Hamlet 3.1 Word Nerd: Inoculate

The video discusses the history and development of vaccination, focusing on smallpox inoculation. It explains how the practice of inoculation began, its etymological roots, and its historical context, including its use in England and China. The term 'inoculate' originally referred to grafting plants and later evolved to describe introducing a virus to stimulate the immune system.

What was the primary purpose of introducing smallpox virus germs into the body?

• To replace the immune system

• To stimulate the immune system

• To create a new disease

• To cause a mild infection

In Shakespeare's time, what did the term 'inoculate' originally refer to?

• Creating a vaccine

• Building immunity against diseases

• Grafting one type of plant onto another

• Introducing germs into the body

What is the origin of the word 'inoculate'?

• From the Greek word for 'plant'

• From the Latin word for 'eye'

• From the Latin word for 'graft'

• From the French word for 'bud'

When did the practice of inoculation start in England?

• In the 18th century

• In the 17th century

• In the 16th century

• In the 19th century

Which civilization practiced inoculation against smallpox before it was introduced in England?

• The Egyptians

• The Chinese

• The Romans

• The Greeks