Intelligence Squared
Simon Schama on Pandemics and the Health of Nations, Part One
Oct 21, 2023
In this engaging discussion, Simon Schama, a renowned historian and author, dives into his new book *Foreign Bodies*, exploring the fraught relationship between pandemics and human resilience. He reflects on the lessons learned from past health crises and the role of nationalism, using historical context to highlight current vaccine distribution challenges. Schama shares poignant stories of activists and pioneers who shaped the fight against outbreaks, illustrating humanity's complex dance with contagion and science throughout the ages.
44:10
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Quick takeaways
- Women played a crucial role in popularizing smallpox inoculation in the 1750s, challenging opposition and contributing to its acceptance.
- Val de Ma'ath Kean, a Jewish doctor, made significant contributions to immunization, developing a viable cholera vaccine and paving the way for advances in immunization against various diseases.
Deep dives
The Origins of Inoculation and the Role of Women
The podcast episode discusses the origins of inoculation against smallpox and the role women played in promoting it. The episode highlights the story of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who observed the practice of inoculation in the Ottoman Empire and later became a vocal advocate for it in England. Despite facing opposition, particularly from the clergy, Lady Montagu and other women played a crucial role in popularizing inoculation, eventually leading to its acceptance in the 1750s. The podcast also explores the practice of smallpox inoculation in other regions, such as Wales and Hebridean islands, which challenged established medical hierarchies.
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