[History of smallpox vaccination in Romania and source of the IC strains of vaccinia virus].

Smallpox existed in Romania since the 17th century, when both variolation and vaccinia were used for preventing the disease. Jenner's vaccination was performed in 1801 in Cluj and Tirgu Mures and extended to the entire country during the following 31 years. The vaccinia virus strain used for preparing the smallpox vaccine was received in 1893 from the Vaccine Institute of Berlin by Prof. Riegler of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest. In 1949, it was taken over by the Cantacuzino Institute and has been carried through at most 27 passages in buffalo calves ; it is now designated as strain ICn+m27.