Country of Poxes: Three Germs and the Taking of Territory

The book "Country of Poxes" explores how syphilis, smallpox, and tuberculosis were used as tools of land theft and colonization in North America, revealing the intimate connections between medical care, colonial control, and Indigenous land and life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 17 January 2023
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd

The story of land theft in North America is told through three diseases: syphilis, smallpox, and tuberculosis. These infectious diseases reveal that medical care, widely considered a benevolent cornerstone of the Canadian state, developed in lockstep with colonial control over Indigenous land and life. Pathogens are storytellers of their time. The 500-year-old debate over the origins of syphilis reflects colonial judgments of morality and sexuality that became formally entwined in medicine. Smallpox is notoriously linked with the project of land theft, as colonizers destroyed Indigenous land, economies, and life in the name of disease eradication. And tuberculosis, considered the "Indian disease," aroused intense fear of contagion that launched separate systems of care for Indigenous Peoples in a de facto medical apartheid, while white settlers retreated to sanatoria in the Laurentians and Georgian Bay to be cured. In this immersive and deeply reflective book, physician and activist Dr. Baijayanta Mukhopadhyay provides riveting insights into the biological and social relationships of disease and empire. Country of Poxes considers a future of health in Canada that heeds redress and healing for Nations brutalized by the Canadian state.

The Story of Land Theft in North America

Through the lens of three diseases: syphilis, smallpox, and tuberculosis, Country of Poxes delves into the intricate web of land theft in North America. These infectious diseases serve as poignant reminders of the inseparable link between medical care, widely regarded as a noble cornerstone of the Canadian state, and colonial control over Indigenous land and life.

The origins of syphilis, a disease with a 500-year-old history, reflect the deeply intertwined colonial judgments of morality and sexuality that became firmly embedded in medicine. The arrival of European colonizers brought with it a new worldview, one that often sought to categorize and control human behavior based on perceived notions of morality and sexuality. Syphilis, with its association with promiscuity and venereal diseases, became a target of moral judgment and medical intervention.

Smallpox, on the other hand, is notorious for its association with the project of land theft. Colonizers, driven by the belief that disease was a divine punishment and a means of controlling Indigenous populations, embarked on a systematic campaign to eradicate smallpox. They destroyed Indigenous land, economies, and lives, often in the name of disease eradication. The devastating impact of smallpox on Indigenous communities was profound, leaving lasting scars and contributing to the ongoing struggles for land and justice.

Tuberculosis, often referred to as the "Indian disease," also played a significant role in the history of land theft. The belief that tuberculosis was a contagious and deadly disease led to the establishment of separate systems of care for Indigenous Peoples. While white settlers were provided with advanced medical treatment and care, Indigenous Peoples were subjected to a de facto medical apartheid. They were often denied access to proper medical care, and their health outcomes were significantly worse compared to their white counterparts.

In his book, physician and activist Dr. Baijayanta Mukhopadhyay offers a profound exploration of the biological and social relationships of disease and empire. Country of Poxes challenges the dominant narrative that views disease as solely a medical issue and instead emphasizes its historical and political context. Mukhopadhyay sheds light on the ways in which disease has been used as a tool of colonial control, perpetuating inequality and injustice.

The book also considers a future of health in Canada that heeds redress and healing for the Nations brutalized by the Canadian state. Mukhopadhyay advocates for a holistic approach to health that recognizes the interconnectedness of biological, social, and environmental factors. He calls for a redistribution of resources, including healthcare, education, and land, to address the historical injustices and promote a more equitable and sustainable future.

Country of Poxes is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the complex history of disease, land theft, and colonialism in North America. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for justice and equality and the importance of addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of these issues. By examining the biological and social relationships of disease and empire, Mukhopadhyay offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past and a vision for a more just and sustainable future.

Weight: 378g
Dimension: 227 x 153 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773635545