When the "great book scare” created a panic

[Still Waters]

On September 12, 1895, a Nebraskan named Jessie Allan died of tuberculosis. Such deaths were a common occurrence at the turn of the 20th century, but Allan’s case of “consumption” reportedly came from an unusual source. She was a librarian at the Omaha Public Library, and thanks to a common fear of the time, people worried that Allan’s terminal illness may have come from a book.

Allan’s death occurred during what is sometimes called the “great book scare.” This scare, now mostly forgotten, was a frantic panic during the late 19th and early 20th centuries that contaminated books—particularly ones lent out from libraries—could spread deadly diseases.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-great-book-scare-people-worried-contaminated-books-could-spread-disease-180972967/

[+OverSword]

[freetoroam]

Would not be the first time.

They did like their poisons back then.

Quote

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/poisonous-books-arsenic-history-science-denmark-a8426431.html%3famp

 

 

[Gwynbleidd]

12 hours ago, OverSword said:

Is that a carrot? 

[+OverSword]

27 minutes ago, pixiii said:

Is that a carrot? 

You’re joking!!! Watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail

[Gwynbleidd]

50 minutes ago, OverSword said:

You’re joking!!! Watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail

You know I thought it looked kinda like a Monty Python movie but wasn't too sure.  It's been a long long time since I've seen them!