The Top Ten Diseases of All Time

Infectious diseases have been with us for millennia and continue to pose a threat, from the irritation of flu season to the potential extinction of our species. Stacey Smith's The Top Ten Diseases of All Time presents the top ten deadliest diseases and their effects on society, providing a wealth of information about the trajectory and terrible impact of each disease, and humanity's reaction to these diseases throughout the millennia.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 154 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2023
Publisher: University of Ottawa Press

Infectious diseases have been a part of our world for thousands of years, and they continue to pose a significant threat to our health and survival. From the discomfort of flu season to the potential extinction of our species, we instinctively fear and alter our behavior in response to these diseases. One of the most significant ways in which infectious diseases have impacted society is through the development of medical practices and symbols. For example, the medical symbol evolved from the worms wrapped around a stick, which was the only way to remove Guinea worms from the body. This symbol has since become a universal symbol of medicine and healthcare. Smallpox, the third-worst disease ever, was successfully eradicated in the 20th century thanks to a vaccine, photographic recognition cards, and forced vaccinations of whole villages in the former Yugoslavia. This success led to the creation of the environmental movement, as it highlighted the importance of protecting the environment from the negative impacts of human activity. However, the failure to eradicate four diseases in the 20th century led to the creation of the environmental movement, as it highlighted the importance of protecting the environment from the negative impacts of human activity. The inability of priests to explain how to stop the plague in the Middle Ages broke the back of the church as an all-powerful and all-knowing institution and led to colonialism and slavery. In conclusion, infectious diseases have had a profound impact on our world, and they continue to pose a significant threat to our health and survival. From the development of medical practices and symbols to the creation of the environmental movement, these diseases have shaped our history and our future. It is important to continue to invest in research and development of new treatments and vaccines to combat these diseases and to work towards a world where infectious diseases are no longer a threat to our existence.

Weight: 178g
Dimension: 126 x 203 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780776640600