Smallpox - From Endemic Disease to Eradication - Lecture 2

Explore the history and impact of smallpox in this 51-minute lecture from Yale University's "Epidemics in Western Society Since 1600" course. Trace the disease's prevalence in 17th and 18th century Europe, its devastating effects on indigenous populations in the New World, and the development of inoculation and vaccination as public health measures. Examine how smallpox influenced literature, colonization, and the slave trade. Learn about the controversies surrounding early attempts to combat the disease and the eventual success of vaccination. Gain insights into the complex interplay between disease, society, and medical advancements in this comprehensive overview of smallpox's role in shaping Western history.