In 1942, @HealthyBoston published this chart showing Boston's history of fighting epidemics from 1725 to 1942. The chart shows especially deadly outbreaks of smallpox, cholera, and influenza. @universalhub @HUBhistory

Boston's health officials used a variety of health strategies to fight these outbreaks including quarantines, sanitation, and vaccination. This 1824 ordinance is an example of the common practice of quarantining ships coming from locations known to be experiencing epidemics

In the 1800s, doctors were still learning about how diseases spread. This letter sent from the Rainsford Island Hospital during a smallpox epidemic was "purified" with smoke. Physicians were concerned that letters sent from the hospital might spread disease to the larger city.

By the 1840s, physicians didn't yet understand that disease was spread by germs, but did recognize that crowded homes without ventilation were prone to infectious diseases. This 1849 report blames the spread of disease on crowding and poor ventilation and sanitation.

In addition to quarantining and sanitation, Boston starting emphasizing vaccinations in the mid-1800s. In 1871, Boston's City Physician wrote this letter about the city's successful smallpox vaccination campaign.

By the 20th century, Boston was especially emphasizing child vaccination to protect its youngest residents from diseases like whooping cough, measles, and polio. This photo is from a vaccination campaign in the 1940s.

Boston also fought disease through health education, especially for its young people. This photo from the 1920s or '30s shows nurses at Boston City Hospital teaching young Bostonians about hygiene and disease prevention.

Boston targeted education and testing efforts by neighborhood. This 1945 chart was created during the city's fight against tuberculosis and helped health officials decide where to concentrate their efforts.

As Boston fights the #covid19 epidemic, here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your neighbors. You can wear a face covering! You’re at risk for #covid19 whenever you leave your home. Wearing a face covering lowers that risk.

Learn more: http://boston.gov/face-coverings 

You can get a flu shot! . By getting vaccinated, you protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from becoming sick. You also help reduce the burden of flu on hospitals and healthcare systems during #COVID19: http://bphc.org/flu 

You can get tested! We have a map and list of #COVID19 testing locations across the City of Boston: https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-health-commission/map-covid-19-testing-sites

Bostonians have a long history of working together to fight infectious disease in our community and to protect our families, friends, and neighbors. Together we can continue our tradition of looking out for each other and #StopTheSpread