In the early 20th century, Americans regularly died of diseases and causes that now rarely trouble us. In 1905, about one in six children died before their fifth birthday. They died from communicable diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough and measles, which had been nearly eradicated in the U.S. by vaccine programs.
In 1905, typhoid and other foodborne illnesses were common. Poisoning, from manufactured food containing arsenic, lead-based coloring and other contaminants, was common. Malnutrition, from things like chalk and water mixtures sold as milk, was common.
As the new administration dismantles our federal agencies, firing the scientists that investigate cancer and infectious disease, firing teams that guarantee food isn’t contaminated and contains what the label says, I wonder — Do Americans want to go back to 1905? Or did federal agencies keep us so safe we forgot why we built them?…