Jenner: Vaccination vs Variolation (1796)
by Anonymous
Edward Jenner observed that milkmaids who caught cowpox were immune to smallpox. He chose to test cowpox inoculation (vaccination) rather than the riskier practice of variolation (inoculating with smallpox itself).
Vaccination (Cowpox)
1796
year
Very low — mild cowpox
risk to patient
Provided immunity to smallpox
effectiveness
Chosen — led to smallpox eradication in 1980
outcome
Variolation (Smallpox)
18th century
year
2-3% death rate
risk to patient
Provided immunity if survived
effectiveness
Replaced by safer vaccination
outcome
No Intervention
N/A
year
30% death rate from natural infection
risk to patient
N/A
effectiveness
Smallpox killed 300+ million in 20th century alone
outcome
Like this comparison? Make it your own.
Sign up to use as templateMore in History
Great Wall: Build or Negotiate with Nomads (3rd Century BCE - 17th Century)
Build the Great Wall vs Heqin (Marriage Alliance and Tribute)
Cleopatra: Alliance with Rome (48 BCE)
Alliance with Caesar vs Alliance with Ptolemy XIII (Brother) vs Resist Rome
French Revolution: Constitutional Monarchy vs Republic (1792)
Republic (Abolish Monarchy) vs Constitutional Monarchy
Abolition of the Slave Trade: Economic Pressure vs Moral Argument (1807)
Moral + Economic Argument Combined vs Moral Argument Alone vs Gradual Phase-Out
Schlieffen Plan: Germany's WWI Strategy (1914)
Modified Schlieffen Plan (Through Belgium) vs Defensive in West, Attack East
European Coal and Steel Community: First Step to EU (1951)
Supranational Authority (ECSC) vs Traditional Bilateral Treaties