The Epidemiology and Historical Effects of Typhus
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Typhus is now a rare disease, but it was once one of the deadliest epidemics faced by humanity throughout its evolution. Through review of historical warfare information from the 1500’s to present-day, historical medical writings, scholarly articles regarding Epidemic Typhus, and written accounts from epidemic outbreaks, this paper will detail the Epidemiology of Typhus and elaborate on its historical impact. The high mortality rate of Typhus is known, but what is less known about the disease is its incidental impact on human history; specifically, its effects on historical wars such as the Napoleonic Wars, World War 1, and other historical battles due to the proclivity of Epidemic Typhus to follow armies; how Typhus resulted in sweeping medical and prison reforms after the late 1500’s by helping show disease transmission and sanitary effects; and finally, how Typhus, after being observed by an early scientist named Francastoro, helped lay the foundations for the modern day Germ Theory. Today, modern medicine has created a vaccine for Typhus, making infection rare and epidemic outbreaks even more so. However, research is still ongoing to discover the origins of Epidemic Typhus, and further detail its influences throughout modern evolution.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Annette Finley-Croswhite
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Disciplines
History of Science, Technology, and Medicine | Other Medicine and Health Sciences
Session Title
College of Arts & Letters 4
Location
Learning Commons @ Perry Library Room 1313
Start Date
2-8-2020 10:15 AM
End Date
2-8-2020 11:15 AM
The Epidemiology and Historical Effects of Typhus
Learning Commons @ Perry Library Room 1313
Typhus is now a rare disease, but it was once one of the deadliest epidemics faced by humanity throughout its evolution. Through review of historical warfare information from the 1500’s to present-day, historical medical writings, scholarly articles regarding Epidemic Typhus, and written accounts from epidemic outbreaks, this paper will detail the Epidemiology of Typhus and elaborate on its historical impact. The high mortality rate of Typhus is known, but what is less known about the disease is its incidental impact on human history; specifically, its effects on historical wars such as the Napoleonic Wars, World War 1, and other historical battles due to the proclivity of Epidemic Typhus to follow armies; how Typhus resulted in sweeping medical and prison reforms after the late 1500’s by helping show disease transmission and sanitary effects; and finally, how Typhus, after being observed by an early scientist named Francastoro, helped lay the foundations for the modern day Germ Theory. Today, modern medicine has created a vaccine for Typhus, making infection rare and epidemic outbreaks even more so. However, research is still ongoing to discover the origins of Epidemic Typhus, and further detail its influences throughout modern evolution.