Epidemeology Of Jennifer Lee Carrell's “The Speckl

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Epidemeology of Jennifer Lee Carrell's “The Speckled Monster” If I were an epidemic, I would favor the most suitable conditions to plant my horrid seeds into the bodies and souls of mankind. To spread my wrath with ease, I would manifest myself in human populations of the densest kind. My minions would ride the waves of the sea to reach their victims at all open ports and would spare none in travel. I would not discriminate between social class as I would spread with the greatest of ease to whom ever I choose. Those whom I infect will burn, sweat, and bleed. I will course through their blood and when I reach their outer flesh they will not know the personification of death more so than in the speckled monster which seeks to kill them. Once I run my course, my image will forever be painted on the faces and in the souls of the survivors. Only after infection and survival will they be spared the next time we meet. The Speckled Monster by Jennifer Lee Carrell is a tale of civilization's struggle with the devastating epidemic of smallpox. Two simultaneous stories taking place worlds apart tell of two heroes' efforts to get the upperhand on this dreadful disease. In the early 1700's in London, the smallpox epidemic was running strong as this particular city provides a wonderful breeding ground for the disease. London is a port city which is a suitable entryway for the disease to come and go as it pleases. Once back on land, smallpox is free to spread with from unsuspecting person to unsuspecting person as the high population density of London provides less travel distance between hosts. It infects poor, rich, kings and beggers. Those who are spared are either lucky enough to flee from the epidemic in time or are the survivors of past infection which identifies them by hideous scars on their faces and bodies. Our protagonist in this part of the tale
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