Foundation of Current Drug Discovery and

The Renaissance period laid the foundation for scientific thoughts in medicinal preparations and medical treatments. There were many advances made in anatomy, physiology, surgery and medical treatments, including public health care, hygiene and sanitation. 

In 1796, Edward Jenner successfully experimented with smallpox inoculations (Exhibit A1.3). This paved the way for the use of vaccination against some infectious diseases. 

In the late 1700s, Jenner heard that people who worked with cattle and had caught the cowpox disease (a mild disease related to smallpox) were immune and never caught smallpox. In 1796, he proceeded to inoculate a boy using the fluid from the blister of a woman with cowpox. The boy developed cowpox. Two months later, Jenner inoculated the boy with fluids from the blister of a smallpox sufferer. The boy became immune and did not get smallpox. 

Through his work, Jenner invented vaccination, and saved many lives. However, in today s regulatory control, Jenner s method would not have been approved. 

SOURCE BBC, Medicine through Time, Edward Jenner (1749-1823), http //www.bbc.co.uk/education/medicine/nonint/indust/dt/indtbi2.shtml [accessed May 25,2002]. 

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A1.2 Drug Discovery and Development in the Middle Ages A1.3 Foundation of Current Drug Discovery and Development A1.4 Beginnings of Modern Pharmaceuticai industry A1.5 Evoiution of Drug Products A1.6 Further Reading... 

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