variolization

[vair-ee-uh-luh-zey-shuhn]

variolization Definition

  • 1the process of inoculating a person with material taken from a patient with smallpox in order to confer immunity to the disease
  • 2the process of inducing immunity to smallpox by injecting a person with material from a cowpox blister

Using variolization: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "variolization" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    Edward Jenner is credited with developing the first successful method of variolization.

  • Example

    Before the invention of the smallpox vaccine, variolization was a common practice in many parts of the world.

  • Example

    The practice of variolization was eventually replaced by vaccination, which is a safer and more effective method of preventing smallpox.

Origins of variolization

from variola, the Latin word for smallpox

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Summary: variolization in Brief

Variolization [vair-ee-uh-luh-zey-shuhn] is the process of inoculating a person with material taken from a patient with smallpox or cowpox blister to confer immunity to smallpox. It was a common practice before the invention of the smallpox vaccine and was eventually replaced by vaccination, which is a safer and more effective method of preventing smallpox.