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3catwoman3

(29,435 posts)

52. The technique of the smallpox innoculation was/is different from all the rest.

Wed Feb 4, 2015, 11:00 PM

Feb 2015

Some nasty looking green stuff would be smeared on your upper arm, and then a needle was poked into it several times to push the thick liquid into the skin surface. It would scab, about a half an inch in diameterand the scab would eventually slough off. You were constantly told, "Don't touch it. Don't scratch it!!!" That was really hard because they itched like hell.

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This message was self-deleted by its author [View all] KMOD Feb 2015 OP

I got mine five years ago and I can still see it. NuclearDem Feb 2015 #1

Five years ago? Cali_Democrat Feb 2015 #4

Military. It was required for deployment. NuclearDem Feb 2015 #6

Oh wow...I didn't know that Cali_Democrat Feb 2015 #9

Same here. Got it in 2009 Quackers Feb 2015 #42

I got mine in 1961 gopiscrap Feb 2015 #2

mine is gone too. Go Vols Feb 2015 #3

Mine's gone. Had it for many decades. Yo_Mama Feb 2015 #5

If it is, I outed myself as well. KMOD Feb 2015 #36

The shame, the shame!!! We be such old farts that our smallpox vax scars have faded! Yo_Mama Feb 2015 #39

I can no longer find mine. Thor_MN Feb 2015 #7

Most my old scars are now hidden in my wrinkles. uppityperson Feb 2015 #8

.... KMOD Feb 2015 #37

I have gotten a few of them never left a scar ChosenUnWisely Feb 2015 #10

Mine has never faded...wear it proudly on upper left arm. madamvlb Feb 2015 #11

I can still see mine Skittles Feb 2015 #12

Yes Glassunion Feb 2015 #13

Never really got one. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Feb 2015 #14

Hadn't thought about it for years, but I just checked. Mine's gone. 11 Bravo Feb 2015 #15

Got mine in the early 1950s and I have no idea if it can be seen or not OKNancy Feb 2015 #16

My mom got the doc to put it on my thigh, same thought process. Demit Feb 2015 #26

I'm actually relieved that I'm not the only one, for some strange reason. KMOD Feb 2015 #17

Never really had much of one. winter is coming Feb 2015 #18

Scar seveneyes Feb 2015 #19

Just barely there. Hell Hath No Fury Feb 2015 #20

I still have the scar from mine in 1956. Arkansas Granny Feb 2015 #21

Left arm, about half an inch around. MineralMan Feb 2015 #22

Mine is very faint. Aristus Feb 2015 #23

I never got one yet I was vaccinated five times because the countries Cleita Feb 2015 #24

I also have had a number of smallpox vaccinations but I have no scar. ... spin Feb 2015 #32

Maybe genetic? Cleita Feb 2015 #49

I would imagine that may well be the case. ... spin Feb 2015 #56

Very hard to see on some skin types, But I'll bet you can still feel it if you try. alphafemale Feb 2015 #25

Mine disappeared completely malaise Feb 2015 #27

I still have mine. nt City Lights Feb 2015 #28

I had no idea vaccines cause scars... F4lconF16 Feb 2015 #29

As far as I know, the smallpox vaccine was the only one that caused a scar. KMOD Feb 2015 #35

The technique of the smallpox innoculation was/is different from all the rest. 3catwoman3 Feb 2015 #52

Mine Old Codger Feb 2015 #30

I was vaccinated several times in elementary school ... spin Feb 2015 #31

I'm 45--can still see mine clearly. TwilightGardener Feb 2015 #33

Have one on each arm, both quite visible... 2naSalit Feb 2015 #34

Got mine in 1970 ... GeorgeGist Feb 2015 #38

I can't see mine. Blue_In_AK Feb 2015 #40

I suspect mine is more than 50 years old. Staph Feb 2015 #41

Over 50 years ago... Tom_Foolery Feb 2015 #43

Both of mine snpsmom Feb 2015 #44

I've got a pretty deep smallpox vaccine scar. hunter Feb 2015 #45

I was looking for mine, yesterday, and I couldn't find it. I got mine in the fifties. demosincebirth Feb 2015 #46

Mine faded; I heal well REP Feb 2015 #47

Got the small pox shot gladium et scutum Feb 2015 #48

I have two. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #50

I had mine on my thigh dflprincess Feb 2015 #51

I can still see mine. onecaliberal Feb 2015 #53

I can't see mine anymore. cwydro Feb 2015 #54

I have always had trouble locating mine. Greybnk48 Feb 2015 #55

Still there since pipi_k Feb 2015 #57

Ouch!!! I can sympathize KMOD Feb 2015 #61

Mine is long gone mcar Feb 2015 #58

Same here. Still have other scars, though. And stretch marks. :( nt ladyVet Feb 2015 #69

Still got mine. n/t area51 Feb 2015 #59

My older siblings received their vaccinations on their thighs... cyberswede Feb 2015 #60

Happened to my first wife jberryhill Feb 2015 #62

Mine disappeared, I miss it. Kalidurga Feb 2015 #63

Mine is very faint.... truebrit71 Feb 2015 #64

Smallpox scars do go away leanforward Feb 2015 #65

This message was self-deleted by its author 840high Feb 2015 #66

Mine seems to be missing also. In_The_Wind Feb 2015 #67

I can still find mine but it's very small Ron Obvious Feb 2015 #68

Still have mine! GreyGhost47 Jul 2015 #70