Die stryd teen pokke in die distrik Boshof, 1882-1884

Abstract

English

The campaign against smallpox in the Boshof district, 1882-1884 During the first half of the eighties of the previous century the Republic of the Orange Free State was devastated by smallpox. The Boshof district was the worst hit by this life-endangering disease, as a result of its strategic position bordering on the Kimberley diamond fields where the smallpox epidemic raged fiercely. Countermeasures, such as fumigation houses and a border watch system, did not have the desired effect of bringing the disease under control in the district. The activity of a single-minded health committee together with an immunization campaign eventually won the battle against the smallpox epidemic in the Boshof district.

Afrikaans

Gedurende die eerste helfte van die tagtigerjare van die vorige eeu is die Republiek van die Oranje-Vrystaat deur pokke geteister. Veral vanweë sy strategiese ligging teenaan die Kimberleyse diamantvelde waar 'n pokke-epidemie fel gewoed het, is die distrik Boshof die ergste deur hierdie lewensgevaarlike siekte getref. Teenmaatreëls soos berokingshuise en 'n grenswagstelsel het nie die gewenste uitwerking in die distrik gehad nie om die siekte onder beheer te bring. Die werksaamhede van doelgerigte gesondheidskomitees tesame met 'n inentingsveldtog het mettertyd die deurslag in die stryd teen die pokke-epidemie in die distrik Boshof gegee.