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- Title
Changes in the study of infectious diseases and epidemiology - from inflexible consensus to the acceptance of life-saving discoveries.
- Authors
Gillis, Roni; Moscovici, Khen; Goldhirsh, Michal; Gillis, Immanuel
- Abstract
Over the decades, there have been many worldwide epidemics that have raised questions among researchers regarding their origin. While some scholars based their claims on scientific and evidence-based research, others based their claims on faith in gods and superstitions. During the 17th century, some researchers speculated that small creatures existed, causing an infection which brought about the diseases. However, due to the strong belief in the powers of the gods, it was difficult for researchers to progress and further develop this hypothesis. Puerperal fever is an endemic disease that was common among women giving birth. The mortality rate from this epidemic was extremely high. Over the years, many researchers tried to put an end to this epidemic and find a solution for it, but to no avail. Either they found what they thought was a solution that was implemented but did not produce any results, or they found a good solution that over the years would be perceived as correct, but due to the lack of solid evidence and an explanation, and due to a sense of insult on the part of those concerned, this solution did not produce an outcome. In 1864 Louis Pasteur published his great collection of articles, after many years of research, proving the existence of airborne microorganisms. As a result, he founded, together with several of his followers, the studies in microbiology, which is the basis of bacteriology. Due to Louis Pasteur's great contribution to our knowledge, drugs, anesthetics, and various hygiene tools have been developed that have significantly reduced morbidity and mortality due to epidemics worldwide. This article describes, through the presentation of the changes in the study of epidemiology, how fixation of thought, the lack of openness to research findings and the megalomania constitute a stumbling block in the pathway of science in general and the medical world in particular.
- Subjects
COMMUNICABLE diseases; EPIDEMIOLOGY; HISTORY of medicine; PASTEUR, Louis, 1822-1895; ENDEMIC diseases; PUERPERAL septicemia
- Publication
Vesalius: Acta Internationales Historiae Medicinae, 2019, Vol 25, Issue 2, p55
- ISSN
1373-4857
- Publication type
Article