John Ring (surgeon)

John Ring (1752–1821) was an English surgeon, vaccination activist, and man of letters.

[1] An attack on cow-pox treatment made by Benjamin Moseley, physician to the Chelsea Hospital, brought from Ring a refutation, Then in August 1799, he met Edward Jenner, and they became friends.

He had leading medical men in London sign a document acknowledging that cow-pox was a much milder and safer disease than inoculated smallpox.

He went to Ringwood in 1808 at the head of a deputation to investigate some supposed failures of vaccination; feeling was running so high that the deputies carried pistols.

Jenner was appointed the first director, and he nominated Ring to act as his principal vaccinator and inspector of stations.