1-150-781 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

Direct from the Cow!, 1877. A local inspector is endeavouring to establish whether the woman's son has been vaccinated. There were a number of serious cholera epidemics in the mid-nineteenth century and, following Edwin Chadwick's report into public health, local health officials were appointed and a number of Public Health Acts were passed to reduce disease. The smallpox vaccine had been developed at the beginning of the century by Edward Jenner and it may be this that the inspector is referring to. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 24, 1877.