PMID: 11624197Oct 20, 2001Paper

Epidemics and the evolution of medicine in Iran during the XIX century

Medicina nei secoli
H Ebrahimnejad

Abstract

In a description of a historical case in 19th Century Persia, this article endeavours to show how changes in medical thought occurred. It argues that Medical Modernisation was apparent in the internal changes in traditional medicine. While cholera was frequently recorded, as an epidemic disease, over several centuries in the Persian Medical literature, why and how it became at this period, before contact with Western medicine, under close scrutiny by the traditional medicine. This new scrutiny is illustrated in the writings of Shirazi, a traditional court doctor, who endeavoured to describe cholera, diarrhoea and plague. In doing this, he introduced a significant change in the meanings of vaba and ta'un (generic terms attributed to any epidemic disease). Shirazi used them specifically to mean what we understood as cholera, for the former, and plague for the latter. The internal change in traditional medical thought, together with the awakening of socio-political consciousness regarding the spread of epidemics, were the main factors clearing the path to a natural integration of Western medicine in 19th century Iran.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Lyndon Mansfield
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Lyndon Mansfield
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved