Edward Jenner's inquiry; a bicentenary analysis

Edward Jenner's famous Inquiry was published 200 years ago. Probably few no w know on what evidence he based his claims but most will be aware that the y initiated controversy which to some extent still continues. This paper br iefly reviews the Inquiry, analysing its merits and faults. Jenner's claims were based on slender experimental evidence and some of the information pr esented was incomplete and misleading. However Jenner's role in the introdu ction of vaccination was seminal and others could only test and extend his ideas. His reputation as the initial promoter of vaccination is justified. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.