Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 12 minutes ago
The story of HOW WE BEAT SMALLPOX, which was one of the deadliest diseases in history, spans several centuries and nearly the entire globe. In this video from History Calling we’ll look at the history of smallpox, some famous people who had smallpox, the mortality rate of this horrendous disease, how it was spread, the symptoms of smallpox (which I’ll show you using historic photographs of those who suffered from it), the long-term effects for those who survived and the invention of a smallpox vaccine. We’ll then see how smallpox was eradicated worldwide by 1980 using that vaccine and why inoculation could destroy this disease, but doesn’t eliminate others. I’ll also reveal how the history of vaccines was shaped by pioneers including Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Queen Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (wife of George II), Dr Edward Jenner and the impact the policies of the World Health Organisation (the WHO) had on destroying smallpox. This will include a discussion of early vaccine methods known as variolation, plus a comparison of cowpox and smallpox and how one helped to defeat the other. I’ll also look at the smallpox inoculation programmes around the world, at when and why they were rolled out, then eventually suspended at who had the last case of smallpox in the world and at why there are only two known locations where live smallpox virus is kept today. This is the story of the only disease we’ve ever eliminated and how we did it.
BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG
Website (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): historycallingofficial.com
Patreon: patreon.com/historycalling
Amazon storefront: amazon.com/shop/historycalling
Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
MEDICINE & ILLNESS PLAYLIST
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLSjVq5Qtb0E7oXrh07NVR_gi4CVgrSI1
DEATH OF QUEEN CAROLINE
youtu.be/odlHPwa7wDc
HOW THE BLACK DEATH AFFECTS YOU
youtu.be/IGd78Gg05q0
EYAM 1665: ENGLAND’S PLAGUE VILLAGE
youtu.be/qTmAqbo4wVw
DANCING PLAGUE
youtu.be/nWImzWylwCw
GEAR USED
Apple MacBook Pro Laptop (for video editing): amzn.to/3S6IoRK
DJI Drone: amzn.to/38h1vXr (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/39hROZm (US LINK)
Go-Pro Hero 10 camera: amzn.to/3EPIK9U (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3rTWScL (US LINK)
GoPro 3-Way 2.0 (Tripod/Grip/Arm): amzn.to/37CdC1r (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3vaVxjU (US LINK)
Memory Card: amzn.to/36QvcOQ (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3KeLZZs (US LINK)
Microphone: amzn.to/3MFtoaK (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3rYtjH8 (US LINK)
LEARN MORE:
Isobel Grundy, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, available at amzn.to/47Qr1Nf
Want to watch/hear/read more about history (and a whole host of other topics)? Then you might benefit from a free Prime video or Audible trial. They are available from the following links:
PRIME VIDEO
amzn.to/3LW7ykg
AUDIBLE
amzn.to/44MvlMi
AUDIBLE PLUS & AUDIBLE PREMIUM PLUS
amzn.to/42rh3PF
Creative Commons licenses used
creativecommons.org/licenses
Open Street Map copyright information
openstreetmap.org/copyright
NB: Links above may be affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a small commission. It in no way affects the price you pay.
The story of HOW WE BEAT SMALLPOX, which was one of the deadliest diseases in history, spans several centuries and nearly the entire globe. In this video from History Calling we’ll look at the history of smallpox, some famous people who had smallpox, the mortality rate of this horrendous disease, how it was spread, the symptoms of smallpox (which I’ll show you using historic photographs of those who suffered from it), the long-term effects for those who survived and the invention of a smallpox vaccine. We’ll then see how smallpox was eradicated worldwide by 1980 using that vaccine and why inoculation could destroy this disease, but doesn’t eliminate others. I’ll also reveal how the history of vaccines was shaped by pioneers including Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Queen Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (wife of George II), Dr Edward Jenner and the impact the policies of the World Health Organisation (the WHO) had on destroying smallpox. This will include a discussion of early vaccine methods known as variolation, plus a comparison of cowpox and smallpox and how one helped to defeat the other. I’ll also look at the smallpox inoculation programmes around the world, at when and why they were rolled out, then eventually suspended at who had the last case of smallpox in the world and at why there are only two known locations where live smallpox virus is kept today. This is the story of the only disease we’ve ever eliminated and how we did it.
BUY MY BOOK (Find Your Irish Ancestors Online): amzn.to/3Z2ChnG
Website (with 2 FREE DOWNLOADS): historycallingofficial.com
Patreon: patreon.com/historycalling
Amazon storefront: amazon.com/shop/historycalling
Instagram: instagram.com/historycalling
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
MEDICINE & ILLNESS PLAYLIST
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLSjVq5Qtb0E7oXrh07NVR_gi4CVgrSI1
DEATH OF QUEEN CAROLINE
youtu.be/odlHPwa7wDc
HOW THE BLACK DEATH AFFECTS YOU
youtu.be/IGd78Gg05q0
EYAM 1665: ENGLAND’S PLAGUE VILLAGE
youtu.be/qTmAqbo4wVw
DANCING PLAGUE
youtu.be/nWImzWylwCw
GEAR USED
Apple MacBook Pro Laptop (for video editing): amzn.to/3S6IoRK
DJI Drone: amzn.to/38h1vXr (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/39hROZm (US LINK)
Go-Pro Hero 10 camera: amzn.to/3EPIK9U (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3rTWScL (US LINK)
GoPro 3-Way 2.0 (Tripod/Grip/Arm): amzn.to/37CdC1r (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3vaVxjU (US LINK)
Memory Card: amzn.to/36QvcOQ (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3KeLZZs (US LINK)
Microphone: amzn.to/3MFtoaK (UK LINK) OR amzn.to/3rYtjH8 (US LINK)
LEARN MORE:
Isobel Grundy, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, available at amzn.to/47Qr1Nf
Want to watch/hear/read more about history (and a whole host of other topics)? Then you might benefit from a free Prime video or Audible trial. They are available from the following links:
PRIME VIDEO
amzn.to/3LW7ykg
AUDIBLE
amzn.to/44MvlMi
AUDIBLE PLUS & AUDIBLE PREMIUM PLUS
amzn.to/42rh3PF
Creative Commons licenses used
creativecommons.org/licenses
Open Street Map copyright information
openstreetmap.org/copyright
NB: Links above may be affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a small commission. It in no way affects the price you pay.
