
01/14/2025
In 1751, George Washington went to Barbados with his half brother Lawrence Washington. While in Barbados, he caught smallpox. On November 17, George Washington said "Was strongly attacked with the small Pox" Smallpox caused many symptoms that included high fever, severe headaches, and pains in the body. After recovering from smallpox, George Washington was now immuned from the disease. This was important because during the American Revolution, there was a smallpox epidemic that lasted from 1775 to 1782. George Washington was immuned from the virus. His experience gave him the idea of having an innoculation program during the war.