Disease and Society in Premodern England

This book provides students with a comprehensive overview of disease in England,using primary source material and secondary works to explore how infectious diseases affected people and how they spread. It also examines how people tried to cope with disease and compares this to present issues.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive textbook delves into the rich tapestry of disease in England, drawing upon a vast array of primary source materials, including chronicles, legal records, medical treatises, and secondary works sourced from historical and scientific scholarship. By presenting students with a comprehensive overview of the subject matter, it seeks to provide a deep understanding of the various diseases that plagued the country throughout its history.

The book takes a multi-faceted approach, exploring how infectious diseases like plague, syphilis, and the English Sweat, as well as everyday medical concerns such as dysentery, impacted the lives of individuals and the mechanisms by which they spread. It sheds light on the social and cultural implications of these diseases, highlighting the ways in which they shaped society and the responses of individuals and communities to them.

In addition to providing a historical perspective, the book also examines the various coping strategies employed by people in response to disease. It explores the advancements in hygiene and sanitation practices that helped mitigate the spread of diseases and compares these measures to contemporary issues related to public health. By doing so, it enables students to gain insights into the evolution of disease management strategies and the social reactions to disease throughout different eras.

Furthermore, the book delves into the differences and similarities between the social reactions to and ways people dealt with disease in the past and present. It explores the historical context, cultural influences, and societal attitudes that shaped people's perceptions and responses to illness. This comparative analysis allows students to gain a broader understanding of the complexities of disease and its impact on society, fostering a deeper appreciation of the historical and cultural factors that have shaped our understanding of health and disease.

Overall, this textbook serves as an invaluable resource for students interested in exploring the history of disease in England. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, combining primary source materials, secondary scholarship, and historical analysis to offer a rich and nuanced understanding of the subject matter. Through its exploration of infectious diseases, medical issues, and societal reactions, it enables students to gain a deeper appreciation of the complexities of disease and its impact on society, fostering a more informed and empathetic perspective on health and disease in the modern world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032104126