Overview

The 1700s saw the increased use of inoculation against disease as a medical practice. More importantly, the practice began to be used scientifically, with less chance of accidentally infecting those who were to be protected. By the end of the century, although some of the scientific principles were still not fully appreciated, inoculation and immunization had become more commonly used and were on their way to becoming the boons to public health they are today.

Background

Throughout human history infectious disease has claimed more lives than virtually any other cause. Even today, with the exception of the minority of people living in the developed world, infectious disease is the world's dominant killer. Smallpox, tuberculosis, rabies, polio, diphtheria, yellow fever, and many other illnesses have afflicted people for millennia, while emerging diseases...