Jim, I apologize if my post seemed to indict the Indians. Of course, Columbus and his crew introdiced syphilis to Europe after meeting the Caribbean Natives, who apparently carried the germ without affect to themselves. If true, the Europeans later gave it back in spades. It seems getting the germ from outside DID affect the Indians. Re: "filthy Indians"; most were probably cleaner than white people of the day, who thought bathing was unhealthy. Stan