Understanding Disease and Epidemics

These flashcards cover crucial vocabulary related to the understanding of disease, epidemics, their classifications, historical perspectives, and their societal impacts based on the lecture notes.

Disease

Best defined as a group of recognizable physical symptoms involving weakness, incapacity, organ failure, malformation, or death.

Epidemic

A disease that results in mortality or morbidity in excess of normal expectations.

Endemic

A disease that is prevalent in a local population all the time.

Contagion

A disease that can be transmitted from one person to another.

Civilization and Disease

Civilization has affected disease through incursions, cross-cultural encounters, and networks of trade.

Historical Perspective on Disease

Disease has been viewed as a moral or social issue, especially by elites blaming the poor.

J.N. Hays' Limitation

Focus on Western civilization does not fully explain pandemics' effects over political and cultural frontiers.

Galen of Pergamum

Influenced the development of physiology and viewed disease as a systemic problem restricted to one organ or set of organs.

Asclepian Temples

Places where a crucial part of healing involved rest, bathing, and dream interpretation.

Hippocratic Medicine

Distinguished from temple medicine by attention to natural explanations of disease and pharmacological remedies.

Emergence of Hospitals

Best explained by the synthesis of classical and Christian learning.

Leprosy Intervention

Early on, leprosy was a subject of clerical rather than medical intervention.

Cultural Beliefs about Lepers

Emphasized ritual uncleanliness and moral guilt.

Black Death

The epidemic which caused 30 to 60 percent of the European population to die.

Bubonic Plague Cause

Caused by a microorganism called 'Yersinia pestis'.

True Causes of Black Death

Most physicians believed it was due to natural causes and God's anger.

Plague's Spread in Rural Areas

Rats gathered in grain stocks and mills, making it just as deadly as in cities.

Morbidity

Refers to the incidence of disease in a population.

Mortality

Refers to the incidence of death in a population.

Bubonic Plague Transmission

Primarily transmitted by fleas.

Misconceptions of the Plague

Many believed it was caused by bad air or planetary conjunctions.

Authority and Epidemics

The great epidemic led to the loss of authority for the landed class and the Church.

Social Response to Disease

Previously, disease was attributed to punishment or moral failure.

Dream Interpretation in Healing

Seen as a crucial practice in Asclepian temples.

Medieval Religious Views of Lepers

Ambivalent or contradictory in nature.

Galen's View on Medicine

Considered medicine a branch of moral philosophy.

Impact of the Black Death

Altered social structures and concepts related to authority.

Leprosy Ideas about Sex

Resulted from the spread of leprosy and the perception of immorality.

Ritual Purity and Disease

Often tied to disease in religious traditions.

Role of Physicians in the Middle Ages

Limited impact due to few physicians and accessibility issues.

Natural Explanations of Disease

A key element that distinguished Hippocratic medicine.

Leper Hospitals

Faced challenges due to the stigma surrounding leprosy patients.

Spread of Plague - Urban vs Rural

Equally deadly due to similar conditions in both settings.

Mediterranean Influence on Medicine

Greco-Arabic learning shaped the evolution of medical practices.

Elemental Theory

Used to explain human physiology according to Hippocratic authors.

Epidemic vs. Endemic Understanding

The terms are pivotal in discussing the scope and impact of diseases.

Economic Effect of Epidemics

Led to cessation of economic activities and neglect of land.

Hippocratism vs. Religious Medicine

Conflict between practical medical approaches and spiritual beliefs.

Impact of Urbanization on Epidemics

Urban growth increased exposure and transmission of diseases.

Moral Philosophy and Medicine

Galen's influence included ethical concerns in medical practice.

Contagion Beliefs

Developed around the understanding of how diseases spread.

Plague-Causing Fleas

Responsible for spreading the bubonic plague.

Growth of Towns and Epidemics

Increased frequency and complexity of trade facilitated epidemic spread.

Historical Understanding of Disease

A reflection of changes in societal beliefs over time.

Role of Kings in Disease Prevention

Historically attributed with the ability to heal and manage diseases.

Bubonic Plague Symptoms

Often included fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Perspectives on Disease

Cultural and historical views shaped the understanding of disease.

Empirical Understanding in Medicine

Emerging from the Renaissance and onward, moved away from only philosophical views.

Plan for Medical Education

Foundation of universities influenced the professionalization of medicine.

Social Commentary

Epidemics often reveal underlying social issues and disparities.

Plague's Impact on Society

Significantly altered societal dynamics throughout Europe.