Systems of Classification in Premodern Medical Cultures: Sickness, Health, and Local Epistemologies

The book "Systems of Classification in Premodern Medical Cultures" explores historical disease concepts from antiquity to the seventeenth century,cross-cultural perspectives,illness perceptions,constructions,and experiences. It examines case studies from East Asian,Middle Eastern,and Mediterranean cultures,spanning ancient Egypt,Mesopotamia,Greece,and Rome to Tibet and China. The contributions aim to capture the multiplicity of disease concepts and medical traditions and investigate the historical dynamics of stability and change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The study of Systems of Classification in Premodern Medical Cultures offers a comprehensive exploration of historical disease concepts, placing them in a cross-cultural context. Spanning from antiquity to the seventeenth century, this volume delves into the perceptions, constructions, and experiences of health and illness across diverse cultures. By examining the systematic categorization and classification of illness in its various manifestations and causes, the book explores a range of case studies, encompassing both popular notions of illness and specialized discourses. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, including philological, historical, and anthropological methodologies, the contributions shed light on perspectives from East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cultures, spanning ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Tibet, and China. Their objective is to capture the rich diversity of disease concepts and medical traditions within specific societies, while also investigating the historical dynamics of stability and change associated with these concepts. This volume serves as a valuable resource for comparative research, attracting scholars from various fields, including anthropology, history, and classics. By providing a comprehensive examination of historical disease perceptions and practices, it contributes to our understanding of the cultural conceptualization of illness and its significance in shaping human experiences throughout history.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367512606