Kaspar Hauser, the Child of Europe: Are smallpox vaccination scars the clue to a 2-century-old mystery?

Michael E. Habicht, Elena Varotto, Mauro Vaccarezza, Andrea Cossarizza, Francesco M. Galassi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract


We have explored the 19th-century mystery of the identity of Kaspar Hauser, the so-called Child of Europe, from the perspective of the smallpox vaccination. We have highlighted the improbability that he was secretly inoculated based on the vaccination policies and methodologies applied at the time. This consideration allows for a reflection on the whole case and the importance of vaccination scars in ascertaining immunization against one of humanity's deadliest killers, especially given the recent monkeypox outbreak.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)463-465
Number of pages3
JournalClinics in Dermatology
Volume41
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2023

Keywords

  • Kaspar Hauser
  • Vaccination
  • Smallpox
  • History of violence
  • German history
  • Mysterious identity

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