May 28, 1825. Two hundred years ago, Ann Judson saves the prison community.
Two hundred years ago, after a brutal forced march to his second prison, Adoniram Judson was recuperating when smallpox hit the local community. While previously in the States on medical leave (1821-23) Ann Judson was part of an experimental project, involving Adoniram’s brother, Dr. Elnathan Judson, to inoculate people from the scourge of smallpox, the deadliest disease then known. During the epidemic around Aungbinle prison, Ann developed a few smallpox pustules herself but experienced no fever or other systems. She inoculated the jailer’s children from her pustules and the children survived well. Ann wrote in a letter:
In consequence of the inoculations, my fame was spread all over the village, and every child, young and old, was brought for inoculation. And although I knew nothing about the disorder, or the mode of treating it, I inoculated them all with a needle, and told them to take care of their diet—all the instructions I could give them. Mr. Judson’s health was gradually restored, and he found himself much more comfortably situated than when in the city prison. (Edward Judson, p. 251.)