AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION
There are some diseases for which we know no cure. For many of these, however, scientists have been able to discover a means of prevention. Smallpox is such a disease.
In the 18th century, millions of people died of smallpox, while many others who recovered from the disease were left scared for life. Today, it is rare to find a case at all.
By 1780, doctors had noticed that once person had smallpox, he became immune to it. From this observation, the theory of inoculation was developed. Inoculation is a way of deliberately giving a person a disease by placing disease matter under the skin. When this is done, the person may develop a mild case of the disease, but from then on he is safe from a severe attack.
Using this principle, an English doctor named Edward Jenner set to work against smallpox. He found that persons who had had a milder disease called cowpox could not catch smallpox. The cowpox seemed to make them immune. By taking some bacteria from the arm of a person who was ill with cowpox, and giving it to a healthy person, Jenner found that he could transfer the immunity. Jenner’s process came to be known as vaccination, from the Latin word “vacca”, meaning “cow”. Because of vaccination, smallpox, one of the man’s greatest enemies, has been practically wiped out.
1. While not directly stated, it may be inferred from the article that__________
A. There is no good cure for smallpox. B. smallpox has almost disappeared.
C. smallpox and cowpox are similar diseases. D. smallpox can disfigure people who suffer from it.
2. This article as a whole tells us__________
A. about an English doctor named Edward Jenner B. all about inoculation.
C. all about vaccination. D. how a terrible disease was conquered.
3. Vaccination means__________
A. Wiping out smallpox. B. Preventing diseases by prescribing medicine.
C. transferring immunity from one person to another. D. protecting cows from cowpox.
4. Inoculation against smallpox means__________
A. giving a person some medicine to take. B. placing diseased matter under his skin.
C. injecting him with some drugs. D. deliberately coming into contact with smallpox patients.
5. Which sentence is NOT true?
A. The principle of inoculation was well-known before 1700.
B. People who have been ill with cowpox are immune to smallpox.
C. Vaccination can prevent smallpox. D. In the 18th century, millions of people died of smallpox
There are some diseases for which we know no cure. For many of these, however, scientists have been able to discover a means of prevention. Smallpox is such a disease. In the 18th century, millions of people died of smallpox, while many others who recovered from the disease were left scared for life. Today, it is rare to find a case at all. By 1780, doctors had noticed that once person had smallpox, he became immune to it. From this observation, the theory of inoculation was developed. Inoculation is a way of deliberately giving a person a disease by placing disease matter under the skin. When this is done, the person may develop a mild case of the disease, but from then on he is safe from a severe attack. Using this principle, an English doctor named Edward Jenner set to work against smallpox. He found that persons who had had a milder disease called cowpox could not catch smallpox. The cowpox seemed to make them immune. By taking some bacteria from the arm of a person who was ill with cowpox, and giving it to a healthy person, Jenner found that he could transfer the immunity. Jenner’s process came to be known as vaccination, from the Latin word “vacca”, meaning “cow”. Because of vaccination, smallpox, one of the man’s greatest enemies, has been practically wiped out.
1. While not directly stated, it may be inferred from the article that__________
A. There is no good cure for smallpox.
B. smallpox has almost disappeared.
C. smallpox and cowpox are similar diseases.
D. smallpox can disfigure people who suffer from it.
2. This article as a whole tells us__________
A. about an English doctor named Edward Jenner
B. all about inoculation.
C. all about vaccination.
D. how a terrible disease was conquered.
3. Vaccination means__________
A. Wiping out smallpox.
B. Preventing diseases by prescribing medicine.
C. transferring immunity from one person to another.
D. protecting cows from cowpox.
4. Inoculation against smallpox means__________
A. giving a person some medicine to take.
B. placing diseased matter under his skin.
C. injecting him with some drugs.
D. deliberately coming into contact with smallpox patients.
5. Which sentence is NOT true?
A. The principle of inoculation was well-known before 1700.
B. People who have been ill with cowpox are immune to smallpox.
C. Vaccination can prevent smallpox.
D. In the 18th century, millions of people died of smallpox