An Inquiry into the natural History of a Disease known ... under the name of Cow-pox

An Inquiry into the natural History of a Disease known in ['the western Counties of England particularly' added by Jenner] Glostershire under ['by' superscribed] the name of Cow-pox. Signed and dated on p. 44: 'Edwd Jenner. Berkeley, Glostershire. March 29th 1797'.

The text was most probably written by the Author's Newphew the Rev. William Davies [1769-1849]: there are a few holograph notes and corrections by Jenner. Before the text there is an added autograph letter of dedication to Dr. Caleb Hillier Parry [1755-1822], signed and dated 'Berkeley. July 10th, 1797.'

At the end are 3 pp. of additional holograph notes.

As noted above this MS is dated by the author himself 'March 19th, 1797': it is therefore the oldest surviving text. The only other example known to be extant is that belonging to the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

This holograph was acquired from the Jenner Family by Sir James Paget [1814-1899], who presented it to the College: it is dated July 1797.

Produced in Berkeley.

The script of our MS. can probably be identified as that of the Rev. William Davies, D.D. afterwards Rector of Rockhampton, the son of Jenner's sister Anne, who married the Rev. William Davies [1741-1817] Rector of Eastington. He seems to have acted as amanuensis to the author, and also copied out the Collection of Jenner's poems in 2 volumes [cf. MSS. 3016, 3017].

There are a few corrections of spelling or style, written in pencil, probably by Richard Worthington.