The Epidemic Of Smallpox During The Middle Ages - 866 Words

Over many of years the world has faced problems concerning health. Many scientists and health experts have worked together to better our nation s health care. English Physician and Scientist Edward Jenner, a small country doctor, who is well known around the world for his innovative contribution to immunization and the ultimate eradication of smallpox. (2005, Baylor University Medical Center.) It is believed that smallpox appeared around 10,000 B.C. Smallpox was introduced to Europe sometime between the fifth and seventh centuries and was frequently epidemic during the Middle Ages. Edward Jenner was born on May 17, 1749, in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. During his early school years, Edward developed a strong interest in science and nature that continued throughout his life. Jenner’s interest in natural history and animal biology sharpened his medical understanding of the role of human-animal trans-species boundaries in disease transmission. He experienced the proverbial â€Å"E ureka†-like moment sometime during the 1770s. At age 13 he was apprenticed to a country surgeon and apothecary in Sodbury, near Bistol. The record shows that it was there Jenner heard a dairymaid say, I shall never have smallpox for I have had cowpox. I shall never have an ugly pockmarked face. While Jenner s interest in the effects of cowpox began during his apprenticeshire with George Harwickle, it wasn t until 1796 before he made the first step in a long process of smallpox would be exposed. JennerShow MoreRelatedBubonic Plague1154 Words   |  5 Pageshow it was brought to Marseilles, France through a sea vessel in the year 1721.The epidemic of bubonic plague claimed almost one-fourth of Europe’s population at the same time. A typical infection of bubonic plague is signaled by uncontrolled shivering followed by vomiting and sleeplessness. The appearance of buboes in the armpits and the groin are giveaway symptoms. This way, bubonic plague is a lot like smallpox. The lymph nodes start to swell because of the bacterial infection. The maladyRead MoreThe History of Smallpox and How It Became Eradicated Essay1543 Words   |  7 PagesSmallpox is an ancient and very deadly disease. Scientists think that smallpox first started around 10,000 B.C. in Africa. They also think that it spread from Africa to India by Egyptian merchants. Scientists have studied the mummy of the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses V., who died in 1156 B.C., and they think that he had smallpox. Smallpox was also known to be in China in 1122 B.C. There are also writings from India around that same time that mention smallpox. 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