Patterns of Plague: Changing Ideas about Plague in England and France, 1348-1750

During the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries, medical interventions and treatments for the plague remained largely unchanged, but perceptions of its origin, causes, and treatment evolved. Patterns of Plague explores these changing perceptions by examining medical advice literature from England and France, highlighting the consistent and idiosyncratic factors that influenced how people understood and responded to the disease.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

For centuries, recurrent plague outbreaks wreaked havoc on populations across Europe and Asia, leaving a devastating toll. While medical interventions and treatments remained relatively unchanged from the fourteenth century to the eighteenth century, our understanding of the origins and transmission of the plague underwent significant transformations. In Patterns of Plague, we delve into these shifting perceptions across four centuries by employing an innovative approach to analyzing medical advice literature produced in England and France.

When the plague first emerged in the Mediterranean region in 1348, physicians held a belief that the epidemics timing and spread could be explained logically, and the disease could be successfully treated. This confidence led to the widespread circulation of plague tracts, which provided comprehensive descriptions of the causes, symptoms, and recommended therapies for the disease. These tracts followed a consistent style, offering valuable insights into the prevailing understanding of plague at the time.

However, as political, religious, economic, intellectual, medical, and publication circumstances evolved, the perceptions surrounding plague outbreaks underwent a profound transformation. What was once considered a rational and treatable disease became shrouded in mystery, and the blame for outbreaks shifted accordingly. Patterns of Plague sheds light on the consistent aspects of plague thinking and the idiosyncrasies that emerged in different places and times. By examining the many factors that influenced how people understood and responded to epidemic disease, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior and the challenges posed by infectious diseases.

In conclusion, Patterns of Plague offers a unique perspective on the changing perceptions of plague across four centuries. Through an innovative analysis of medical advice literature, we uncover the factors that shaped our understanding of this devastating disease and its impact on societies. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of medical history and provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between science, medicine, and society in times of crisis.

Weight: 554g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228010807