Adyghe Int. Sci. J. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 93–99.
Read article Contents of this issue
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-93-99
EDN: GFTMOW
MEDICINE
| UDC 61(091):614.47 | Original Article |
Traditional medicine of the North Caucasus:
the origins of variolation
Keshokov Rustam Khasanovich
candidate of medical sciences, assistant professor of the department of propaedeutics of internal diseases of Kabardino-Balkarian state university named after Kh. M. Berbekov, (360004, KBR, Nalchik, Chernyshevsky str., 173), ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0000-0001-8706-1700, keshokov@gmail.com
Mamieva Amina Rezuanovna
student at the Medical academy of the Kabardino-Balkarian state university named after Kh. M. Berbekov, (360004, KBR, Nalchik, Chernyshevsky str., 173), ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0009-0007-1075-290X, amina_mamieva@mail.ru
Khashukoeva Ilona Zaurbievna
student at the Medical academy of the Kabardino-Balkarian state university named after Kh. M. Berbekov, (360004, KBR, Nalchik, Chernyshevsky str., 173), ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0009-0000-4378-910X, Ilona_1017@mail.ru
Etteeva Salima Khadzhimuratovna
student at the Medical academy of the Kabardino-Balkarian state university named after Kh. M. Berbekov, (360004, KBR, Nalchik, Chernyshevsky str., 173), ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0009-0001-7982-3389, etteevasalima@yandex.ru
Abstract. The present article investigates traditional medical practices among the Circassian population residing in the North Caucasus, particularly focusing on distinctive techniques aimed at preventing and managing infectious diseases. It delves into the historical practice of early variolation, an antecedent method of smallpox immunization. Drawing from the firsthand account of French envoy Abry de la Motraye’s observation of this procedure in 1711, it also discusses how Lady Mary Wortley Montagu later brought these practices to prominence within Western societies through her own experimentation. By doing so, the study underscores both the relevance of local medical knowledge to broader advances in global healthcare and the necessity of documenting indigenous healing customs as essential tools for safeguarding community health.
Keywords: medicine, history of medicine, smallpox, smallpox innoculation, variolation, Caucasus, Circassians.
Funding. The work was not carried out within the framework of funds.
Competing interests. There are no conflicts of interest regarding authorship and publication.
Contribution and Responsibility. All authors contributed to this article. Authors are solely responsible for providing the final version of the article in print. The final version of the manuscript was approved by all authors.
For citation. Keshokov R. Kh., Mamieva A. R., Khashukoeva I. Z., Etteeva S. Kh. Traditional medicine of the North Caucasus: the origins of variolation. Adyghe Int. Sci. J. 2025. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 93–99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-93-99; EDN: GFTMOW
Submitted 19.11.2025; approved after reviewing 01.12.2025; accepted for publication 05.12.2025.
© Keshokov R. Kh.,
Mamieva A. R.,
Khashukoeva I. Z.,
Etteeva S. Kh., 2025
REFERENCES
1. Khotko S. Kh., Pochemkhov N. A., Shkachemukov R. M. Natural and socio-cultural factors of epidemics (plague, smallpox): The example of the Adyghe population of the Northwest Caucasus // Kuban Scientific Medical Herald. 2024. Vol. 31, No. 5. Pp. 112–123. DOI: 10.25207/1608-6228-2024-31-5-112-123. (In Russia)
2. Zhugova T. Ch., Shomakhov A. O., Kimova L. F. From the history of medicine in Kabardino-Balkaria // Problems of social hygiene, public health and history of medicine. 2001. No. 6. Pp. 55–59. (In Russia)
3. Atalikov V. Kavkaz: Evropejskie dnevniki XIII–XVIII vekov [Caucasus: European diaries of the XIII—XVIII centuries]. Nalchik: M. and V. Kotlyarov Publishing, 2010. 304 p. ISBN 978-5-93680-376-5
4. Motr´e A. de la Puteshestvie gospodina A. de la Motre v Evropu, Aziyu i Afriku // Adygi, balkarcy i karachaevcy v izvestiyah evropejskih avtorov XIII–XIX vv. [The journey of Monsieur A. de la Motre to Europe, Asia, and Africa // Adygs, Balkars, and Karachays in European reports of the XIII—XIX centuries]. Compiled by V. K. Gardanov. Nalcik: Elbrus, 1974. Pp. 142–144.
5. Dinc G., Ulman Y. I. The introduction of variolation ‘A La Turca’ to the West by Lady Mary Montagu and Turkey’s contribution to this // Vaccine. 2007. Vol. 25, No. 21. Pp. 4261–4265. (In English)
6. Spencer S. Variolation to vaccine: Smallpox inoculation travels East to West and back again // Edu Asia. 2022. Vol. 27. Pp. 1.
7. Willett J. The pioneering life of Mary Wortley Montagu: scientist and feminist. 2021. 288 p. ISBN 9781526779410
8. Turk S. N. History of epidemics in Russia: from the plague to Covid-19 // Society: philosophy, history, culture. 2024. No. 9. Pp. 114–119. DOI: 10.24158/fik.2024.9.17. (In Russia)
9. Koch K. Puteshestvie po Rossii i v Kavkazskie zemli //Adygi, balkarcy i karachaevcy v izvestiyah evropejskih avtorov XIII–XIX vv. [Journey across Russia and the Caucasus // Adygs, Balkars, and Karachays in European reports of the XIII–XIX centuries]. Nalchik, 1974. 621 p.
10. Godun L. Yu. Vaccination of children: Myths and reality: A review of common vaccination myths based on scientific data // International Scientific Research Journal. 2024. No. 6(144). Pp. 63. DOI: 10.60797/IRJ.2024.144.166. (In Russia)
11. Shkhagapsoev S. Kh. Essay on Kabardian ethnobotany. Nalchik: Elbrus. 2008. 72 p.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.