host body mama: oh my god — Subium • Bluesky web client

"Many were poor children taken from the streets of English cities, often without their consent."

"The U.S. was settled, in large part, by working indentured children... Over 1/2 the people who settled the Colonies south of New England came to America under contracts of indenture... The average age of an indentured servant was 14." ~Barbara Woodhouse, "Hidden in Plain Sight"

The contempt this country has for children, especially poor children, is foundational too

100%. it's not pointed out enough.

Because the relationship was seen as that of property. "The vaccine itself was carried beneath the skin of 22 orphan boys, ages three to nine. During the long crossing, the boys who had not previously contracted smallpox or cowpox were [intentionally, serially infected to keep the vaccine viable]."

How Children Took the Smallpox Vaccine around the World - JSTOR Dailydaily.jstor.org In 1803, nearly two dozen orphan boys endured long voyages and physical discomfort to transport the smallpox vaccine to Spain's colonies.

oh my god

After arriving, the expedition picked up more non-immune boys to use as new vaccine carriers including 26 Mexican boys. A total of 62 children took part in the 10-yr campaign. Four boys died. They traveled from Spain to the Caribbean, to Mexico, across S. America, to the Philippines, and to China.

How Children Took the Smallpox Vaccine around the World - JSTOR Dailydaily.jstor.org In 1803, nearly two dozen orphan boys endured long voyages and physical discomfort to transport the smallpox vaccine to Spain's colonies.

And this wasn't a humanitarian or public health endeavor. This was about protecting capital and protecting empire.

Europeans had brought the smallpox with them... So basically trying to fix a problem they helped to created.

every day i learn more. my god.

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