Edward Jenner, the discoverer of vaccination / [C.J.S. Thompson].

  • Thompson, C. J. S. (Charles John Samuel), 1862-1943.
Date:
1921
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Edward Jenner, the discoverer of vaccination / [C.J.S. Thompson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    became the object of scientific and medical men of the period. Edward Jenner, who was destined to solve the problem, was born on May i'/, 1749, at the Vicarage of Berkeley, in Glou¬ cestershire, and was the third son of the Rev. Stephen Jenner. M. A. a clergyman and vicar of that place. It was at this time that inoculation was being vigorously advo¬ cated as a preventive of smallpox, and was being constantly practised in England. When he was but 8 years of age, Edward Jenner’s parents decided that he should be inoculated. For six weeks, he tells us, he was bled, purged, kept on a low diet, and dosed with medicine, and was then removed to one of the so-called “inoculation stables” and haltered up with others in a terrible state of disease. He was fortunate to escape with a mild attack, but it affected his health for many years afterwards, and it is probable that the experience he then went through made such an impression upon his mind, that he eventually began his investigations on some less dangerous method of preventing the disease. At the age of 13, he decided to follow the profession of me¬ dicine, and was apprenticed by his father to Messrs Ludlow, a firm of surgeons in Sodbury, near Bristol, with whom he remained for six years. It was during this period of apprenticeship that one day a young country-woman came to seek medical advice, and the subject of smallpox having been mentioned, she said “I cannot take it for I have had cowpox.” This statement seems to have aroused interest and made a deep impression on the mind of Edward Jenner, and doubtless set him thinking why this should be. It marked out for him a new line of research for future exploration. On attaining the age of 21, he came to London and entered as a house-pupil with the famous surgeon, John Hunter, in whose family he resided for 2 years, and became his favourite assistant. Hunter’s firm and independent character produced a lasting impression on Jenner, who followed in his footsteps in his thirst for knowledge, honesty of purpose, and powers of versatility. He assisted in forming the great Anatomical Museum which now forms part of the Royal College of Surgeons in London. It is said he often discussed the subject of smallpox