Epidemic Cities

This Elements provides an overview of the history of epidemics using a range of cities around the world. A dual focus on both epidemics and specific cities provides an unusual perspective on global history: the analysis of globally circulating epidemics enables reconstructing a variety of wide-reaching entanglements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Epidemic Cities offers a comprehensive exploration of the history of epidemics, with a particular emphasis on a diverse selection of cities across various regions worldwide. By concurrently examining both epidemics and specific cities, the book presents a unique perspective on global history. The analysis of globally circulating epidemics facilitates the reconstruction of intricate networks spanning a wide range. At the same time, the concentration on specific urban settings brings to light the disparities and unevenness resulting from global entanglements.

The book begins with an introduction that delves into the historical relationship between medicine, epidemics, and cities. It then shifts its focus to the history of three epidemic diseases: cholera, bubonic plague, and tuberculosis. These diseases have profoundly impacted cities such as Paris, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Bombay, and Baltimore. The chronological structure of the book is punctuated by significant pandemics that occurred at different times, including cholera outbreaks from the 1830s to the late nineteenth century, the bubonic plague at the turn of the twentieth century, and the tuberculosis pandemic until the mid-twentieth century.

Through its detailed examination of these epidemic diseases and their impact on different cities, Epidemic Cities provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between medicine, society, and urban environments. It sheds light on the strategies employed by cities to cope with epidemics, the social and economic consequences of these diseases, and the ways in which they have shaped the cultural and historical landscape of these cities. The book also raises important questions about the global distribution of resources, power, and knowledge during epidemics and the ways in which these factors have contributed to the uneven impact of these diseases on different populations.

Overall, Epidemic Cities is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the history of epidemics, global health, and urban development. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the past and presents a rich tapestry of insights that will be of interest to a wide audience.

Weight: 138g
Dimension: 150 x 450 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108930895