was very difficult to keep the Dogs from falling on the Corps, while they were committing it to the Grave; which is here accounted very strange, having never heard of the like."
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Historical
What themes does it cover?
Health Medicine
What keywords are associated?
Smallpox
Outbreak
Swanzey
Dighton
Dogs
Burial
Letter to Editor Details
Main Argument
the smallpox outbreak has spread rapidly in several towns, causing many deaths, likely due to dogs carrying the disease from other areas.
Notable Details
Dogs Attempted To Attack A Corpse During Burial In Dighton
Never Heard Of The Like