LUMINARIES IN MEDICINE
SJIM
VOLUME 3 NO. 1
1434 H - 2013 G
Luminaries in Medicine: EDWARD JENNER
Mohammed W. Al-Rabia1, md, phd and Hussein A. Algahtani2, md, frcpc
1
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University and 2College of Medicine King Saud bin
Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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man who discovered
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the very first vaccine in
the history of mankind,
was born on May 17,
1749 in the small town
of
Gloucestershire,
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When he was 5,
his
parents
died,
thus
giving
the
responsibility to his
eldest brother to look
Edward Jenner
after him. At the age of
(1749-1823)
14, he started medical
education in a local
school near Bristol for 7 years. In 1770, he became a student
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him his role-model and established a close friendship.
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migration, hibernation of specific species and the biological
cycle of eels.
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in a farm community to be a country doctor at Berkeley,
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was not only a successful physician, but also a vigorous
countryman with an active social life. He had many
hobbies like singing, playing musical instruments and
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the University of St Andrews. He also presented papers on
cardiological aspects, such as mitral stenosis and coronary
artery diseases. He helped to establish many local medical
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vaccine, he used a perceptive combination of scientific logic
and common sense to make use of his own observations
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observations to piece together a scientific development
that created a remarkable lifesaving path to mankind.
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link of cross-protection between the two diseases. With
continuous studying of more people previously infected
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were not welcomed in the medical society and gained very
little response. A manuscript, describing his findings and
theories, was denied from publication by the Royal Society
and he was obliged to publish his 'Inquiry' privately.
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among medical professionals was significantly mitigated.
However, some progress had been made when a surgeon of
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the British parliament nominated him with 20,000 pounds
in recognition of his valuable services and sacrifices. As
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have either encouraged or compelled vaccination to the
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much been characterized.
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due to a stroke. More than 150 years passed after his death,
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Address for Correspondence:
Dr. Mohammed W. Al-Rabia
Department of Medicine, Facuty of Medicine
King Abdulaziz University
P.O. Box 6880, Jeddah 21452, Saudi Arabia
e-M: [email protected]
Saudi Journal of Internal Medicine Vol. 4 No. 1 - 2014
7
Campaign of Vaccination, reported by World Health
Organization in the 1970s. By his death, humanity lost one
of the greatest scientists in medical history, a true benefactor
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curiosity, and simple logic to pursue a scientific path that
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gave hope to humanity, and he showed that with dedication
and perseverance, diseases can be defeated.
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ingenuities for future generation. His spirit, curiosity,
perseverance, and his way of thinking continue to advance
in the field of vaccinology for many decades after his
death. The 20th century has witnessed greatest successes in
developing vaccines that protect against once commonly
fatal infections such as pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus,
polio, measles, rubella, and several other communicable
diseases. With success, there are also setbacks and missed
opportunities in medicine as many hard to eradicate or
to treat diseases are presently active. Malaria, dengue and
tuberculosis continue to defy a vaccine solution despite all
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however, there is hope and certainly, challenging scientists
are working hard in developing vaccines that will eradicate
diseases for the future of humanity.
References
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burden of malaria mortality among African children in the
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Montañés C M, Gicquel B. New tuberculosis vaccines.
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Hokey DA, Ginsberg A. The current state of tuberculosis
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8
Saudi Journal of Internal Medicine Vol. 4 No. 1 - 2014