On Dec. 6, 1904, the U.S. Supreme Court argued the case requiring a compulsory vaccination law. The Court ruled on February 20, 1905 that it was within the police power of a State to enact a compulsory vaccination law, and it is for the legislature, and not for the courts, to determine.

The complaint charged that, on the Jul., 17, 1902, the Board of Health of Cambridge, being of the opinion that it was necessary for the public health and safety, required the vaccination and revaccination of all the inhabitants thereof who had not been successfully vaccinated since the first day of March, 1897.

One of history’s deadliest diseases, smallpox is estimated to have killed more than 300 million people since 1900 alone.