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An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae

Smallpox

An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae

Title page of Jenner’s groundbreaking ‘Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae’, first published in 1798. In it Jenner included case studies and observation drawings to back up his theory that cowpox could be used as a vaccination against smallpox.

An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae

Drawing of the cowpox infection of milkmaid Sarah Nelmes. Jenner used puss from the coxpox infection and gave it to James Phipps before giving him the deadly smallpox infection. He survived the smallpox infection with only mild irritation, proving through experiment that vaccination worked.

An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae

Left image: Observational drawing of case studies conducted by Jenner on whether a cowpox vaccination would stop the development of smallpox on a 5 year old boy. Middle image: Observational drawing of case studies conducted by Jenner on whether a cowpox vaccination would stop the development of smallpox on a 6 year old boy. Right

An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae

Jenner’s observational comments in his book ‘An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae’, 1798. In it he observed how James Phipps, an 8 year old boy was given cow pox from the pus of the milkmaid Sarah Nelmes. He was then given the more deadly smallpox virus and never developed the

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