Others Who Made a Difference
You didn't have to be a doctor to make a difference in 18th century Europe. There were others, including monarchs and wives who helped promote the spread of inoculations and vaccines to parts of Europe that may not have gotten there otherwise. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (left-quotecollection.com), wife of the ambassador to the Porte, was instrumental in transporting the inoculation for smallpox from Turkey to England when she took the vaccine herself in 1721(McNeill 223).
Many others throughout the century aided in effectively healing the sick. In 1774 Benjamin Jetsy realized that cowpox was actually a cure for smallpox. This was not yet believed by medical doctors although he was able to save his family by inoculating them with cowpox. At the same time he was influential in the creation of the vaccine later in 1796 (Cartwright 126).
Catherine the Great introduced the smallpox vaccine to Russia in 1768 when she imported English Doctor Thomas Dimsdale to inoculate herself, the crown prince, and the court. Due to her influence others began to receive the procedure. Even Christians who had once been against receiving the inoculation began to receive it just before 1800 (Cartwright 125-126).
In 1775 after the death of Louis XV death from smallpox, Frederick II of Prussia introduced the smallpox inoculation and had doctors learn how to administer it (Cartwright 126).
Johann Peter Frank, a German monarch wrote six volumes on medical policy between 1779-1819. His works were very important in motivating the heads of state to keep people healthy (McNeill 238).
Many others throughout the century aided in effectively healing the sick. In 1774 Benjamin Jetsy realized that cowpox was actually a cure for smallpox. This was not yet believed by medical doctors although he was able to save his family by inoculating them with cowpox. At the same time he was influential in the creation of the vaccine later in 1796 (Cartwright 126).
Catherine the Great introduced the smallpox vaccine to Russia in 1768 when she imported English Doctor Thomas Dimsdale to inoculate herself, the crown prince, and the court. Due to her influence others began to receive the procedure. Even Christians who had once been against receiving the inoculation began to receive it just before 1800 (Cartwright 125-126).
In 1775 after the death of Louis XV death from smallpox, Frederick II of Prussia introduced the smallpox inoculation and had doctors learn how to administer it (Cartwright 126).
Johann Peter Frank, a German monarch wrote six volumes on medical policy between 1779-1819. His works were very important in motivating the heads of state to keep people healthy (McNeill 238).