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==Inoculation and vaccination==

==Inoculation and vaccination==

Connecting the survival of smallpox infection and immunity, the practice of inoculation began to be exercised during the 18th century, although the practice can be found dating back to 1000 AD in India, Western Asia, and China.<ref>http://dermatology.about.com/cs/smallpox/a/smallpoxhx.htm</ref>  Those that could afford to be inoculated would intentionally introduce either pus from a smallpox victim or ground smallpox scabs into their systems.  Because of the low dose of infectious material, this would cause a mild case of the disease, but render the individual generally immune to future cases of smallpox.  However, if done improperly, inoculation would result in extreme infection.   

Connecting the survival of smallpox infection and immunity, the practice of inoculation began to be exercised during the 18th century, although the practice can be found dating back to 1000 AD in India, Western Asia, and China.<ref>http://dermatology.about.com/cs/smallpox/a/smallpoxhx.htm</ref>  Those that could afford to be inoculated would intentionally introduce either pus from a smallpox victim or ground smallpox scabs into their systems.  Because of the low dose of infectious material, this would cause a mild case of the disease, but render the individual generally immune to future cases of smallpox.  However, if done improperly, inoculation would result in extreme infection. A member of the English royalty, on assignment with her husband in Turkey, observed inoculation in practice and informed the Crown.  Not wishing to expose their family to unnecessary dangers, they experimented on several prisoners and orphans, and found the inoculation to be successful.  This was one of the first true medical experiments, and an example of abuse of power.

In 1796, observing that individuals who contract cowpox become immune from smallpox, Edward Jenner, a British physician, inoculated a young boy with cowpox and then challenged his immune system with smallpox.  Although a challenge trial with a potentially fatal disease would be considered unethical by modern standards, Jenner was correct in his observation and accomplished the first vaccination of smallpox.<ref>http://www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/nathist/jenner.html</ref>  Over the course of the 19th century many western countries embarked on mandatory vaccination programs and succeeded in eradicating smallpox within their native populations.   

In 1796, observing that individuals who contract cowpox become immune from smallpox, Edward Jenner, a British physician, inoculated a young boy with cowpox and then challenged his immune system with smallpox.  Although a challenge trial with a potentially fatal disease would be considered unethical by modern standards, Jenner was correct in his observation and accomplished the first vaccination of smallpox.<ref>http://www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/nathist/jenner.html</ref>  Over the course of the 19th century many western countries embarked on mandatory vaccination programs and succeeded in eradicating smallpox within their native populations.