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Simon Schama on Pandemics and the Health of Nations, Part Two

Intelligence Squared

Smallpox, Hippocratic Medicine, and Inoculation Practices throughout History

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In the 18th century, there was a debate about the cause of smallpox. Popular belief was that it was due to imbalanced humors, but some questioned if an external organism was responsible. A doctor in India observed the practice of folk inoculation and an Italian doctor argued that elaborate regimens prescribed by physicians were unnecessary. He believed that a simple subcutaneous prick by a mother could successfully inoculate against smallpox. Despite advances in microbiology, traditional wisdom still holds value.

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