The beginning of vaccinations against small-pox in France (1800-1850)

First factor of mortality at the eighteenth century, smallpox killed each y ear about 50.000 to 80.000 people in France and 25.000 to 30.000 in England . In 1796, Edward Jenner discovered the fabulous properties of the cowpox w hich, transplanted from cow to human, immunized against the disease. In Fra nce, between 1800 and 1850, a few hundreds of vaccinators took part in a si gnificant crusade against smallpox. They went if? the villages and the that ched cottages, fought against the routine, and, sometimes, against the host ility of the mayors or the priests. Moreover; the cow-pox often missed or l ost its strength. Despite everything, their efforts were crowned success : during the nineteenth century, small-pox mortality drops by, 90%.