Talk - The History of Smallpox in Sussex

“Although smallpox was completely eradicated in 1980 we are increasingly at risk of it coming back in the form of bio-terrorism”, says Diane Crook when I speak to her about her talk at the Town Hall. “There is evidence to suggest that the virus has fallen into the hands of hostile countries and if it was to be used against us, it could be a complete disaster.” Whilst I’m reeling from this alarmist opening, Crook continues, “People often don’t realise that smallpox was one of the biggest killers ever. In fact, one of the first things I do at my talk is to list the symptoms”, she laughs, “I hope too many people don’t walk out though. It’s rather gruesome”.

The eradication of the disease is largely due to the ingenuity of two individuals, I am told. Lady Mary Wortley Montague who in 1720 brought back from her travels in Turkey the idea of injecting small non-lethal amounts of smallpox in order to build up a resistance in the body. Then, in 1800 Edward Jenner worked out that exposure to the less-fatal cowpox could provide immunity to the deadly smallpox. “Jenner had a terrible time when he was a boy and was inoculated with smallpox”, Crook tells me. “He was locked up for hours with lots of other boys in terrible pain. He vowed then to find a less painful cure for the disease.” And of the way that Sussex residents responded to the vaccination? “I’ve found some really funny stories”, Crook tells me, “Some people even came to blows. They just weren’t keen on the idea of having a bit of cow pus injected into the body.” ER