Learn about the english physician and scientist who was the pioneer of smallpox vaccine, the first vaccination.

Brief biographical facts on the medical career of Benjamin Waterhouse, the first doctor to test the smallpox vaccine in the United States.

Illustrated overview of the history of vaccines and inoculations against diseases, such as smallpox and polio.

The America that greeted the first Europeans was, thus, far from an empty wilderness. It is now thought that as many people lived in the Western Hemisphere as in Western Europe at that time -- about 40 million. Estimates of the number of...

Explore the production of six different types of vaccines. This activity is interactive, allowing you to take part in the production of the different vaccines.

The first ever vaccine was created when Edward Jenner, an English physician and scientist, successfully injected small amounts of a cowpox virus into a young boy to protect him from the related (and deadly) smallpox virus. But how does...

The fourth of seven children born to Quaker parents, Benjamin Rush was the most famous physician of his time. Known and respected by many of the Founding generation, Benjamin Rush treated illnesses such as yellow fever and smallpox,...

Examine how vaccines generate immune responses against pathogens in the body by creating six vaccines in this virtual laboratory.

PBS provides an in-depth overview of both biological and chemical warfare in a FAQ format.

This article describes the history of vaccines, how they work, and how they are made. Includes a list of references, a glossary, and links to activities.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information on over 40 diseases that travelers might need to be prepared for. Information includes description of disease, risk for travelers, preventive measures and treatment.

This page contains several links to articles on the CDC's Web site about monkey pox. Great place to go to get all of the information you'll ever need about the disease.

Online presentations on more than 150 health topics, diseases, and conditions, from acne to viruses. Each plays as a slide presentation, with sound, that you can control or set to autoplay. Time varies from 5-20 minutes. Available in...

Although the video of the PBS offering of Jared Diamond's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Guns, Germs, and Steel, is no longer available on line, the transcripts of all three episodes are. Diamond addresses the question of global inequality...

A look at the Inca Empire as rumors began to fly about pale strangers arriving on the coast. Read about the illnesses and civil wars that weakened the empire just in time for the appearance of the conquistadors. Be sure to click on the...

This timeline from Global Polio Eradication Initiative of pictures, descriptions, and events -- all of which describe the history of polio and its vaccine -- is organized into three large sections: "Endemic Polio 1580BC-1953," "Vaccine...

Investigate the historic epidemic and pandemic diseases such as the Plague of Athens, Black Death, Spanish flu, cholera, and smallpox on this site.

This resource summarizes American-British military conflict during the late 18th century including Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold's attempt at converging on Quebec City and holding the city under siege.

A site with a brief biography of Edward Jenner, with a lot of links to old books and papers of his that document his experiments in vaccinations.

Students investigate nine deadly disease by examining George Washington's medical records. Students will also use the Center for Disease Control website to identify where these nine deadly diseases are prevalent in the world today.

Learn about the life and scientific discoveries of Keisuke Ito.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Lady Mary Wortley Montagu who helped create a vaccination for small pox. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage describes the Inca Empire and shares a theory about how the civilization disappeared. This passage reinforces essential reading comprehension skills. Opportunities for vocabulary...

A fascinating look at the exchanges that took place around the world after the Americas were discovered. This covered the gamut from diseases which wiped out 90% of the native peoples in North and South America, to farm animals, tools,...