Before Edward Jenner's work, smallpox was a deadly and highly contagious disease. The common method of prevention, inoculation, was risky, expensive, and not always effective. Jenner observed that milkmaids who contracted cowpox seemed immune to smallpox. He tested this theory by inoculating people with cowpox, finding it provided protection against smallpox. Despite initial resistance from religious groups and doctors, vaccination gradually gained acceptance due to its lower risk and government support. By 1853, vaccination was made compulsory in Britain, marking a significant step toward eradicating smallpox.
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