The Slave Who Gave America the Vaccine — and Was Erased From Medical History: Onesimus

Discover the history of vaccination, from early 18th-century medical practices in Boston to the work of Edward Jenner. This video traces the origins of immunization, beginning with the challenging conditions of 1722 Boston. We examine how early thinkers like Cotton Mather first approached the concept of inoculation and how these primitive methods evolved into the scientific foundation of modern medicine. It is a look at the timeline of human effort to combat disease through controlled exposure. By following the history of vaccination, you gain a clearer understanding of how the body is trained to fight illness. We focus on the specific medical milestones that changed public health forever, illustrating how the process of teaching the immune system has saved millions of lives over the centuries. Whether you are a student of history or interested in how vaccines work, this overview provides context on the medical breakthroughs that shaped our world. Subscribe for weekly history of medicine breakdowns, and comment which medical topic you want us to cover next.