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GCSE History · key term
A disease associated with cows that could infect humans, usually causing a much milder illness than smallpox. Jenner used it to provide protection against smallpox.
Used by AQA and Edexcel
Paper 2
Revise: Prevention of DiseaseEdward Jenner was a country doctor in Berkeley, Gloucestershire. He knew of the belief that milkmaids who had caught cowpox did not later catch smallpox. Cowpox caused a much milder illness in humans.
Paper 1
A disease of cattle that could infect people handling cows, usually causing a mild illness. Infection could protect a person against smallpox.
Revise: Case Studies: Vaccinations and CholeraLocal people already knew that milkmaids who had caught cowpox, a relatively mild disease acquired from cattle, appeared protected against smallpox. Jenner did not invent this observation: in 1774, farmer Benjamin Jesty had deliberately given cowpox to his wife and sons to protect them during a smallpox outbreak.
Distinguish the materials used: inoculation used smallpox material; Jenner’s vaccination used cowpox material.
Evaluate Jenner’s contribution through his testing and publication, not just the observation that cowpox protected against smallpox. Balance his achievement against earlier knowledge, opposition and his inability to explain why vaccination worked.
Keep inoculation and Jenner’s vaccination distinct: inoculation used smallpox material; Jenner’s vaccination used cowpox material to protect against smallpox.
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