One of our ancestor’s greatest fears was the highly contagious smallpox, a disease that has thankfully been considered to be eradicated from the earth since 1977.
[aesop_quote type=”block” background=”#2b0000″ text=”#ffffff” align=”left” size=”1″ quote=”In 1967, the world health community launched a global effort to eradicate smallpox. It took a coordinated, worldwide effort, required the commitment of every government, and cost $130 million dollars. By 1977, smallpox had disappeared.” cite=”~Liya Kebede” parallax=”off” direction=”left”]
There were two variants of smallpox: Variola major, the more severe variant, with 30-50% fatalities and Variola minor, the less severe variant, with 1-2% fatalities.
Within seven to seventeen days after being exposed to smallpox, the victim would experience fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting and severe muscle aches for two to four days. By the fourth day, the fever would drop and the rash would appear. Once the rash appeared, the patient was infectious, but was often isolated at the appearance of the fever. The rash begins as flat or raised spots called macules which became raised papules. The papules enlarge and become filled with fluid and are then called vesicles. As the fluid changes from clear to pus-like, the spots are called pustules. Fever during the appearance of the rash is common. After time, the pustules crust over and eventually the scabs fall off. This process can take from three to four weeks and scarring is common. The infectious period ends only when the last scab has fallen off.
[aesop_image img=”https://www.thesocialhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/keep_out_smallpox.jpg” offset=”-200px” align=”right” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”left”]Smallpox is generally spread by close contact (less than six feet) but may also be caused by contact with lesions or contact with contaminated bedding or other materials.
Variolation and Vaccination
[aesop_character img=”https://www.thesocialhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/1796/05/Lady_Mary_Wortley_Montagu.jpg” align=”left” width=”170px”]Variolation, or the process of inoculation with smallpox, is thought to have been introduced to England by Lady Mary Worley Montagu, wife of the British ambassador to Ottoman Constantinople in 1721, who, along with her two daughters, had the procedure performed, and during an outbreak of smallpox in 1721, escaped infection. In a letter by Lady Montagu to Sarah Chiswell, dated 1 April 1717, she describes the treatment:
However, the practice of inoculation was dangerous, and sometimes the resulting case of smallpox was severe enough to cause death. Many preferred to take their chances with the possibility of contracting the disease naturally, rather than risk possible death from the inoculation.
[aesop_character img=”https://www.thesocialhistorian.com/wp-content/uploads/1796/05/Edward_Jenner2.jpg” align=”left” width=”170px”]In 1796, Dr. Edward Jenner, after noticing that those who worked with cattle and had been infected with cowpox never contracted smallpox, used cowpox to inoculate James Phipps, an eight-year old by who was the son of Jenner’s gardener. He inoculated Phipps in both arms. After Phipps recovered from a brief fever, Jenner subsequently injected him with smallpox and he showed no signs of infection.
There was much debate as to which type of inoculation should be used. Controversy raged until 1840 when legislation was passed banning variolation. In 1853, further legislation was passed, making vaccination compulsory for every child within three to four months of their birth. Failure to do so, would result in a £1 fine, payable to the local poor-rate.
1796 – over 3,500 deaths in London and 35,000 deaths throughout the British Isles
1816-1819 – starting in central England in 1816, spreading in subsequent years to Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, East Anglia and London and Canterbury.
1825-1826 – from Newcastle to Canterbury, many were infected with the poorer population suffering the most, and being the most likely to shun variolation or vaccination.
1837-1840 – claimed 42,000 lives. Began in the west and southwest and spread through Wales and then east and then to the manufacturing towns of Lancashire.
1871-1872 – last great outbreak of smallpox in the British Isles, resulting in about 42,000 deaths over two years. Spread by refugees coming to England to escape the French-Prussian War, this epidemic hit primarily adolescents and adults.
1901-1902 – last epidemic of smallpox to affect the British Isles.