And [even] before the spaniards had risen against us, a pestilence first came to be prevalent: the smallpox. it was the month of tepeilhuitl when it began, and it spread over the people as great destruction. some it quite covered with blisters on all parts – their faces, their heads, their chests, etc. . entirely covered with blisters, very many people died of them. and very many starved; there was death from hunger, for none could take care of the sick; nothing could be done for them. –the florentine codex, 1579