You want a scare story, Local Yokel? Try this.

In 1900, infant mortality (0-1 years) in US cities was commonly 30%. Smallpox, typhoid, diphtheria, scarlet fever, polio, whooping cough and others were commonplace. The really scary part for you is that when the vaccines were developed, people welcomed them for saving their children's lives.

Also hat grade tin-foil was yet to be invented.