A prolific and popular writer, James Welch has captured the attention of both Native and non-Native readers since his first publication of poems, "Riding the Earthboy," in 1971. One of Welch's stories, "Fools Crow," was of particular interest to this author as an academic researching Native Americans and health. "Fools Crow" is an epic representation of the lives of the Pikuni (Blackfeet), especially their contact with "white scabs" (smallpox). The multidimensional "Fools Crow" provides a wealth of information about the Pikuni and their representation of sickness. The story humanizes the impacts and devastation of illness, raises questions of morals and values, and illustrates the historical and cultural contexts of disease and care. In this paper, the author focuses primarily on the introduction and impact of "white scabs," while also mentioning other forms of sickness and healthcare presented in Welch's story. (Contains 83 endnotes.)