Smallpox

1962

Hist. Coll. WC585.D621

London: J. & A. Churchill

‘Professor Cyril Dixon (1912-2013) was Chair of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at the University of Otago when his Smallpox was published in 1962. Comprehensive and illustrated, this work became the standard textbook for a disease that was still endemic in many parts of the world. Although mass vaccination was the usual method for smallpox control, Dixon favoured, and had earlier used, a more focused approach. This was case-finding and limited ‘ring’ vaccination. This strategy was adopted by the World Health Organisation’s successful Intensified Smallpox Eradication Programme. Dixon’s contribution, however, was under-acknowledged in the official record of the programme.’ Item chosen by Sue Heydon, Pharmacy, University of Otago