Infectious Diseases: Prevention and Treatment in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

Infectious Diseases was first published in 1979.Following an experience of almost fifty years with infectious diseases involving teaching, patient care, and research, Dr. Spink presents a significant history of the control of these diseases. He describes the evolution of developments that led to this control and points out that this achievement is an outstanding contribution to human health.The book is divided into three sections: Background of the Control and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Development of Prophylaxis and Therapy for Infectious Diseases in the Twentieth Century, and Evolution of Knowledge of Specific Infectious Diseases. A major feature is a comprehensive bibliography of about 1500 references. There is also a selected, annotated bibliography for those interested in probing further into the historical phases of the subject.The author reviews his clinical experiences in the treatment of many of the different types of infectious diseases before and after the introduction of the sulfonamides and antibiotics. Likewise, he discusses his personal experience with epidemic diseases such as polio and measles before the availability of prophylactic vaccines. He presents firsthand observations of diseases in various areas in the world, and surveys some of the remaining major problems in infectious diseases. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of preventive medicine and competent public health administration.