Title: Princes and peasants: smallpox in history.

POPLINE Document Number: 040537

Author(s):

Hopkins DR

Source citation:

Chicago, Illinois, University of Chicago Press, 1983. xx, 361 p.

Abstract:

This book presents a comprehensive history of smallpox, from its introduction through its eradication. Although smallpox is believed to have originated in Asia or Africa around 10,00 BC, the earliest documented occurrences were in Egypt in the period 1570-1085 BC. This historical account shows how the disease facilitated European conquest and the settlement of North and South America. Also described are the centuries of conflict and ignorance about smallpox, followed by the gradual development of scientific understanding of the etiology of smallpox. It is asserted that it was the global approach to public health policy, as opposed to control within national borders, that ultimately enabled the eradication of smallpox. In illustrating the ways smallpox influenced history, the author focuses on the illnesses and deaths of prominent persons.

Keywords:

Global
Communicable Disease Control
Public Health
Health
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Morbidity
Treatment
Evaluation
Prevention and Control
Analysis
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Research Methodology