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

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. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This article examines the 19th century mystery surrounding the identity of Kaspar Hauser, known as the Child of Europe, from the perspective of smallpox vaccination. It emphasizes the importance of vaccination scars in determining immunization status.