John Fewster to save him from smallpox. According to Player Fewster replied that he had already thought of this but had decided against it as, in his view, variolation was very successful and an alternative seemed unnecessary. Nonetheless, Player reports, Fewster went on to inoculate three children in Thornbury with cowpox, during spring 1796. These vaccinations took place at around the same time as Jenner's first vaccination attempts. Fewster never made any claim to have discovered vaccination. John Fewster Dr John Fewster (1738–1824) was a surgeon and apothecary in Thornbury, Gloucestershire. Fewster, a friend and professional colleague of Edward Jenner, played an
Smallpox the United States and South Africa a much milder form of smallpox, "variola minor", was recognized just before the close of the 19th century. By the mid-20th century "variola minor" occurred along with "variola major", in varying proportions, in many parts of Africa. Patients with "variola minor" experience only a mild systemic illness, are often ambulant throughout the course of the disease, and are therefore able to more easily spread disease. Infection with "v. minor" induces immunity against the more deadly "variola major" form. Thus as "v. minor" spread all over the USA, into Canada, the South American countries and