Speaking of ancient Indian wisdom:

[mindstalk]

Smallpox inoculation claimed in India in 1000 BC. Also old practices in China and Africa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox#Inoculation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inoculation

I'd wondered why inoculation works. Apparently there were two different strains of smallpox, and inoculation would hopefully use the less lethal version. Also, introduction at a single point through the skin is apparently easier for the body to deal with than inhaling smallpox viruses through the lungs. Vaccination, of course, is distinguished from inoculation by using cowpox instead of smallpox, with similar antigens but much lower fatality risk.

Comments

[lyceum-arabica.livejournal.com]

so i've been told that the cowpox solution was partly inspired by the fact that milkmaids were known for their 'milky white skin'... because they had escaped the more scarring of the two poxes. apparently that had a major influence on the fact that attractive rennaissance girls are often depicted/characterized as milkmaids.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Huh! Interesting idea.