World Epidemics

The chronological entries of this book provide a record of the impact upon human culture of epidemic illness and death throughout history. From the bone deposits suggesting yaws bacteria on a femur from 498,000 B.C., to an outbreak of sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, the work covers demographics, symptoms, community health, nursing, study, prevention, treatment, and disease control since ancient times. Biographical information highlights notables who identified and battled disease such as Galen and Benjamin Rush. Enhancing the historical data are a map of resurgent vector-borne diseases and comparative charts of types of infection, results of scourges, and rough estimates of people affected by each event. A glossary clarifies 106 crucial terms. Appendix A lists diseases by both proper and informal names, Latinate names of pathogens, dates and places of early outbreaks of each disease, and the manner of their infection. Three additional appendices present historic writings on disease. Two bibliographies (general resources; specific diseases) of major works, histories of medicine, health journals, and web sites on the history of contagion, and a generously cross-referenced index complete the work.