A milder form of smallpox caused by a less virulent strain of the smallpox virus, also called variola minor.
From Portuguese 'alastrim,' possibly related to Portuguese 'alastrar' meaning to spread. The term emerged in Brazil and was used to describe a less deadly variant of smallpox that still provided immunity to the more dangerous form.
Alastrim was actually a medical blessing in disguise—it killed far fewer people than regular smallpox but gave survivors immunity to both strains, which is why epidemiologists studied it intensely as a natural way to protect populations!
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