The subject occupied his mind so much that he
frequently mentioned it to John Hunter and the great surgeon
occasionally alluded to it in his lectures, but never seems to
have adopted Jenner's idea that it might suggest some efficacious
substitute for inoculation. Jenner, however, continued his
inquiries, and in 1780 he confided to his friend, Edward Gardner,
his hope and prayer that it might be his work in life to
extirpate smallpox by the mode of treatment now so familiar under
the name of vaccination.
"At the meetings of the Alveston and Radborough Medical Clubs, of
both of which Jenner was a member, he so frequently enlarged upon
his favorite theme, and so repeatedly insisted upon the value of
cow-pox as a prophylactic, that he was denounced as a nuisance,
and in a jest it was even proposed that if the orator further
sinned, he should then and there be expelled. Nowhere could the
prophet find a disciple and enforce the lesson upon the ignorant;
like most benefactors of mankind he had to do his work unaided.
Patiently and perseveringly he pushed forward his investigations.
The aim he had in view was too great for ridicule to daunt, or
indifference to discourage him. When he surveyed the mental and
physical agony inflicted by the disease, and the thought occurred
to him that he was on the point of finding a sure and certain
remedy, his benevolent heart overflowed with unselfish gladness.
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