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License4 ivory points used for calf lymph, in wooden box
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
4 ivory points used for calf lymph, in wooden box
Ivory points were used to give smallpox vaccinations by rubbing, scratching or inserting the vaccine into the skin, using a lancet. These points were covered with calf lymph which carried the disease cowpox, a milder form of smallpox. An attack gives immunity to smallpox. Ivory was a useful material as the points could be used to transport vaccines over long distances. The points are just 24 mm long.
Details
- Category:
- Public Health & Hygiene
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A60244
- Materials:
- complete, ivory and wood (unidentified)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 16 mm 40 mm,
- type:
- vaccination point
- credit:
- Foster
