EARLY WORK ON SMALLPOX
PEARSON, GEORG.
Untersuchung über die Geschichte der Kuhpocken : in besonderer Hinsicht auf die Ausrottung der Kinderpocken.
Nürnberg, 1800.
8vo. In contemporary half calf with gilt lettering to spine. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spine. A fine copy. XII, 132 pp.
Rare first German translation of Pearson's work on smallpox translated by J. Fr. Küttlinger (originally published in 1798 under the following title: "An Inquiry Concerning the History of the Cowpox, Principally with a View to Supersede and Extinguish the Smallpox"). Vaccination reached the European continent in 1800 and the present publication is one of the very earliest to describe this. Pearson was an early supporter of smallpox vaccination and endorsed Edward Jenner, promptly publishing his initial observations shortly after Jenner's Inquiry was released. In 1799, he played a key role in establishing the Original Vaccine Pock Institute in London, distributing vaccine samples. Unfortunately, some of these samples were contaminated with the smallpox virus, leading to a disagreement with Jenner, who felt overshadowed. As Jenner gained prominence, Pearson became envious. In 1802, when Jenner sought financial recognition from Parliament, Pearson presented a detailed account of his own contributions, challenging Jenner's sole credit for the discovery of vaccination. Pearson highlighted farmer Benjamin Jesty and others with prior claims. Despite Pearson bringing Jesty to London in 1805 to support his case during Jenner's second Parliamentary grant request, it proved unsuccessful. Not in Garrison & Morton
Order-nr.: 60689
DKK 8.000,00