Providence of Almighty God in US History P9

More on our trip through History, the Superintending Providence of God and Columbus.

Even with all the well-documented atrocities against the natives by the barbaric behavior of the Spanish settlers who came after Columbus most of the killings of the natives was not by direct intentional acts but rather by diseases the colonists unknowingly and unintentionally spread. Everyone today knows handwashing is an easy way to stay healthy, but in the 1840’s advocating handwashing cost a doctor his career. The discovery of germs and their fatal effects to all people of the world was not discovered until the 1800’s. The dramatic decrease in infectious diseases was attributed not to high-tech medical treatments, but rather to changes in human behavior such as handwashing, drinking clean water and water treatments. Still, at that time, as I stated, it was not understood how germs were transmitted, so no accusation about intentionally spreading germs should be seriously entertained.

CONTENT SOURCED FROM: The American Story - the Beginnings by David & Tim Barton & Evolution and History of Personal Hygiene by Ingrid Koo, PhD