In the winter of 1924 and 1925, there lived a sled dog by the name of Balto. This dog was made famous by the 1995 animated Disney film, entitled Balto. However, most people do not know the true depth of Balto’s story, which rightfully includes a number of other teams that also helped in this grand adventure.
In December of 1924, the first case of diphtheria appeared in a two year old Inuit boy, but it was misdiagnosed as tonsillitis because of the lack of family history, or anyone in the area that might be experiencing the same symptoms. The boy died a few days later, and the mother refused an autopsy. A few days later, more and more cases began to spring up until finally, they were correctly diagnosed. However, the only serum that Dr. Curtis …show more content…
Welch called for a town meeting with the Mayor (George Maynard) and it was decided that, because his earlier request had not arrived, they would send an emergency request. However, train lines and travel had all been canceled, because of weather conditions. After a lot of debate, they finally came to the conclusion, that the serum would be sent from Anchorage to Nenana by train, and then picked up by sled dog teams and returned to Nome from there. Meanwhile, all of the sick children would be put under quarantine and kept under the watchful eye of Ms. Emily Morgan (one of only four nurses on staff at the time). Currently, there were 20 known cases and 50 more at …show more content…
While this would not be enough to get rid of the epidemic completely, they hoped it would be enough to contain it until more was gathered from various sources. The first driver, William Shannon, manages to take his team of 8, led by Blackie as far as a midway station in Minto in nearly -70* weather. There he rests for a few hours, and leaves three dogs before continuing on (two of which die soon afterward. The thirds fate is unknown.). He makes it to Tolovana; the next point in the race. Shannon and his team are in terrible shape with several parts of his body black with severe frost
In December of 1924, the first case of diphtheria appeared in a two year old Inuit boy, but it was misdiagnosed as tonsillitis because of the lack of family history, or anyone in the area that might be experiencing the same symptoms. The boy died a few days later, and the mother refused an autopsy. A few days later, more and more cases began to spring up until finally, they were correctly diagnosed. However, the only serum that Dr. Curtis …show more content…
Welch called for a town meeting with the Mayor (George Maynard) and it was decided that, because his earlier request had not arrived, they would send an emergency request. However, train lines and travel had all been canceled, because of weather conditions. After a lot of debate, they finally came to the conclusion, that the serum would be sent from Anchorage to Nenana by train, and then picked up by sled dog teams and returned to Nome from there. Meanwhile, all of the sick children would be put under quarantine and kept under the watchful eye of Ms. Emily Morgan (one of only four nurses on staff at the time). Currently, there were 20 known cases and 50 more at …show more content…
While this would not be enough to get rid of the epidemic completely, they hoped it would be enough to contain it until more was gathered from various sources. The first driver, William Shannon, manages to take his team of 8, led by Blackie as far as a midway station in Minto in nearly -70* weather. There he rests for a few hours, and leaves three dogs before continuing on (two of which die soon afterward. The thirds fate is unknown.). He makes it to Tolovana; the next point in the race. Shannon and his team are in terrible shape with several parts of his body black with severe frost