1-158-561 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Medal commemorating the discovery of smallpox vaccination in 1796, (1800). Children dancing round a garlanded cow. Edward Jenner (1749-1823) practiced as a country doctor in his native Gloucestershire. He noted immunity to smallpox was given by cow-pox. In 1796 he vaccinated James Phipps a number of times with pus from cow-pox pustules on a dairy maid. He then inoculated him with smallpox. The boy was ill for a few days, then recovered. Reverse of a commemorative medal issued in 1800.