FREE Lecture In Philly

POX: An American History

A talk by author Michael Willrich, PhD

Thursday, May 12 | 6:30PM

19 South 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Don't miss what is sure to be one of the most interesting,  

dynamic lectures of the season!

Historian Michael Willrich, PhD, discusses his book POX: An American History (The Penguin Press),  which offers a gripping chronicle of how the nation's continent-wide fight against smallpox in the early 1900s launched one of the most important civil liberties struggles of the twentieth century. Willrich explores the intersection of public health initiatives and private medical decisions as well as the polarizing debate about the morality, ethics, safety, and effectiveness of vaccines.

Additionally, Willrich looks at the government's response to the deadly smallpox epidemic at the dawn of the activist progressive era and during a moment of great optimism about modern medicine. The measures enacted to contain the disease--- quarantines, pesthouses, and "virus squads"--- sparked a wave of popular resistance among Americans who perceived them as a threat to their health and to their rights.

Sponsored by The History of Vaccines.    

Program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 

Click HERE to register!