English Physician, Pioneer of Vaccination
Edward Anthony Jenner (1749-1823), was born on 17 May 1749 in Berkeley Gloucestershire. He also died there. Widely referred to as the "Father of Immunology," he is credited as the pioneer of smallpox vaccine. He developed vaccination to prevent smallpox.Aware that a cowpox infection seemed to protect people from subsequent smallpox infection , he inoculated a healthy boy with cowpox. As a result, the boy developed a mild disease but months later the boy did not develop the disease after Jenner vaccinated against it.
His pioneering work in smallpox vaccine established vaccination as an invaluable medical tool.
Sources:
- McGovern, Una, Ed. Biographical Dictionary, 6th Edition. Edinburgh: Chambers, 2002
- Ellyard, David. Who Discovered What When. Sydney: New Holland, 2005
Image Credit:
Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola major virus. Some experts say that over the centuries it has killed more people than all other infectious diseases combined. Worldwide immunization stopped the spread of smallpox three decades ago. The last case was reported in 1977. Two research labs still house small amounts of the virus. Experts fear bioterrorists could use the virus to spread disease."-",
ReplyDeleteAdieu
Hi Nathaniel, Thanks for the insights on smallpox.
ReplyDelete