World Epidemics

In its expanded second edition, this chronology examines the effects of epidemic illness and death on human culture from 2700 bce to 2017. Entries summarize incidents of contagion across the globe, including symptoms, treatment, prevention and demographics, as well as biographical information on notable people who identified and battled disease. Entries feature citations from personal and public documents along with maps, charts comparing types of infection, and estimated populations affected by each epidemic.

Mary Ellen Snodgrass is an award-winning author of English and Latin textbooks and reference works for 35 years. She taught at Hickory High School and Lenoir Rhyne University in North Carolina for 23 years. Her writing focuses on women’s and world literature and history and general research topics, including epidemics, the history of money, clothing, food, and dance. She lives in Hickory, North Carolina.

Mary Ellen Snodgrass

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 423
Bibliographic Info: glossary, appendices, bibliographies, index
Copyright Date: 2017
pISBN: 978-1-4766-7124-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-3106-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments  vi
Preface  1
Introduction  3
The Chronology  7
Glossary  327
Appendix A: Epidemic Diseases and Sources  333
Appendix B: Historic Writings on Disease  344
Appendix C: Timeline of Writings on Disease  348
Appendix D: Authors of Major Works on Disease  352
Selected Bibliography—General Resources  356
Bibliography—Resources by Disease  358
Index  367

• “This chronology offers researchers a basic overview of the prevalence of disease during specific historical periods…. Scurvy, black lung, tuberculosis, and unknown contagious infections described in ancient writings receive entries along with better known scourges such as smallpox, plague, and HIV/AIDS.”—Booklist
• “Snodgrass distills each outbreak into an engagingly written summary, often providing grim details of the disease’s manifestation…recommended”—Choice
• Reviews of the first edition: “a welcome addition…recommended”—Choice
• “Research…is phenomenal”—ARBA
• “Useful”—C&RL News
• “This work fills a gap”—Catholic Library World
• “This fascinating book is an impressive collection of information that has been finely distilled into a 360-page chronology…the index is invaluable…absorbing…useful glossary…particularly useful to anyone doing preliminary research on a historical disease or epidemic…highly recommended”—Reference Reviews.