The Burdens of Disease: Epidemics and Human Response in Western History

Acknowledgments

xi Acknowledgments In this revised edition of The Burdens of Disease I remain deeply indebted to those historians and other scholars whose works continue to inform my ideas about the history of epidemic disease. Since the first edition was published in 1998 that scholarship has grown steadily richer, deeper, and more enlightening. The updated “Suggestions for Further Reading” reflect some of that wealth, and I hope that the readers of this book will make use of them and so derive the same pleasures from them that I have enjoyed. Early in my historical training three distinguished scholars at the University of Chicago inspired me. Allen Debus introduced me to the history of science, still my bridge between C. P. Snow’s two cultures. William McNeill’s breadth of vision and imagination provided excitement and stimulus, even before his seminal Plagues and Peoples helped create interest in the history of disease. John Clive (later of Harvard University, and now deceased) constantly reminded me that history is a humanistic pursuit. My students at Loyola University Chicago, including undergraduate, graduate , and medical students, persistently asked unanswerable and hence important questions. Loyola’s Department of History has remained a genial and stimulating group of colleagues and friends; I could not have found a more congenial environment for my career. I must also thank Loyola University for the grants of two leaves of absence that facilitated the original conception and completion of the book. Since the appearance of the first edition, I have gained both ideas and encouragement from a variety of readers and reviewers. And as have so many scholars, I have shamelessly exploited the professionalism and resources found in libraries, especially (in my case) those of the University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, and the Wellcome Centre for the History of Medicine at University College London. At Rutgers University Press, senior editor Doreen Valentine has rendered invaluable professional counsel, and the whole Rutgers Press staff has made the production process a pleasure. And to my wife, Rosalind Hays, I still owe more than I can properly express, and certainly more than I can ever repay. She shares whatever merits this book may possess. The flaws and errors that remain are mine, all mine. xii Acknowledgments The Burdens of Disease ...