From:
Joseph Marie Grandclément
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[May 1874]
Source of text:
DAR 165: 87
Summary:
He was chagrined to read in Descent CD’s statement that smallpox vaccine has saved thousands of lives. He has found no scientific reason to believe in the prophylactic effect of the vaccine. In epidemic of 1870–1, smallpox killed more vaccinated persons than were killed by cholera, against which there is no vaccine, in 1853–4. Cites the difficulties in arriving at a conclusive proof of vaccine’s effectiveness.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
