Balmis Expedition
Balmis Expedition
Balmis Expedition (pronunciation: /bɑːlmɪs ɛkspɪˈdɪʃən/) refers to a historic event in the field of medicine and public health.
Etymology
The term "Balmis Expedition" is named after the Spanish physician Francisco Javier de Balmis, who led the expedition. The word "expedition" is derived from the Latin "expeditio", meaning a journey or enterprise.
Overview
The Balmis Expedition was a three-year mission (1803-1806) initiated by the Spanish Crown to vaccinate millions against smallpox in its territories in the Americas and Asia. This was the first international healthcare expedition in history and was a significant milestone in the global eradication of smallpox.
Methodology
The expedition used the vaccine developed by Edward Jenner, an English physician. The vaccine was transported in the bodies of orphan children, who were vaccinated in a serial manner to keep the vaccine viable during the long journey.
Impact
The Balmis Expedition had a profound impact on global health. It demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale vaccination campaigns and set a precedent for international cooperation in public health.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Balmis Expedition
- Wikipedia's article - Balmis Expedition
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski