<P> Along with quarantine, another one of Washington's methods for keeping his men healthy was with the use of inoculation . Washington, like others of the time period, was not intimately familiar with the exact mechanisms of the virus . However, he and others were able to realize that men who had previously contracted and subsequently recovered from smallpox were unlikely to become ill a second time . Thus, early on Washington recognized the strategic advantage of these individuals . During an outbreak in Boston, Washington sent troops made up only of men who had previously been infected with smallpox . With this, he was able to both protect his soldiers and take advantage of the vulnerability of Boston and its British inhabitants during the smallpox outbreak of March 1776 . </P> <P> Initially, George Washington was reluctant to inoculate his troops . But as he watched many of his men fall victim to smallpox, Washington believed that he would be able to keep his troops healthy through sanitary and quarantine methods . There were several events that contributed to the change of Washington's policy . First, Washington recognized that quarantine and attempted cleanliness were not enough to keep his vital troops healthy and in fighting form . Additionally, many prominent members of colonial society were having themselves and their families inoculated . Eventually, even George Washington's wife, Martha Washington was herself inoculated . It was not long after this that Washington initiated the inoculation of the American troops . Washington recognized the dangers of inoculating these men; many patients died as result of the infection caused by inoculation . However, the importance of keeping his men healthy outweighed the risks, and almost all Continental soldiers were inoculated against smallpox . Washington understood the danger that smallpox posed to his men, saying "Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure, for should the disorder infect the Army...we should have more to dread from it, than from the Sword of the Enemy ." However, it was more complex than just Washington making this decision . Local officials were concerned that the inoculation of soldiers would lead to the accidental spread of smallpox among civilians . But, Washington persisted in his quest and managed to get the majority of his soldiers inoculated . Along with the rise in popularity of the practice, Washington's decision to inoculate his troops was also extremely strategic; he was able to realize the deep impact an epidemic would have on his troops . Immunity was initially more widespread among the British men than the Americans . This was due to the more accepted practice of inoculation in Europe and the high rate of childhood cases, resulting in immunity . With this, an epidemic spread among Americans could prove disastrous to the American cause . With his men at Valley Forge inoculated, Washington was able to proceed with more confidence, knowing that at least his men would not be struck down by the smallpox virus . </P> <P> Both John and Abigail Adams were intimately familiar with disease and illness, having seen many family members and themselves infected . Thus, Abigail made certain to educate her children on the dangers of disease and how to best avoid it . These lessons included both practices of cleaning and the administration of home medicine . The Adams' both understood the toll that smallpox could take and therefore feared the disease and its potentially devastating lasting effects . John Adams set an example by choosing to be inoculated before it was a commonly accepted practice . Though techniques were rudimentary at this time, Adams survived the experience, emerging with protective immunity . With this act, John Adams set a precedent for many . At the time of his inoculation, the practice was still highly controversial and distrusted by most . This stemmed from the cases in which inoculation patients died as a result of the contracted disease . Additionally, there was always the risk of inoculation patients unintentionally infecting others . However, Adams understood that the benefits of inoculation far outweighed the potential risks . Having a background in medicine, Adams strove to educate others on his findings and beliefs . John Adams was certainly a leading figure in the American Revolution; he played many important roles and was known to many . Adams was able to spread his progressive beliefs about public health programs such as inoculation by taking advantage of his status during this time . </P> <P> Many of the leading figures associated with the American Revolution were also involved in the attempt to stop the disastrous spread of smallpox throughout the American Colonies and beyond . Such individuals included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, among others . Prior to the steps made by these parties, public health policies in the colonies were not well established; they were limited to emergency situations . This is to say that policies and programs sprung up around epidemics and quarantines, wherever they were needed in the moment . However, the scourge of smallpox prompted changes to be made that would impact the public health of America for years to come . </P>

What is not true of smallpox inoculation in colonial north america