noun
Medical term for the disease smallpox. The synonym 天然痘 is more common in everyday language.
See also: 天然痘
痘瘡は天然痘とも呼ばれ、ワクチンによって根絶された。
Smallpox, also called variola, was eradicated through vaccination.
More common term for smallpox in general usage; 痘瘡 is more technical.
From Chinese 痘瘡 (dòuchuāng), meaning smallpox. The kanji 痘 means 'pox' and 瘡 means 'sore' or 'skin lesion'.