Incubation Smallpox: Gone but Not Forgotten
Sep 7, 2023
Discover the history and impact of smallpox, from the folk practice of variolation to Edward Jenner's invention of the smallpox vaccine. Learn about the origin of the term 'vaccine' and the legacy of Jenner. Explore the audacious plan to eradicate smallpox and the ongoing efforts to eradicate diseases. Plus, hear about the Arexv vaccine preventing lower respiratory disease in older adults.
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Jenner's Variolation
- Jenner experienced variolation as a child, a risky practice involving exposure to smallpox.
- This early exposure and its risks likely influenced his later work on vaccination.
Folk Knowledge and Jenner's Discovery
- Jenner's discovery of the smallpox vaccine was partly due to folk knowledge from milkmaids.
- This highlights the importance of considering non-traditional sources of information in scientific discovery.
Jenner's First Vaccination
- Jenner tested his cowpox hypothesis by inoculating James Phipps, his gardener's son, with cowpox.
- Phipps then resisted subsequent exposure to smallpox, marking a pivotal moment in vaccine history.