Ivory vaccination points, Europe, 1801-1900

Ivory points were used to give smallpox vaccinations by rubbing, scratching or inserting the vaccine into the skin, using a lancet. These points were covered with calf lymph which carried the disease cowpox, a milder form of smallpox. An attack gives immunity to smallpox. Ivory was a useful material as the points could be used to transport vaccines over long distances. The points are just 24 mm lo…