Edward Jenner's ivory vaccination points, England, 1821

Made:
1821 in England
preparer:
Edward Jenner
Vaccine points, two (one missing), prepared by Edward Jenner

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Vaccine points, two (one missing), prepared by Edward Jenner
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Vaccine points, three, prepared by Edward Jenner, 1821- one missing since 1977

Ivory points were used to give smallpox vaccinations. These ivory points were used and prepared by the pioneer of smallpox vaccination himself, Edward Jenner (1749-1823). They measure 25 mm in length. Jenner successfully tested the idea that an attack of cowpox, a milder form of smallpox, gave immunity to smallpox. The vaccine was the lymph material from a pustule of a person already vaccinated with cowpox. Pustules are skin blisters filled with pus that appear approximately five to eight days after vaccination. This is known as arm-to-arm vaccination. The points were rubbed, scratched on, or inserted into a cut in the skin.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A600032
Materials:
ivory
Measurements:
overall: .5 mm x 28 mm x 3 mm, .0001 kg
type:
vaccination point