Smallpox in the 1850s: Prevention & Lack of Cure

There was no cure for smallpox in the 1850s. The disease was highly contagious and often fatal. The only way to prevent smallpox was through vaccination, which was first developed in the late 18th century. However, vaccination was not widely available in the 1850s, and many people were still unvaccinated. As a result, smallpox continued to be a major public health problem in the 19th century.