Smallpox Inoculation Essay

Submitted By Chickenchunks
Words: 619
Pages: 3

Olive Madad
Mrs. Newcomer
English 10 Honors
16 October 2012
Innovation of the Century Inoculation is the act or process of taking a vaccine as a precaution against contracting a disease. Some even considered the virus even “more terrible than British Troops, Indians, or even Tories.” (Robert 457). Without our current advancements in inoculation, many people would still be dying due to the smallpox virus. Recently, the public have been arguing about whether we should begin to require the smallpox inoculation or leave it up to public discretion. Based on the evidence that has been accumulated, one can easily denote that the vast majority of people in the world should be in support of the notion that the smallpox inoculation is a needed medical procedure in our current time. The smallpox virus is an extremely contagious and therefore deadly epidemic which has plagued our young nation with a devastating enough impact to warrant the use of inoculation: a procedure with a positive outcome that heavily outweighs the potentially negative risks. Smallpox is exceedingly pestiferous and virulent to all of mankind. The virus is usually spread by inhaling droplets discharged from the nose and mouth of an infected person, but can also be transmitted via infected blankets, linens, and clothing. Due to the extreme communicability of the aforementioned virus, we should take action to isolate all of those who are still infected. Symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, backache, and muscle pains usually begin 12 days after exposure to the virus. Two to five days later, the victim experiences severe abdominal pain. A rash develops on the face, inside the eyes, and subsequently covers the whole body. During the next six to ten days, the rash transforms into pus-filled sores (pustules) that could become secondarily infected by bacteria. As recovery begins, fever and other symptoms subside. The pustules crust over and may leave scars. The disease usually confers permanent immunity; the infected person will not contract it again. Antiviral medications and other drugs do not work to shorten the duration or alleviate the symptoms of smallpox. Treatment is focused on providing nutrition, increasing comfort, and reducing secondary infections. In addition, the patient is usually isolated from the public to prevent spread of the virus. Although all people are susceptible to the disease, we have found a method that will help the common people be more at ease. Despite the fact that the smallpox virus is undoubtedly dangerous and