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3rd Century BC-The origin of smallpox is unknown, yet three mummies dating back 3000 years ago were documented to have rashes or smallpox pustules. Pictured is Pharaoh Ramses V (CDC, 2016). https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/history/smallpox-origin.html
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In the Peloponnesian War a mysterious disease passed through Ethiopia, Libya, Egypt, crossed the Mediterranean Sea into Persia and Greece which weakened the Athenians whom would fall to the Spartans. Athenian General Thucydides observations included bloody throat and tongue, thirst, lesions, rash and fever. As much as 1/3 of Athenians died during this epidemic (Horgan, 2016). Historians believe it was Typhoid fever due to various research evidence (Horgan, 2016).
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A Greek Physician, thought of as the first epidemiologist, he observed that disease states occurred in different locations (causality, this method is still used today). He noted that malaria and yellow fever only burdened those who lived close to swampy areas. He coined the terms endemic and epidemic (Merrill, 2021).
Merrill, R. (2021). Introduction to Epidemiology. Hippocrates, the First Epidemiologist. Jones et Bartlett Learning. -
This disease ran rampant under the rule of Marcus Aurelius then under his son Commodus. Historians theorize that this was actually smallpox when reading the great physician Galen's work. The Plague spread via the Parthian War and against the Marcomanni. It affected ancient Roman traditions, affected art expression and influenced renewal in religious and spiritual beliefs. This plague was the cause of the falling of Roman Empire in the fifth century AD (Sabbatani et Fiorino, 2009).
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Ethiopia saw this plague erupt the Easter of 250 CE. It then made its way to Rome, Greece and Syria. This plague lasted 20 years & at its high, killed up to 5,000 Romans per day. Warfare, floods, drought and starvation were added burdens to the area people. Historians theorize it was Ebola. Fever, blindness, bouts of diarrhea, swollen throats with blood stained mouths as well as blood filled eyes were vivid descriptions documented by pagans and listed as punishment from the gods (Horgan, 2016).
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Bacteria Yersinia pestis traveled from China, to NE Indian then to the trade ports of Great Lakes Africa, landing in Justinian’s Empire, Egypt. The plague traveled via infected flea-ridden rats amongst trade ships. Symptoms included delusions, nightmares, fever, lymph node swellings in the groin, armpits and near the ears. Millions of people perished by 750 CE (Horgan, 2014). Modern epidemiologists understand the importance of tracking cases and finding a source to contain and cease a disease.
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Disease that caused loss of fingers and toes, blindness, lesions, nerve damage. "Old leprosy" seen as purgatory on Earth, diseased were closer to God than others. Modern/Hansen's disease, seen as stigma in limited resourced countries, especially for women. If diagnosed early, can be treated without progressing to disability. Rare in US, passed from handling Armadillos (CDC, 2017). Covering a cough & handwashing is a basic public health measure to protect against diseases like leprosy.
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The Bubonic Plague attacks the human lymphatic system, infects lungs & causes sepsis which resulted in hastily deaths. After arriving via 12 ships on the port off Messina in Sicily, the plague spread like wildfire through ports in Europe, then to N. Africa and major trading routes of Rome and Florence, killing 1/3 of the continents population or 20 million people in a span of 5 years. Bites from rats and fleas infected with the bacterium Y. pestis were the cause of the outbreak (History, 2020).
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68,596 people died during this year. Outbreak blamed on the bacterium Yersinia pestis which were transmitted to humans through bites of infected fleas and rats. From 1667 forward, cases became few due to Great Fire of London in September 1666. Scholars also applaud quarantine of the times and believed cessation of the plague was spontaneous (Morill, n.d.). Today quarantine is a non expensive way to decrease the spread of diseases. https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Plague-of-London
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English physician, Jenner, noticed that milkmaids who had cowpox, were then exposed to smallpox, did not contract it. In the Spring of 1796, Jenner took the pus from an infected pustule of a milkmaid's hand and inoculated 8 year old James Phipps. Phipps experienced mild symptoms and recovered. Two months later, Jenner inoculated Phipps with fresh pus from a smallpox pustule, the boy did not get ill. Cowpox was determined to protect against smallpox, and vaccinations were born from this study.
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The 1st of 7 cholera pandemics over the span of 150 years. Cholera causes copious amounts of water to be released from the intestines, leading to dehydration, leg cramps, loss of electrolytes, if left untreated, death follows. In 1817, contaminated rice from India started the 1st pandemic which traveled along major trade routes to Thailand, Indonesia, China & Japan. By 1821, cholera made it's way to European territories before finally ceasing due to harsh winter conditions 1824 (History, 2020).
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Referred to as the Father of Epidemiology, John Snow's research methods are still used today. As a physician, he used descriptive & analytical research when studying the cholera outbreak of Soho Dist in London. By taking the handle off a water pump at Broad Street Pump, Snow saved hundred of thousands lives and proved through his research that cholera was a waterborne disease (Merrill, 2021). Merrill, R. (2021).
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Documented as the first significant flu pandemic in the world, that spread via travel, it made health officials realize we are an interconnected world. Epidemiologists saw that this flu traveled via major rivers, roads, and railroad lines. By the end of 1890, the Russian Flu had already made it's way to every corner of the globe, taking a total of approximately 1 million lives in one year (Daugherty, n.d.). https://www.history.com/news/1889-russian-flu-pandemic-in-america
