Benjamin Moseley facts for kids
Benjamin Moseley (born 1742 – died 1819) was a British doctor. He is known for being one of the first people to speak out against vaccination.
Moseley was born in Essex, England. He studied medicine in Paris and London. In 1768, he started his medical practice in Kingston, Jamaica. He worked there for sixteen years. During this time, he studied and wrote about diseases like dysentery. He also wrote about crops like coffee and sugar. His medical practice was very successful.
In 1784, Moseley returned to Britain. He had enough money to travel across Europe. He also continued his medical training. He earned a medical degree from St. Andrews University. In 1775, he became a member of the American Philosophical Society. By 1788, he had a medical practice in London. He treated wealthy patients. He also became a doctor at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.
Why Benjamin Moseley Was Against Vaccination
Benjamin Moseley was one of the first people to oppose the new idea of vaccination. Vaccination was a new way to protect people from smallpox. It involved using a mild disease called cowpox.
Starting in 1799, Moseley wrote many articles and pamphlets. He said he doubted if cowpox really protected people from smallpox. He was also upset that other doctors adopted this new practice so quickly.
Moseley believed that vaccinations would cause terrible side effects. He thought they could lead to physical problems like whooping cough. He also claimed they could cause mental issues like insanity. Some of his warnings came from other people's fears. But many of his ideas were his own.
Moseley shared his views with the British Parliament. This happened during investigations into vaccination in 1802 and 1808. His unusual ideas even inspired a famous cartoon. The artist James Gillray created a cartoon called “The Cow Pock.” It showed small cows bursting out of people's bodies. This cartoon made fun of Moseley's theories.
Moseley passed away in 1819 in Southend. This was a favorite summer vacation spot for him.
