A history of infectious diseases and the microbial world / Lois N. Magner.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Magner, Lois N., 1943-

Series:

Healing society--disease, medicine, and history

Healing society--disease, medicine, and history ; 1933-5938

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Communicable diseases--History.

Communicable diseases.

History.

Microbiology--History.

Microbiology.

Medical microbiology--History.

Medical microbiology.

Communicable Diseases--history.

Bioterrorism.

Communicable Disease Control--history.

Disease Outbreaks--history.

Microbiology--history.

Virus Diseases--history.

Medical Subjects:

Communicable Diseases--history.

Bioterrorism.

Communicable Disease Control--history.

Disease Outbreaks--history.

Microbiology--history.

Virus Diseases--history.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 225 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 2009.

Summary:

A History of Infectious Diseases and the Microbial World offers readers answers to specific questions, as well as the challenge of a narrative that will stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to ask questions about the theory, practice, and assumptions of modern medicine. This work provides a broad introductory overview of the history of major infectious diseases, including their impact on different populations, the recognition of specific causative agents, and the development of methods used to prevent, control, and treat them. By stressing the major themes in the history of disease, this book allows readers to relate modern concerns to historical materials. It places modern developments concerning infectious diseases within their historical context, illuminating the relationships between patterns of disease and social, cultural, political, and economic factors. Upon completing this volume, readers will be prepared to answer contemporary questions concerning the threat of newly-emerging infectious diseases, potentially devastating pandemics, and the threat of bioterrorism. One will gain a precise understanding of the nature of different kinds of pathogens, the unique mechanisms behind disease transmission, and the means used to control, prevent, and treat infectious disease. Although only a few of these deadly illnesses can be addressed in detail, those that are discussed include: malaria, leprosy, bubonic plague, tuberculosis, syphilis, diphtheria, cholera, yellow fever, poliomyelitis, HIV/AIDS, and influenza.

Contents:

Disease and history : an overview

Miasma, contagion, and the germ theory of disease

Microbiology and the foundations of modern surgery and therapy

Viruses and viral diseases

Sanitary reform, public health, and the battle against filth and epidemic diseases

The art and science of preventing and controlling epidemic diseases

Emerging infectious diseases

Biological weapons and bioterrorism

Infectious agents and new concepts : from chronic diseases to the microbiome.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [209]-217) and index.

ISBN:

9780275995041

0275995046

OCLC:

276996254