The Indian Territory in the Civil War Message Board

Smallpox vaccine from Cows

I saw a documentary some time back on the development of the Smallpox vaccine from cows and Cowpox. I began to notice references to Smallpox cases during the war and references to obtaining cows to make vaccines, particularly for the Indian troops and refugees who were rarely vaccinated.

In the winter of 1862-1863, several of Livingston's men had Smallpox and were kept separated from Watie's winter camp near Webbers Falls. Lt Col Parks recommended that they get some cows to get vaccinations for the troops.

About the same time, the Army of the Frontier was dealing with Smallpox and was very concerned about the IHG and the Indian refugees encamped around Neosho MO.

Wiley Britton wrote about the situation in 'Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border-1863'. [BTW, I particularly like this book because it is from Britton's journal at the time. His other books were a compliation of his notes and other sources (e.g., ORs). Britton also had manuscripts for 1862 and 1864 that were tragically lost in a fire in Ft Smith AR.]

Memoirs of the Rebellion on the Border – 1863. Wiley Britton. p. 177-178

There are some who have a dread of vaccination, and I have no doubt that there is often just cause for such dread, for there have been many instances in which bad results have come from using virus obtained from unhealthy persons or animals. The very greatest caution should therefore be exercised in regard to obtaining the virus from only perfectly healthy persons or animals. Speaking not as a medical practitioner, but as I think from a common-sense point of view, I should say that the virus intended for use, ought not be obtained from anyone whose blood has been poisoned by immoral practices, or anyone having a consumptive or scrofulous diathesis, or anyone either of whose parents or grandparents died of consumption or were scrofulous. Anyone who would ignorantly or willfully trifle with the lives and future health of his fellows, is a criminal and justly deserves our execrations. It is possible, however, even after one has used his most deliberate judgment, to be sometimes mistaken or deceived. From such information as we have on the subject, I think it is generally regarded as safest to use the virus obtained from the cow. If animals were raised for this special purpose, kept isolated and in good condition, and properly inspected, then there should be only an, infinitesimal danger in using the virus obtained from them. If individual enterprise cannot find it renumerative enough to go to this trouble, I think that, in time of war, the Government would not go outside of its legitimate functions to stock a farm or farms with animals, for the purpose of furnishing virus for its soldiers and sailors and citizen employees.

Our Medical department will, no doubt, after proper inquiries, be able to vaccinate most of those who have not already been recently vaccinated, and thus do much to prevent the spread of the disease. The approach of spring and a warmer season, will also, perhaps, be more favorable towards stamping it out.

In searching the internet for info on the development of the vaccine, I ran across a facinating article which brings into question whether the vaccine worked and whether it was worse than the disease. It cites examples where vaccination resulted in more cases of Smallpox instead of less and, as Britton warns, other diseases were being spread by the vaccine. I have no clues as to the reliability of the information but it seems credible. The article is at:

http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/122/1/

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Smallpox vaccine from Cows
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