Responses
Perinatal lessons from the past
Hugh Downman, MD (1740–1809) of Exeter and his poem on infant care
Compose a Response to This Article
Other responses
Jump to comment:
- Published on: 15 May 2003
- Published on: 15 May 2003Hugh Downman and smallpox inoculationShow More
Dear Editor
Professor Dunn quotes Downman's approval of Lady Mary Montagu in his fascinating account of the Exeter physician. Her contemporaries, however, were often less generous. This beautiful and literary lady contracted smallpox in 1715 and probably knew of the Turkish practice of 'engrafting' or 'variolation' against the disease from her own doctors. As Fellows of the Royal Society they may well have heard an a...
Conflict of Interest:
None declared.