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1157 BCE
Smallpox in Egyptian Empire
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 -
430 BCE
Athens 431-404 BCE:...........................https://www.ancient.eu/article/939/the-plague-at-athens-430-427-bce/
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). -
370 BCE
Hippocrates 460 BCE to 377 BCE
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. -
165
Plague of Glenis: Antonine Plague of 165 A.D:.......https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20046111/
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). -
250
Cyprian Plague 250 CE:....................https://historicengland.org.uk/research/inclusive-heritage/disability-history/1050-1485/time-of-leprosy/
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). -
541
Justinian's Plague 541-542 CE:....................https://www.ancient.eu/article/782/justinians-plague-541-542-ce/
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. -
1099
Leprosy of the 11th Century:....................https://www.cdc.gov/leprosy/symptoms/index.html
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. -
Oct 1, 1350
Black Death, Bubonic Plague of 1350 : https://www.history.com/topics/middleages/blackdeath#&gid=ci0260fc9f700027ee&pid=gettyimages-51241529
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). -
Great Plague of London 1665-1666
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 -
May 1796 Edward Jenner (Merrill, 2021):.........................Merrill, R. (2021). Introduction to Epidemiology. Epidemiology of Cowpox and Smallpox, Jones et Bartlett Learning.
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. -
First Documented Cholera (Vibrio cholerae) Pandemic of 1817: https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/history-of-cholera
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). -
November 1853 John Snow and Cholera : Merrill, R. (2021). Introduction to Epidemiology. John Snow‘s Epidemiologic Investigations of Cholera (Figure 2-3). Jones et Bartlett Learning.
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). -
Russian Flu 1889
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
