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Who still knows smallpox? The once feared epidemic was the first infectious disease eradicated worldwide through vaccination programs. Yet only 100 ago, Zurich was hit hard in the last Swiss outbreak.

On May 8, 1921, the first cases of smallpox were reported in Oerlikon. Within a very short time, the virus spread all over Switzerland along the railroad lines. Areas that had abolished compulsory vaccination in previous decades were most severely affected, including the canton of Zurich.

Medical personnel rarely encountered smallpox even then. The Dermatology Clinic of the Cantonal Hospital in Zurich took the epidemic as an opportunity to produce lifelike wax moulages for teaching purposes. Today, the moulages made in 1921 – exactly 100 years ago – are fascinating witnesses to a clinical picture that no longer exists.

In a new exhibition in collaboration with the Museum of Wax Moulages, the Main Library – Careum Medicine shows wax original moulages of the last Zurich smallpox epidemic as well as other documents and objects on the history of smallpox and smallpox vaccination. Regular blog posts with background stories and expert interviews will complement the exhibition.

Duration of the exhibition: February 22 – December 31, 2020.
Location: Main Library – Medicine Careum, entrance area (access only for UZH members until until further notice)