The Europeans transferred smallpox to the Natives when trading goods. Due to this some Natives tried their best to stay away from the explorers. Smallpox victims had little chance of survival. The way the Natives tried to cure the illness, actually made it worse. They would give the ill, sweat baths. The most known epidemic was in 1519, and it reduced the Huron tribe's population by 9000.
The Europeans transferred smallpox to the Natives when trading goods. Due to this some Natives tried their best to stay away from the explorers. Smallpox victims had little chance of survival. The way the Natives tried to cure the illness, actually made it worse. They would give the ill, sweat baths. The most known epidemic was in 1519, and it reduced the Huron tribe's population by 9000.