Before 1896, there were few white residents in western Alaska, and they were composed of traders, a few missionaries and also a few teachers. The total white population was about 300. Among the Eskimo population of the Bering Sea region, the belief was that sickness was caused by the anger of some spirit, and disease was treated by Shammans, or medicine men, who attempted to appease the wrath of the offended spirit, and thus allow the afflicted to get well.
Notes
From: Fortuine, Robert et al. 1993. The Health of the Inuit of North America: A Bibliography from the Earliest Times through 1990. University of Alaska Anchorage. Citation number 728.
From: Fortuine, Robert. 1968. The Health of the Eskimos: a bibliography 1857-1967. Dartmouth College Libraries. Citation number 52.