Smallpox vaccintion timeline
1898 Arm-to-arm vaccination (vesicles from smallpox victim were
scratched into arms) was "discontinued".
1870 Calf lymph becomes generally available (Ref Wilson p 106)
1871 and still more stringent
1867 more stringently
1853 Vaccination was made compulsory by an Act of Parliament
1840 Variolation became illegal in Great Britain
1798 Jenner introduced "vaccination" (vacc=cow).
1746 Hospital
for the reception of patients suffering from small-pox,
and for propagating the same disease by inoculation, was established in
London in the year 1746.
1754 " That after much
controversy, the College of Physicians in London adopted
inoculation in 1754, and "considered it highly beneficial to mankind.'
1721/22 Variolation introduced. Human vesicles were collected and
then scratched into arms.
"That small-pox was kept constantly alive by means of inoculation, which for
a lengthened period of time continued to provide new centres of contagion;
and the mortality became very large, notwithstanding an improved mode of
treatment.
" That in 1798 the belief in the utility of inoculation with small-pox was
greatly lessened; at which time Dr. Jenner published his 'Observations on
Cow-pox,' having vaccinated for the first time 14th May, 1796.
" That Dr. Jenner petitioned Parliament for a reward for his discovery in
1802, and affirmed his belief that 'the annihilation of the small-pox must
be the final result of the practice of vaccination.' In the same year the
House of Commons voted him. £10,000. But many eminent members of the faculty
thought the action of Parliament too precipitate.
"That in 1803 the Royal Jennerian Society was formed, and a belief was
cherished that small-pox was about to be exterminated.
1807 " That in 1807 the Royal College of
Physicians reported that the security derived from
vaccination, if not absolutely perfect, is as nearly so as
perhaps can be expected from any human discovery.'
1807 "That in the same year the House of
Commons, in Committee of Supply, voted an additional
grant of £20,000 to Dr. Jenner; the motion of Mr. Shaw Lefevre
to take more time to consider the Report of the College of Physicians
being rejected, and the grant passed by 60 to 47.
1808-9 "That the National Vaccine
Establishment was founded in 1808-9, and supported by
an annual grant from the Public Purse, and the privilege of
free post. The Reports issued annually from 1810 to 1860, vary
considerably in the degree of confidence in which the
suppression of small-pox is predicted.
1833 "That in 1833 a Committee of the
House of Commons, appointed to enquire into the
utility of the Vaccine Establishment, reported, that 'the Committee are
led to believe that the prejudices against vaccination are greatly on the
decrease throughout the country; and the authority of the Managing Board
is not necessary to enable vaccination to withstand
these prejudices.'
1840 " That in 1840, inoculation for
small-pox was forbidden by Act of Parliament, and in
that and the following year, Boards of Guardians were
empowered to provide for the coat of vaccinating parishioners out of the
poor rates.
1853 " That in 1853 an Act to extend and
make compulsory the practice of
vaccination waa passed, notwithstanding the promise of the Government, that
enquiry should precede any further legislation on the subject; and the
energetic protest of a large number of intelligent members of the faculty.
1856 "That in 1856 the medical officer of
the Privy Council, addressing members of the medical
profession, and referring to objections to the course of
legislation, urged during the previous Session of Parliament, thus
wrote:-' The President of the Board of Health intends
forthwith, on the meeting of Parliament, to move the
House of Commons for a Select Committee on the entire
subject, which Committee if appointed, would ho doubt receive
whatever evidence can be adduced as to the hygienic value of vaccination,
and as to the validity of any medical objections alleged against its.
further encouragement by the State.'
1857 " That in 1857 a Bill was introduced
by private Members to repeal the Act of 1853, but not
passed.
" That measures to amend and extend the provisions of the Act of 1853 were
subsequently passed.
" That in 1863 the law enforcing vaccination was extended to Scotland and
Ireland.