Example Of Article Review On Smallpox Vaccination

Edward Jenner initiated the smallpox campaign in early 1800s to create a hot debate among the global scholars by then. Among many findings, Jenner came up with one observation that was very controversial and that attracted a lot from critics from different corners. Jenner conducted a cowpox experiments which he proved that a child could be protected from smallpox disease if he or she was injected with cowpox blister lymph (Tim and Debbie 139). This argument attracted a lot of criticism based on different reasons such as religious, sanitary, political and scientific grounds. It induced protest and fear and parents since the experiment involved scoring flesh from the arm of a child. The physician would then insert the lymph of another child who had been injected about one week earlier. Christian leaders argued the method was not Christian since it was derived from animals. Some other groups argued that the vaccine violated personal liberty, while others argued that it came from matters that were decaying in the atmosphere. The government was forced to make compulsory vaccination policies that heightened tension during that time. In 1853, the government made a legislation that required all the children up to 3 months to undertake a compulsory vaccination. The smallpox controversies were not only experienced in UK but also in other countries and contents. For example, there was an outbreak of smallpox in the late 1870s, and the government introduced the same vaccination. The outcome was not different since it was followed by endless protest from various groups.
Increased demonstrations led to the formation a commission that was mandated to do more research about the vaccination. The commission found that the vaccine could cure smallpox, but advised to government to remove penalties for those refused to undertake it. Although the opposition against vaccine has declined with time, many people still doubt its appropriateness in treating the disease.

Work cited

Tim Fulford and Debbie Lee. The Jenneration of Disease: Vaccination, Romanticism, and Revolution. Studies in Romanticism, 39.1 (2000):139-163.