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A Short Discourse Concerning Pestilential Contagion, and the Methods to Be Used to Prevent It cover

A Short Discourse Concerning Pestilential Contagion, and the Methods to Be Used to Prevent It

The work analyzes the nature and transmission of pestilential contagion, attributing spread to three main causes: the air, infected people, and goods moved from affected areas. It links outbreaks to hot, moist, and stagnant atmospheric conditions and to putrefactive exhalations, and argues that commerce can carry infections into milder climates where they may be less severe. Drawing on historical episodes, it outlines practical preventative measures, advocates quarantine, isolation of infected houses, and environmental sanitation, and proposes revised suppression practices intended to reduce transmission and protect public safety.

By Richard Mead
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Health & MedicineHistory - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)

About This Book

The work analyzes the nature and transmission of pestilential contagion, attributing spread to three main causes: the air, infected people, and goods moved from affected areas. It links outbreaks to hot, moist, and stagnant atmospheric conditions and to putrefactive exhalations, and argues that commerce can carry infections into milder climates where they may be less severe. Drawing on historical episodes, it outlines practical preventative measures, advocates quarantine, isolation of infected houses, and environmental sanitation, and proposes revised suppression practices intended to reduce transmission and protect public safety.

About the Author

Mead, Richard portrait

Richard Mead

Richard Mead was an influential English physician and medical writer of the 18th century, known for his contributions to the understanding of diseases and public health. His notable works include "A Discourse on the Plague," which examines the nature and impact of plague outbreaks, and "Medica Sacra," a commentary on diseases referenced in the Holy Scriptures. Mead's writings reflect a blend of medical knowledge and philosophical inquiry, addressing both practical and theoretical aspects of health. His essays on poisons and contagion further illustrate his commitment to advancing medical science during a time of significant public health challenges.

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