In the 1790's myth and folklore had reached the ears of Edward Jenner that cow herders and milkmaids that got infected with cow-pox were often immune to the epidemic of smallpox. Mr. Jenner, being intrigued to say the least, desired to know more of this amazing occurrence. Having been a physician, Jenner had tried to treat a number of patients suffering from this disease. If there was a chance at curing this disease he was going to pursue it with everything he had! He theorized that if these rumors were true, the virulent matter from cow-pox must contain special characteristics which prevent future sickness from smallpox. He had collected samples of "variolous matter" which would give people the smallpox virus after exposure to an open wound.
