Smallpox

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 224; no. Supplement_4; pp. S379 - S386
• Main Author: Breman, Joel G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 30.09.2021
• Subjects: Disease control; History of medicine; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Immunization; Population Surveillance; Smallpox; Smallpox - epidemiology; Smallpox - prevention & control; Smallpox Vaccine - administration & dosage; Smallpox Vaccine - history; Supplement; Traditional medicine; Vaccination; Vaccines; Variola virus - genetics

Before knowledge and use of vaccines, protection against smallpox was practiced more than a thousand years ago by traditional approaches. Invoking the good graces of smallpox gods, goddesses, and saints by individuals and communities was common [2]. Isolation of patients was the only means known to...