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If you’ve noticed a small, round scar on someone’s left arm—or if you have one yourself—it’s a mark left by a historic vaccine. This scar is a legacy of vaccination campaigns against smallpox, a devastating disease that plagued humanity for centuries.
The Smallpox Vaccine: A Turning Point in Medical History
Smallpox, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease, ravaged entire populations until Edward Jenner invented the vaccine in 1796. This vaccine, developed from the variola vaccinia virus (a weakened form of smallpox), was the first in history and significantly reduced epidemics. In 1952, smallpox was declared eradicated in the United States, and by 1980, it was completely eradicated worldwide, which remains a major medical achievement.
Why is this scar so special?
scar
Unlike current vaccines, the smallpox vaccine was administered using a unique technique using a bifurcated needle. This needle, equipped with two small points, pierced the skin repeatedly to introduce a small amount of the virus into the dermis. This method created a characteristic skin reaction: a blister formed at the injection site, which eventually burst, leaving behind a scab and then a circular scar. “This scar is a testament to a time when medicine fought against otherwise fatal diseases,” explains Lydia Mammar, a specialist in medical history.
Why on the left arm?
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