Smallpox

Smallpox was a highly infectious disease which killed millions of people. The last known case in the world was reported in October 1977.

Rumours
In July 1873 there were reports of smallpox in Redan: "RUMOUR OF SMALL POX IN VICTORIA.-A good deal of anxiety appears to have been caused at Ballarat on Wednesday by a report that small-pox had made its appearance at the Redan, a part of the Sebastopol. The Argus says:-The city-mayor immediately took steps to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the report, by desiring Mr. Bunce, surgeon, and Sergeant Mc Culloch to make inquiries. The alarm, our correspondent informs us by telegraph, proved groundless. Messrs. Bunce and Jenkins examined the body of a man said to have died of small-pox. It was found that he and had the disease at some time or other, his face being deeply pitted, but the cause of his death was disease of the kidneys. In another case, a child which was reported to have the small-pox was suffering from chicken-pox, and there were no signs of the dreaded malady whatever."