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Discourse Conflict and the Transition from Traditional to Modern Medicine in the Management of Smallpox in Qajar-era Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22059/jhss.2026.402496.473851

Abstract

This study investigates the process of transition and the adoption of modern smallpox treatment methods in Qajar-era Iran. Prior to the introduction of Western medical practices, understanding, prevention, and treatment of smallpox were predominantly grounded in humoral theory, religious doctrines, and popular traditions. Practitioners attempted to manage the disease by integrating theoretical medical knowledge with practical experience; however, these approaches demonstrated limited effectiveness in controlling the spread and mortality of smallpox. The introduction of cowpox vaccination from Western countries represented a novel intervention that challenged the traditional medical paradigm, eliciting resistance from multiple societal groups, including traditional physicians, religious authorities, and segments of the general population. Gradual acceptance of this modern method necessitated physician education, public awareness initiatives, and observation of successful outcomes in patients. Governmental measures played a pivotal role in promoting and ensuring the implementation of vaccination, thereby mitigating public fear and social resistance. Analysis of this transitional process reveals that the shift in treatment practices extended beyond medical techniques, catalyzing transformations in societal attitudes, cultural beliefs, and health-related social structures. This historical experience offers a compelling example of the complex interplay between science, culture, social norms, and political authority in the adoption of medical innovations

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References
 
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Historical Sciences Studies
Volume 18, Issue 1 - Serial Number 41
April 2026
Pages 233-254
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