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Story
February 6, 1901
Edgefield Advertiser
Edgefield, Edgefield County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
Victor Smith's reminiscence of unprotected childhood vaccinations in the early 1800s, where scratching caused reinoculation, and large scars were prized as proof of efficacy, contrasting with modern wire cages.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
As to Vaccination.
The small wire cages now used to protect the vaccinated arm from rubbing against people, clothes and corners of houses would have been highly appreciated years ago. In the young days of the century we boys and girls had no sort of protection. In not a few cases re-inoculation was constantly occurring, because we would persist in scratching the sore and transferring an atom of the virus to some other part of the body by means of the finger nail. Then we liked a big scar. It meant that the vaccination 'took' well. - Victor Smith, in New York Press.
The small wire cages now used to protect the vaccinated arm from rubbing against people, clothes and corners of houses would have been highly appreciated years ago. In the young days of the century we boys and girls had no sort of protection. In not a few cases re-inoculation was constantly occurring, because we would persist in scratching the sore and transferring an atom of the virus to some other part of the body by means of the finger nail. Then we liked a big scar. It meant that the vaccination 'took' well. - Victor Smith, in New York Press.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Medical Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Recovery
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Vaccination History
Childhood Vaccination
Reinoculation
Protective Cages
Vaccination Scars
What entities or persons were involved?
Victor Smith
Story Details
Key Persons
Victor Smith
Event Date
Young Days Of The Century
Story Details
Personal reminiscence of early 19th-century childhood vaccinations without protective cages, leading to frequent reinoculation from scratching, and appreciation for large scars as signs of successful vaccination.