cowpox

Everyday

1. Cowpox is a mild disease of cows that causes sores on their udders and can pass to people, giving them a few small blisters. tree →
2. In history, catching cowpox protected people from the deadly disease smallpox, which led to the first vaccine. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history lessons, Edward Jenner, an English doctor, noticed that milkmaids who had caught cowpox did not get smallpox; he used material from cowpox sores to protect a boy, which began vaccination. The word «vaccine» comes from the Latin word for cow. Today smallpox has been wiped out thanks to vaccines. Phrases: «cowpox and smallpox», «Edward Jenner».

Examples

• Milkmaids who caught cowpox did not get smallpox. tree →
• Edward Jenner used cowpox to make the first vaccine. tree →
• Cowpox gives cows sores on their udders. tree →
• Cowpox is much milder than smallpox. tree →
• The word «vaccine» comes from «vacca», Latin for cow. tree →
• Our class acted out Jenner's cowpox experiment. tree →

Note

Uncountable; one word. Do not confuse with chickenpox, a common children's illness that has nothing to do with chickens. Jenner's experiment would not be allowed today, because it put a child at risk without the safety rules we now use.