What term did Jenner coin in his 1798 publication?

Study for the WJEC GCSE History of Medicine Test. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question providing hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam effectively!

Multiple Choice

What term did Jenner coin in his 1798 publication?

Explanation:
Jenner coined the term vaccine to describe the material derived from cowpox that protected against smallpox. He introduced this word in his 1798 work, choosing vaccine from the Latin vaccinus, meaning “of the cow,” because the protective agent came from cowpox lesions. This set the stage for vaccination as a general method of conferring immunity, beyond just smallpox. Inoculation refers to the older practice of variolation with smallpox itself, while immunization and antibodies are later concepts that describe broader immune protection and immune molecules, not Jenner’s coinage.

Jenner coined the term vaccine to describe the material derived from cowpox that protected against smallpox. He introduced this word in his 1798 work, choosing vaccine from the Latin vaccinus, meaning “of the cow,” because the protective agent came from cowpox lesions. This set the stage for vaccination as a general method of conferring immunity, beyond just smallpox. Inoculation refers to the older practice of variolation with smallpox itself, while immunization and antibodies are later concepts that describe broader immune protection and immune molecules, not Jenner’s coinage.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy