Disease in Marianna
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, a significant number of infants, young children, and adolescents succumbed to a multitude of diseases. Although local cemetery records document these premature deaths, the exact causes are sometimes unknown. It's fair to say that tuberculosis, typhoid fever, cholera, or smallpox claimed young lives. But the community also faced challenges due to the prevalence of inbreeding.
Some notable events in regard to health during these times:
1879-The establishment of the National Board of Health, which sought to address public health issues. In the same year, Karl Joseph Eberth made a significant discovery by identifying the bacillus responsible for typhoid fever.
1880s- Pittsburgh experienced a devastating smallpox outbreak, resulting in the daily deaths of up to 100 individuals.
1905-Recognizing the detrimental effects of contaminated water sources, the Purity of Waters Act of 1905 was enacted, imposing restrictions on the discharge of sewage into Pennsylvania's waterways. Substantial progress has been made since those times to safeguard the integrity of Pennsylvania's water bodies.
1911-Marianna confronted another outbreak of typhoid fever, further highlighting the ongoing health challenges faced by the community.
2023-While some individuals contend that positive changes have been implemented in regard to improving our health, others argue that modern practices such as plastic pollution, fracking, acid mine drainage, and the use of agricultural chemicals have exacerbated environmental degradation. Despite improvements, sewage management remains a persisting concern, albeit to a lesser extent than in the past.
