HSCI 312 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Hygieia, Leprosy, Syphilis
14 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Learning occurred by observation, as well as by trial and error: development of rules and taboos. Believed in influence of evil spirits and gods. India; 4,000 years ago signs of sanitation: oldest health-related documents. Balance among physical (athletics), mental (philosophy), and spiritual (theology) Hygeia - power to prevent disease; more prominent. Terms hygiene and panacea trace to these daughters. During the middle ages much of what had been previously learned was lost. Political & social unrest; many health advances lost: with collapse of the roman empire, there was much political and social unrest, many public health problems resulted from overcrowding. Christian beliefs impacted health belief that disease was caused by sin or disobeying. Concept of disease contagion became more universally accepted. Syphilis last major epidemic disease of this period: other epidemics: smallpox, diphtheria, measles, influenza, tuberculosis, and anthrax. The renaissance witnessed a rebirth of interest in knowledge; science again flourished & health care advancements were made.
