Vaccine: The Human Story 3. Chasing the Sun
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Jul 23, 2021 Discover the fascinating origins of inoculation, tracing back to medieval China and its pivotal role in fighting smallpox. The Kangxi Emperor championed this revolutionary practice despite societal resistance. Lady Mary Montagu's observations in Turkey introduced inoculation to Europe amid skepticism and cultural bias. Explore the intriguing conflicts between medical professionals and early advocates, along with public fears surrounding the technique. How did a fashionable royal culture shift attitudes toward inoculation? Join a captivating journey through this historical medical drama.
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Emperor's Rise Linked To Smallpox
- The Kangxi Emperor owed his throne to surviving smallpox, since his seven-year-old son Xuanyi had recovered and gained immunity.
- Kangxi then championed inoculation widely, protecting his family, army and court from the disease.
Inoculation Bridged Folk Practice And Technique
- Inoculation used deliberate transfer of mild smallpox matter to induce immunity, a practice rooted in ancient folk medicine.
- Manuals later refined storage and handling, showing it evolved from secret ritual to systematic technique.
Lady Mary's Firsthand Convert Story
- Lady Mary Wortley Montague witnessed inoculation in Constantinople and had her own children inoculated after losing family to smallpox.
- She wrote vivid letters promoting the practice and challenged English medical resistance upon return.
