History of medicine: Edward Jenner
Also known as
Life
- 1749: Born in England, UK.
- 1792: Earned an MD at the University of St Andrews.
- 1796: Performed the first vaccination.
- 1823: Died in England, UK (aged 73).
Great works
- 1796: Inquiry into the Variolae vaccinae known as the Cow Pox
Significance in history
- Variolation referred to the deliberate introduction of variola into the body to promote immunity to variola (smallpox viruses). This was less dangerous than a spontaneous smallpox infection, but more dangerous than cowpox infection.
- Jenner noticed that milkmaids and farmers had lower rates of smallpox.
- He hypothesised that inoculation with cowpox virus could act provide the benefits of variolation: immunity against the more destructive smallpox viruses.
- He innoculated patients with cowpox pus then variolated them. No disease followed.
- The terms "vaccine" and "vaccination" are derived from his phrase "variolae vaccinae" (smallpox of the cow).
- His work has saved more human lives than any individual in history.
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