The Origins of Human Disease

This book is a history of the diseases of humankind and their causes from earliest times to the present day. It is a tour de force drawing upon the author's extensive work on the history of infection, as well upon evidence drawn from archaeology, history and demography. Part One: Disease History

1. Hunting and Gathering

2. Agriculture

3. Industry

Part Two: Disease Origins, Introduction

4. Prenatal Diseases

5. Diseases Due to Deficiencies and Hazards: Diseases of Poverty

6. Diseases Due to Maladaptation and Hazards: Diseases of Affluence

Part Three: Disease Control, Introduction

7. Prenatal Diseases

8. Diseases of Poverty

9. Diseases of Affluence

Conclusions.

Thomas McKeown was a British physician, epidemiologist and historian of medicine. This book is a history of the diseases of humankind and their causes from earliest times to the present day. It is a tour de force drawing upon the author's extensive work on the history of infection, as well upon evidence drawn from archaeology, history and demography.

Both infectious and almost all non-communicable diseases are potentially eradicable. Just how they are and the significance of Professor McKeown's finding for health policies in developing countries, are the concluding themes of this controversial work.