World Epidemics

This chronology gives entries on 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 BCE, to an outbreak of sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, the work covers demographics, symptoms, community health, nursing, study, prevention, treatment and the control of disease throughout history. Biographical information on notables who identified and battled disease such as Galen and Benjamin Rush is also included. Enhancing the historical data are maps 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 and pronunciation key 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. A bibliography 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.