Did You Know?.......Vaccines.....

[ToraToraTora]

Topical one today, Edward Jenner pioneered vaccines in 1798 by creating the first smallpox vaccine based on cow pox, less harmful, it gave protection against small pox. He named it "Vaccine" after the latin for cow "Vacca".

[rockyracoon]

Thank you. One to store away for a pub quiz.

[Smowball]

I never knew that x

[Stickybottle]

Jewish biologist Ludwik Fleck produced a fake typhus vaccine for the Nazis while providing an effective vaccine for fellow prisoners in Buchenwald Concentration Camp

[Spicerack]

^Interesting.
Contrary to popular AB belief a vaccine gives you immunity from the targeted disease.

[ichkeria]

And, Catherine the Great of Russia was one of the first recipients and early champions of his.

Different times ...

[elliemay1]

Yes, I remember learning that at school

[ichkeria]

This is interesting
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/letter-from-catherine-the-great-on-smallpox-vaccination-goes-up-for-auction-180979121/

[Spicerack]

If I'm remembering right, Jenner tested the vaccine on the expendable
7yr old son of a groom.
Lol, I'd have been more impressed if he had jagged himself.
Different times, I suppose.

[mushroom25]

// a vaccine gives you immunity from the targeted disease. //

er, no it doesn't. it trains your body to recognise the threat, and it's your immune system the confers immunity.

[Spicerack]

Pedant.

[Togo]

Jenner had the idea of injecting the puss from a cow infected with cowpox(it causes postules on the cow's udders) after noticing that no milk maids caugh smallpox. He rightly summised that they were somehow gaining immunity by close contact with cows infected with cow pox.

[MWG14]

Edward Jenner’s house in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. It is well worth a visit if you are in the area.