Inoculation for the Industrious Poor

Abstract

This chapter reflects on a decline in Daniel Sutton's grip on the business he and his family had pioneered. Inoculation had come to be regarded as less of a luxury for those families who could afford it and more of an economic necessity to protect the 'industrious poor' in towns and villages. It was not the end of the road for Daniel and the Sutton family, for their skills were still in demand. But the most lucrative business for which inoculators competed was now in the many schemes being promoted to offer inoculation to the poor. For those parishes that were prepared to pay for an experienced inoculator there was a great deal of choice. Both Daniel and his father had inoculated whole towns and villages before and would be an obvious first choice. Daniel was certainly considered when the village of Glynde in East Sussex was faced with an imminent outbreak of smallpox in 1767.