{"id":9257,"date":"2024-06-05T12:42:37","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T12:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.lshtm.ac.uk\/library\/?p=9257"},"modified":"2024-06-05T12:42:38","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T12:42:38","slug":"the-historical-collection-small-pox-and-the-debate-over-early-vaccination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.lshtm.ac.uk\/library\/2024\/06\/05\/the-historical-collection-small-pox-and-the-debate-over-early-vaccination\/","title":{"rendered":"The Historical Collection: Small Pox and the debate over early vaccination"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this blogpost we take a look at a couple of books found in the Reece Collection, a collection of items largely on the topics of small pox and early vaccination once owned by Richard J Reece.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the early 19th century, the advent of vaccination sparked intense debates within the medical community and the public sphere. Two significant works encapsulate the opposing views of the time: Dr. Benjamin Moseley’s \u2018Treatise on the Lues Bovilla; or cow pox\u2019 and John Ring’s \u2018An Answer to Dr. Moseley, Containing a Defence of Vaccination.\u2019<\/p>\n

These texts are both part of the Reece Collection, and provide insight into the debate which surrounded the new method of vaccinating against small pox which was discovered by Edward Jenner.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a>
Two books from the LSHTM historical collection: on the left An Answer to Doctor Moseley (1805) and on the right Treatise on the Lues Bovilla; or cow pox (1805)<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Treatise on the Lues Bovilla; or cow pox<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Benjamin Moseley was a prominent critic of Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccination. In his Treatise on the Lues Bovilla, Moseley articulated his concerns about the potential dangers of the vaccine. The term \u2018Lues Bovilla\u2019, translating to “bovine syphilis,” reflects Moseley’s fear that cowpox matter used in the vaccine could transmit animal diseases to humans. Moseley\u2019s views were not mainstream, but were popular among a significant proportion of the public at the time and other critics of Jenner\u2019s vaccination against small pox, such as Dr William Rowley. There was also this quasi-religious sentiment against vaccinations\u2026 people sprouting horns, cloven hooves and the markings of beasts (although, some would say these were metaphorical). These views were mocked and satirized at the time, as can be seen in the image below: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
This was an example of the satire which was published at the time around the more left field suggestions some had about the new methods of vaccination.
Credit:<\/strong>\u00a0Edward Jenner vaccinating patients in the Smallpox and Inoculation Hospital at St. Pancras: the patients develop features of cows. Coloured etching by J. Gillray, 1802.\u00a0Source:\u00a0Wellcome Collection<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Moseley’s arguments were grounded in the medical understanding of the time, he was a well-respected physician, but these were also combined with speculative concerns. He questioned the safety of introducing animal-derived substances into the human body, suggesting that such practices could lead to unforeseen health issues, including diseases akin to syphilis (which is why he used the term \u2018Lues Bovilla\u2019.<\/p>\n

However, there have also been accusations that Dr Moseley\u2019s opposition may also have stemmed from the fact he benefited financially from variolation, an early form of inoculation which would be completely banned by the middle of the 19th<\/sup> century (Eisen, 2021).<\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>
The Ox Faced Boy: Cow Poxed, Ox Faced Boy – illustration to “Cow-Pox Inoculation No Security Against Small-Pox Infection” by W. Rowley.\u00a0Wellcome Collection.\u00a0Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An Answer to Dr. Moseley, Containing a Defence of Vaccination<\/strong><\/p>\n

In response to Moseley’s treatise, John Ring, a respected surgeon and staunch advocate of vaccination, published \u2018An Answer to Dr. Moseley, Containing a Defence of Vaccination.” Ring’s work aimed to address and refute the criticisms posed by Moseley, providing a robust defence of Jenner’s vaccination method.<\/p>\n

Ring’s defence was multi-faceted. He presented empirical evidence demonstrating the success and safety of vaccination in preventing smallpox. Ring highlighted numerous cases where vaccinated individuals were protected from the disease, countering Moseley’s claims of ineffectiveness and danger. He also tackled the misconceptions about the transmission of animal diseases, arguing that the cowpox virus was distinct and did not carry the risks Moseley feared.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
The Reece Collection: An answer to Dr. Moseley contains an author’s presentation inscription to Commissioner Hamilton on the half-title page.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ring emphasized the scientific principles behind vaccination, explaining how the introduction of cowpox matter induced immunity to smallpox without causing serious illness. His work sought to reassure both the medical community and the public, promoting vaccination as a crucial public health measure.<\/p>\n

The exchange between Moseley and Ring is a testament to the challenges faced by early proponents of vaccination. Moseley’s treatise fueled public fear and scepticism, necessitating detailed and evidence-based rebuttals from advocates like Ring. This debate was part of a broader struggle to establish vaccination as a legitimate and essential medical practice.<\/p>\n

The arguments presented by Ring and other vaccination supporters prevailed. The empirical success of vaccination in controlling and eventually eradicating smallpox provided proof of its efficacy and safety. The initial resistance, exemplified by Moseley’s treatise, gradually waned as the benefits of vaccination became increasingly evident and the fact we didn\u2019t see a rise in ox faced children, old ladies with horns and little goat children probably also helped. These works reflect the fears and hopes of an era grappling with revolutionary scientific advancements. The rigorous defence of vaccination by advocates like Ring ultimately laid the groundwork for the widespread acceptance and implementation of vaccines, marking a significant triumph in the field of public health and saving millions of lives in the process.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
On the right, Jenner, accompanied by two colleagues, dismisses three variolators, who depart on the left with curses. The print contains dialogue and annotationEdward Jenner and two colleagues seeing off three anti-vaccination opponents, the dead smallpox victims are littered at their feet. Coloured etching by I. Cruikshank, 1808.\u00a0Wellcome Collection.\u00a0Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.s (see British Museum catalogue)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this blogpost we take a look at a couple of books found in the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":849,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27649,7575,81956,81955,1],"tags":[14007,81957,18903,14017],"class_list":["post-9257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archives","category-books","category-collections","category-historical-collection","category-uncategorised","tag-books-2","tag-historical-collections","tag-library","tag-lshtm","odd"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Historical Collection: Small Pox and the debate over early vaccination - Library, Archive & Open Research Services blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.lshtm.ac.uk\/library\/2024\/06\/05\/the-historical-collection-small-pox-and-the-debate-over-early-vaccination\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Historical Collection: Small Pox and the debate over early vaccination - 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