before jenner

• During the 1700s, there had been several major epidemics of smallpox in Britain. 

  Smallpox caused fever and bright red rashes which left permanent scaring.  It could also be deadly. Smallpox affected everyone but cases in children were particularly high.  
• disease was worse in London.  


  With a population of the capital reaching 1 million, smallpox spread quickly and easily.  

  London suffered 11 major outbreaks in the 1700s. In 1796, 3,548 people died.