Variolation

Variolation is a medical procedure that involves the introduction of a special extract prepared from pathogenic vaccinia vaccines into an area of ​​healthy skin to form a slight pseudonodule, which cannot be considered a full-fledged inflammation. Vaccination is carried out several times. A course of variolation is being carried out. Before universal vaccination came into force, injection of variolar contents into small scratches on the skin was used. It was more painful and left a scar. The term itself was coined by Dr. Thomas Dimmesdale. His colleague Dr. Thomas Addison tried to convince him that the name was more appropriate to the infection itself than to the method of inflicting it and coined the term smallpox for the new disease.

At its core, variolation was a useless and dangerous procedure. Firstly, it is painful and often leads to weakening of the body and temporary loss of performance. The person becomes susceptible to other infections. If the skin is damaged (for example, by scratches), transmission of infection through contact may occur earlier, since the infection passes through damaged skin much more easily. It is also possible for a malignant or benign tumor to appear. Although in countries where universal vaccination is in force, the results of a series of vaccinations against smallpox seem to be successful, the side effects from these vaccinations include: