Sutton Misses the Boat

This chapter describes how, by 1766, Daniel Sutton had reached his zenith, apparently untroubled by the competition of Thomas Dimsdale and others who believed they had discovered the secrets of his success. It was then that Sutton learned that a whole new world of riches awaited him and his acolytes across the Channel. Smallpox was rife in Europe and Russia and yet inoculation was rarely practised and fiercely opposed where it was attempted. But news of the success of Suttonian inoculation, promoted indirectly by the translation of Dimsdale's guide to the 'modern method' attracted the attention of royalty, who were as vulnerable to the scourge of smallpox as their subjects. England produced the most skilled inoculators and a demand for their services grew. Sutton's name would be top of the list and an early approach was made to him.