Vaccine: The Human Story 2. The Forgotten Terror
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Jun 20, 2021 Discover the haunting legacy of smallpox, from its devastating impact in London and the Americas to its tragic consequences on Indigenous populations. Learn about pioneering treatments from ancient Baghdad to the controversial use of the disease as a biological weapon at Fort Pitt. Dive into the historical perspectives on disease prevention and the contentious journey towards understanding inoculation. This journey through forgotten terror unveils fascinating tales of suffering, resilience, and the evolution of medical beliefs.
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Elizabeth I's Scars And Makeup
- Queen Elizabeth I contracted smallpox in 1562, survived, but remained facially scarred for life.
- Her white makeup partly hid those disfigurements and influenced her public image.
Blindness As A Lasting Effect
- Smallpox caused transient and often permanent blindness, accounting for over a third of pre-eradication blindness in Europe.
- The disease's aftereffects extended far beyond mortality into lifelong disability.
Al-Razi's Early Clinical Observations
- Al-Razi, a 9th-century Persian physician, distinguished smallpox from measles and described its symptoms in Baghdad.
- He recommended isolation and practical treatments despite viewing smallpox as a maturation of the blood.
