| − | '''Edward Jenner''' (May 17, 1749 – January 26, 1823) was an English physician and scientist who was the pioneer of smallpox vaccine, the world's first vaccine. Variolation or inoculation was the method first used to immunize an individual against smallpox (Variola). Jenner noted that milkmaids were known generally to be immune to smallpox. His insight was that because they had contracted the related, but milder disease of cowpox they were subsequently protected from smallpox. On May 14, 1796, Jenner tested his hypothesis by inoculating James Phipps, an eight-year-old boy who was the son of Jenner's gardener.<ref>Stefan Riedel, MD (January 2005). "Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination". Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center). Baylor University Medical Center. 18 (1): 21–25.</ref> | + | '''Edward Jenner''' (May 17, 1749 – January 26, 1823) was an English physician and scientist who was the pioneer of smallpox vaccine, the world's first vaccine. Inoculation was the method first used to immunize an individual against smallpox (Variola virus). Jenner noted that milkmaids were known generally to be immune to smallpox. His insight was that because they had contracted the related, but milder disease of cowpox they were subsequently protected from smallpox. On May 14, 1796, Jenner tested his hypothesis by inoculating James Phipps, an eight-year-old boy who was the son of Jenner's gardener.<ref>Stefan Riedel, MD (January 2005). "Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination". Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center). Baylor University Medical Center. 18 (1): 21–25.</ref> Cowpox is an uncommon, mild disease of animals, first observed in cow , closely related to the virus which causes smallpox. |