IX.—William Smith, Farm Servant.
Although [wrote Jenner as preface to this Case] the Cowpox shields the constitution from the Smallpox, and the Smallpox proves a protection against its own poison, yet it appears that the human body is again and again susceptible of the infectious matter of the Cowpox.
In 1780, when attending to Horses with sore heels, Smith conveyed the equine infection to Cows, “and from the Cows it was communicated to Smith. In 1791, the Cowpox broke out at another farm where he then lived as a servant, and he became affected with it a second time; and in 1794 he was so unfortunate as to catch it again. The disease was equally as severe the second and third time as it was on the first.” He was twice inoculated with Smallpox in 1795, and exposed to Smallpox without effect.
X.—Simon Nichols, Farm Servant.
In 1782 was employed in dressing the sore heels of Horses, and at the same time assisted in milking Cows, thereby infecting them and generating Smallpox. Changing his situation, he communicated the disease to other Cows, and was himself severely affected. Some years afterwards, he was inoculated with Smallpox by Jenner without effect.
XI.—William Stinchcomb, Farm Servant.
In 1782 had Cowpox severely on the same farm with Nichols. In 1792 he was inoculated with Smallpox along with a large party, but in his case without result. “During the sickening of some of his companions, their symptoms so strongly recalled to his mind his own state when sickening with the Cowpox, that he very pertinently remarked their striking similarity.”
XII.—Hester Walkley, Farm Servant.
In 1782 had Cowpox when she was attended by Jenner. In 1795 she, and seven other pauper women of Tortsworth, who also had had Cowpox, were inoculated with Smallpox by Henry Jenner without effect. “This state of security proved a fortunate circumstance,” observed Jenner, “as many of the poor women were at the same time in a state of pregnancy.” Why then, it might have been asked, did Henry Jenner try to variolate them?