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Attack of The Great White Plague May 6, 1896 Many people all over the states have become victims of the recent disease the ‘great white plague,’ or tuberculosis. Every individual and home fears the danger. The fear is so great, that it has earned it’s own name, ‘phthisiphobia’. This fear has swept across the nation, keeping people alert and watching out for the threat of the great white plague. The disease seems to particularly target poor people, and people with unsanitary homes. Entire families have died, passing the disease from one family member to the next. A physician named Dr. Koch found the bacteria that causes the disease. It is called tubercle bacilli. Because of that, we now know the reason this disease is so widespread is because it is highly contagious. This is why people are encouraged to find out for sure if they have the disease early. That way they can try to not give it to others. Recently, Mrs. William Furness Jenks of Philadelphia, along with some other Philadelphia women interested in home nursing care have created a new program called the “District Nurse Society.” These women do their best to provide hospital-like nursing care to people at their houses. They have already gained support from churches and relief organizations through donations of food, clothes, bed linen, and even money. The program does a lot, but they have some people who specifically work against the great white plague. They give examinations and help the people out. They also work to educate families about how good personal hygiene and other habits can help to prevent the disease. Although the terrible plague is still the number one cause of deaths, with all of this research and advances, the number of deaths is very slowly decreasing. Hopefully, with time, the illness may die out completely.
America's First Woman Doctor June 1, 1910 Yesterday was the death of a woman named Elizabeth Blackwell. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman doctor in the United States. She was born in 1821 and even when she was young helped to care for sick siblings and animals. She always knew she wanted to be a doctor, and was an exceptional student, but was told by many that no college would accept her. She taught piano for two years so she could save up some money. She applied to the best medical schools in the country, but no one would accept her. Then she tried to apply to some of the smaller schools, but was rejected by them as well. Eventually, Geneva College had their students vote on if they should accept her or not. Most of the people didn’t take it seriously, and so they voted yes. She graduated at the top of her class in two years, and then went to France and England for further study, only to return to New York City later. No one wanted to hire her, so she cared for poor people free of charge. People recognized her skills and began to trust her. She and her younger sister founded a hospital that only cared for women and children. Later, she founded a women’s medical school. Now over 7,000 women practice medicine. Elizabeth Blackwell was an amazing person and helped our country progress a great deal.

Attack of The Great White Plague
May 6, 1896
Many people all over the states have become victims of the recent disease the ‘great white plague,’ or tuberculosis. Every individual and home fears the danger. The fear is so great, that it has earned it’s own name, ‘phthisiphobia’. This fear has swept across the nation, keeping people alert and watching out for the threat of the great white plague. The disease seems to particularly target poor people, and people with unsanitary homes. Entire families have died, passing the disease from one family member to the next.

A physician named Dr. Koch found the bacteria that causes the disease. It is called tubercle bacilli. Because of that, we now know the reason this disease is so widespread is because it is highly contagious. This is why people are encouraged to find out for sure if they have the disease early. That way they can try to not give it to others.

Recently, Mrs. William Furness Jenks of Philadelphia, along with some other Philadelphia women interested in home nursing care have created a new program called the “District Nurse Society.” These women do their best to provide hospital-like nursing care to people at their houses. They have already gained support from churches and relief organizations through donations of food, clothes, bed linen, and even money.

The program does a lot, but they have some people who specifically work against the great white plague. They give examinations and help the people out. They also work to educate families about how good personal hygiene and other habits can help to prevent the disease.

Although the terrible plague is still the number one cause of deaths, with all of this research and advances, the number of deaths is very slowly decreasing. Hopefully, with time, the illness may die out completely.

America's First Woman Doctor
June 1, 1910

Yesterday was the death of a woman named Elizabeth Blackwell. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman doctor in the United States. She was born in 1821 and even when she was young helped to care for sick siblings and animals. She always knew she wanted to be a doctor, and was an exceptional student, but was told by many that no college would accept her.

She taught piano for two years so she could save up some money. She applied to the best medical schools in the country, but no one would accept her. Then she tried to apply to some of the smaller schools, but was rejected by them as well. Eventually, Geneva College had their students vote on if they should accept her or not. Most of the people didn’t take it seriously, and so they voted yes.

She graduated at the top of her class in two years, and then went to France and England for further study, only to return to New York City later. No one wanted to hire her, so she cared for poor people free of charge. People recognized her skills and began to trust her.

She and her younger sister founded a hospital that only cared for women and children. Later, she founded a women’s medical school. Now over 7,000 women practice medicine. Elizabeth Blackwell was an amazing person and helped our country progress a great deal.