1721 Boston smallpox outbreak

Outbreak of smallpox in Boston in 1721

The 1721 Boston smallpox outbreak was a significant event in the history of Boston, Massachusetts, and played a crucial role in the development of inoculation practices in North America. The outbreak led to a heated public debate over the practice of inoculation, which was introduced by Cotton Mather and Zabdiel Boylston.

Background

A South-East View of the City of Boston in North America

In the early 18th century, Boston was a bustling colonial town with a population of about 11,000 people. Smallpox was a feared disease, having caused numerous outbreaks in the past. The disease was highly contagious and often fatal, with mortality rates as high as 30% among those infected.

The Outbreak

The smallpox outbreak began in April 1721 when a ship arrived in Boston Harbor carrying infected individuals. The disease quickly spread throughout the town, causing widespread panic. By the end of the outbreak, over 5,000 Bostonians had contracted smallpox, and approximately 850 had died.

Inoculation Controversy

Cotton Mather, a proponent of inoculation

The outbreak led to a significant controversy over the practice of inoculation, a method of inducing immunity by exposing individuals to a mild form of the disease. Cotton Mather, a prominent Puritan minister, had learned about inoculation from his African slave, Onesimus, who had been inoculated in Africa. Mather became a strong advocate for the practice and began promoting it in Boston.

Zabdiel Boylston, a local physician, was the first to attempt inoculation in Boston. Despite fierce opposition from many in the medical community and the general public, Boylston inoculated his own son and two slaves. His success in preventing severe cases of smallpox among the inoculated led to more widespread acceptance of the practice.

Public Reaction

The New-England Courant, a newspaper that published articles against inoculation

The introduction of inoculation sparked a heated debate in Boston. Many people were opposed to the practice, fearing it would spread the disease further. The New-England Courant, a newspaper published by James Franklin, was particularly vocal in its opposition, publishing articles that criticized Mather and Boylston.

Benjamin Franklin, James's younger brother, was involved in the publication of the Courant. Although initially skeptical, Benjamin Franklin later became a supporter of inoculation after witnessing its effectiveness.

Impact and Legacy

Title page of Boylston's account of inoculation

The 1721 smallpox outbreak and the subsequent inoculation controversy had a lasting impact on public health practices in America. The success of inoculation in reducing the severity and spread of smallpox paved the way for the development of vaccination techniques in the future.

The outbreak also highlighted the importance of scientific inquiry and public health measures in controlling infectious diseases. The work of Mather and Boylston laid the groundwork for future advancements in immunology and epidemiology.

Related pages

• Smallpox
• Inoculation
• Vaccination
• Cotton Mather
• Zabdiel Boylston
• Benjamin Franklin