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312 | Thomas Levenson on the Mutual History of Humans and Germs

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

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From Miasmas to Microbes: The Evolution of Disease Understanding

This chapter examines the historical perspective on disease, particularly the shift from miasmas to microbial explanations, using the Great Plague of London as a key example. It highlights the contributions of Cotton Mather to early medicine through vaccination practices, and the complex interplay of societal beliefs and scientific advancements in combating smallpox.

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