Early in Florida history, Yellow
Fever was a serious problem for the state. This major disease
historically affected Florida in many ways. Yellow Fever
often wiped out whole communities, such as the destruction
of St. Joseph, Florida. At the same time, attempts to treat
the cause and effect of the disease led to the discovery
of air-conditioning by John Gorrie and the rise of public
health agencies to foster control and quarantines of Florida
cities.
In the 1880s, Florida saw the rise of public health - the
concern for health of citizens by governmental agencies such
as city and county Board of Health. Into the twentieth century,
these organizations became concerned over contagious diseases,
health care for children and rural citizens, vaccination programs,
and health education.
The Florida Heritage Collection contains materials which
help document much of the research related to Yellow Fever,
as well as documents dealing with statistical information
and firsthand accounts. There are also works on social
welfare and descriptions of the efforts of state health
organizations to better the state of public health in Florida.
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