Smallpox inoculation is a historical method used to protect individuals from the smallpox virus. This process involved introducing a small amount of the virus into a person's body, usually through a scratch on the skin. The goal was to stimulate the immune system to develop a defense against the disease without causing severe illness. This practice was notably used before the development of the smallpox vaccine in the late 18th century. It was first popularized by Edward Jenner, who discovered that exposure to cowpox could provide immunity to smallpox. Inoculation significantly reduced smallpox outbreaks and laid the groundwork for modern vaccination techniques.