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1st polio research document
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The Knowledge of Plague dates back to Columbus's discovery of America, where Europeans spread deadly diseases such as Smallpox, measles, and influenza to Native Americans. Throughout history countless epidemics took the lives of mankind. Humanity tackled on these diseases with the development of vaccinations. Vaccines have vastly been improved through the growth of human civilization.
Life before vaccines was devastating and took extreme measures. A form of treatment for smallpox is known as inoculation or variolation, where dried smallpox scabs were blown into the nostrils of an individual who then would get a mild form of the disease. Once that individual recovered they would be immune to smallpox. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) variolation was not risk free, not only could a patient die from the procedure but the mild form of the disease could spread causing an epidemic.
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The Iron lung was invented to help polio patients breath due to the disease paralyzing muscle groups leaving patients unable to breath on their own according to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Children who encountered polio would spend weeks or months inside the iron lung, polio was one of the most feared diseases. The Center for disease control and prevention states polio crippled an average of more than 35,000 people in the united states each year. As polio vaccines began to arise the iron lung was left in the past in comparison with variolation. Dr. Jonas Salk created the Salk vaccine using a killed version of the virus in 1955. The vaccine was proven to be effective based on the Salk Institute for biological studies two years before the vaccine was available the number of polio cases in the U.S. was 45,000 by 1962 the number dropped to
Plagues and Peoples written by William H. McNeill follows the patterns of epidemics and endemics within human history. It is within this history that McNeill finds parallels between diseases and humans in the forms of microparasitism and macroparasitism. Merely from the title, McNeill gives equal importance to viruses and humankind. In several instances, humans behave the same way viruses, bacteria, and parasites do in order to survive and to compete. Surprisingly enough, McNeill’s overarching theme can be summarized using his last sentence, asserting that “Infectious disease which antedated the emergence of humankind will last as long as humanity itself, and will surely remain, as it has been hitherto, one of the fundamental parameters and
In closing, the variola virus affected a great amount in that era including, military strategy, trade, and native populations. Elizabeth A. Fenn’s book Pox Americana: The Great Smallpox Epidemic of 1775-82 sheds light on a significant aspect of that era that had not been given proper credence beforehand. She also illuminated the effect of smallpox when it came to race and social status. With regard to race, smallpox decimated much of the non European populations partly because of their lack of an innate immunity to that virus and Europeans lack of regard for those of a different race. Fenn’s argument on social status showed how the poorer strata’s of society suffered more severely from the variola virus because of their lack of finances to get inoculated; thus, the poor often suffered a worse strain of the virus which often lead to death.
The Bubonic Plague DBQ Sweeping through Western Europe during the fourteenth century, the Bubonic Plague wiped out nearly one third of the population and did not regard: status, age or even gender. All of this occurred as a result of a single fleabite. Bubonic Plague also known as Black Death started in Asia and traveled to Europe by ships. The Plague was thought to be spread by the dominating empire during this time, the Mongolian Empire, along the Silk Road. The Bubonic Plague was an infectious disease spread by fleas living on rats, which can be easily, be attached to traveler to be later spread to a city
William H. McNeill makes a monumental contribution to the knowledge of humanity in his book Plagues and Peoples. He looks at the history of the world from an ecological point of view. From this viewpoint the history of human civilization is greatly impacted by changing patterns of epidemic infection. Plagues and Peoples suggests that "the time scale of world history...should [be] viewed [through] the "domestication" of epidemic disease that occurred between 1300 and 1700" (page 232). "Domestication" is perceived "as a fundamental breakthrough, directly resulting from the two great transportation revolutions of that age - one by land, initiated by the Mongols, and one by sea, initiated by Europeans" (page 232). This book illustrates how man's environment and its resident diseases have controlled human migration, as well as societal successes and failures. McNeill discusses the political, demographical, and psychological effects of disease on the human race. He informs his audience that epidemics are still a viable threat to society, and warns of potential future consequences.
The Plague (French, La Peste) is a novel written by Albert Camus that is about an epidemic of bubonic plague. The Plague is set in a small Mediterranean town in North Africa called Oran. Dr. Bernard Rieux, one of the main characters, describes it as an ugly town. Oran’s inhabitants are boring people who appear to live, for the most part, habitual lives. The main focus of the town is money. “…everyone is bored, and devotes himself to cultivating habits. Our citizens work hard, but solely with the object of getting rich. Their chief interest is in commerce, and their chief aim in life is, as they call it, 'doing business’” (Camus 4). The citizens’ unawareness of life’s riches and pleasures show their susceptibility to the oncoming plague. They don’t bother themselves with matters not involving money. It is very easy for the reader to realize that they are too naive to combat the forthcoming calamity. The theme of not knowing life is more than work and habits will narrow the people’s chances of survival. Rieux explains that the town had a view of death as something that happens every day. He then explains that the town really doesn’t face towards the Mediterranean Sea. Actually it is almost impossible to see the sea from town. Oran is a town which seems to turn its back on life and freedom. The Plague was first published in 1948 in France. “Early readers were quick to note that it was in part an allegory of the German occupation of France from 1940 to 1944, which cut France off from the outside world; just as in the novel the town of Oran must close its gates to isolate the plague” (“The Plague” 202). When the plague first arrives, the residents are slow to realize the extreme danger they are in. Once they finally become aware of it...
All of Camus' writings may be viewed as a quest for meaningful values in a world of spiritual aridity and emptiness. He begins with man's despair, estrangement, fear, suffering and hopelessness in a world where is neither God nor the promise that He will come- the fundamental absurdity of existence- but ultimately affirms the power of man to achieve spiritual regeneration and the measure of salvation possible in an absurd universe. This radical repudiation of despair and nihilism is closely bound up with his concept of an artist. Camus conceives of art as a way of embracing a consciousness of the absurdity of man's existential plight. But art becomes a means of negating that absurdity because the artist reconstructs the reality, endowing it with unity, endurance and perfection. By taking elements from reality that confirms the absurd existence, an artist attempts to correct the world by words and redistribution. Thus the artist never provides a radical transformation of reality but a fundamental reinterpretation of what already exists. He provides a new angle of vision of perceiving reality. That is why, for Camus, an artist is a recreator of myth. He teaches humanity that contemporary man must abandon the old myths that have become otiose, though once defined his existence. The artist liberates man to live in his world by redefining both man and the condition in which he exists. In this regard, it is important to point out that, for Camus, the traditional opposition between art and philosophy is arbitrary. It is because they together become most effective to create the redefinition: the philosophy awakens the consciousness and the art, propelled by such a radical discovery, ...
From 166 A.D. to 180 A.D., The Antonine Plague spread around Europe devastating many countries. This epidemic killed thousands per day and is also known as the modern-day name Smallpox. It is known as one of deadliest plagues around the world.
Diseases like the Bubonic Plague can be very deadly and hurt the society. The Bubonic Plague was a very devastating disease in the mid 1300s. It lasted about 6 or 7 years, and killed nearly 50% of the European population.The disease was believed to have started in China and went down the European trade route. Also one theory is that enemy’s would catapult infected carcasses into other enemies villages. And people in the villages didn’t have anything to stop the disease from spreading so it would wipe out entire villages.(document 1)
Roos, Anna Marie E. "Plague, Early History." Infectious Diseases: In Context. Ed. Brenda Wilmoth Lerner and K. Lee Lerner. Vol. 2. Detroit: Gale, 2008. 627-634. In Context Series. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
How to Survive a Plague (2012) is a documentary about the story of two coalitions, ACT-UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group). Both groups dedicate their time and energy to stop AIDS from being the deadly disease that it has been for years and is only getting worse. Those affected by the disease were primarily of the LGBT community. Those with AIDS struggled to see progress with research for a cure because of those who held leadership roles had in certain religious views along with a lack of political interest. As millions of individuals were dying from this abhorrent disease, the two coalitions continued to protest and advocate for change. Through their actions, an effective treatment was found for AIDS. Their actions even led to the LGBT community
Vaccines are one of modern medicine 's game-changing breakthroughs, but they have been around for hundreds of years earlier in primitive forms. Dating back to medieval times, the first precursor to modern vaccination occurred in China around the tenth century. (2) Known as variolation or inoculation, the method was used to prevent smallpox that plagued Europe and Asia. (2) Chinese doctors found that when healthy people were exposed to smallpox scab tissue, they were less likely to get infected or got a milder, less dangerous case. (2) The most common form of inoculation in China was to crush smallpox scabs into powder and then breathe it through the nose.(2) Because smallpox was such a destructive disease, in the late 1700 's, George Washington ordered mandatory inoculation for troops who hadn 't survived smallpox before. (2) Also in the late 1700 's, Edward Jenner
The Bubonic Plague, otherwise known as the Black Death was a raging disease. Most people thought of it as the physical Grim Reaper of their town or community. The disease lasted about six years, 1347 to 1352. The Bubonic Plague was a travesty that has traveled throughout Europe and has raged and decimated both large and small towns, putting Europe through a lot.
After there was an outbreak of smallpox in 1000CE, the smallpox immunization was created to limit the fatalities. Eventually, the inoculation traveled to Africa, Europe, and the Americas. However, in 1796, Edward Jenner used cowpox components to create an even stronger immunity. Over the next two centuries, that method undertook several medical changes. Furthermore, in the 1930s, vaccines against many diseases such as tuberculosis and typhoid developed. More recently however, vaccine research and development led to a vaccine for polio ("All Timelines Overview," n.d.). When creating a vaccine, the goal is to weaken the virus in order for the person suffering to develop immunity to it. When the vaccine is inserted into the body, it is programed to create Memory-B Cells, which protect against additional infection (Offit, 2013). The chemicals often found in a vaccine include a suspending fluid such as sterile water, a preservative, and an enhancer that helps advance the vaccine's efficiency. A vaccine also contains a weakened part of the infection cell. When the person receives the vaccine, the body reacts by creating antibodies. In other words, the injections expose people to germs, so that their body can learn to be immune to the disease (Great Ormond Street Hospital, 2013).
In his novel The Plague, Albert Camus presents a pseudo-historical documentary of a plague that confines and controls the citizens of Oran within their city gates. The plague possesses the power of life and death over the people, as it determines which citizens will face their death or those who work to stop death. These latter men, personified by the characters of Rieux, Grand, and Tarrau, each struggle endlessly to master the plague's power over their lives, even with the realization they may never succeed. For Camus, this idea of an "impossible struggle" against an unseen power resonates throughout the novel and reoccurs in another "plague" which these men must contend with - the limits of human language. Camus's characters place great emphasis and importance upon the power of language and lament their inability to express themselves clearly.
When thousands of rats begin dying and rotting in the streets of Oran, the citizens are bewildered. It is when the peculiar cases of a severe fever begin appearing that Dr. Rieux and Dr. Castel dare to consider that the plague has descended upon the city. For this reason, The Plague by Albert Camus is appropriately named. The novel explores the condition of a society living in constant fear of a disease that almost guarantees death. The title does not only reflect the name of the disease but as well as the event of the plague. The book is a chronicle of the events and the conditions, that urge the reader to hold on to the past.