During the 18th century, around 5 out of 6 people would catch smallpox during their lifetime, and almost half a million people in western Europe died from it every year. The idea of protective vaccination – i.e. deliberately introducing pathogens to the bodies of healthy individuals – had been around for centuries, but had never managed to win out against antiquated ideas, such as the “theory of the humours”.
In the face of resistance from advocates of the “humours” theory, Struensee campaigned for the widespread use of the smallpox vaccination, which was largely untested at the time and could be risky if not done properly.
Gaston Melingue
Lithograph, 2nd half of the 19th century
© Everett Historical / Shutterstock
The first vaccination against an infectious disease was the cowpox vaccination. It was discovered by the English country doctor Edward Jenner (1749–1823). Many farmers in the 18th century knew from experience that cowpox infections in humans were harmless and offered protection against smallpox, which could be very dangerous. Jenner collected reports about patients who had contracted cowpox and had not gone on to catch smallpox.
On 14 May 1796, he carried out an important experiment. He transmitted pus from a cowpox pustule to eight-year-old James Phipps. The boy came down with a mild fever that quickly passed. Six weeks later, Jenner deliberately exposed him to smallpox. The experiment was successful – the boy remained healthy.
This is why the term “vaccination” is taken from the Latin word vacca (cow).
Reproduction from: Schleswig-Holsteinische Anzeigen, 1763
Struensee argued for a rational form of medicine based on observation and experience. He called for reforms in the fields of health and welfare, and for smallpox vaccination rather than the ineffective treatment of symptoms.