Abstract
The outbreak of epidemic small pox in the Caribbean at the beginning of the 20 th century aggravated the problems inherited from the 19 th century posing further challenges for these territories. This study discusses the bitter controversy that it stimulated between Barbados and Trinidad and examines the course of and response to, the disease in both colonies. It is argued that the underlying economic and social implications of the epidemic underscore the relationship between trade and health and demonstrate how regional cooperation was possible even in the midst of rivalry.
Highlights
The significance of disease in history has been demonstrated by the recent outbreak of Chikungunya in parts of the Caribbean since June 2014 putting the Caribbean countries on preventative alert
Barbados remained heavily dependent on sugar production and faced a slump in trade as a result of displacement by the expansion of the sugar industries of Cuba and Puerto Rico, which contributed to the hardship experienced by the poorer classes. 3
It was of particular importance in the British Caribbean where there were competing economies functioning during a difficult time
Summary
The significance of disease in history has been demonstrated by the recent outbreak of Chikungunya in parts of the Caribbean since June 2014 putting the Caribbean countries on preventative alert. While keeping abreast of the progress of the disease via the international media, public panic could be read in the local newspapers which were replete with comments, criticisms and exhortations from readers on the nature and (in) adequacy of the preparations in the region These contemporary instances replicated the scenario of yesteryear when terror and consternation gripped the region’s population during earlier epidemics the cholera epidemic of the 1850-1855 and the smallpox epidemics of 1870 and 1902/03. 179 Disease and intercolonial relations: small pox in the British Caribbean, 1902-1904 on the subject but they transmit sentiments, tensions and emotions that were aroused by the conflict These constitute an important window, which makes it possible to properly contextualize the episode. It is necessary to view the epidemic in its social and economic context which is outlined
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