LAUSR

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2906.AC2906 T wig-stretching block appearing on this month’s cover is thought to be the only surviving work from John Williamson, who lived on the Shetland Islands of Scotland. Williamson, perhaps better known by his nickname “Johnnie Notions” (sometimes spelled Johnie), proved to be skilled at many trades. The Statistical Accounts of Scotland 1791−1845 describes him as “a singular instance of an uncommon variety of talents, being a tailor, a joiner, a clock and watch-mender, a blacksmith, and a physician.” He was also, at various times in his life, a farmer, fisherman, and weaver. A self-taught physician, Williamson developed and administered smallpox inoculations for an estimated 3,000 patients during the late 18th century, primarily during the decade before Edward Jenner developed his smallpox vaccine in 1796. The procedure Williamson used, known as variolation, had been used for thousands of years, and it involves taking live virus from a smallpox patient and “inoculating” that virus onto the skin of a recipient who did not have the disease. Ian D. Conacher, a physician and researcher, and Brian Smith, an archivist and author with the Shetland Archives, have each authored detailed accounts of Williamson’s life and his work as an inoculator. Both authors provide historical context for how smallpox was introduced from the mainland of Scotland to Shetland and the devastating consequences resulting John Williamson (c.1730–c.1803), Recovering Smallpox Patient, c.1770 (detail). Bust, pine, boiled linseed oil. 12.6 in x 5.7 in x 9.45 in/32 cm x 14.5 cm x 24 cm. Shetland Museum and Archives. Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK. ABOUT THE COVER