It did. The word autism was first used in the early 1900's, and the classification/diagnosis began in the 1930'-40's. I believe wide-spread vaccination began at least a decade after that. Also, autism most likely existed for centuries; it just wasn't labeled that.
"It did. The word autism was first used in the early 1900's, and the classification/diagnosis began in the 1930'-40's. I believe wide-spread vaccination began at least a decade after that."
Hmph. It would seem, then, that vaccinations could not be the sole cause. However, if mercury is the culprit, eliminating mercury from vaccines should produce a sharp drop.
I remember kids playing with mercury from thermometers with their bare hands when I was a kid.
"Also, autism most likely existed for centuries; it just wasn't labeled that."
What do they call it when people analyze old medical records to see if people had things that weren't properly diagnosed in the past? Seems like that might tell us something.