Cowpox Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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cowpox
[kaʊpɒks ]
Definition
viral disease
Cowpox is a viral disease caused by the cowpox virus, primarily affecting cattle but can also infect humans. It is characterized by pustules similar to those of smallpox and is considered an important disease in the history of vaccination, as it was used by Edward Jenner to develop the first smallpox vaccine.
Synonyms
cowpox virus, vaccinia.
Examples of usage
- Cowpox was used in the first vaccination trials.
- The lesions from cowpox are similar to smallpox.
- Cattle can transmit cowpox to humans.
Translations
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Origin of 'cowpox'
The term 'cowpox' originated in the late 18th century. It is derived from the combination of 'cow', referring to the primary host of the virus, and 'pox', which denotes the pustule formations characteristic of this and similar diseases. The cowpox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus and is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox in humans. Its significance in medical history particularly stems from the work of Edward Jenner, an English physician who observed that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox did not get smallpox. In 1796, Jenner demonstrated that vaccination with cowpox could effectively protect against smallpox, paving the way for immunization practices that have since contributed to the eradication of smallpox.