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Overview
Simply, and with great humanity, The Eradication of Smallpox tells the story of smallpox - it's origins, the horror of the disease, and the millions of people killed or disfigured by it. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it is estimated that one out of every ten people died from the disease; some say one out of every seven. Smallpox attacked very young children in particular.The story progresses with the practice of variolation, the life of Edward Jenner who first proposed 'vaccination' with cow pox vaccine (little James Phipps was the first person ever vaccinated in this way), the years of debate about the efficacy of this novel method, and the later worldwide initiatives to rid the planet of this horrific disease. In 1979, the story culminates in the only total eradication of an infectious disease that mankind has ever accomplished. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of this momentous achievement.
In the intervening years, debate has raged about what we should do with the remaining smallpox viral stocks. Do we destroy them, so they can't fall into the hands of bioterrorists, or do we maintain them, in case they may be of use in some unexpected way, for therapeutic purposes? These questions are thoroughly discussed in the book.
Key Features
* Covers the background, history and origin of smallpox, and brings the story up to the present day
* Gives full and interesting details of Jenner's life, and tells how this humble country doctor brought about a revolution in vaccination
* Includes many quotes from historical figures
* Features 120 high quality photographs, many originating from unique historical plates in the author's private collection
* Includes new research data
* Provides new views on the eradication and destruction of smallpox
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
This important work describes the life and work of Jenner in the context of the eradication of Smallpox. The Smallpox virus has been the cause of vast human suffering. Smallpox was endemic in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, and had been responsible for the deaths of at least one tenth of the population for a long period of time. Edward Jenner's revolutionary vaccine not only spared the lives of many millions of people, but laid the foundation for modern vaccinology, which is probably the most important medical advance of this century.
Synopsis
Every one of us can be glad - for ourselves, for our children - that humankind has triumphed in eradicating smallpox from the world.
What toll of human suffering lies in the past? How many died or were disfigured by this cruel disease? Where did it come from, how was it transmitted? How did Edward Jenner, a humble country doctor bring about a revolution in vaccination that changed history in an almost unparalleled manner?
What has happened since then to eradicate this disease, and how have we managed the world's remaining stocks of the virus - kept under the tightest security in two sites in Russia and the USA?
Our lives have all benefited immeasurably from the history recounted here. Thoroughly researched, and written in an engaging style by Hervé Bazin, the story of the eradication of smallpox - from it's first known origins to the present day - is a fascinating, heart-rending, humorous and uplifting tale. Illustrated with 120 photographs, many originating from unique historical plates in the author's private collection, this book is just testimony to the success of immunology and virology, and marks the 20th anniversary of the global eradication of this infectious disease.
"Since the discovery of the vaccine is the only one that medicine has achieved in the current period, it will suffice as an eternal illustration of our period in the history of science, and to immortalise the name of Jenner by assigning him an eminent place amongst the principal benefactors of humanity."
Cuvier (1810)
John A.T. Young
We owe much to Edward Jenner, and I encourage everyone who is interested in this story and its important impact upon the disciplines of science and medicine to read Dr. Bazin's book. I imagine that you too will be unable to put it down until you have read it from cover to cover.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"copious illustrations are of considerable interest. ...Historians of medicine and public health may want to add it to their collections."—Warren Winkelstein, Jr. for BULL. HIST. MED.(2002
Reviewer: Stuart M. Krassner, PhD(University of California Irvine)
Description: Edward Jenner's pioneering efforts in the use of cowpox vaccination to prevent smallpox ultimately led to the eradication of smallpox in 1979. With the eradication of smallpox over 30 years ago, most people today have little understanding of the horrors wreaked upon humanity by smallpox and what it took to successfully eliminate this devastating disease.
Purpose: The purpose is to tell how a simple country doctor was inspired to develop vaccination as the way to prevent smallpox and tells how the method was adapted to eradicate this disease. Given our current problems in dealing with infectious diseases, it is a timely work.
Audience: Written in a concise, non-technical style by a respected immunologist, both the general public and health professionals will find this a fascinating book.
Features: Jenner's vaccination method did not have the drawbacks of the older smallpox preventive measure, variolation (inoculation with smallpox from an infected person), which posed a high risk of infection and death and could spread to non-immune people in close contact with a recently variolated individual. The illustrations in the inserts include some graphic depictions of the dreadful effect of smallpox upon its victims. Jenner's life is detailed, including the struggle to win recognition for his method of preventing smallpox and its surprisingly rapid worldwide acceptance. The author deals very clearly with the ethical issue posed by Jenner's use of young James Phipps as an experimental subject. He argues persuasively for the destruction of the two remaining stores of the virus by pointing out that Vaccinia virus, which does not cause disease in humans, serves perfectly well as a vaccine source against smallpox. There is a useful glossary and detailed references.
Assessment: Although there are older books about the eradication of smallpox, they are generally out of print and are not as personal and succinct as this work.
From The Critics
Reviewer: Stuart M. Krassner, PhD(University of California Irvine)Description: Edward Jenner's pioneering efforts in the use of cowpox vaccination to prevent smallpox ultimately led to the eradication of smallpox in 1979. With the eradication of smallpox over 30 years ago, most people today have little understanding of the horrors wreaked upon humanity by smallpox and what it took to successfully eliminate this devastating disease.
Purpose: The purpose is to tell how a simple country doctor was inspired to develop vaccination as the way to prevent smallpox and tells how the method was adapted to eradicate this disease. Given our current problems in dealing with infectious diseases, it is a timely work.
Audience: Written in a concise, non-technical style by a respected immunologist, both the general public and health professionals will find this a fascinating book.
Features: Jenner's vaccination method did not have the drawbacks of the older smallpox preventive measure, variolation (inoculation with smallpox from an infected person), which posed a high risk of infection and death and could spread to non-immune people in close contact with a recently variolated individual. The illustrations in the inserts include some graphic depictions of the dreadful effect of smallpox upon its victims. Jenner's life is detailed, including the struggle to win recognition for his method of preventing smallpox and its surprisingly rapid worldwide acceptance. The author deals very clearly with the ethical issue posed by Jenner's use of young James Phipps as an experimental subject. He argues persuasively for the destruction of the two remaining stores of the virus by pointing out that Vaccinia virus, which does not cause disease in humans, serves perfectly well as a vaccine source against smallpox. There is a useful glossary and detailed references.
Assessment: Although there are older books about the eradication of smallpox, they are generally out of print and are not as personal and succinct as this work.
Choice
Written in a concise, nontechnical style by a respected immunologist, both the general public and health professionals will find this a fascinating book.Brian W.J. Mahy
...fresh, enjoyable account of smallpox eradication... [The author] displays a remarkable knowledge and interest in the life and activities of Edward Jenner... Though originally written in French, this translation by Andrew and Glenise Morgan is faultless, and I strongly recommend this book to all students of immunology, virology, and vaccinology.John A.T. Young
We owe much to Edward Jenner, and I encourage everyone who is interested in this story and its important impact upon the disciplines of science and medicine to read Dr. Bazin's book. I imagine that you too will be unable to put it down until you have read it from cover to cover.Stuart M. Krassner
Edward Jenner's pioneering efforts in the use of cowpox vaccination to prevent smallpox ultimately led to the eradication of smallpox in 1979. With the eradication of smallpox over 30 years ago, most people today have little understanding of the horrors wreaked upon humanity by smallpox and what it took to successfully eliminate this devastating disease. The purpose is to tell how a simple country doctor was inspired to develop vaccination as the way to prevent smallpox and tells how the method was adapted to eradicate this disease. Given our current problems in dealing with infectious diseases, it is a timely work. Written in a concise, non-technical style by a respected immunologist, both the general public and health professionals will find this a fascinating book. Jenner's vaccination method did not have the drawbacks of the older smallpox preventive measure, variolation (inoculation with smallpox from an infected person), which posed a high risk of infection and death and could spread to non-immune people in close contact with a recently variolated individual. The illustrations in the inserts include some graphic depictions of the dreadful effect of smallpox upon its victims. Jenner's life is detailed, including the struggle to win recognition for his method of preventing smallpox and its surprisingly rapid worldwide acceptance. The author deals very clearly with the ethical issue posed by Jenner's use of young James Phipps as an experimental subject. He argues persuasively for the destruction of the two remaining stores of the virus by pointing out that Vaccinia virus, which does not cause disease in humans, serves perfectly well as a vaccine source against smallpox.There is a useful glossary and detailed references. Although there are older books about the eradication of smallpox, they are generally out of print and are not as personal and succinct as this work.3 Stars from Doody