Looking Back: Epidemics, illness a part of pioneer life

MEEKER — Taking to one’s sickbed is how the winter siege of illnesses was described in many local childhood remembrances. While home remedies such as mustard plasters, kerosene and castor oil were recalled by many pioneer family members, the helplessness felt by an outbreak or subsequent epidemic of smallpox, scarlet fever, whooping cough or flu was remembered by all. In the early days of the 20th century, medical advances including immunizations for such childhood diseases…